Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 17, 2015– On Monday, I passed my first bill on the floor of the house. It was HB 425, known as the Mission Tennessee for Veterans Program. It basically authorizes health care providers in the national guard, as well as, the Tennessee Military Department to perform limited medical missions for the uninsured in Tennessee. It passed unanimously.
Tuesday was MTSU day on the hill. I would like to thank President of MTSU, Dr. Sidney McPhee and former Representative John Hood for coming to the Capitol. MTSU had a strong presence in the legislative plaza with multiple displays and staff members in attendance on Tuesday.
Speaking of MTSU, I would like to thank a multitude of MTSU students for contacting me about HB 57, the Racial Profiling Protection Act. It would require law enforcement agencies to adopt policies that would prevent detaining or mistreating someone solely based on an individuals perceived race, color, ethnicity or national origin. With the support of and on behalf of these MTSU students, I am co-sponsoring this bill.
On Thursday, we passed a balanced budget, as mentioned below. I fought for increasing our rainy day fund, as we are well below our projected need. In addition, I fought for patients to oppose some of the damaging cuts to TennCare. Also, as promised, I fought for teachers and their pay raise. I opposed an attempt via a budget amendment to divert 20 million dollars towards local pork projects.
The $33.3 billion budget cuts taxes, puts $73.5 million in the state’s Rainy Day Fund, improves our educational system, and provides an even better environment for businesses to grow and for jobs to flourish.
While the budget is never everything one would want, ultimately one must get the majority in the House and Senate to pass it, get the Governor to sign it, and have it be balanced. We accomplished that.
As always, I am humbled and honored to be your state representative.
With Liberty,
Dr. Bryan Terry