LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2018

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1 KNOXVILLE CHAMBER LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2018 Choose Progress. Choose Knoxville.

2 2018 STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 1. Support expanded access and affordability to post-secondary education including certificate and degree programs that align with the state s workforce, in-state tuition for all Tennessee residents, and expanded funding for dual enrollment to attain the state s college completion goal of 55 percent of Tennesseans holding post-secondary credentials by Promote continued implementation of TNReady standards, assessments and their use for teacher evaluations to ensure accurate information is provided to educators, families and the wider community regarding students preparation for continued learning and success in the workforce 3. Support business and affordable housing incentives and tools that make Tennessee competitive with other states while emphasizing transparency, accountability, and a return on investment. 4. Support updates to the tax credit structure to incentivize rehabilitation of historic property to spur job creation and economic development activity 5. Support access and affordability of medical care including prevention and treatment of substance abuse/addiction to provide a healthier work force and to alleviate and prevent increased health care costs to businesses 6. Support efforts to preserve Tennessee s reputation as a welcoming state by opposing discriminatory legislation that hinders its reputation and negatively impacts the economy, jobs and the ability to attract talent

3 2018 REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Blount County, Knoxville and Oak Ridge Chambers of Commerce For more than 25 years the Chambers of Commerce of Oak Ridge, Blount County and Knoxville have worked together to develop a regional legislative agenda to identify state issues of importance and increase job and business growth in the region. The following items will be the primary focus of the joint efforts of the Knoxville Chamber, Blount Partnership, and Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce during the 2018 session of the Tennessee General Assembly. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: To attract, retain and expand business in our region, we: Support local governments continued ability to promote economic development and affordable housing through public/private partnerships (TIF, PILOT, and Housing Tax Credits) and encourage the State of Tennessee to promote and support these efforts Enhance infrastructure and training incentives and establish technology-driven incentives EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: To ensure a high-quality, capable workforce in the future, we: Support continued implementation in elementary, middle and high schools of the TN Ready standards, assessments, and their use in evaluating educators effectiveness Support an accountability model for Tennessee school systems that includes a measure of quality career and technical education, including industry-recognized certifications, work-based learning, dual enrollment and post-secondary opportunities, to help reach the state s goal of 55 percent of Tennesseans by 2025 holding postsecondary credentials Support continuation of Tennessee Promise and other initiatives that encourage attendance and completion of post-secondary training Oppose any state action that would result in mandating the election of school system superintendents. HEALTH CARE: To encourage a healthy workforce while not creating financial burden on employers, we: Support health policies, particularly those addressing substance abuse and addiction, which improve the welfare of the state s workforce INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORTATION: To provide the infrastructure needed for business to succeed, we: Support efforts to recruit low-cost air carriers to McGhee Tyson Airport. Support the efforts to develop the Oak Ridge Airport as planned by the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority

4 2018 LOCAL LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA 1. Promote continued implementation of the TNReady standards and assessments to ensure accurate information is provided to educators, families and the wider community regarding students preparation for continued learning and success in the workforce 2. Support an accountability model for Tennessee school systems that includes a measure of quality career and technical education, including industryrecognized certifications and post-secondary opportunities, to help reach the state s goal of 55 percent of Tennesseans by 2025 holding postsecondary credentials 3. Support health policies, particularly those addressing substance abuse and addiction, which improve the welfare of the state s workforce. 4. Safeguard local governments ability to promote economic development, as well as affordable and workforce housing, through public/private partnerships and incentives 5. Oppose administrative efforts to interpret the tax code as to create new financial burdens aimed solely at the business sector 6. Support efforts to preserve Tennessee s reputation as a welcoming state by opposing discriminatory legislation that hinders its reputation and negatively impacts the economy, jobs and the ability to attract talent

5 KNOXVILLE CHAMBER PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY Amy Nolan Vice President of Public Policy Susan Richard Williamson Chair, Government Relations Committee SRW & Associates

6 KNOXVILLE CHAMBER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE Jerry Askew Alliance for Better Nonprofits Betsy Cunningham Y-12 Federal Credit Union Ken Knight Crowne Plaza Knoxville Lisa Rottmann Stowers Machinery Robert Baird Atlantic Capital Bank Tom Ballard Pershing, Yoakley & Associates, P.C. Patrick Birmingham Covenant Health Sen. Richard Briggs Tennessee General Assembly Richard Cate Premier Building Maintenance Corp. Jane Chedester Senator Lamar Alexander s Office Mike Cohen Cohen Communications Group Bo Connor Connor Concepts, Inc. John Craig Segundo Properties Rep. Bill Dunn Tennessee General Assembly Jeffery Gamble Reily Foods Co. Dick Goldstine HG & A Associates, PC Rocky Goode Bob Griffitts Field Rep for U.S. Representative Duncan Bruce Hartmann UT Medical Center Buddy Heins Merit Construction, Inc. Alan Hill AT&T Jane Jolley Field Director for Senator Bob Corker Lynne Liddington Director of Air Quality Management Knox County Misty Mayes Management Solutions, LLC Jesse Mayshark City of Knoxville Ed Medford KUB Al Moffatt The Tombras Group Russ Oaks Knox County Schools Gene Patterson CNS/Y-12 National Security Complex J. Bert Robinson Tennessee Valley Authority Jennifer Roche Knoxville Area Assocation of Realtors John Schoonmaker Knox County Commission Michael Strickland Bandit Lites Brian Tapp Avison Young George Wallace Knoxville City Council Doyle Webb Southland Real Estate Susan Williams SRW & Associates Tim Williams 21st Mortgage Corporation John Winters Kramer Rayson Clyde Wood North Knoxville Medical Center

7 ELECTED OFFICIALS Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch Knox County Commission Evelyn Gill Michele Carringer Randy Smith Hugh Nystrom John Schoonmaker Brad Anders Charles Busler David Wright Bob Thomas Ed Brantley Knoxville City Council Stephanie Welch Andrew Roberto Seema Singh Perez Lauren Rider Mark Campen Gwen McKenzie George Wallace Marshall Stair Finbarr Saunders Legislative Delegation Sen. Randy McNally Sen. Becky Duncan Massey Sen. Richard Briggs Sen. Doug Overbey Rep. Eddie Smith Rep. Roger Kane Rep. Bill Dunn Rep. Martin Daniel Rep. Jason Zachary Rep. Harry Brooks Rep. Jimmy Matlock Knox County Schools Superintendent Bob Thomas Criminal Court Judge Greg McMillan District Attorney General Charme Allen Knox County Trustee Ed Shouse Knox County Clerk Foster Arnett Knox County Law Director Bud Armstrong Knox County Property Assessor John Whitehead Knox County Sheriff JJ Jones Knox County Register of Deeds Sherry Witt U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan (Bobby Griffiths) Sen. Bob Corker (Jane Jolley) Sen. Lamar Alexander (Jane Chedester) Knox County School Board Gloria Deathridge Jennifer Owen Tony Norman Lynne Fugate Amber Rountree Susan Horn Terry Hill Patti Bounds Mike McMillan CONTACT: Knox County Government (865) City of Knoxville (865) Knox County Schools (865) Knox County Sheriff s Office (865) Knox County Circuit Court Clerk (865) Rep. Jimmy Duncan s Office (865) Sen. Bob Corker s Office (865) Sen. Alexander s Office (865)

8 CHOOSE ENGAGEMENT CONNECT Sign up for the Chamber s public policy newsletter to receive legislative updates and learn more about issues impacting the regional business community. Let us know you d like to receive advocacy-related s at Knoxville- Chamber.com/public-policy. INVOLVE Participate in legislative- and community-focused Chamber events where we discuss the latest on issues impacting workforce, education, transportation and more! Visit KnoxvilleChamber.com/ events to view a full calendar of events. ACT Voice your opinion on policies that matter to our local, state and federal delegations. Write letters, join the conversation on social media or call your representative. Find out who represents you at KnoxvilleChamber.com/ public-policy.