Senator Pody to lead Joint Government Operations Commerce, Labor, Transportation and Agriculture Subcommittee

January 20, 2021
By:

State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) has been appointed chairman of the General Assembly’s Joint Government Operations Committee’s Commerce, Labor, Transportation and Agriculture Subcommittee. The announcement was made by Chairman Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) as the 112th General Assembly met on Tuesday in Nashville.

“I am delighted to be appointed to this position and look forward to getting to work on the many issues before us in 2021,” said Sen. Pody.

The Senate Government Operations Committee is generally perceived as one of the most powerful in the General Assembly as it oversees legislation to create, reauthorize, reorganize or sunset departments, commissions, boards, agencies or councils of state government. The Committee also hears bills regarding licensing and certification of occupational or professional groups, and reviews regulations promulgated by all Tennessee departments, commissions, boards or agencies.

In addition to being appointed to the Government Operations Committee, Pody was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee during the General Assembly’s organizational session last week.

The Transportation committee is responsible for legislation regarding all forms of transportation in Tennessee, including highways, roads, bridges, railroads, air, bus, and vehicles. The committee also oversees legislative matters concerning the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee’s scope includes review of legislation related to Tennessee’s hunting and fishing laws, state parks, energy conservation, agriculture, preservation of natural resources and fostering the state’s tourism industry.

Senator Pody represents Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith and Wilson Counties in District 17 in the Tennessee Senate.

January 20, 2021
By:

State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver, Clark Boyd, and other Tennessee House Republicans recently passed House Joint Resolution 18, which approves the waiver for Tennessee’s shared savings proposal from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The waiver amendment is the first of its kind in the nation. It rewards Tennessee for its efficient fiscal management and gives the state the ability to better administer TennCare from within Tennessee.

The shared savings plan will allow Tennessee to keep a share of underutilized federal funds to be reinvested in health-related services for TennCare enrollees. These enhanced programs include prioritizing maternal health, serving additional needy populations, eliminating the wait list for intellectual and developmental disability services, and addressing other sate-specific public health crises.

This proposal gives Tennessee more control over TennCare, ensuring a higher quality of care and more efficient services for the approximate 1.4 million Tennesseans enrolled in the program. With the shared savings, TennCare will have the flexibility to add new populations and benefits without federal approval, adequately address fraud, more effectively manage the pharmacy program, and invest in health rather than simply healthcare.

“We have been given the historic opportunity to improve our state’s healthcare system in an innovative way,” said Representatives Weaver and Boyd. “I am proud of the work the General Assembly has put into this plan to pursue a more efficient way to serve our TennCare enrollees, while simultaneously enhancing our already high quality of care.”

The process to approve the proposed waiver began in 2019, when the Tennessee General Assembly passed House Bill 1280. It directed the governor to submit the waiver amendment and negotiate with CMS.

January 19, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department recently made arrests in separate burglary and theft investigations.

43 year old Stephanie Dawn Hull of Jamestown is charged with burglary of an auto and theft of property. Her bond totals $3,000.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on June 9 Hull allegedly broke into and stole a 1998 Nissan Frontier truck valued at $1,000.

In a separate case, 39 year old Mark Denver Young of Barnes Mill Road is charged with 2 counts of theft, and one count each of aggravated burglary and burglary. His bond totals $30,000 and his court appearance in April 15.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 1 Young allegedly stole a tiller from a shed on McMinnville Highway valued at $800. He also allegedly broke into a residence at the same location as the shed on McMinnville Highway and took a Remington 7 millimeter rifle with a Vortex scope valued at $600, a Marlin lever action 30-30 rifle valued at $500, a 22 caliber Cricket rifle valued at $200 and a Bore sight set valued at $200.

25 year old Chasitae Dawn Durham of Antioch Road, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court April 15.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 17 while responding to a report of a reckless driver, a deputy spotted a black Dodge Avenger traveling east on Nashville Highway and observed it leave the lane of travel several times. The officer pulled over the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Durham. When she got out of the automobile, Durham was unsteady on her feet and she had an odor of alcohol on her. She submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Durham admitted to having consumed alcohol before driving.

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