Inside TNSuccess: November 30

November 30, 2020

A Thanksgiving Message From TSS President & CEO Adam Lister

2020 has undoubtedly been a year nobody anticipated. From tornadoes ripping across the state to a pandemic that has impacted almost every inch of the globe, it’s safe to say everyone feels the weight this year has held. As I reflect on the challenges this year brought, I’m also moved by the many things we have to be thankful for.

I am grateful for the teachers and school districts across the state who have worked tirelessly to establish safe and healthy environments to ensure our kids can learn and thrive. The innovative, creative, and adaptive ways that students and families have coped with coronavirus is admirable and worthy of our gratitude. TSS works every day to ensure a policy environment exists that allows students to thrive and succeed in their future postsecondary endeavors and this year, we are even more appreciative of those making the dreams of parents and students come true. We look forward to continuing with you in the fight to expand educational opportunities for ALL students in Tennessee as we finish out this year and in the years to come.

TN Legislative Corner

As the 112th Tennessee General Assembly prepares to gavel into session in January, the supermajority Republican Caucuses of both chambers have voted on leadership for the upcoming session. The Democratic Caucuses have yet to convene for a leadership election. Please find the results of the leadership elections below:

Senate Majority Leadership (GOP):
Speaker: Lt. Gov. Randy McNally
Majority Leader: Jack Johnson
Caucus Chair: Ken Yager
Treasurer: Ferrell Haile
Secretary: Dawn White

Chaplain: Shane Reeves House Majority Leadership (GOP):
Speaker: Cameron Sexton
Speaker Pro Tempore: Pat Marsh
Leader: William Lamberth
Caucus Chair: Jeremy Faison
Assistant Leader: Ron Gant
Caucus Vice Chair: Brandon Ogles
Whip: Johnny Garrett
Floor Leader: Paul Sherrell
Assistant Floor Leader: Scotty Campbell
Secretary: Michele Carringer
Treasurer: Mark Cochran

Tennessee COVID-19 Update

Please see the following update from Governor Lee’s press conference last Tuesday:

Governor Lee announced his first policy proposal for the upcoming legislative session, the Reemployment Act, which will provide protections to Tennessee National Guard soldiers when returning to their civilian employment rolls. Additionally, Governor Lee indicated plans to continue to preview additional policy proposals in the coming weeks.
Dr. Wendy Long, President and CEO of Tennessee Hospital Association, pleaded with Tennesseans to take personal responsibility in mitigating the spread of COVID-19, as hospitalizations have increased two and a half fold over the two preceding months.
Additionally, Dr. Long reported that 33% of ICU beds in Tennessee are occupied by COVID positive patients. This is an increase from Tennessee’s previous peak of 19% in July.
Dr. Piercey, Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner, indicated that the department expects to receive the state’s first vaccine allocation around December 15th. She indicated that the state will work through the phases, outlined in the vaccine distribution plan, as quickly as possible.

NEW: TSS & TennesseeCAN Webinar on How to Make an Impact in Education for 2021

Join Tennesseans for Student Success and TennesseeCAN, with a panel of education policy and legislative experts, to discuss ways you can make an impact on education post-election. Learn how the legislative process works, how to engage with legislators, and what topics the legislature will tackle to improve education for Tennessee’s students in 2021. We’ll be joined by the Chairman of the House Education Committee, Representative Mark White, Chairman of Curriculum, Testing, & Innovation Subcommittee, Representative Debra Moody, and other noteworthy guests.

If this is something you or someone you know is interested in, sign up for the webinar on Tuesday, December 15 at 11am CT HERE!

Inside TNSuccess