Legislative Agenda

Regional Legislative Agenda

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
To attract, retain, and expand business in our region, we:

• Encourage the state of Tennessee to implement an initiative to attract skilled and educated workers to our state to meet the needs of our existing and future employers.
• 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 enhance these efforts.
• Support the enhancement of infrastructure and training incentives, and the establishment of technology-driven incentives to recruit and retain high-skilled, high-wage jobs that further the region’s reputation for innovation.

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
To build a high-quality and adaptable workforce, we:

• Support an accountability model for Tennessee school systems that includes seamless pathways and a measure of quality career and technical education, including industry-recognized certifications, work-based learning, dual enrollment and expanded post-secondary opportunities.
• Add work-based learning as one of the criteria for the Tennessee Department of Education’s Ready Graduate indicator, a statewide accountability measure, to be included as an early post-secondary opportunity or as an alternative to an industry credential.
• Support efforts to expand college access and affordability for all Tennesseans, including funding for industry-recognized credentials that meet the region’s specific workforce demands and to close the gap between Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect to include adults younger than 24.
• Oppose any state action that would result in mandating the election of school system superintendents.

CHILDCARE
Because the lack of childcare is impeding our workforce, resulting in lost earnings and revenue of $2.3 billion in Tennessee, we seek to:

• Support efforts that increase access to quality and affordable childcare by incentivizing businesses to co-invest in childcare with their employees and/or community, including through business tax credits.
• Strengthen the early childhood education workforce by reexamining requirements to become a preschool teacher and recognizing credentials from other states.
• Increase the reimbursement rate for childcare vouchers to individuals in need to reflect the true cost of care.
• Make high-quality pre-K an option for more families and develop a mixed delivery system to optimize parental choice.

HEALTH CARE
To encourage a healthy workforce, we:

• Support health policies, particularly those addressing mental health, youth substance abuse prevention, substance misuse, abuse, and addiction, which improve the welfare of the state’s workforce.
• Continue building the healthcare workforce pipeline by advancing Work in Tennessee initiatives — with a special focus on expanding the mental-health workforce, particularly in counties with limited provider access.
• Support state-sponsored trade schools that offer career pathways into healthcare fields.
• Support the addition of a mental health facility that will provide longer-term treatment to patients in the greater Knoxville area.
• Support businesses, perhaps through tax credits and other measures, to encourage the workforce to be as healthy as possible through health improvement benefits.

INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORTATION
To provide the infrastructure needed for economic growth, we:

• Support short- and long-term solutions for interstate congestion and regional arterials that ensure connectivity and mobility for commuters, deliverers of goods and tourists. i.e. Interstate 75/I40 split to I-640, Pellissippi Parkway completion, widening of Edgemoor Rd.
• Support efforts to ensure water, sewer, and gas infrastructure is maintained and expanded to accommodate a growing population and economic development opportunities.
• Continue to advance the region’s position as a national leader in nuclear energy through continued investment in the nuclear energy ecosystem to help secure energy independence and continue economic growth.
• Support efforts to increase the capacity of and expand and upgrade the infrastructure of electrical utilities to meet demands of growing economy.
• Support efforts to recruit air carriers and additional flights to and from key markets out of McGhee Tyson Airport and continue support for capital improvements at the airport to support the future needs of air travel in East Tennessee.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SMALL BUSINESS
To create a healthy ecosystem for business start-ups, growth, and longevity, we:

• • Increase the availability of capital by leveraging funding sources to invest in technology-based firms to foster innovation and the creation of high-skilled, high-paying jobs.
  • Increase access to capital for entrepreneurs and start-ups, particularly those aligned with business and scientific assets in the region.
  • Advocate for continued state matching funds for award recipients of the federal Small Business Innovation (SBIR) AND Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
  • Promote access to AI resources and education for entrepreneurs and small businesses to reduce barriers to adoption and strengthen regional competitiveness.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

• • To ensure responsible innovation and the successful integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into the business community, we:
    • • Support collaboration between business, higher education, and research institutions to advance safe and ethical applications of AI and related technologies.
      • Encourage state investment to train, attract, and retain a highly skilled AI workforce that meets the needs of both large industries and small businesses.
      • Support incentives to recruit technology companies that provide high-quality jobs paying at or above the local living wage.
      • Encourage the creation of guidelines for reasonable AI use that balance innovation with consumer protection, data privacy, and cybersecurity.

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
To ensure sustainable growth and equitable access to housing in our region, we:

• • • • Support increased state investment in affordable and workforce housing, ensuring that teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders can live in the communities they serve.
      • Encourage the expansion of state housing trust funds, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and other financing tools that spur development of affordable rental and ownership opportunities.
      • Support down payment assistance programs, financial literacy initiatives, and pathways to sustainable homeownership, especially for first-time buyers and underserved communities.
      • Encourage infrastructure investments (water, sewer, transportation) that align with housing needs to ensure growth is both affordable and sustainable.

Local Legislative Agenda

Education & Workforce Development
To ensure a high-quality, stable workforce for future growth.

• Incentivize major capital investments by existing businesses that add or retain jobs in our state.
• Endorse the addition of work-based learning as one of the criteria for the Tennessee Department of Education’s Ready Graduate indicator, a statewide accountability measure. Promote work-based learning for inclusion as an Early Post Secondary Opportunity (EPSO) or as an alternative to an industry credential.
• Accelerate college access/affordability expansion efforts for all Tennesseans, including funding for industry-recognized credentials meeting the region’s specific workforce demands. Work to close the gap between Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect to include adults younger than 23 years of age. Address the gap for students who do not fit into Tennessee Promise or Tennessee Reconnect and therefore are unable to access educational funding. Ideally, assign an amount per student that can be utilized for each student in Tennessee.
• Expand recognized industry certifications by the Tennessee Department of Education and make them eligible for dual credit and dual enrollment. Make industry certifications and advanced placement exams free for our students.
• Exempt potential Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers from the Tennessee teacher certification standards.
• Advocate for a Tennessee “school systems’ accountability model” that includes a measure of quality career and technical education. This would include industry-recognized certifications, work- based learning, dual enrollment, and post-secondary opportunities to help increase the number of Tennesseans holding postsecondary credentials.
• Encourage continuation of Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect and other initiatives that promote attendance and completion of post-secondary training.
• Support high school curriculum regarding solid career and technical paths that give students appropriate workforce entry skills.
• Challenge any state action that would result in mandating the election of school system superintendents. Strongly oppose partisan school board elections.
• Advance the expansion of criminal justice reform initiatives that positively impact the workforce by enhancing skills, reducing recidivism, and strengthening responses to individuals with behavioral and health needs.
• Promote appropriate state and regional processes/policies within the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Work to ensure those funds allotted to the state and region are administered equitably, efficiently, and creatively by the East Tennessee Local Workforce Development Authority Board.
• Urge the reduction of the per student ratio of counselors and nurses.
• Change the Tennessee Promise eligibility guidelines so that less hours are required per semester if a student also is working full-time. (Currently it requires 12+ hours.)
• Expand aviation education in Tennessee Department of Education pathways to include aviation professions, particularly aviation maintenance (airframe & powerplant mechanics). (Currently, the only aviation education mentioned falls under Transportation and only addresses pilot education.)
• At State and Federal levels, protect the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding from reduction and elimination.
• Our county and Chamber oppose the Tennessee Education Freedom Act. Moving forward post bill passage, ensure vouchers do not financially impact public schools or the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) bonus dollars that are allotted for reaching accountability benchmarks. Advocate that all schools receiving state funding must adhere to the same standards, including TCAP testing.
• Allow industry in each region to assist in ranking Tennessee Promoted Student Industry Certifications as “recognized, valued or preferred” for their specific region.
• Create clearer guidelines about what minors can and cannot do on job sites for work-based learning, internships and apprenticeships.
• Support creating easier pathways to encourage the pursuit of degrees in education but discourage the current proposal that allows the pursuit of a 2-year degree with no practicum.
• Support incentives to pay for education for those currently working in school systems to pursue degrees in education to increase the teacher pipeline.
• Oppose any changes to the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) funding formula that would reduce funding for economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities by narrowing eligibility or altering qualification requirements.
• Support an increase to the base funding allocation for all students within the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) model, raising the current base amount of $7,295 to $10,000.
• Create a system that tracks how many students are leaving public schools due to vouchers.
• Advocate for use of state summer school funding to be utilized for students to be provided tutoring throughout the year. Focus summer school funding on grades K-3rd.
• Advocate for legislation that strengthens oversight and accountability for homeschool transitions by clarifying guidelines for students who leave public schools due to truancy or disciplinary actions and ensuring penalties are enforced if they return to the public school system.
• Support maintaining the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) and End of Course (EOC) exams as essential components of Tennessee’s student assessment and accountability system by opposing efforts to eliminate them.
• Advocate for increasing the weight of College and Career Readiness (CCR) in Tennessee’s high school letter grade formula from 10% to 20%.

Economic Development

• To attract, retain and expand business in our region.
• Encourage the State of Tennessee to implement initiatives attracting a skilled/ educated workforce to meet the needs of our existing and future employers (from large businesses and industry to small businesses and entrepreneurs.)
• Create and nurture a vigorous ecosystem for entrepreneurial growth.
• Ensure a robust quality of life that attracts business and talent.
• Support local governments’ continued ability to promote economic development and affordable housing through public/private partnerships such as Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), and Housing Tax Credits. Urge the State of Tennessee to promote and support these efforts.
• Speak out against any legislation prohibiting/restricting Industrial Development Board (IDB) authority to negotiate and implement PILOT agreements.
• Become a top destination for innovation by recruiting technology, research and development companies. Technology and research projects offer high-wage positions with large capital expenditures.
• Oppose any legislation mandating a minimum wage.
• Uphold Tennessee’s Employment-At-Will Doctrine.
• Maintain business-friendly conditions for Tennessee employers by continuing to improve the state’s Workers’ Compensation system.
• Endorse the enhancement of infrastructure and training incentives, and the establishment of technology-driven incentives that recruit and retain high-skilled high-wage jobs, furthering the region’s reputation for innovation.
• Advocate for McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base to receive and deploy the K-46 Pegasus refueling aircraft, and its associated Air Force personnel, capitalizing on recent investments at that base.

Healthcare

• To encourage a healthy workforce while not creating a financial burden on employers.
• Initiate efforts to renew and maintain Certificate of Need (CON) legislation in Tennessee, especially in counties with a sole community hospital, thus protecting and supporting these vital healthcare resources for citizens and businesses.
• Promote appropriate health policies, particularly those addressing mental health, substance abuse and addiction, which improve the wellbeing of the state’s workforce.
• Challenge mandatory healthcare requirements for employers and individuals.
• Encourage legislation for insurance expansion covering proton therapy cancer treatments.
• Reinforce the need for real-time reporting to law enforcement for opiate prescriptions by physicians and pharmacies.
• Seek to extend the state law’s timeline that requires reimbursement of telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services, thereby expanding delivery of medical services and closing disparities to healthcare access.
• Accelerate the pipeline of healthcare workers by supporting Work in Tennessee initiatives, with an emphasis on growing workforce numbers in the mental health sector.
• Assist state-sponsored trade schools that include paths for healthcare fields.
• Champion the addition of a mental health facility that will provide longer-term treatment to patients in the greater Knoxville area.
• Educate businesses, perhaps through tax credits and other measures, to encourage the workforce to be as healthy as possible through health improvement benefits.

Infrastructure & Transportation

• To provide the infrastructure needed for business to succeed.
• Elevate the importance of Pellissippi Parkway’s completion to Hwy. 321.
• Support completion of Alcoa Highway.
• Promote funding for the completion of the Knox/Blount County Greenway to Townsend.
• Challenge bills that take the annexation ability away from municipalities.
• Endorse the ongoing recruitment of low-cost air carriers and additional flights to and from key markets out of McGhee Tyson Airport.
• Advance continued efforts at the local, state and federal level to increase investment in wired and wireless broadband networks. Stress the urgency of improved digital literacy for all Tennesseans, to elevate educational, medical and economic opportunities.
• Reinforce the need for short- and long-term solutions for interstate congestion and regional arterials that ensure connectivity and mobility for commuters, safe delivery of goods by shipping agents and ease of access for tourists.
• Strengthen efforts to ensure water, sewer, and gas infrastructure is maintained and expanded to accommodate a growing population and economic development opportunities.
• Continue advancement of the region’s position as a national leader in nuclear energy through ongoing investment in the nuclear energy ecosystem, helping secure energy independence and spurring economic growth.
• Encourage efforts to increase the capacity, expansion and upgrading of electrical utilities’ infrastructure to ensure the region can meet the growing needs of businesses and residents.
• Support TDOT projects to better manage converged traffic from the Interstate I-75/I-40 split to I-640.

Childcare

• To recognize that inadequate/lack of childcare is impeding our workforce, resulting in lost earnings and revenue of $2.6 billion in Tennessee, and to provide possible solutions.
• Incentivize businesses to co-invest in childcare with their employees and/or community, including through business tax credits, thereby increasing access to quality and affordable childcare.
• Strongly promote expanded community access and affordability of quality childcare. Investigate successful methods in incentivizing businesses to offer onsite childcare.
• Strengthen the early childhood education workforce by reexamining requirements to become a preschool teacher and recognizing credentials from other states.
• Increase the reimbursement rate for childcare vouchers to reflect the cost of care.
• Make high-quality pre-K an option for more families, developing a mixed delivery system to optimize parental choice.
• Explore removal of state and local regulatory obstacles identified by Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR), in a study that was completed January 2025.

Entrepreneurship & Small Business

• To create a healthy ecosystem for business start-ups, growth, and longevity.
• Ensure any proposed data privacy/protection legislation targets large companies profiting from the sale of consumer data. Protect small businesses that rely on digital tools for marketing, order fulfillment and other business processes.
• Increase availability of capital by leveraging funding sources to invest in technology-based firms, fostering innovation and creation of high-skilled, high-paying jobs.
• Expand access to capital for entrepreneurs and start-ups, particularly those aligned with business and scientific assets in the region.
• Advocate for continued state matching funds for award recipients of the federal Small Business Innovation (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
• Promote legislation that stops Visa and Mastercard from charging retailers additional credit card fees on the State’s sales tax (collected by businesses).
• Champion the creation of a funding pool for short-term workforce training and certification (to assist workers not currently eligible for financial aid).
• Help persuade the State of Tennessee to implement a “Work in Tennessee” initiative to attract skilled and educated workers to our State, thus helping meet the needs of our existing and future employers.

Government Efficiency
To empower local government and respond to community needs, we:

• Oppose state unfunded mandates that burden local governments without providing necessary resources.