Blog

By Rep. Craig Fitzhugh

Last year under Governor Phil Bredesen, Tennessee made great strides in education reform when we won the Race to the Top Grant. Unfortunately, one year later, we have back tracked and jeopardized our standing as a national model for education. Over the next few weeks, I want to cover these changes and show why I think it’s so important to reverse course next session and preserve our public education system.

Among the multitude of anti-public education bills filed this session was HB 1030, commonly known as the “Virtual Schools” bill. Under previous law in Tennessee, any school board could start a virtual education program for students enrolled in their public schools. This was commonly used to provide students with classes not offered at their institution or for students home bound by illness. It was provided free of charge and operated on a non-profit basis.

Under HB 1030, local school boards can still start their own virtual school, but now the state has opened the door to for-profit businesses running virtual schools as well. I opposed this legislation because I believe it will have several negative consequences.

First, I opposed this bill because public education is not intended to be a for-profit business. Tennessee’s constitution requires us to provide free public education to every student in the state. Under HB 1030, school boards can now charge tuition to students for virtual schools. Additionally, millions of your tax-payer dollars will go to private companies and the state will still be forced to provide computer and internet access to students enrolled in these for- profit virtual schools. This goes against the spirit of public education and is fiscally irresponsible.

Second, I opposed this bill because it is a prime example of special interest groups infiltrating the legislative process. K-12 Inc is a multi-million dollar virtual schools company founded by a convicted felon. During the last legislative session, K-12 Inc hired 3 lobbyists to push through the virtual schools bill. Don’t be fooled, K-12 Inc didn’t do this because they care about education; they did it because they stand to make millions by starting for-profit, tuition charging schools with your tax-payer dollars.

Finally, I opposed this bill because it is a step too far. While I support virtual education programs for homebound students or for students wanting to take more advanced classes not offered in their school, I am opposed to this legislation because it promotes for-profit virtual schools as an alternative to traditional, in-classroom learning. It is irresponsible to do this because, as the National Education Policy Center points out, we have no data to show us how these for-profit virtual schools will perform against traditional public schools. Until we have this data, it is premature to use tax-payer money to open hundreds of for-profit virtual schools.

As always, if you have any questions about this new law or would like to hear more about another issue, please contact my legislative office and we’ll get your questions answered as soon as possible. Have a great week!

By Rep. Craig Fitzhugh

Our economy is still in recovery. Businesses are hurting, it’s getting harder to send the kids off to college & even buying groceries has become a struggle for many families. That’s why I believe it’s time for state government to stand up and do something to help working people.

For the past several months, the State of Tennessee has brought in more money than our budget anticipated. In layman’s terms, this means the public paid more in sales tax than we intended and we now have a surplus. Rather than finding a place to spend this surplus, I believe we need to use it to provide businesses & working families with some much needed relief.

That’s why earlier this week I filed the “Tennessee Tax Payer Relief Act.” As introduced, this legislation would take the surplus revenue each year and invest it in two ways. First, half of the surplus would go to provide need based college scholarships through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. Second, the remaining half of the surplus would go toward a reduction in the sales tax rate on food & food ingredients.

This kind of tax relief will have 3 positive impacts on our economy in Tennessee.

First, it will help families struggling to pay for college. We know that an educated workforce is the key to attracting good jobs to our community. By investing some of this surplus money in our kids now, we are helping our economic prospects down the road.

Second, it provides tax cuts for working people & brings our sales tax on food down to levels more like other states. Our current sales tax rate on food is 5.5%. This rate is burdensome, especially to working families already struggling to pay for food, gas, clothing & a mortgage. It’s also disproportionately high when compared to states around Tennessee.  Arkansas, for example, taxes food at 2%, Missouri at 1.2%, Alabama at 4% & Kentucky has no tax at all on food. Our food tax rate is too high for this economy and we need to bring it in line with other states.

Finally, this bill will stimulate our local economies. By reducing the tax on food and relieving some of the burden of increased tuition, we are putting more money into people’s pockets. As a result, these individuals are more likely to spend that money elsewhere. This will generate more sales tax revenue for our state and help boost the profits of local businesses.

All in all, this is a win-win situation for our state and our citizens. I am proud to join my Democratic colleagues in introducing this legislation. I hope Republicans will join us and provide some real tax relief to the people of Tennessee.

As always, if you have any questions about this new law or would like to hear more about another issue, please contact my legislative office and we’ll get your questions answered as soon as possible. Have a great week!

NASHVILLE –Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh and the House Democratic Caucus filed a bill Thursday to allocate any surplus state revenues to cutting sales taxes on food and providing for need-based college scholarships.

“When the state is taking in more money than needed, as we’ve seen over the last few months, then this money needs to go back to Tennesseans not into the state’s pocket book,” said Fitzhugh (D-Ripley). “I and my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus plan to push this bill forward in January when the Legislature returns to Nashville.”

The bill says that “surplus revenue” is defined as any amount of state revenue generated from sales & use taxes beyond budgeted estimates. 

Each April, the Commissioner of Finance & Administration, along with the Commissioner of Revenue, would certify the exact amount of surplus revenue the state has collected for the current fiscal year. The Commissioners would then notify the Governor, Lt. Governor & Speaker of the House.

Out of the certified surplus, half of the amount would be placed in a reserve account for the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation for the purpose of need-based scholarships. The following fiscal year, the remaining half of surplus revenue would be used to adjust down the sales tax rate on food & food ingredients for human consumption.

“The current sales tax rate on food in Tennessee is 5.5 percent,” Fitzhugh said. “Tennessee has a revenue surplus. This money belongs to the people and should be used to their benefit. This will help put food on the table for working families and stimulate the economy.

“Arkansas has a two percent sales tax on food. Kentucky has none.”

For the academic year 2011-2012, the University of Tennessee raised tuition anywhere from 9.9-15 percent. This is on top of a 9 percent increase from academic year 2010-2011.

For academic year 2011-2012, the Tennessee Board of Regents raised tuition anywhere from 8.8-11 percent. This is on top of a 5-11 percent increase from academic year 2010-2011

“Families are hurting in this recession and it’s getting harder to send our kids to college. As a result more and more students are qualifying for need-based scholarships through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation; we need to pay for as many scholarships as we can,” Fitzhugh said.

State Representatives who have agreed to co-sponsor the bill with Leader Fitzhugh are Caucus Chairman Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory), Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington), Rep. Lois Deberry (D-Memphis), Rep. Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville), Rep. Jeanne Richardson (D-Memphis), Rep. Gary Moore (D-Joelton), Rep. Janis Sontany (D-Nashville), Rep. Mike Stewart (D-Nashville), Rep. Johnny Shaw (D-Bolivar), Rep. Mary Pruitt (D-Nashville), Rep. Mike McDonald (D-Portland), Rep. Karen Camper (D-Memphis), Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis), Rep. Tommie Brown (D-Chattanooga).

By Rep. Craig Fitzhugh

While Republicans & Democrats had many honest disagreements this past session, we were able to come together and solve some serious problems facing Tennessee. In no area is this cooperation more apparent than in our response to the new drug crisis involving methcathinone and its derivatives.

Methcathinone is a well know psychotropic drug with a high potential for addiction. In the United States, it is a schedule 1 drug and carries a Class B Felony for its production, distribution or sale. However, drug makers in China have found a way around this prohibition with new products known as “Molly’s Plant Food” or “Bath Salts.”

These two products, which were banned by the European Union in 2010, have no real purpose according to officials with the TBI. Commonly sold in gas stations throughout the state, these methcathinone derivatives have proved particularly popular among young people who snort them for a cheap high.

Since the products are derivatives of methcathinone and not technically the drug itself, law enforcement didn’t have the ability to go after people using or selling this highly addictive drug.

Responding to calls from local law enforcement officials, a bipartisan group of legislators introduced HB 457 commonly known as the “Bath Salts Bill.” This legislation makes it a Class A Misdemeanor to knowingly produce, sell or manufacture six specific derivatives of methcathinone-including Molly’s Plant Food & Bath Salts.  

This legislation, which does not outlaw legitimate bath salts like those found in a health & beauty store, passed 96-0 in the House of Representatives. I was proud to cast my vote for this bill, because we need to close the loophole and give law enforcement the tools they need to get these highly addictive drugs off the street.

On another note, this summer I am starting a new e-mail program where I send out bi-weekly updates-including “Craig’s Corner”- to subscribers. If you would like to get e-mail updates from me, you can sign-up at www.craigfitzhugh.com. Also don’t forget to find me on Facebook www.facebook.com/craigfitzhugh & Twitter www.twitter.com/craigfitzhugh.

As always, if you have any questions about this new law or would like to hear more about another issue, please contact my legislative office and we’ll get your questions answered as soon as possible. Have a great week!

NASHVILLE – State Representative Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley) &  State Senator Eric Stewart (D-Belvidere) announced Monday that they are filing a bill to make it a punishable crime when parents or guardians fail to timely notify authorities when a child under their care is missing.

“With any missing person’s case, and especially with children, every second counts,” Fitzhugh said. “If a child in our state is missing, we want authorities to be able to begin searching immediately. This law would make it a crime for any parent or guardian to delay the process that could bring a child to safety.”

The bill, known as “Caylee’s Law,” requires that authorities be notified as soon as a parent or guardian has reason to believe that a child within their custody or care has gone missing. Currently, Tennessee law (TCA 37-10-202) requires parents to report such information, but does not provide any means for enforcement.

Under Fitzhugh and Stewart’s bill, failure to notify authorities would constitute a misdemeanor. In situations in which bodily injury or death of the child resulted, the crime would be elevated to a felony. 

Tennessee currently participates in the AMBER Alert system, which brings the state’s law enforcement community, media broadcasting agencies and the public together to locate missing and abducted children. Those resources can’t be used, however, until the parent or guardian picks up the phone and notifies authorities. 

“As Tennessee lawmakers, we cannot do anything to change the outcome of the Casey Anthony trial in Florida, but we can and should strengthen our laws here in Tennessee,” Stewart said. “If a child is missing, the authorities should be notified immediately, not one day or 30 days later.”

Stewart and Fitzhugh said they are speaking with district attorneys and legislative lawyers to determine reporting timeline requirements that could vary based on the age of the child.  

The bill follows last week’s verdict in the Casey Anthony trial, which garnered national attention after the mother waited 31 days to report that her 2-year-old daughter Caylee had gone missing. The girl’s remains were later found near her Florida home.

By Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley)

The United States is the envy of the world because of our open, free and fair elections. Our most sacred right as a people is voting and we must always do whatever is necessary to protect that right.

Unfortunately, in Tennessee, your right to vote has come under attack. This year HB 007, commonly known as the “Photo-ID” bill was passed over the opposition of Representatives from both parties.

It used to be that all you needed to vote was your voter registration card or some other form of valid identification. Now, under HB 007, you will be required to present a photo ID in order to exercise your constitutional right to vote.

On the surface, this doesn’t seem like a bad idea. After all, we all want open, free and fair elections, but like so many issues the devil is in the details.

Take for example the impact this legislation will have on rural communities. In Tennessee, only 44% of our counties have a driver’s license station. In our district, we only have one station for all three of our counties, while areas like Nashville & Memphis have multiple DMV’s. This makes it easier for people in cities to obtain a photo ID and vote, while some people in rural areas will have to travel 30 miles or better just to get an ID.

Think also of the elderly. Those who are 60 years or older no longer have to put a photo on their driver’s license. Under HB 007, these individuals are now prohibited from voting.

While debating this bill, I supported several amendments that would have made this legislation much better. One amendment would have allowed senior citizens to use their Medicare or Social Security card to vote if their driver’s license didn’t have a photograph. Another amendment would have allowed a picture to be placed on your voter registration card. Unfortunately, both of these ideas were rejected by the majority party.

I am not opposed to the idea of photo IDs for voting, but we must put in place protections for our rural voters and, especially, our senior citizens. Because this legislation did not protect these groups, I voted against the bill. Voting is our most sacred right in this country and I will always fight to protect your right to the ballot box.

If you have any questions about this new law or would like to hear more about another issue, please contact my legislative office and we’ll get your questions answered as soon as possible. Have a great week!

By Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley)

As I go to work each day and travel around the district, people constantly stop me and say “Craig, we’ve got to do something about illegal immigration.”

I agree.

While immigration is traditionally an issue reserved for the federal government, Washington’s lack of action has led many states to take charge. Tennessee is no exception and we have made responsible progress during this legislative session with HB 1378, the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act.

The Tennessee Lawful Employment Act, which passed 96-0 in the House, is a bipartisan approach to immigration reform, focused on utilizing the E-verify system.

E-verify is an internet based program run by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. It allows employers to punch in a potential new hires social security number and, within seconds, receive a response that tells whether or not that individual is eligible to work in the US. E-verify is free to businesses and in Tennessee 4,000 companies already use the program.

The Tennessee Lawful Employment Act requires companies in the state to run every new hire through the E-verify system. Failure to do so results in a $500-$2,500 fine for the business. Additionally, any business found to have knowingly hired an illegal alien faces suspension of it’s business license for up to 1 year.

There are two exceptions to the new law. One, companies with 5 or fewer employees, mainly Mom & Pop operations that employ family members, are exempt from the new rules. Two, companies may opt to keep a copy of a valid drivers license on file as proof of a new hires legal status. However, if a business chooses the drivers license option over E-verify, they will not be exempt from the penalties if the new hire is later found to be an illegal.

I was proud to support this legislation. Tennessee has an unemployment rate above 10% and we need to make sure businesses are hiring Tennesseans. This bill accomplishes that goal. It is a responsible step toward comprehensive immigration reform and I look forward to more action on this issue next year.  

If you have any questions about this new law or would like to hear more about another issue, please contact my legislative office and we’ll get your questions answered as soon as possible. Have a great week!