The legislature is gearing up for the first session of the 106th General Assembly, after a short recess to organize. A flurry of legislation is likely to be filed in the next couple of weeks as lawmakers prepare for one of the most difficult budget years in Tennessee history. As Congress debates the federal stimulus package, uncertainty looms in the legislature as to what the budget picture will look like depending on its passage.

---

Governor Phil Bredesen is slated to give his State of the State Address next week, on February 9th, at 5:45 p.m. Breaking tradition, the Governor will not present his plan for the budget due to the uncertainty stemming from the federal stimulus package from which Tennessee stands to gain $3.8 billion over two years if passed. Instead, he will give a general overview of his priorities, and update the General Assembly on possible outcomes.

Because the United States House has already passed the stimulus package, the bill is now being debated in the Senate, where it is encountering opposition. While it is unclear as to what the final product will be, Tennessee lawmakers believe it is responsible to wait, as the bill will have a large impact on the state budget.

---

Representative Joshua Evans (R-Greenbrier) has been appointed to the powerful Health and Human Resources Committee. Evans was also appointed to the State and Local Government Committee for the 106th General Assembly. The appointments were announced recently as the state House of Representatives continues to organize for the upcoming session.

The Health and Human Resources Committee usually addresses a range of issues from three major categories: mental health, public health, and human services. The committee also addresses bills relating to the general public welfare, and special assistance to the elderly, handicapped, and homeless.

"I am honored to have been named to the Health and Human Resources Committee," stated Representative Evans. "With a background in healthcare as a First Responder, I hope to add insight that will benefit my colleagues on the committee as well as the citizens of this state."

The State and Local Government Committee considers complex legislation that covers a broad range of subjects. Subject matter can include local and municipal affairs, cultural affairs; alcoholic beverage taxes and regulations of sale, election laws, private utility districts, and penal and correctional institutions often appear.

"Serving on the State and Local Government Committee is something I am looking forward to, because I have a passion for my local community. My experiences as an Alderman for my community will assist me in being an effective member of the committee, and I look forward to working with my colleagues," Evans concluded.

---

The House and Senate Republican Caucuses met jointly on Monday to select their nominees for the state's three constitutional offices-Secretary of State, Treasurer and Comptroller, with the Joint Convention of the House and Senate voting on Thursday. Tre Hargett, a former House Republican leader, was elected to the office of Secretary of State, while David Lillard, an attorney and former President of the Tennessee County Commissioners Association, was named as Treasurer. Justin Wilson was elected to serve as the state's Comptroller. All three candidates received unanimous votes by all House and Senate Republican legislators.

Senate and House Republican leaders opted to open the process through which they chose candidates this year, allowing prospective nominees to apply to their offices, and conducting open interviews that were live streamed via the Internet. The Republican leaders said they were pleased the process went smoothly, and for the first time, gave the people of the state the chance to comment on the possible candidates for the three offices. This is the first time in Tennessee's history that Republican candidates were elected to these three constitutional officer positions.

---

Congress also voted this week to delay the mandatory implementation of digital television until June 12, giving consumers more time to purchase a converter box if necessary. Concerns as to whether citizens would be ready to make the switch from analog to digital by the original February 17th deadline prompted action.

The change is being mandated by the federal government because digital signals are more efficient than analog. Ending analog broadcast will free up airwaves for wireless and emergency services communication devices. The Neilson Company says roughly 6.5 million households are not ready for the switch, many of whom live rural areas.

TV stations will be allowed to broadcast in a digital format before the deadline, if they give the Federal Communications Commission thirty days notice before doing so. Some TV stations across the country have already made the transition. If you need a converter box, or a coupon to purchase one, contact your state representative's office for assistance.

---

The House of Representatives participated in their annual ethics training this week, with the Executive Director of the Tennessee Ethics Commission, Bruce Androphy, leading the training session. All 50 House Republicans were present, completing their required training per the statute.

The Tennessee Ethics Commission was created in a special session called by the Governor in 2005 in the wake of the Tennessee Waltz scandal. House Republicans supported stringent ethics requirements in an effort to clean up corruption on Capitol Hill. During that session, the Tennessee Ethics Commission was established to sustain the public's confidence in government by increasing the integrity and transparency of state and local government through regulation of lobbying activities, financial disclosure requirements, and ethical conduct.

---

On Tuesday, lawmakers in the House elected a new Speaker to lead the chamber for the first time in 18 years. It is the first time since 1969 that a Republican has held the honor, when Bill Jenkins won the Speaker's chair after the lone Independent voted with Republicans to install him.

Lawmakers have also begun to file legislation, and much more is likely to be filed in the next several weeks before session reconvenes. Although organizational duties were fulfilled today and the House adjourned the official organizational session, committee appointments and officers will be announced at a later date. The Governor is set to address the legislature on February 9th.

---

State Representative Joshua Evans (R-Greenbrier) was among the 99 members of the Tennessee House of Representatives taking the oath of office this week in Nashville. The oath was administered as state lawmakers organized the business of the 106th General Assembly.

"I am honored and humbled that the privilege of serving the citizens of the 66th District has been bestowed upon me. I look forward to the session starting and working hard to represent my constituents," said Rep. Evans.

Evans is one of ten new representatives taking the oath. The 66th District is unique in that it represents all of Robertson County and only Robertson County.

"I am excited about the opportunities for my district and the great state of Tennessee," Evans continued. "We face a lot of challenges. I am eager to work to provide our district with improved education, safer neighborhoods, and more job opportunities during this 106th General Assembly," he concluded.

Rep. Evans lives in Greenbrier with his wife Brittany. They are owners of The UPS Store in Springfield. Evans encourages his constituents to contact him at (615) 741-2860 or by e-mail at Rep.Joshua.Evans@capitol.tn.gov. The legislature has adjourned from organizational session and will reconvene on February 9th.

---

207 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243

rep.joshua.evans@capitol.tn.gov

Phone: 615.741.2860

513 Memorial Blvd, #312
Springfield, TN 37172

joshua@repjoshuaevans.com

Phone: 615.948.1376