Legislative Update

Experience, Integrity & Commitment

106th General Assembly Begins Budget Discussions

Dear Friend,

I hope you are doing well. This week's e-mail is short, but I wanted to remind you of a few key items. This weekend's Reagan Day Dinner in Springfield is going to be a great time with several good speakers. I encourage you to attend if you have not yet made plans to do so; contact information for the tickets is below.

Also, I have included some resources for those in need and those wanting to help those in need from the flood. Now that Robertson County has been declared a federal disaster area, it will open our county to more resources.

Finally, I have included an update on a few bills that have moved through the House since my last update. Yesterday we finally received the Governor's Supplemental Budget amendment that we should have received by April 15. We will begin to evaluate these changes and take action on the state budget over the next two weeks.

As always, it is an honor to serve you in this capacity. If I can assist you in anyway, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours in Service,

Robertson County Republican Party
Reagan Day Dinner

"Returning to our Values"
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Springfield TN National Guard Armory
5255 Highway 76 East
Across from Springfield High School

Ralph Bristol, Supertalk 99.7 WWTN, Master of Ceremonies
Gubernatorial and 6th Congressional Candidates - All Invited to Speak

5:30 p.m. - Special Reception with Photo Opportunity
7:00 p.m. - Dinner & Program

Last Chance: Contact Shari Douglas TODAY at 615-405-4326 for tickets or click here for additional information

Robertson County Added to List of Federal Disaster Counties

Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State, and we have shown through our actions in the wake of the devastating floods how much we truly live up to that name. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared Robertson County a federal disaster area, which means that those in need may register with FEMA for assistance. Below is the contact information for that assistance. Many Tennesseans are hurting and are in need of help, so I have also included below a list of non-profit organizations where you can seek assistance, and organizations that are in need of volunteers and supplies. We can and will rebuild, but it will be a team effort!

How do you apply for disaster assistance?

Apply at www.disasterassistance.gov or

Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

Help is available in most languages

The TTY number is 1-800-462-7585

How can we help?

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is working with the Nashville Mayor's Office of Emergency Management and is collecting donations to support flood relief, restoration and clean-up efforts in Davidson County. Donations can be made online at www.cfmt.org/floodrelief or by calling (615) 321- 4943.

The Nashville Area Red Cross is accepting donations to support its relief efforts of the flood victims. Donations can be made at www.nashvilleredcross.org, by calling (615) 250- 4300, or by texting 'REDCROSS' to 90999.

Kroger is teaming up with the Red Cross and Second Harvest Food Bank and is accepting donations at all of its 62 Middle Tennessee locations. Customers can drop off non-perishable food items in barrels at the front of any area store. Kroger is also donating water and other supplies.

Dollar General is donating supplies to the Red Cross, primarily items such as: personal hygiene products, socks, underwear, diapers and other baby products. The company is donating cleaning supplies to Second Harvest Food Bank. You can make a donation to the Red Cross at any Dollar General check out register.

Soles4Souls, which usually provides footwear to people in poverty-stricken countries, will deliver 20,000 pairs of shoes and work boots to area flood victims. Some are being donated directly, but others will be donated through local agencies, including the Old Hickory Community Shelter at 1050 Hadley Avenue in Old Hickory. You can volunteer and find out more about the distributions by going to www.giveshoes.org.

Provide monetary donations to Second Harvest Food Bank by visiting www.secondharvestmidtn.org.

The Salvation Army is taking monetary donations online at www.uss.salvationarmy.org/uss/w ww_uss_nashville_ac.nsf/ or at 1-800-SAL- ARMY. Drop off donations of bottled water, mops, brooms, heavy duty work gloves, masks, sponges, squeegees, scrub brushes, plastic gloves, bleach, all purpose cleaner, trash bags and paper towels at 631 Dickerson Road.

Gracework Ministries is working with the Red Cross to collect donations for flood victims: Non- perishable food items, toilet paper, detergent, dry beans, pasta, canned soup, toothbrushes, bottled water, clothing, diapers (sizes 2, 3, and 4) and furniture. Please separate men's, women's, and children's clothing donations. Drop off donations at 104 Southeast Parkway, Franklin, TN.

Teams are being organized in East Nashville to help neighbors who need furniture moved, debris bagged or removed, help getting things out of water's way or clean up efforts. To help or receive help, call Catherine at ArtHouse Gardens at 615-828-9223.

If you have space to offer in your clean, dry, non- flooded house for displaced flood victims, sign up at http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform? formkey=dGgzd3NfZWRObnFYVHd0WmJnNkRtMEE6 MQ and they will work to connect you with shelters or other organizations placing families in homes.

Animal Ark Animal Hospital is taking in pets of displaced families on a first-come, first-serve basis. Animal shelters in Davidson County also welcome donations of food, cat litter, and pet cleaning supplies.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Mayor's Office of Emergency Management is encouraging residents who want to volunteer to sign up through Hands on Nashville. Register at www.hon.org. The city expects approved volunteer opportunities to be available to mid-week. As of Monday afternoon, more than 3,200 people had registered.

Samaritan's Purse has deployed an emergency unit to Nashville and is working on assessing the damage and connecting with local churches. Sign up at http://spvolunteernetwork.org/getting- started.aspx and select "Nashville TN Flood Relief" to volunteer with them.

For the Second Harvest Food Bank, contact volu nteer@secondharvestmidtn.org to help prepare meals for the Salvation Army and Red Cross once they are able to get on their feet again.

For Grace Ministries, contact cdublin@graceworksministries.net for volunteer opportunities. They will need help sorting & processing donations for the Red Cross.

In Need of Help?

Nashville Metro - Questions and non-emergency assistance are directed to the Emergency Operations Center community hotline at (615) 862-8574.

All YMCA's in Middle TN (excluding Davidson County) are offering their shower facilities for flood victims. Visit http://www.ymcamidtn.org/location-map.

Flood victims across the state can call the Red Cross for assistance at (615) 250-4300.

To receive help from the Salvation Army, call 1- 800-725-2769.

Most of the above organizations can help flood victims get connected with agencies who can offer help in their local areas.

National Day of Prayer takes on New Meaning

The Tennessee House of Representatives passed a resolution last Wednesday commemorating the National Day of Prayer and encouraging Tennesseans to take part. House Joint Resolution 1191 passed with an overwhelming majority.

Lawmakers said they were publicly supporting the National Day of Prayer due to a ruling recently handed down by a federal court saying the day was unconstitutional. The sponsor said people have the choice of whether or not they want to participate, and their actions are supported by the First Amendment. Many members of the House also felt the day takes on new meaning as thousands across the state are still reeling from floods that paralyzed communities for days.

The National Day of Prayer acknowledges the important role of religion in the United States, and was a tradition started by President Harry Truman via proclamation. Events were held across the country, including several major events in Tennessee. Local events were held at local churches, NorthCrest Medical Center, and on the steps of the county courthouse.