News

State Senator Mark Pody lauded the success of Tennessee’s public employee pension plan which has been rated among the five best-funded state plans in the U.S.  A recent Pew Charitable Trust study showed the Volunteer State with a pension-funded ratio of 94 percent, well above the national average of 66 percent.  
According to Pew, underfunded public pension systems have become a significant fiscal challenge facing states and municipalities with some failing to set aside enough money to fund the pension promises made to employees.  The Tennessee General Assembly has appropriated money each year to fully fund employer contributions, earning the state the highest marks for financial management.  
 
According to Senator Pody, “We take our responsibility to our public employees and teachers very seriously to ensure pensions are funded and promises are kept.   It is also a very important factor keeping Tennessee’s AAA bond rating among the best in the nation.”
 
Tennessee holds the highest bond ratings issued by all three major credit rating agencies.  The state’s triple-A status reflects the extremely strong confidence the rating agencies have in Tennessee’s capacity to meet its financial commitments. 
 
“Tennessee has one of the lowest debt burdens in the country and we are committed to living within our means,” Pody added.  “Our triple-A status is an extraordinary achievement that benefits all Tennesseans.”
 
The General Assembly is scheduled to convene in Nashville for the 2019 legislative session on today.
 

This is the first week of Cannon County Schools using the Raptor Visitor Management System in all schools to strengthen program of campus safety for students and faculty.  Part of keeping students and faculty safe is knowing who is in our buildings at all times, and the Raptor system will allow the system to do that.  The Raptor system will  allow school administrators  to screen visitors, contractors, and volunteers in schools and provide a safer environment for students and staff.  
Upon entering a district building, visitors will be asked to present an ID such as a Driver’s License, which can either be scanned or manually entered into the system.  If a parent or guardian for any reason does not have a US government-issued ID, the school staff member can use any form of identification and manually enter the person’s name into the Raptor system. The Raptor system will check to ensure that registered sexual offenders are not entering our school campuses without our knowledge.  The Raptor system checks the visitor’s name and date of birth for comparison with a national database of registered sex offenders.  The registered sex offender database is the only official database checked by the Raptor system.  No other data from the ID is gathered or recorded and the information is not shared with any outside agency. Once entry is approved, Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit.  A visitor’s badge will not be necessary for those who visit our schools simply to drop off an item in the office or pick up paperwork. 
 
Director of Cannon County Schools, William F. Curtis, stated, “The safety of our students is our highest priority and the Raptor visitor management system allows us to quickly identify those that may present a danger to our students.  Thank you in advance for your understanding and your support in enhancing the school safety protocols in our district.”
 

State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) today talked about his priorities for the 2019 legislative session as the General Assembly prepares to convene, with passage of a fiscally conservative budget topping the list.  The legislature meets to organize the 111th General Assembly on Tuesday when Pody and 17 other senators who were elected in November will take the oath of office as the first order of business. 
“Tennessee is ranked among the top financially managed states in the nation,” said Pody.  “Conservative budgeting and a healthy Rainy Day Fund, which is the state’s savings account in case of a downturn in the economy, is a big part of that success.  Our healthy financial status has also been a key contributing factor to helping us recruit industry and jobs to Tennessee.  Like families across our state, we need to save in the good times to ensure that if an economic downturn or emergency occurs in the future, we have adequate reserves to keep our state in good stead.  Currently our Rainy Day Fund at $861 million, is shy of the $1 billion our financial experts maintain is needed to be prepared and I would like to see us fill that gap.”
 
In other budgeting matters, Pody said he would like to see Tennessee better prepare and compensate K-12 teachers as the state strives to improve the quality of education. 
 
“Studies show that teachers matter more to a student’s academic performance than any other aspect of schooling.  We must ensure that our students are prepared for the classroom.  We have made great strides in improving teacher pay over the past several years and I want to see those efforts continue to move forward in 2019, as well.”
 
Another top issue for Pody is providing law enforcement officers in Tennessee the opportunity to retire after 25 years of service.  He is drafting legislation in the Senate that would give them that option.
 
On criminal justice reform, Pody supports efforts to reduce recidivism in Tennessee prisons.  “We need to give those who have served their time a better chance at a fresh start.  At the same time, any reform of the criminal justice system should be efficient and place as small a burden on taxpayers as possible, while maintaining strong protections for public safety,” he said.
 
In addition, Pody supports efforts to propel progress in Tennessee’s rural communities, including expansion of broadband accessibility and better healthcare access by those who are underserved.
 
“I am very excited about Governor-elect Lee’s plans to meet the needs of rural Tennesseans and to extend opportunities to all of our citizens.  I look forward to working with him and my colleagues in the General Assembly to address the needs of the state’s rural communities,” he added.
 
Finally, Pody is calling for passage of legislation to eliminate Tennessee’s professional privilege tax.  The $400 tax is an annual charge levied on individuals who have an active license to practice professions such as accountants, architects, and engineers. 
 
“Tennessee is one of only six states which imposes a professional privilege tax.  This burdensome tax puts those who practice a wide variety of professions in our state at a disadvantage.  This tax should have never been imposed and should be eliminated,” he concluded.
 

Emma has unseated Ava as the number one name for baby girls born in Tennessee, rising to the top of the list of the most popular names for babies born in 2018. William maintains the number one spot as the most popular name chosen for baby boys in Tennessee for the 12th straight year.The top 10 names Tennessee parents chose for their new babies born in 2018* are as follows:
 
Rank            Girls              Boys
1                    Emma            William
2                    Ava                  James
3                    Olivia              Liam
4                    Harper           Elijah
5                    Amelia            Noah
6                    Charlotte        Jackson
7                    Isabella            Mason
8                    Elizabeth          Grayson
9                    Evelyn                John
10                  Abigail               Oliver
 *provisional data
Emma returns to the top spot for names of baby girls born in Tennessee, which she had held since 2011 until overtaken in 2017 by Ava. Evelyn is a new addition to the top ten list of girls’ names for 2018, with Ella dropping from the list since last year. All other names in the top ten list for girls are the same as in 2017, but have changed in ranking.
Oliver is the new arrival on the top ten list of boys’ names for 2018, with Samuel falling off the list since 2017. William has been the most popular name chosen for baby boys in Tennessee since 2007. All other names in the top ten list for boys made the list in 2017 as well, but have changed in ranking with the exception of Mason, which also ranked at number seven last year. Names chosen for babies are recorded and tallied by the dedicated team in the Tennessee Department of Health Division of Vital Records and Statistics. This division maintains the integrity of approximately 15 million records, including issuance and amending records of births, deaths, marriages and divorces in Tennessee. Team members process an average of more than 42,000 requests for these certificates every month. Requests are submitted in person, by mail, online and via telephone; Vital Records and Statistics staff members handle an average of 8,500 phone calls every month and issue more than 2,100 certificates every single day. This division registers approximately 240,000 new records of events for birth, death, marriage and divorce each year. 
 
“All Tennessee county health department locations can provide copies of birth and death records, offering an important convenience for Tennesseans,” said Office of Vital Records Director Gray Bishop. “We remind new parents to make sure they have a copy of their child’s birth certificate before filing their 2018 income taxes so they can claim the exemption for the new additions to their families.”
Find a list of county health department locations and their contact information online at www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/localdepartments.html.
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records is located on the first floor of the Andrew Johnson Tower at 710 James Robertson Parkway in Nashville. Walk-in hours are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central time. The office is open for extended hours each Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time. Learn more about the Tennessee Office of Vital Records including how request these records at www.tn.gov/health/healthprogram-areas/vital-records.html.
 
 
 

As Tennesseans resolve in the New Year to lead a healthier lifestyle, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is bringing light to a health issue that goes beyond the gym by encouraging everyone to test for radon in their home. 
Long-term exposure to radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States behind smoking and is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
 
“People are very health conscious at this time of year, so it makes perfect sense to consider the potential for health risk at home,” said Kendra Abkowitz, assistant commissioner for the Office of Policy and Sustainable Practices. “We want Tennesseans to be aware of what levels of radon may be in their homes, and we are making it easy to find out by providing free radon test kits.”
 
Gov. Bill Haslam has proclaimed January 2019 as Radon Action Month and encourages all Tennesseans to be aware of potential health risks of radon and to take easy steps to test for radon levels where they live.
 
TDEC provides simple, do-it-yourself, radon test kits at no cost to citizens. For more information and to request a free test kit, visit: https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/opsp-policy-and-sustainable-practices/community-programs-and-services/radon.html.
 
TDEC administers the Tennessee Radon Program through its Office of Policy and Sustainable Practices. Since 2008, TDEC has distributed more than 65,000 test kits. The Tennessee Radon Program is funded by the EPA State Indoor Radon Grant. The program offers a variety of other services and assistance to residents.
 
Radon is formed as a result of the breakdown of uranium, which occurs in soil and rock. Radon is odorless and invisible. It is known to exist in every county in Tennessee, and levels can vary greatly from building to building based on a variety of factors, including ventilation, building structure and weather events. Any home may have an elevated level of radon, even if other homes in the same neighborhood do not. Testing for radon in the home is the only way of knowing if radon is present. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends testing for radon in the home every two years. Identified radon problems can be mitigated or repaired.
 
According to the American Cancer Society, being exposed to radon for a long period of time can lead to lung cancer. Radon gas breaks down into tiny radioactive elements that can lodge in the lining of the lungs, giving off radiation, which can damage lung cells and potentially lead to lung cancer.
 

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is advising soybean and cotton farmers to follow federal guidelines when applying pesticides containing dicamba approved for “over-the-top” use.Dicamba products are commonly used to control weeds in soybean and cotton fields. Each product includes an extensive and detailed label outlining the requirements for use. Applicators must follow the label directions precisely to be in compliance with the law.
 
In October, EPA extended the registration of new formulation dicamba products for two years and announced new label requirements. As a result, Tennessee will not seek an additional special needs label for the next planting season.
 
“We have reviewed EPA’s new label requirements and have determined that they address—and in some cases, exceed—the steps we have taken in Tennessee to help farmers use these products responsibly,” Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton said. “We will not seek additional restrictions. Instead, we will focus on helping producers comply, while promoting commonsense practices to further protect sensitive areas.” 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is emphasizing the following new label requirements for dicamba applicators:

Only certified applicators may apply dicamba over the top of growing plants.

Over-the-top application on soybeans is prohibited 45 days after planting and prohibited for cotton 60 days after planting.

For cotton, the number of over-the-top applications is limited to two. 

Applications are allowed only from one hour after sunrise to two hours before sunset.

The 110-foot downwind buffer applies to all applications. However, in counties where threatened or endangered species may exist, the downwind buffer will remain at 110 feet and there will be a new 57-foot buffer around the other sides of the field.

Tennessee counties that include the additional buffer are Chester, Davidson, Franklin, Grundy, Madison, Maury, McNairy, Montgomery, Polk, Rutherford, and White. Due to the presence of particular endangered species, pesticides containing dicamba cannot be sprayed in Wilson County. To learn more about the various protected species and for more information, applicators should consult the product label.
 
Under the new federal guidelines, application of dicamba is expected to be significantly limited by mid-season in Tennessee based on historical crop planting schedules. This eliminates the need for a state cut-off date, which Tennessee implemented the past two years.
 
The new label also includes improved tank cleaning instructions, clarification of the training period, and enhanced explanation to improve applicator awareness of potential volatility of the pesticide.
 
In addition, new state rules took effect this year restricting the use of older formulations of dicamba products and increasing civil penalties. Those rules are outlined on the Dicamba Resources webpage. Agricultural inputs inspectors with TDA will conduct application reviews in the field to confirm that applicators are following the label requirements, with emphasis on potential off-target movement of the herbicide. The Commissioner of Agriculture also has authority to implement emergency rules to address any unforeseen issues.
The University of Tennessee is an invaluable partner in educating pesticide applicators for practices to ensure the proper use of dicamba products. Although not a label requirement, UT weed specialists recommend that producers do not spray dicamba when the temperature is above 85 degrees. TDA is working with UT and pesticide manufacturers to expand training opportunities, with options online and in-person at County Extension offices and regional grain conferences. That training will be available by Jan. 15.
 
TDA will also continue to maintain FieldWatch, the free, online registry for apiaries and commercially grown crops sensitive to pesticides. Applicators are required to check FieldWatch before applying pesticides to avoid any potential impact to sensitive crops or bees. Tennesseans with qualifying crops or hives are encouraged to register their locations at www.fieldwatch.com.
 
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture will continue to monitor the use of dicamba products and remains committed to protecting the best interests of agriculture, as well as the health, safety and well-being of everyone in Tennessee.
 
You will find more information on TDA’s Dicamba Resources webpage here.
 

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is now accepting entries for its 2019-20 photo contest for publication in Tennessee Wildlife’s annual calendar issue. All interested photographers are invited to submit up to 10 of their best photos on fishing, hunting, boating, and wildlife species native to Tennessee. 
The photos will be reviewed for publication in the annual calendar edition of Tennessee Wildlife, which is the summer issue. If a photo is selected for the calendar edition, the photographer will receive a cash stipend of $60.
 
Photographers must submit their photo entries by the March 20, 2019 deadline. Photos must be horizontal (landscape), in JPEG format, and submitted on a CD. They must be sized to print no smaller that 8-1/2×11 and resolution should be at least 300 pixels/inch.
 
Photographers must be sure to provide their name, address, phone number, and e-mail address with their disk. Disks cannot be returned.
            Entries may be mailed to:
            Tennessee Wildlife
            Calendar Issue                       
            P.O. Box 40747
            Nashville, TN 37204

With the new year, many new laws take effect.  Hospitals nationwide will have to list prices for standard services as part of a new federal rule. The federal rule was put in place by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make hospitals more transparent and help give patients more information when deciding on important healthcare decisions.It’s being called the Prospective Payment System rule. The new requirement will require hospitals to list prices for procedures on their websites.
 

Fireworks can ensure your New Year rings in with a bang, but they can also pose safety concerns for consumers who choose to produce their own backyard show. To avoid injuries or starting a fire, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is advising residents to always leave fireworks to the experts for the New Year’s celebration. 
“Celebrating the start of a new year with a fireworks display is a tradition for many residents,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak. “While fireworks are fun to watch, they can also pose a safety hazard for those detonating them. We encourage consumers to attend public displays run by professionals to keep their New Year’s activities safe and fun.”
 
Thousands of people, most often children and teens, are seriously injured each year because of fireworks. In Tennessee, fireworks caused 377 unintended fires and resulted in over $1 million in property damages and one death from 2013-2017 according to state fire data. The State Fire Marshal’s Office strongly advises that individuals attend organized public fireworks displays where compliance with state-of- the-art fire codes offers a safer way to ring in a new year.
 
If consumers choose to shoot fireworks themselves, they should familiarize themselves with local fireworks laws. Several counties and cities in Tennessee have ordinances and restrictions related to fireworks usage. Before purchasing or detonating fireworks, the SFMO urges residents to check with their local police or fire departments to determine local laws about fireworks.
 
Earlier this year the Town of Woodbury passed an ordinance out lawing the the use of fireworks inside the town’s corporate limits.
In addition to local laws, Tennessee has several state laws pertaining to fireworks:

A 2007 Tennessee law prevents children under 16 from purchasing fireworks. Those who are 16 or 17 must present a photo ID to purchase them.

State legislation passed in 2011 reclassified sky lanterns as special fireworks exclusively for use by individuals with a professional license. The general public cannot purchase or use sky lanterns. If a sky lantern is found in the possession of someone who does not have a professional license issued by the SFMO, the device can be confiscated and destroyed.

A law passed in 2015 prohibits flying a drone (unmanned aircraft) above an outdoor ticketed event with more than 100 people, or in the vicinity of a fireworks display site, without the permission of the event operator.

If consumer fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to use them, the SFMO offers the following safety tips:

Never allow children to handle or ignite fireworks – this includes sparklers. Sparklers are not toys and cause hundreds of injuries every year. Sparklers can reach temperatures as high as 1,200° F, and stay hot long after they’ve burned out. You wouldn’t hand a matchbook or lighter to a child to wave so never give a sparkler to a child. 

Read and follow all warnings and instructions.

Wear eye protection.

Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never throw or point fireworks at people or animals.

Only light fireworks outdoors on a smooth, flat surface away from homes, dry leaves and flammable materials.

Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.

Keep a bucket of water and a garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.

The SFMO advises all Tennessee homeowners to have working smoke alarms installed on every level of their homes, including the basement. Additionally, homeowners should create a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a designated outside meeting place. Practice the plan with all family members of your household both at night and during the day.

For more fire safety information, visit tn.gov/fire.
 
 

Kind-hearted Tennesseans will turn to charitable organizations this year to help make a positive impact for those who are less fortunate. Unfortunately, charity scammers will use the end-of-year giving surge and take advantage to consumers’ generosity. To help consumers avoid charity scams, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs is advising consumers to always research charitable organizations before opening their wallets or entering personal information online. 
Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak advises, “The holiday and end of year season is a great opportunity to donate to legitimate charitable organizations in order to give back to the community,” said TDCI Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “When making a donation, we advise consumers to always practice due diligence in order to ensure the money will be going to the intended organization, not a scammer.”
To learn more about being a savvy consumer, visit tn.gov/consumer.