September GOP Meetings and Special Events

September 4, 2023

Never Forget!

Check for 9/11 Memorial ceremonies in your community!

In this issue:

Special (Extraordinary) Session Results
Election Watch – Kentucky Governor
Regional September Meetings and Special Events
Special Annual Events – Rose Family Farm Fish Fry & Senator Bailey’s Cowboy Cookout

TN Special Session Results

Four bills made it through both the House and Senate in the recent Extraordinary Session. Note that the last one (SB7089/HB7070) is an appropriations measure to allocate funds for the bills passed and pay for the special session. The figure does not include the cost of additional security measures that were necessary.

SB7088/HB7041: Requires TBI to submit a report on child and human trafficking crimes and trends in Tennessee by Dec. 1, 2023, and annually thereafter.
- This bill requires the TBI to track statewide data involving crimes against children. A formal report will be created every year and submitted to the governor and legislature.
SB7086/HB7013: Requires reporting of accurate, complete and timely records from court clerks to the TBI within 72 hours and requires electronic submissions of dispositions and expungements to the TBI.
- This bill changes how soon a court clerk must notify the TBI of someone’s criminal proceedings. They now have 72 hours to file the proper paperwork, but there is no punishment for missing the deadline when acting in good faith.
SB7085/HB7012: Directs the Department of Safety to provide free firearm locks to Tennessee residents upon request; requires department-approved handgun safety courses to contain instruction on the safe storage of firearms; exempts the retail sale of firearm safes and firearm safety devices from sales and use taxes beginning Nov. 1, 2023.
- This bill requires the Department of Safety to give out free gun locks to people who want them. It also creates a sales tax exemption for gun safes and allocated $1.1 million for a gun safety public service announcement campaign. There is no punishment for not using a gun lock.
SB7089/HB7070: Appropriates $50 million in grant funding to mental health agencies, $30 million in school safety grants to public and private higher education institutions, $12.1 million in recruitment and retention bonuses for mental health professionals, $10 million additional funding for school safety grant fund, $4 million in funding for the mental health safety net, $3 million in funding for the behavioral health scholarship program, and $1.1 million to fund a public safety campaign for safe storage.
- This bill grants funding for more school resource officers and mental health services. It includes $12 million for mental health resource grants, $4 million for behavioral health safety grants and allocates $50 million in surplus money from TennCare to community mental health agencies. An additional $30 million has been earmarked from a prison improvement fund for higher education safety upgrades at campuses across the state.

While the level of chaos was not as troublesome as in April, a few undisciplined and disrespectful members created distractions and frustrations for those attempting to be productive. In a future edition, look for numbers relating to risks of fatalities in Tennessee for both the general population and especially children. Here’s a preview – the numbers don’t indicate that Tennessee is in dire straits and there are some that are manipulating the data to substantiate certain demands. Remember – when someone throws statistics at you, check the source and check the context!

Election Watch – 2023 is a big year too!

Kentucky 2023 Republican Gubernatorial Candidate
Attorney General Daniel Cameron

November 7th, 2023 – State Governor Elections in Southern States

If you thought elections weren’t happening until 2024, think again! Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi will elect governors this November. There’s an opportunity to flip a blue seat to red in Kentucky with a very promising candidate – Daniel Cameron. Consider supporting him by visiting his Campaign Page!

Of special note in this state is the declining health of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell. Although the Kentucky legislature passed legislation that limits the governor’s appointment to one of three candidates chosen by the political party. Kentucky – 2021 Kentucky Law Regarding U.S. Senate Vacancy

Upcoming September GOP Meetings & Special Events

Putnam County GOP Tuesday, September 5th @ FB link
Potluck at 5:30 pm (please bring sides or desserts), Program at 6 pm
U.S. Congressman Mark Green
90 E Spring St, Cookeville, TN 38501

Van Buren County GOP Tuesday, September 5th @ 6 pm FB link
Potluck Dinner NOTE: September meeting moved due to Monday holiday

Speaker: Sheriff Michael Brock
Burritt College
445 College St, Spencer, TN 38585

Overton County GOP Tuesday, September 12th @ 6:30 pm FB link
Program: TBA
Livingston-Overton Chamber of Commerce
222 East Main St
Livingston, TN

Cumberland County GOP – No meeting in September FB link

Rep. Women of the Upper Cumberland Tuesday, September 19th @ noon FB link
Light finger foods and beverages served
Program: Jasmine Woodson, BLEXIT
208 N Jefferson Ave, Cookeville, TN

Smith County GOP Tuesday, September 19th @ 6:30 pm FB link
Food & Fellowship at 6:30 pm, Program at 7 pm
Program: State Senator Paul Bailey
Hotel Walton
308 Main St N, Carthage, TN 37030

**BBQ, Fish & Bluegrass Music! Bring a lawn chair!**

White County GOP Monday, September 25th @ 6 pm FB link
Speaker: TBA
3rd Floor, White County Courthouse
1 East Bockman Way, Sparta, TN38583

Jackson County GOP Tuesday, September 26th @ 6:00 pm FB link
Doors open at 6 pm, Potluck at 6:30 pm, Program at 7 pm
New Hope Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
311 N Murray St, Gainesboro TN 38562

Cumberland Co Republican Women Saturday, September 30th @ 1 pm FB link
Constitution Day Celebration Luncheon – featuring the Honorable Caroline Knight, 13th District Circuit Court Judge – pt. II
RSVP link here