Two pieces of Bredesen’s legislative agenda pass House
One bill would set up the “Tennessee Heritage Conservation Fund” to preserve tracts of land within Tennessee for the purpose of promoting tourism and recreation, including outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing.
The trust would be established with a $10 million appropriation in this year’s budget. However, lawmakers opposing the bill say the money should be used elsewhere.
“It’s bad economics for Tennessee,” said Rep. Eric Swafford, R-Pikeville. “It has a $10 million fiscal note that needs to be spent in other places.”
He also said the legislation would hurt the timber industry. But Democratic sponsor Mike McDonald of Portland disagreed, saying the main intention of the legislation is to “protect Tennessee’s land.”
House members voted 66-24 to pass the measure.
The Senate could hear its version of the bill later this week. Lawmakers are hoping to adjourn by Friday.
The other bill that passed unanimously Tuesday sets up a fund to promote the governor’s Books from Birth initiative.
Bredesen has included $2 million in his budget to give children 5 years old or younger who are registered in the program a book a month at no cost to their family.
The legislation, which has passed the Senate, sets up a fund to distribute the money and solicit private money by partnering with a nonprofit organization.
So far, 46 of 95 Tennessee counties are participating in the program. Bredesen has said he wants to have all counties involved by the end of the year.
The governor got the model for his program from country singer Dolly Parton, who started the Imagination Library several years ago in her native Sevier County. It has since spread to communities in 39 states.
Bredesen said Nashville is the largest community in the nation to adopt the program.
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On the Net:
Read HB2274/SB2259; HB2288/SB2275 at http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/