Veterans bills advance in committees in Nashville
Three bills that would help military service members and veterans advanced in Senate committees last week, a news release states.
‘ One bill would give in-state tuition and fees to dependent children, regardless of where they live, if their military parent was killed in a targeted attack in Tennessee. The bill affects children of the five military members slain in July. The sponsor is Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga.
‘ A bill to protect National Guard reservists from losing their jobs in connection with their service in any state’s National Guard passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday. State law protects those who must be absent for service in the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard, but not those who serve in another state’s reserves.
‘ A bill asking Congress and President Barack Obama to allow service members to carry firearms on military installations or facilities passed the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee. Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, the bill’s sponsor, said the revisions are needed so that personnel can both help prevent and more readily defend themselves from terrorist attacks.
Also last week, Gov. Bill Haslam proposed to fund homeland security upgrades for the military department. The governor’s budget includes $1.6 million for an emergency phone system, window film, magnetic locks, a security camera system, privacy screens and bollards to protect soldiers at state military installations.
Corker applauds TBI trafficking sting
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s announcement of a joint operation against human trafficking in Chattanooga and in Dalton, Ga., drew praise from U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who has worked to stop the trade worldwide.
“Modern day slavery and human trafficking knows no borders or boundaries, and in order to prevent future victims of this horrific crime, we must continue to encourage partnerships among law enforcement, local communities and non-profit agencies. I thank TBI, the law enforcement agencies involved as well as Second Life Chattanooga and End Slavery Tennessee for continuing to make putting an end to modern day slavery and human trafficking a top priority,” Corker said in a statement.
Georgia battles family violence
The Georgia Senate passed a bill last week raising penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders, according to a statement from Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-LaFayette.
A first conviction for family violence battery now is only an aggravated misdemeanor. A second conviction is a felony. The bill allows family violence convictions in another state to count against someone charged in Georgia, Mullis said.
The Senate also passed a bill clarifying the definition of allowable campaign material at polling locations. Most campaign material is not allowed near polling places but there has been some confusion about prohibited publications, objects and signs, Mullis said.
The bill gives poll workers new guidelines about what is considered campaign material.
Boyd to speak to Pachyderms
Hamilton County Commissioner Tim Boyd will speak on shared sales taxes at Monday’s Pachyderm luncheon.
Boyd will compare the local impact of distributing the local share of state sales taxes by point of collection vs. per capita.
The meeting starts at noon at The Mill of Chattanooga, 1601 Gulf St., suite 100.
The Pachyderms won’t meet on Feb. 15. On Feb. 22, Pam Ladd, of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, will be the speaker. The lunch buffet is $15.50.
Democratic candidates plan to rally Tuesday
Candidates and representatives for offices ranging from president to local positions will meet voters Tuesday at the Greater Chattanooga Women’s Club monthly meeting.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the IBEW, 3922 Volunteer Drive. For information, call Brenda Nunn, 423-364-3532.
Undecided Republicans invited for forum
The Whitfield County Republican Party is inviting voters who can’t decide among the GOP presidential contenders to its monthly meeting Tuesday.
The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the Mack Gaston Community Center, 218 N. Fredrick St. in Dalton, Ga.