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Current Issues

2008-2009 Regional Federal Agenda

Blount County Chamber of Commere, Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership, Oak Ridge Chamber, and East Tn Economic Council

The four organizations have jointly identified the following issues as their top federal legislative priorities.

Education & Workforce Development We support: Accountability in Education-We believe that accountability in education is essential and that significant changes to current legislation are needed to include funding. Full Funding of America Competes Act of 2007 - this comprehensive strategy to keep America the most innovative nation in the worlkd needs to be fully funded. Because of it's science and technology assests, the Innovation Valley has a significant role to play in this effor.

Transportation Enacted in August 2005, SAFETEA-LU authorized the Federal transportation programs for highways, highway safety and transit and is scheduled for reauthorization in 2009. We urge Congress to carry out its business on this matter as quickly as possible.

IFDP and Modernization of the Oak Ridge Reservation The work related to the modernization of the Department of Energy facilities in Oak Ridge has a significant impact on the regional economy and the important national security and science research missions of the Y-12 National Security Complex and ORNL. We support the continued funding for the modernization of Y-12 and the provision of $500 million per year (plus escalation) for the DOE environmental management program on the Oak Ridge Reservation known as the Integrated Facilities Disposition Plan.

Supporting the Future - Energy, Science, and Technology Innovation Valley has much to offer to the nation. Because of the contributions of the University of Tennesee, the Oak ridge National Laboratory, the National Neutron Source, and many others, it is a center of research and development and scientific excellence. The Y-12 National Security Complex and other facilities make significant and unparalleled contributions to national defense, nuclear nonproliferation, and the war on terrorism. In addition, researchers, engineers, and scientists are contributing to energy production programs that include nuclear, biomass, biofuels, and other alternative energy sources. We urge Congress to support the efforts to; make Y-12 a Center of Excellence of uranium technology and the building of a new Uranium Production Facility; fund biofuels and other energy research being conducted by UT and ORNL; encourage the development of more private sector businesses that can commercialize the technolgies being developed in Innovation Valley.

2008 Regional State Legislative Agenda

Blount County Chamber, Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership & Oak Ridge Chamber "State Legislative Agenda"

Priorities
Education-Diploma Project

Revision of high school graduation requirements and the curriculum standards
American Diploma Project intitiatives that call for Tennessee's commitment to four key principals.

These principals:
Require all high school graduates to take challenging courses that prepare them for life after high school-including at least four years of mathematics

Align high school standards and assessments with the knowledge and skills required for success after high school.
Streamline the assessment system so that the tests students take in high school also serve as readiness tests for college and work.
Hold schools accountable for graduating students who are ready for college or careers, and hold postsecondary institutions accountable for student's success once enrolled.

Transportation - Three key highway projects that impact multiple counties

Timely completion of 475/Knoxville Parkway
Prompt Completion of Pellissippi Parkway to Hwy 321
Completion of the widening of SR58/95 in Anderson and Roane Counties.

Economic Development - High Tech Incentives for new-economy, research and development, and technology companies

Recommend adjusting the required number of jobs created to qualify for the Jobs Tax Credit for high-tech (agricultural science, materials science, media technology, nono-technology, renewable energy and research and development) businesses if the business invests $500,000 and hires 5 new employees at an average salary of 150 percent of the county's average wage. In non-economically distressed counties, these companies would qualify for the $2000 Job Tax Credit.
Urge the Legislature to allow the Emerging Industry Tax Credity to be applied to federally designated empowerment zones in those counties the state defines as non-economically distressed.
Recommend redefining"qualified business enterprises" for economic development incentive purposes to inlcude high-tech businesses that employ or align with the core competencies of the state's research institutions.

Business Issues

Chamber supports the approval of the application for antitrust immunity filed by American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Royal Jordanian.
Summary: Approval would enhance the services currently provided by McGhee Tyson and enable these five one world alliance airlines that operate transatlantic service to work closely together to deliver highly competitive flight schedules, fares and service to our customers.

Status: Application submitted. No current action taken.

Support for Governor's new budget package creating funding for a contingency fund for economic development
Summary: This $100 million fund is being created from agency reserves, extra monies and other areas that don't involve taking money from the general budget. The Chamber supports the Governor's Economic Incentive Proposal. The best Returns on Investment you can get is investing in economic growth. We see a return on increased jobs, increased taxes, increased wealth and increased quality of life.

Workers Compensation
Summary: The Chamber supports meaningful workers' compensation reform. The state passed a landmark reform bill in 2004 and the chamber continues to monitorworkers comp legislation. Activity around workers comp legislation remains slow this session as many bills have been referred to the Workers Comp Advisory Council for recommendation.

Status: We encourage Chamber members to stay engaged in this debate and encourage legislators to support HB3710 by Fizhugh (SB3271) by McNally as these bills move through the General Assembly. The Chamber will keep you informed as committees hear these bills. For more information see www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills.

Air Quality Non-Attainment Status
Summary: The Blount County Chamber opposes any changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQSs) for ozone. Blount County is currently disignated as non-attainment for EPA ozone standards along with six other counties in East Tennessee. Many changes have already been made to reduce emissions. The Chamber does not feel it is in the best interests of our nation for the federal government to lower current ozone standards. Doing so could provide a major blow to our national economy and further encourage businesses to depart for other nations with less burdensome regulations.

Status: The EPA announced in March 2008 that the standards are changed from .84 parts per million for ozone to .75 parts per million. More than 30 counties in Tennessee fail to meet the new standards. In the Knox region, made up of seven counties, many changes have already been made to address emmission reductions They include: Emmission reductions by TVA, lower speed limits on federal highways, free bus rides in Knox County on air-alert days, idling reduction, biodiesel innitiatives and pollution reduction at truck stops through electric comfort stations. Additional measures will be considered to address the new standards. The new standards require a new State Implementation Plan by 2011. The Regional Clean Air Coalition will monitor and provide input into the plan along with the local county goverments impacted by the change in standards.

Small Business Investment Act HR 3567 (Federal Issue)
Summary: The Chamber opposes the Senate's companion bill to H.R. 3567, The Small Business Investment Act. We oppose changes to the definition of a small business for the purposes of venture capital investment. The redefinition strips the elements of independent ownership and control that identify small business ownership under the current law. The change would be inequitable for actual small businesses and would not help address the misidentification of large firms as small businessees for Federal procurement purposes.

Status: There has not been much current activity on the bill according to Adam Melenkivitz with the American Small Business League. The Chamber Board issued a letter to Senator Corker and Senator Alexander requesting them to oppose the Senate's campanion bill to H.R. 3567. The Small Business League will also present our position in Washington the week of October 29th. Currently referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. For more information: Contact Adam with the American Small Business League adam@asbl.com or http://www.asbl.com/

Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act – HR 1873 (Federal Issue)
Summary: Reauthorizes the programs and activities of the Small Business Administration relating to procurement and other purposes. The Blount Chamber lobbied to include a provision in the Senate version to include removing all Fortune 1000 companies from the federal database of small businesses and recommended an annual recertification provision that would require all firms with existing federal contracts to recertify their status.

Status: No current activity on the bill this year. Contacted Senator Alexander and Corker with our request. 5/11/2007 Bill has been referred to Senate Committee: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. For more information, visit http://www.asbl.com/ .

Fair Share Bills (State and Federal Issue)
Summary: Fair Share bills would mandate employers to spend a set amount on health care benefits. Instead of encouraging employers to manage health care costs, the bills actually encourage maintaining above average health care costs. Additionally, the bills do not address provider access to affordable health care insurance.

Status: The Chamber is monitoring Fair Share Bills during this legislative session and will update information as bills are introduced that may come to the floor for a vote. The Blount Chamber successfully lobbied to avoid the passage of any Fair Share bills during the 105th General Assembly. The Chamber will continue to lobby against bills that are unfair to businesses and that require unfunded mandates by the government. For more information on specific bills introduced during the 105th General Assembly, visit http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills Visit http://www.uschamber.com/ on federal issues involving unfunded mandates by the federal government.

Right-to-Work Laws/”Employment at Will” (State Issue)
Summary: Tennessee is known as an “Employment-At-Will” state. Generally, this means that an employer may legally hire, suspend or discipline any employee at any time and for any reason. However, employer may not discriminate against any employee on basis of race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, or disability.

Status: The Chamber will monitor bills that threaten the "Employment at Will" status for Tennessee. We will update information as bills are introduced this session and alert chamber members when a bill comes out of committee for a vote on the floor. The chamber successfully lobbied against any changes in Tennessee’s current Right to Work/Employment at Will laws during the 105th General Assembly, for more information on specific bills introduced during the 105th General Assembly, visit http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/. The Tennessee Chamber plans to continue to support no changes in the next legislative session.

Support the Knoxville Metropolitan Airport and American Airlines Request to Fly NonStop from Chicago to Beijing, China (Federal Issue)
Summary: The McGhee Tyson Airport will benefit from a daily nonstop flight and will compliment its existing Chicago to Shanghai service.The service will provide increased local customer choice and services and bring more competition to help lower rates for travelers.

Status: The Chamber supports the request and contacted Secretary Peters of the U.S. Department of Transportation. No decision has been reached.

Education Issues

Resolution opposing elected school superintendents.
Summary: The resolution opposes any change in current law to allow for the election of school superintendents.

Status: Will contact all legislators when General Assembly reconvenes in January and new legislators are sworn in.

BEP 2.0 (State Issue)
Summary: Governor Bredesen unveiled a new way for calculating how the 136 different school systems receive funding through the Basic Education Plan (BEP). The Governor reworked the formula and called it BEP 2.0. The new formula reimburses the 136 school districts in the state based on physical capacity models and was calculated using each local government’s property tax rate and sales tax rate. The Blount Chamber is not in favor of the new formula.

Status: Public Chapter 367 took effect 7/1/2007. The law will change the formula. Blount County, Maryville and Alcoa will receive reduced amounts from the state with the implementation of the new formula. For more information, visit http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ or www.state.tn.us/education

No Child Left Behind (Federal Issue)
Summary: The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) reauthorizes and amends federal education programs established under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The focus of NCLB is for historic school reform based on accountability, flexibility, research-based education and parent options. President Bush would like to make sure that the NCLB gets reauthorized in 2007.

Status: Still under study. For more information, visit www.state.tn.us/education or http://www.uschamber.com/

Make Education the State’s Top Priority. (State and Federal Issue)
Status: See 2008 Regional Legislative Agenda. For more information see http://www.www.tnchamber.org/, www.state.tn.us/education or http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/.

Infrastructure Issues

Alcoa Highway (State Issue)
Summary: The Alcoa Highway project consists of four different projects. The Blount Chamber supports the completion of the entire project which serves as the most direct route from Knoxville to McGee Tyson Airport in Blount County. All projects will widen the existing road to three lanes in each direction. Specifically, the Chamber supports the redesigned Alcoa Parkway section of the highway located in Blount County. The portions of SR-115 and SR-335 to the proposed interchange at McGee Tyson Airport would be widened to eight lanes. The proposed section is 5.5 miles in length.

Status: An environmental impact study had to be redone and is currently underway. Alcoa Highway Right of Way is programmed for 2010 for $28-30 million dollars. From Blount County line to Maloney-the proposed construction start date is 2010. For more information, visit http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/, http://www.knoxtrans.org/ or http://www.cityofalcoa-tn.gov/business .

Completion of Pellissippi Parkway to Highway 321. (State Issue)
Summary:TDOT proposes to extend and construct Pellissippi Parkway from SR 33 to SR 73 (US 321). The completion of Pellissippi Parkway is approximately 4.4 miles. The project was included in TEA-21 as a high priority project.

Status: Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act. TDOT projects the EIS to be completed in 2009. More public imput meetings will be held during the process.

For more information contact: http://www.tdot.state.tn.us or
Tennessee Department of Transportation
Suite 700, James K. Polk Building
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243-0332

Pellissippi Parkway Extension EIS Project Vicinity Map

475/Knoxville Parkway.(State Issue)
Summary: The proposed Knoxville Parkway would connect I-40/-I-75 southwest of Knoxville to I-75 north of Knoxville. The Parkway is proposed as a divided highway that could only be accessed by interchanges.

Status: Supplemental Draft Impact Study is currently under development by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Additionaly, the project has been selected as a pilot for a toll road feasability study. For more information, visit http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/ or http://www.knoxtrans.org/ .

Widening of SR 58/95 in Anderson and Roane Counties (State Issue)
Summary: The widening is needed for business development. Phase III, the 4.2 mile section and Phase II, the 2.82 mile section must be funded and a construction schedule approved to complete the project.

Status: Right of Way and Utility Process currently underway. Construction anticipated in upcoming year. For more information, visit http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/ or http://www.knoxtrans.org/ .

Additional Links:

Federal:
http://www.uschamber.com/ – US Chamber of Commerce and Federal Issues
http://www.senate.gov/ Federal Senate Bills and Members
http://www.house.gov/ – Federal House Bills and Members
www.alexander.senate.gov/ Senator Alexander Newsletter
www.corker.senate.gov/ Senator Corker

State:
http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/ – Tennessee Department of Transportation – State Road Projects
http://www.state.tn.us/ – Tennessee State Government
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ Tennessee State Bills/Public Chapters and Members
www.state.tn.us/education Tennessee Department of Education
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills -Tennessee State Bill Research
www.state.tn.us/tourdev/ Tennessee Department of Tourism

Local:
http://www.cityofalcoa-tn.gov/business - City of Alcoa
http://www.maryvillegov.com/ – City of Maryville
http://www.blount.tn.org/ - Blount County Government
http://www.knoxtrans.org/ – Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization – State Road Project

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