Capitol Update: February 23, 2024
This was an incredibly eventful week that started with County Government Day and ended with the Lee administration and the Senate Education Chairman filing very different versions of language for a universal voucher program. A third version from the House is expected at any time. There were other major developments on bills involving property taxes, the open meetings act and more.
Nearly 300 county officials and staff met in downtown Nashville to discuss an array of legislative proposals, visit legislators, sit in on committee meetings of the General Assembly, and hear from state leaders. After a Monday full of board, committee and membership meetings, county officials hosted a breakfast for members of the legislature and heard from Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile, Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, Comptroller Jason Mumpower and Governor Bill Lee...
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County Government Day Survey
Now Available
Members,
Thank you to everyone who attended TCSA's County Government Day on February 19-20 in Nashville. We'd like to hear your thoughts and share your experience. Attendees who complete the survey will be entered to win a FREE registration to TCSA's Legislative Conference in May 2024, in Sevier County!
Simply click the button below to complete the short survey, and you're automatically entered to win! We look forward to seeing everyone in May at our annual Legislative Conference.
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TCSA Board Vacancy: West Tennessee Commissioner Needed
Interested in serving in the leadership of TCSA? Our board is set with staggered terms so every year positions come open on the board and there are opportunities to serve. These positions are typically filled at TCSA’s annual fall conference, but there is currently a vacancy on the TCSA Board of Directors for a West Tennessee County Commissioner representative.
In addition to the officers, affiliate presidents and representatives of the large urban counties, the board has nine members who serve three-year staggered terms. There are three positions for county mayors, three for county commissioners and three for highway superintendents, with one from each of the state’s three grand divisions. There is only one year left in the West Tennessee County Commissioner position, however, an individual who did not serve a full term is eligible for reappointment to a full three-year term following that service.
The TCSA Board of Directors is currently seeking nominations for a West Tennessee county commissioner to fill the vacant seat on the board for the remainder of the term.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should provide basic information about their service in county government and their involvement with the association and its affiliates, including any experience they have had serving in leadership roles. To be considered for appointment, your county must be current in its dues to TCSA.
To apply, you can simply email all of the above-requested information to TCSA, and we will forward your information to the board for consideration.
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Upcoming Webinar: Strengthening Tennessee's Resilience to Disasters
Members,
Join us for our March 2024 Third Thursday webinar to learn more about how technology can help Tennessee communities better prepare for natural disasters and weather events. This includes initiatives to better cover the state with weather monitoring stations and new software that provides detailed predictions and mapping for where and how rain events can cause flooding.
Where: via Zoom (TCSA website registration required)
When: Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 1:00 pm CDT
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TCSA Legislative Conference Registration + Lodging Reservation Announcement
Members,
The TCSA Legislative Conference will be here soon! We are excited about this conference, and planning is already in motion.
As announced at TCSA's County Government Day, registration and lodging reservations will open next Friday, March 1, 2024. Please take a moment to register for the conference at the same time as you reserve your hotel lodging. This way, we can ensure an accurate headcount for seating, meals, lodging, and any other events during the conference.
The conference will be held May 21-23, 2024, at the Park Vista Hotel in Sevier County (Gatlinburg). Again, we're excited to see you Tuesday, May 21, in Sevier County!
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TCSA + Cashvest Webinar Recording Now Available
CashVest provides precise and proprietary liquidity data, benchmarking tools, and forecasting for financial officers, allowing them to make the best, most informed decisions about how to invest and manage idle funds and cash reserves for the county.
CashVest has been deemed a best practice in liquidity management and is endorsed by the Tennessee County Services Association, County Officials Association of Tennessee (COAT, and NACo).
This webinar features Threeplusone's Director of Public Partnerships, William Cherry; watch not to learn how fellow Tennessee counties have benefited from the Cashvest program.
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2024 NACo Legislative Conference Recap
The 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference brought together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and our residents.
Attendees engaged in second-to-none policy sessions, met the members of the 118th Congress, and interacted with federal agency officials.
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Biden-Harris Administration Announce over $20.8 Million for Rural Infrastructure Projects in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Tennessee State Director Arlisa Armstrong today announced that USDA is investing more than $20.8 million in six projects to bring clean water, state-of-the-art infrastructure and economic growth to rural communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is making our economy work for working families and strengthening communities that for too long were left out or left behind,” State Director Armstrong said. “Today’s investments will help rural utility districts and communities provide clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems for families and businesses in rural areas for years to come.”
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TDEC Announces Upcoming Grant Workshops
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Upcoming Events:
Grant opportunities:
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