Local lawmakers look back on 113th session
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Northeast Tennessee’s lawmakers are back in the region after adjourning the 113th legislative session Thursday, touting their accomplishments in passing the $52 billion state budget as well as work on education and immigration policy.
Sen. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol) told News Channel 11 that the success is partly due to what lawmakers didn’t do.
“We have no state income tax, we have triple-a bond ratings, no road debt, and we have a balanced budget with no new debt,” Lundberg said.
He highlighted investments of more than $250 million for K-12 education, salaries for 50 new state troopers, and funding to send a second and third round of Tennessee National Guard troops to Texas’ southern border.
“All this with no new taxes,” Lundberg added.
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Though the governor’s proposed school voucher plan didn’t make it through this year, Rep. Tim Hicks (R-Gray) says lawmakers made it a priority to protect parental rights, passing laws that could penalize adults who take minors across state lines to receive abortions or gender-affirming care without parental consent.
“That was just a big focus this year to try to give parents and kids more involved with each other,” Hicks told News Channel 11. “It’s hard to legislate, but, you know, you can put parameters out there. “
Hicks told me he was also proud of a bill he sponsored that allows people with disabilities to keep TennCare, even if they get a job.
“That was a really big accomplishment, (it) had a lot of support. It was a bipartisan bill,” Hicks said.
Though the House and Senate never reconciled their separate versions of the voucher plan, Hicks and Lundberg both said it was a topic they’re open to discussing again.
“The House and the Senate members will meet late this summer and talk about how can we start the year much closer than where we were,” Lundberg said.
Hicks said he supported the House plan, adding, “Public education is not for every student by far, and private education is not for every student by far, but working hand in hand I believe that we could we could get a lot done.”
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Both Hicks and Lundberg are up for election this year.
Hicks is facing Democratic challenger Brad Batt.
Lundberg is facing a primary challenger in Bobby Harshbarger.
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