The end is in sight. By the time you read these words, the first session of the 105th General Assembly will have come to a close…hopefully. It has been a few weeks since my last column, so let me briefly bring you up to date.

The last several days were a flurry of activity. As you are probably aware, the Senate – by a vote of 17-16 – and the House of Representatives – by a vote of 59-35 – passed a measure to fully fund the Governor’s new Basic Education Program formula, bringing sweeping reform to Tennessee’s education system, including fully funding the state’s portion of the costs associated with at-risk students; fully funding the state’s portion of student growth costs in the year they occur; expanding funding for English Language Learners, with a goal of one teacher per every 20 students (currently the ratio is 1 to 45); increasing the state’s portion of instructional salaries from the current 65% to 75%; and, increasing the funding for teacher salaries from $36,700 to $40,000. New accountability measures will also be in place to ensure that we can properly identify and deal with failing school systems. This is tremendous reform for our state. In the first year alone, the 27th Senate District will see an increase in state funding of just under $11 million. No school system loses under the new plan, and as a result, our students and teachers will have more of the resources they need to learn and teach and continue to significantly improve basic education throughout our state.

I was proud to sponsor a significant piece of legislation with my friend and colleague, Representative Craig Fitzhugh (D – Ripley), allowing for the creation of regional “megasite” authorities throughout the state. The new law will allow groups of counties and cities to form corporations for the purpose of purchasing and improving large tracts of land for prospective industries that are seeking to relocate to Tennessee. Mississippi has such a law and, as a result, was able to lure a new Toyota plant to that state just a few months ago. With this new measure, rural areas will be able to collectively use their resources to attract and lure companies into our state. The potential for job creation and community development growth will be unlimited as our counties and cities begin using this new tool to lay the groundwork for new facilities that are looking for home.

Two of my priorities for my first term are education and economic development. I am proud that we are making significant strides on both fronts.

We’re getting older. Sooner or later, most of us will be lucky enough to experience our “golden years”. But, of course, with age often comes illness and disability. So almost every family will end up struggling with how to care for a loved one who needs help.

This is not only a problem for individuals and families, but for all of our communities and our state. In Tennessee, the 65+ population will double over the next 25 years. With the retirement of the “boomer” population and the costs of providing basic care rising, we all have to pull together to make sure our elderly friends, neighbors, and loved ones get the help they need, so those golden years aren’t tarnished with confusion, isolation, and poverty.

Until recently, Tennessee has really not focused on ways to address the needs of our rapidly aging population. There are approximately TEN different state agencies, commissions, and bureaus that administer programs for the elderly and disabled. There are three agencies of state government involved in what should be a relatively simple task of determining whether someone is eligible for long-term care through Medicaid. This is problematic. Although our state provides many wonderful services, the current bureaucratic structure is so complicated and duplicative that many individuals find it too difficult to navigate. They become, consequently, overlooked and underserved.

Things are starting to change. For instance, with the Choices for Care initiative passed by the Tennessee General Assembly two years ago, and the leadership now being provided by Governor Phil Bredesen, we’re starting to do better. But as the state has started implementing reforms, it has become clear that there are real structural obstacles that must be overcome.

We need a fundamental change in how state government approaches providing services. We should enable the Area Agencies on Aging and Disability to become “one-stop shops” and establish a single entity that deals exclusively with these issues and provides a single point of access for services.

I have introduced a bill which is now before the legislature called the Department of Aging and Adult Services Act of 2007. The new law would lead to the creation of a cabinet-level position for senior citizens. Forty-seven other states benefit from either cabinet level departments or divisions within cabinet level departments dedicated to senior issues. Further, this bill is a sensible piece of legislation that simply restructures existing state programs.

It will give us a chance to not only provide more appropriate services that people need but also save taxpayers millions of dollars by streamlining programs, eliminating senseless bureaucracy, and focusing on the people we’re trying to serve.

Now is the time to act. Tennessee can do better for our older citizens and our families. Many of my colleagues in the legislature – Republicans and Democrats alike – are supporting this initiative, and some have even come aboard as cosponsors. I urge you to call your state representative and senator today and ask them to support SB308 and HB2063. Let’s streamline the services, eliminate the waiting lists, and provide services that are more effective for our seniors and more efficient for our taxpayers. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our fellow Tennesseans.

State Senator Lowe Finney will begin a new initiative to hold a series of town hall conversations with West Tennesseans, he has announced.

“I want to maintain an open dialogue with the people in Carroll, Gibson and Madison counties about what is important to them,” Sen. Finney said. “I hope West Tennesseans will share their thoughts, concerns and ideas with me, so we can make sure our state is doing all it can to help our families.”

The rescheduled meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. at Jackson City Hall in the George A. Smith room. Finney has already hosted two of the three meetings in Carroll and Gibson counties.

State Sen. Finney represents the 27th district, which covers Carroll, Gibson and Madison counties.

NASHVILLE- Newly elected State Senator Lowe Finney, D-Jackson, was appointed to several Senate committees last Friday. Finney is now a member of the Environment, Conservation and Tourism Committee and Government Operations Committee. Finney will also hold Vice-Chair on the State and Local Government Committee.

“I am very pleased to be apart of such excellent committees,” said Finney, a major supporter of environmental causes and high ethical standards in the legislature. “The people of the 27th district can rest assured that I will do everything in my power to work with Democrats and Republicans to do what is best for the district and the state.”

Finney will become a vital part in decisions regarding election laws, matters dealing with local ordinances, legislation concerning energy, matters relating to pollution of air, water and land, as well as allocating tourism funds for the state. Finney will also be responsible for legislation that will determine the creation of new departments, commissions, boards, agencies and councils of state government.

Finney looks forward to working with Governor Bredesen and fellow legislators to pass laws that will lead to better wages, higher education standards and affordable healthcare for Tennesseans.

NASHVILLE- Lowe Finney was officially sworn in as State Senator of the 27th District this past week.

Finney, an attorney and college teacher, pledged to uphold the promises he held so closely while on the campaign trail, working to bring ethics back to the legislature, improving quality of life for the district and burying the partisan politics that has held back important legislation in the Senate.

Finney said, “It has been a great weekday, but the real work is still to be done. I did not run just to be elected. I ran to fight for a minimum wage increase for working people, to get results on health care and illegal immigration and to work on economic development and crime. This is a lot of work to do and I am looking forward to make a difference.”

Finney was the only Democrat to gain a seat in the Senate, narrowly beating incumbent Republican Don McLeary. McLeary was the only incumbent legislator to be defeated in the state of Tennessee.

Finney also commented on the leadership battle between Republican Ron Ramsey and Democrat John Wilder.

“No matter who the leadership of the Senate is my focus will be on the issues that matter to Gibson, Carroll and Madison Counties. I’m confident that I can be effective working with Democrats and Republicans in the legislature and working closely with Governor Phil Bredesen.”

Nashville - Matt Ragan, a Gibson County native and a 2001 graduate of Humboldt High School, has been named Administrative Assistant to incoming District 27 State Senator Lowe Finney, Finney has announced. Ragan will manage day-to-day operations of Finney’s office in Nashville.
“Matt is a hard worker, great with people, and enjoys serving his community through politics. He has proven himself as a leader in our community and will be very instrumental in helping me represent West Tennessee families,” Sen-Elect Finney said. “Matt has had a rural West Tennessee upbringing that has instilled in him the values that are important to families in Carroll, Gibson, and Madison counties. I am glad that Matt agreed to join us and put those values to work to improve our district and state.”

Ragan, 24, previously served as the West Tennessee Field Representative for the 2006 Bredesen for Governor Campaign. He graduated from UT-Martin in December of 2005 with dual degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice. A member of Humboldt First Baptist Church, Ragan is the son of Kenneth and Teresa Hill and the late Steve Ragan. He has two brothers, Clint and Adam Ragan.

Finney will be sworn in on Jan. 9 as State Senator for District 27, which covers Carroll, Gibson, and Madison counties.