Lowe In The News

SEN. FINNEY SPEAKS WITH BUSINESS LEADERS

Sen. Finney spoke to business and professional leaders in Carroll County recently about the state legislative session. The Carroll County News-Leader had the story:

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State Senator Lowe Finney spoke to a gathering of business and professional leaders at Hig’s Restaurant in McKenzie on Friday concerning the current session of the state General Assembly.

Each year the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce gives the state legislators, who represent the county, a chance to tell about the legislative issues and bills that are being considered. A luncheon is held during the months of March, April and May for these sessions.

The senator said legislators passed a “Race to the Top” bill that has allowed the state to make the first cut in the federal education competition. Tennessee has applied for more than $500 million in these particular funds.

“It one part deals with K-12 education,” he said.

The bill will help use student performance to see what is happening in the classroom. Also a teacher will be graded, based on whether students are showing improvement.

A commission of 16 people will put together the testing, he said.

“I think it will help make it better for school systems,” he said, noting that Tennessee ranks in the bottom ten among states in education.

However, he said when this plan is put into place, a method to help students must also be provided.

“We can ask for these funds to be used for this,” he said.

Tennessee ranks in the top 16 among states to receive the funding. Gov. Bredesen plans to go to Washington to defend the funds for the state.

The second part of the bill deals with higher education.

There are plans to correct a situation that exists between colleges so credits can be transferred from one to another.

In Montgomery County, Austin Peay University and Hemlock, the plant that produces parts for solar panels are working together in a partnership to prepare people for employment at the facility.

“Higher education reflects the economy,” he said, noting that according to statistics, from 100 students in the ninth grade, only 19 will end up with college degrees.

“It’s not acceptable,” he said. Concerning the state budget, he said the governor had asked legislators to cut it by 5.5 percent this session.

However, he said there would be no cuts in education, but there would be major decreases in TennCare.

The budget will provide funds for job creation and economic development.

McLemoresville Mayor Phil Williams thanked Finney for a CDBG grant that his town received. The senator said he had asked that these funds not be cut because they help communities with projects.