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March 6 - 10, 2023

The General Assembly is entering crunch time as committees and subcommittees are trying to wrap up their work for the year in anticipation of focusing on the state budget. The Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee has already closed, subject to the call of the chair. Several other committees have announced the date they intend to close or have at least set a deadline for members to put a bill on notice if they want it heard this year. 

Transportation
After a close vote last week in Senate Transportation, the Governor’s Transportation Modernization Act of 2023
(HB321/SB273) had a quieter week. It was only heard in the House Government Operations committee, where the bill received a positive recommendation. It will face more critical votes next week in the finance committees. See the major article in this week’s newsletter for more details. 

Metro Nashville-Davidson County Council Slashed in Half
The bill to reduce the size of the metro council to 20 members not only passed the Senate on Thursday, it was rapidly prepared and transmitted to the Governor to sign. Governor Lee signed the bill
(HB48/SB87) the same morning, a rare occurrence. As the bill makes significant changes to the metro general election taking place this upcoming August, the rapid signing will give the county more time to respond. However, it is widely expected Davidson County will file suit challenging the legislation. 

Development Taxes
There was no public action on the legislation to authorize counties and cities to levy development taxes and impact fees...

Read This Week's Full Capitol Update from TCSA

Join TCSA NEXT WEEK for This Month's Third Thursday Webinar! 

Interested in learning more about your local development district and how it can help your county thrive? Join TCSA and many of Tennessee's regional development districts on Thursday, March 16, at 1:30 PM CDT via Zoom to learn more about these amazing resources for your county! Simply click on the button below to register for the event (attendance is FREE), or check out our YouTube channel later if you're not able to make this wonderful event. For those who can, we look forward to seeing you on Thursday, March 16, at 1:30 PM CDT! (Zoom link to be sent closer to the event time)
Register for the March Third Thursday Webinar

Watch TCSA's 10-minute Capitol Update

This week's Capitol Update features details on the 'Transportation Modernization Act', as well as other legislative bills related to county and local governments. Some bills progressed this week, while others stalled until committee meetings next week. Watch this week's Capitol Update from Executive Director David Connor! 
View this week's Capitol Update video

TCHOA Director Brett Howell: It Will Get Worse Before It Gets Better

Legislation that would dramatically impact county highway department budgets is progressing through the Senate and House committee system, with two major tests coming next Tuesday and Wednesday. SB273/HB321 (Massey, Howell) is set for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, in Senate Finance. A finance subcommittee will be meeting ahead of that, which means the bill will not be heard until that calendar is complete. It is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, in House Finance Subcommittee.

While most of the talk about how the bill affects counties centers on the $300 million in one-time State Aid Road funds, equally important is the long-term impact a revenue sharing plan will have on county transportation needs. The bill is a comprehensive initiative that provides a portion of future state registration fee collections on electric and hybrid vehicles to counties, counterbalancing losses that are beginning to mount from lower-than-expected gasoline tax revenues.

Gas taxes are the single largest revenue source for many county highway departments, but that stream of funding is showing signs of stress, especially in the first seven months of FY2022-2023. We are seeing that the county portion of gas collections is already $1.5 million behind what was collected by this time last year. That deficit is likely to grow to $2-2.5 million by the end of June 2023. Collections traditionally lag this time of year for various reasons, including reduced travel during the winter months.

Read the Full Article on our Website

Cannon County's Clean Audit is a Noteworthy Achievement

From the TN State Comptroller's website: Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Jason Mumpower is very pleased to announce that Cannon County has received a clean audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.

The annual audit report was released with no findings, which is remarkable given the county government’s financial troubles in the recent past. The Comptroller’s Office believes the county’s fiscal turnaround is largely credited to its decision to centralize the financial activities of the County Government, Highway Department, and School System under a single department.

The county began the centralization process in 2019 and its operations were fully centralized in October 2021.

Read the Full Article from the TN Comptroller's Office

2023 County Government Day Attendees' Survey Now Available


If you attended TCSA's 2023 County Government Day, please take a moment to complete our short survey of your experience and thoughts about the event. We'd love to hear from you! Click the button below to take the quick survey. We look forward to seeing you in May at the Post-Legislative Conference!
Take the Short County Gov't Day 2023 Survey

New Online Resource Connects Tennesseans in Substance-Use Crisis to Local Treatment Services

FindHelpNowTN.org Joins a Growing List of Tennessee Help Locators

A new substance abuse treatment locator website from the Tennessee Department of Health is available now at FindHelpNowTN.org. This site links individuals directly to care and help if they are struggling with a substance use disorder.

“There is an immediate, critical point, where those struggling with substance abuse and misuse are absolutely ready to receive help,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP. ‘’Unfortunately, this point is often at the height of crisis. The FindHelpNowTN.org website puts addiction and treatment resources within immediate reach, in real-time, when individuals and families don’t know where to turn.”

Read the Full Article from TN Dept. of Health
Upcoming Events

TCSA Third Thursday Webinar: Tennessee's Development Districts and Their Assistance to Counties
Thursday, March 16, 2023; 1:30 PM CDT / 2:30 PM CDT

NACo webinar: Longterm Strategies for Strengthening the Childcare Workforce
March 21, 2023: 1:00 P.M. CDT / 2:00 P.M. EDT

CTAS County Officials' Trainings Available Here

TCSA Post-Legislative Conference (Registration Forthcoming)
May 23 - 25, 2023; Sevier County, TN
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Contact Us:
tcsa.association@tncounties.org
(615) 532-3767

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