House Focuses On Assisting Veterans In Education
Republicans in the House have filed multiple pieces of legislation this session to assist veterans and currently serving military personnel as they apply and enroll in Tennessee higher education. Building on bills from the last several years, the House hopes to continue finding ways to make life easier for military members and their families in the state.
One of these bills, House Bill 8, will ensure that high school students that train between their junior and senior year in the National Guard or go to advanced training after their senior year will still remain eligible for the state’s Tennessee Promise program.
The Tennessee Promise Program, set to being this fall with the class of 2015, provides high school graduates the opportunity to attend a community or technical college free of tuition and fees. It is both a scholarship and mentoring program that provides last-dollar scholarships that cover costs not met from the Pell, HOPE, or TSAA scholarship programs. While removing the financial burden is key, a critical component of the Tennessee Promise is the individual guidance each participant will receive from a volunteer mentor who provides guidance and assistance as the student enters higher education. In addition, under the program, students are required to complete eight hours of community service per enrolled term, as well as maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Of the 65,000 high school seniors this year statewide, 58,000 of them have applied for the Tennessee Promise.
Still on the veteran and military personnel front, Governor Bill Haslam announced during his annual State of the State address at the beginning of February that veterans enrolled on college campuses have increased by 200 percent over the last several months. Last year, the General Assembly passed the Veterans Education Transition Support (VETS) Act. This new law encourages enrollment of veterans and removes barriers known to impede their success in attaining higher education credentials.
The Governor also announced the state’s Veterans Education Task Force has been working to address the unique needs that service men and women have when they go back to school. To help with such efforts, this year’s proposed budget includes $1 million to set up competitive grants to 2-year and 4-year schools to develop initiatives specifically designed for veterans to be successful in earning a degree or certificate in Tennessee.
Nashville Region To Receive New Area Code
Beginning on February 28, the familiar 615 area code in Nashville and Middle Tennessee will cease to be the only area code for the region. The 615 area code is running out, according to the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA), who preemptively announced the introduction of the new 629 area code in 2013.
After evaluating possible alternatives for the soon to be scarce area code, the TRA determined the best solution for the growing population in Middle Tennessee would be to introduce the 629 code to cover the same area as 615.
The only change for current residents requires they dial the 615 or 629 area code for local calls, rather than dialing the typical seven digits. Despite the different area code, however, the calls are still considered local and will be charged accordingly.
All residents with a 615 number will keep their numbers as the implementation of the new policy approaches.
Nashville To Invest In $100 Million Flood Protection Plan
After the infamous 2010 floods caused nearly $2 billion in damages to the city, Nashville’s Mayor this week proposed a $100 million flood protection plan for the future of the city.
Most notably, the plan includes 2,100 feet of flood walls along West Riverfront Park with nearly 1,200 feet of removable walls along First Avenue. Additionally, the plan’s most expensive piece is a $65 million storm pump station at Riverfront Park that would force rain water back into the Cumberland River rather than the Nashville streets.
While the Mayor notes the proposal may seem costly, the addition of new buildings like the Music City Convention Center and the Omni Hotel pose even higher cost from flood damages and increased insurance rates.
Metro Council has already approved funding through the Metro Water Services’ budget and plans on beginning the project by the end of summer.
Fact of the Week
The city of Kingston served as Tennessee's State Capital for one day on September 21, 1807 as a result of treaties negotiated with the Cherokee Indians. The two-hour legislative session passed two resolutions before adjourning back to Knoxville, ending the one day Capital designation for Kingston.