Hello, this is Senator Paul Bailey bringing you this week’s capitol update. Although I’m at the Capitol, my heart is always in the district. The photo behind me is of standing stone State Park, one of Tennessee’s most beautiful places. If you haven’t visited the park, I hope this photo will inspire you to do so.

On Tuesday, Governor Bill Haslam present his supplemental budget amendment. I’m very happy to report that he has recommended $30 million to improve school safety.

These funds are in addition to the current amount of recurring funding we distribute for school safety grants, providing our schools with flexible resources to meet their specific needs, whether it be for SRO safety, equipment, or other needs.

Earlier this month, the Governor appointed a school safety working group of which I’m a member to review school safety in Tennessee and provide recommendations to enhance security for our school children. We’re working very hard to come up with the best solutions possible.

In the coming days, our working group will submit proposals that will serve as a basis for state action on this important issue.

The Governor’s budget amendment also proposes $600,000 for the Upper Cumberland Veterans Cemetery. Earlier this month, I put forward an amendment in the state and local government committee to accomplish this, and I was very pleased that Governor Haslam agreed to fund it. The Veterans of the Upper Cumberland deserve an honorable final resting place. This action helps us get one step closer to getting this project moving forward.

In other matters, I want to thank those of you who took my legislative survey and provided opinions on the issues we face in Tennessee. We had a great response and your responses will serve as a guide to me as the General Assembly takes critical votes during the remainder of this legislative session. We posted the results on our Facebook page and hope you will take a moment and review them.

Wednesday night I conducted a Tella town hall to discuss recommendations for school safety. I was joined by Commissioner of Safety David Piercey, Putnam County Sheriff, Eddie Farris and White County Director of Schools, Kurt Dronebarger. We had a great turnout and heard from a lot of concerned parents.

The discussion we conducted was thought provoking and constructive. I took the ideas that came out of the town hall and presented them to the governor’s safety task force the following day.

Thank you to all who participated and took the time for the call. It’s very important to me to hear from you.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office. And until next week, this is Paul Bailey, thanking you for allowing me to serve in the Tennessee Senate.