Hello, this is Senator Paul Bailey bringing you this week’s capitol update. Today I’m spotlighting Burgess Falls State Park. The State Park features four beautiful waterfalls including the spectacular one you see behind me. I encourage you and your family to visit the park in the coming days.

As we move into the final weeks of the 2018 legislative session, one of the more important bills pending committee action is the Tennessee rural hospital transformation act. This bill aims to support Tennessee’s rural hospitals so they can continue to foster greater quality of care in our state’s rural communities.

The bill will help struggling rural hospitals, develop plans to ensure they are financially viable and continue to provide needed health care services. Our hospitals are a critical part of our rural communities. They not only provide vital care to our citizens but are an important part of our economic infrastructure.

Legislation is moving through the Tennessee senate strengthening the law which I supported prohibiting sanctuary cities. That law defined the sanctuary city as one which has a written or stated policy. What we have seen are cities across the country quietly not cooperate with the federal government.

We have actually had cities in Tennessee pass ordinances to try and become sanctuary cities. The proposed legislation expands the definition of what a sanctuary city is beyond a written policy. It also creates a responding mechanism for residents to make a complaint.

In addition, the proposal puts teeth in the law by cutting off economic and community grant money to any Tennessee city that adopts policies, which are in violation of the law.

Finally, as a member of the School Safety Working Group, our recommendations have been released by the governor. I brought many concerns from our district to the working group during deliberations. These recommendations are a big step forward and making our school safer. I thank those of you who sent suggestions and my comments on this important matter.

As always, 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 State Senate.