Member of Tennessee BPW/USA

Day on the Hill

April 6, 2005

Hi, ladies-

Today I had the great pleasure of attending Day on the Hill sponsored by the Nashville Women's Political Caucus along with Patricia Thompson, Beth Bates, Lynn Lilly, Sandra Bennett, Mary Frances Lyle, Jackie Morgan, Joyce Brokaw and Mary Scott. BPW/TN co-sponsored a breakfast first thing that was attended by many members of the Legislator.

We visited our Legislators to lobby for numerous bills that are important to women across the state of Tennessee. These included the Health Insurance Continuation Bill (SB1091/HB1013), the Pharmacist Freedom of Conscience Act (SB0076/HB1383), Spousal Rape (SB0556/HB1116), Mandatory Joint Custody (SB1782/HB1729), and Voluntary Pre-K for Tenn. Act of 2005 (SB2317/HB2333).  Others were mentioned, but these were the main ones we focused on. I urge you to visit the state web site (www.legislature.state.tn.us), click on legislation and type in the bill number to read up on them. You will find them all very interesting, and of course BPW/TN voted at Interim Board to support the Health Insurance Continuation Bill driven by BPW member Patricia Thompson from East Memphis. I normally forward you updates on legislation and hope that you are contacting Legislators as needed. 

Beth Bates, Jackson BPW, and Lynn Lilly, Cookeville BPW, joined me in  visiting the offices of Rep. Willie "Butch" Borchert, and Senator Herron. We had to wait almost 45 minutes to see Senator Herron, but it was well worth it. He has decided to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Insurance Continuation (HIC, sorry) Bill. Rep. Borchert has already signed on to the House Bill. We also visited the offices of Beth's and Lynn's Legislators to spread the word and lobby for these bills. Beth stopped in to see Senator McLeary (McKenzie BPW member) who also signed on as a sponsor for the HIC Bill. Patricia and Sandra were very successful in visiting as many offices as they could, too.

Rep. Borchert is a member of Benton Co.BPW. He has done a great job for our county and is in support of the positions we have taken on each of these bills.  Butch has asked for us to help him in one of his causes. The TWRA has raised the rate for commercial fishing licenses from $125 to $1600. This can be devastating for our county where many people depend on fishing for a living. I am sure that many of you know others in counties across the state that do the same. Below is an excerpt from the TWRA website:

"....Certain licenses for youth, seniors and handicapped citizens will not increase. The TWRC is now able to raise fees because of legislation passed last year, which shifted responsibility from the state legislature to the wildlife governing board. The fees may not exceed the consumer price index in a given period. According to TWRA Assistant Director Allen Gebhardt, "The TWRA is totally dependent on the revenue from license sales and federal aid to fund its programs. We have not experienced an increase in 15 years and, as such, have made significant cuts to our budgets to make ends meet. Going any longer without some additional income would have a disastrous effect on the agency's ability to manage the resource", he added.  TWRA expects the license increase to generate an additional $7.5 million in a full year. The earliest the increase could go into effect is April 26, 2005. "With current fees still in effect when new licenses go on sale February 18, 2005 for the 2005-06 year, hunters and anglers can save money by purchasing their licenses early this year," explained Gebhardt."

Butch has asked us to help get the rate lowered. If all of you will contact the office by mail or phone and tell them the effect it will have on our community, it may have some impact. The address is TWRA Region I Office, 200 Lowell Thomas Dr., Jackson, TN 38301. The phone number is 800-372-3928. Remember, it goes into effect on April 26, so time is running out. I only got the Jackson office address and number from the website, but I'm sure it will be okay to contact them, too. There are 3 other districts in Tennesse and you can find their address by going to the website, which is linked off www.state.tn.us. Thank you so much for your support in this endeavor.

I would also like to thank all those BPW members who attended Day on the Hill today and made it a success. And thanks to those who were present for the photo op with Governor Bredesen who signed a proclamation for Equal pay Day.

Your BPW sister,

Gail Humphrey

BPW/TN Legislative Chair