Issues

In the 2006 Special Session of the Tennessee General Assembly, I sponsored a bill that, among other things, sought to lessen the appearance of impropriety by elected officials by tightening and expanding the scope of restrictions governing when elected officials were banned from raising money when the Legislature is in session.

The bill passed overwhelmingly and with good reason.

In the wake of scandals, we had to restore public confidence that our lawmakers were doing the work of the people who duly elected them.

In the Tennessee legislature, I sponsored and successfully passed legislation to expand health care access.  In the first year, we helped provide more than 50,000 Tennesseans with health care.  In that same time, we included 15,000 children to the number of insured Tennesseans.

When Tennesseans are working, our nation moves forward.

That’s why I fought for minimum wage increases and job creation in my hometown of Clarksville for fifteen years in the state Legislature. 

And that’s why I worked to form a partnership between the state of Tennessee, Austin Peay State University, and Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation to attract a $1.2 billion polysilicon manufacturing center with 500-800 high-paying, sustainable jobs for Middle Tennessee.

Kim’s commitment to education was instilled in her at an early age. As the adopted daughter of two public school teachers, she learned early on the value of a solid education and the difference it makes in the lives of children and young adults. Kim graduated valedictorian from Knoxville’s South-Young High School and then attended the University of Tennessee where she obtained her bachelor’s and law degrees. It was her concern for her children’s education opportunities that prompted her to involve herself in politics by sponsoring numerous education reform initiatives.

I have been fortunate enough that my parents have remained close by me and my family in their senior years. And, as Governor, I will work to make sure every family has the opportunity to remain together.

To do that I will work for more in-home health care options for our seniors-- so that our loved ones have the change to get more of the health care they need right in their own homes. I'll also work for lower prescription drug pricing, so that our seniors never have to choose between whether to buy medicine or food.

For me and my family, Tennessee's woods, hills and lakes have always been cherished places.

Our state's natural beauty is important to our quality of life, but conserving our environment is also an economic matter-- because so much of our economy depends on tourism, and keeping Tennessee a special place to camp, hunt, fish and vacation.