Latest news with #ClayDoggett
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Capitol Hill review: 114th General Assembly adjourns for 2025
State lawmakers concluded their business on April 22 in a successful first session of the 114th General Assembly. House and Senate Republicans delivered results for all Tennesseans this year by prioritizing conservative policies and fulfilling the General Assembly's constitutional duty of approving a balanced budget. The 2025 session was highlighted by efforts to strengthen education, improve public health and safety, bolster infrastructure and combat illegal immigration. Lawmakers this session worked to preserve Tennessee's rich agricultural and natural heritage, ensure government efficiency and promote economic opportunity. They also continued efforts to provide relief to the Tennesseans impacted by Hurricane Helene while helping increase preparedness for future disasters. These strategic investments aim to make life better for all in the Volunteer State. Republicans continued to build on their previous accomplishments and cemented Tennessee's status as a leader in common-sense conservative governance and prosperity. Marcy's Law to expand victims' rights heads to TN voters - A proposed constitutional amendment to expand the rights of victims in Tennessee now heads to voters in the state for final approval. Senate Joint Resolution 9, carried by State Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski, proposes to put Marsy's Law in the state constitution to ensure crime victims' rights are protected in Tennessee. The legislation would amend Article 1, Section 35 of the Tennessee Constitution to establish clear and enforceable constitutional rights for victims of crime, including the rights to be: heard, informed and treated with fairness, dignity and respect through the judicial process. Named after Marsalee Nicholas, Marsy's Law is part of a nationwide effort to support crime victims and prevent further trauma. Marsy was murdered in 1983 by her ex-boyfriend, who stalked and killed her while she was a student at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Marsy's family ran into her murderer a week after her death on the way back from her funeral, unaware that he was released on bail. Marsy's Law seeks to ensure devastating and traumatic experiences like this never happen to victims in Tennessee. This proposed amendment will now be considered by Tennessee voters in the Nov. 3, 2026 gubernatorial election. Farmland Preservation Act helps conservation - Legislation aimed at supporting Tennessee's agricultural industry and preserving family farms now heads to the governor's desk for his signature following final passage in the General Assembly. The Farmland Preservation Act, House Bill 1325 establishes a $25 million fund to provide grants for property owners who voluntarily place their farm or forestry land into an agricultural easement with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The program aims to make farmland preservation financially feasible for family farms, ensuring they remain in agricultural use for future generations. Tennessee is losing farmland to development at a rapid rate. During a 20-year period from 1997 to 2017, Tennessee lost 1.1 million acres of farmland to development. Since 2017, another 432,941 acres of farmland have been lost. At this rate, Tennessee is losing 9.8 acres of farmland per hour. While property owners can already place their land in a conservation easement through various entities, rising land prices provide little incentive to do so. The Farmland Preservation Fund established in the bill provides this incentive, making it more financially viable for Tennessee farmers to preserve their land. Participation in the program is voluntary, allowing property owners to receive compensation for the difference between their land's agricultural value and its highest market value. Farmers who take part in the program would still maintain the freedom to develop their land for agricultural purposes and maintain full farming operations without restrictions on output. Agriculture-related industries employ 324,000 individuals and contribute $89 billion to Tennessee's economy. The Farmland Preservation Act becomes law July 1. General Assembly works to keep violent offenders in custody - The General Assembly approved a constitutional amendment that seeks to improve public safety in Tennessee by keeping violent offenders in custody. Senate Joint Resolution 25 will expand the offenses for which a judge can deny bail to include capital offenses, acts of terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape and grave torture. Currently, judges can only deny bail for capital offenses. The legislation would also improve transparency in Tennessee's criminal justice system by requiring judges and magistrates to explain their reasoning behind allowing or denying a defendant's bail. Two separate General Assemblies must first approve any proposed amendment to the Tennessee Constitution before it can be placed on the ballot for voters to decide. Senate Joint Resolution 25 received its first approval in the 113th General Assembly. Tennessee voters will now have the opportunity to approve this constitutional amendment in the Nov. 3, 2026, gubernatorial election. General Assembly creates advisory committee on K-12 testing - A Republican proposal seeking to streamline K-12 testing in Tennessee was approved by the General Assembly. House Bill 675 will create a ten-member joint legislative advisory committee on innovations in K-12 learning to study several aspects of Tennessee's educational system, including evaluations, assessments and other standards. The committee will study standardized testing for K-12 students, including frequency and how to apply student performance on tests for accountability purposes. It will also evaluate the following: Teacher and principal evaluations Screening requirements for response to intervention (RTI) in schools Health coverage and compensation for educators Expanding teaching permits Allowing CTE courses to substitute for graduation requirements The committee will develop strategies and suggestions to be reported to the General Assembly and the Tennessee Department of Education by the end of 2025. The purpose of this review is to support students and educators across the state. House Bill 675 heads to the governor for his consideration. It is an honor and privilege to be able to serve in the 71st District. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call or email our office at or 615-741-2190. This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Capitol Hill review: 114th General Assembly adjourns for 2025
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Experts say Bradford pear trees crowd out plants native to Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Although their early March blooms make them popular for many homeowners, some experts say the Bradford pear can have a negative impact as it crowds out other plant and tree species native to Tennessee. In undeveloped land and forested areas where they are left to multiply and spread on their own, they can easily be seen taking over the territory — but some experts said they should be banned. FEBRUARY: Resolution seeks study on impact of Bradford pear tree in Tennessee In February, Rep. Clay Doggett proposed a resolution urging the University of Tennessee's Institute of Agriculture to complete a comprehensive study about the effect of Bradford pear trees on agriculture and forestry in the state. This resolution recently passed in the state House of Representatives and will head to the state Senate. Agricultural and natural resources extension agent Amy Dunlap, who works with the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University extension in Davidson County, explained the tree's downside. 'The Bradford Pear is invasive,' Dunlap said. 'It doesn't offer as many benefits for wildlife, but it also is, unfortunately, able to out-compete a lot of our native species. When it comes to the competition for resources — whether it's nutrients, space [or] sunlight — those Bradford pears can typically do better than some of our native species. We are seeing an imbalance and an over-representation of them.' Dunlap said if you're a property owner, the UT-TSU Extension is available to recommend the right types of plants and trees for your land. 'One of the big things we teach in a lot of our curriculum and classes is picking the right plant for the right place,' Dunlap said. 'Not always, but a lot of the time, that means turning towards our native Tennessee species. Not only do they cause fewer issues in the long run, which is cheaper for the homeowner, but they're just very well adapted to our environment. They do provide for our native wildlife and other native species that might rely on them for a food source or for habitat.' ⏩ You can follow this link to find out what plants and trees might be best on your property and to contact your county's agricultural extension agent Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Resolution to conduct study on Bradford pear trees passes TN House
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — One of the first signs of spring is the white flowers blooming on a Bradford pear tree. However, some lawmakers highlight that these trees are bad for Tennessee. The Bradford pear tree, already banned in three states, is now under scrutiny in Tennessee. Rep. Clay Doggett (R-Pulaski) is encouraging colleagues to support a statewide study of the negative, or otherwise, impact of the Bradford pear tree. House Resolution 150, which Doggett sponsors, has passed unanimously and is headed to the Senate for consideration. Resolution seeks study on impact of Bradford pear tree in Tennessee According to the resolution, the tree grows in more than half the counties in Tennessee and is invasive, brittle, smelly, and damaging to the ecosystem. Despite this, Bradford pears are still sold at local nurseries like Evergreen of Johnson City. Operations manager Andrew Valk said he often tells customers there are much better options. 'We kind of pause the conversation there and maybe understand why they think they need a Bradford pear,' said Valk. 'And then we try to suggest other trees because they are not the best tree. If they want, like, a medium-sized tree that's 15 or 18 feet tall a redbud crabapple are good strong options. There's also a lot of cherries that do well, that's an ornamental tree that does really well, that small scape-gardening.' Valk agrees the trees are a nuisance. He told News Channel 11 that the brittle, narrow trunk splits open easily during storms. He says the biggest issue is that the non-native tree crowds areas where it constricts the growth of other native plants and animal life. If the study were to eventually lead to a ban on selling the tree in Tennessee, Valk said it may hurt business, but just for a bit. 'It would definitely decrease it a little bit,' Valk said. 'But we really think that it would be a little dip but set us up for a stronger recovery, because there's so many other trees that are a lot better.' The resolution, if passed, would call for the UT Institute of Agriculture to submit its report and findings about the Bradford pear tree to lawmakers by April 30, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Resolution seeks study on impact of Bradford pear tree in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — There is a new proposal to look at the effects of a well-known tree that some say should be banned in Tennessee, the Bradford pear. Rep. Clay Doggett (R-Pulaski) is encouraging colleagues to support a statewide study of the impact of the Bradford pear. Experts believe many of the impacts are negative, including the crowding out native plants, the trees' rapid spread and the vulnerability of the tree to strong storms. The resolution claims the Bradford Pear is now in more than half the counties in Tennessee. Bradford Pear HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 150Download Nashville hot chicken up for official state food in Tennessee legislature 'They just disrupt ecosystems, I definitely think they should not be planted in any capacity whatsoever, any outright ban would be a win for the state of Tennessee,' explained Jason Sprouls with the Nashville Tree Foundation. South Carolina has just joined the list of states banning the Bradford pear tree, which includes Ohio and Pennsylvania. Other states are also considering bans. The resolution will be discussed Tuesday by a state house committee, which would urge the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture to do a study looking at the effect the Bradford pear tree has on agriculture and forestry in the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
