Latest news with #PotforPotholesAct
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Pot for Potholes Act': Democrats push to fund roads through legalization of marijuana
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee Democrats have been pushing for a bill that would legalize marijuana and use the tax money it generates to pay for state and local road and bridge repairs. 'This is a common-sense plan to legalize and tax recreational marijuana to fund our roads and transit,' Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville), one of the bill's sponsors, said. FEBRUARY: Tennessee lawmaker files 'Pot for Potholes Act' The 'Pot for Potholes Act,' also sponsored by Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville), would create a 15% tax on recreational marijuana. Seventy-five percent of the revenue generated from the tax would go toward state road and bridge projects. The rest would go to local governments. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has an estimated $38 billion backlog in projects, according to a January TACIR report. Since the state doesn't take out debt to pay for roads and bridges, Behn told News 2 the bill would create a new revenue stream. 'I thought, 'What a wonderful way to marry the two ideas of a creative revenue stream and to give the Tennessee public something that they desperately want,'' Behn said. According to a December 2024 Vanderbilt poll, 63% of respondents supported legalizing recreational marijuana, including 53% of Republicans and 78% of Democrats. However, late last year, Republican Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) said that likely won't happen. 'If it's for medical purposes and it looks like medical purposes, and it's used for medical diagnoses, not these very broad medical diagnoses — I think we can get there for medical, not recreational,' Sexton said. Campbell pointed out there's a lot of money to be made in legalizing recreational marijuana. For example, the Colorado Department of Revenue reports the state has generated more than $2 billion in revenue from marijuana sales since 2014. 'Tennessee is leaving money on the table while our roads fall apart, and we all know Tennesseans are getting cannabis when they go to other states and bringing it back here,' Campbell said. The 'Pot for Potholes Act' is set to be debated for the first time in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee Wed., March 26. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pay for Play: TN senator backs bill that would require radio stations to pay musicians
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Radio stations could soon be forced to compensate musicians if a new law is passed in Washington D.C. The bipartisan American Music Fairness Act, which is sponsored by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R -Tenn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), would require AM/FM radio broadcasters to pay performers when their songs are played over the air. Under current rules, songwriters generally receive royalties for radio play. Tennessee lawmaker files 'Pot for Potholes Act' Dave Pomeroy, president of the Nashville Musicians Association, said he has advocated for this kind of legislation for years. 'A lot of people don't realize that all around the world, not only songwriters, but artists and musicians and background singers get paid residuals from radio play,' explained Pomeroy. In a statement shared with News 2, Blackburn said in part: 'The United States is the only democratic country in the world in which artists are not paid for the use of their music on AM and FM radio.' However, the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters is pushing back on the bill, stating it would create a 'huge burden' on local radio. For as long as there has been radio, there has been music. Radio stations consider the music industry our partners. It would be very difficult for one to exist without the other. By playing their music on free local over the air radio, artists have been able to reach massive audiences and grow their fan bases. Radio stations have paid substantial rights fees to the music industry for decades. Unfortunately, some recording industry labels and executives have decided that it isn't enough and want to undermine the very platform that fuels its success. Additional fees would create a huge burden on local radio and in many instances would threaten its very existence. Dolly Parton to debut musical at Belmont University We believe that most artists value their partnership with radio and prefer to continue to grow together. They want and often dream of being on the radio. We would encourage these record labels to support these artists, radio, and the listeners and music fans we serve. If they would like to distribute the billions of dollars in rights fees they collect from radio each year to new and struggling artists, we wholeheartedly support them doing so. Chris Baker, President and CEO of Tennessee Association of Broadcasters According to Pomeroy, new language in the bill would protect smaller radio broadcasters who qualify for exemptions. 'A small radio station that makes less than $1.5 million in a year in advertising revenue only has to pay $500,' Pomeroy explained. Still, the National Association of Broadcasters is urging lawmakers on Capitol Hill to vote no. Alex Siciliano, senior vice president of communications for the National Association of Broadcasters shared a statement with News 2: 'For decades, radio has helped artists reach audiences and grow their fan bases. Now, the recording industry wants Congress to undermine the very platform that fuels its success. Lawmakers have repeatedly rejected this misguided effort, recognizing the harm it would cause local stations and listeners. Instead of imposing new fees on radio, Congress should stand with local communities and support the Local Radio Freedom Act, which had the support of more than 250 bipartisan members of the House and Senate in the last Congress.' Alex Siciliano, National Association of Broadcasters ⏩ The Nashville Music Association added while promotion is important, musicians should be paid in more than just exposure. 'We respect the role that radio plays in the music industry, but this injustice has been going on for a century, and we need to fix it,' Pomeroy told News 2. The American Music Fairness Act would also require foreign countries to pay American artists for the use of their songs overseas. The bill is being heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee and will have to pass both houses before heading to President Donald Trump's desk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tennessee lawmaker files ‘Pot for Potholes Act'
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A state representative has filed a bill that would allow for the sale of marijuana and marijuana products in Tennessee and allocate the tax revenue from those sales to state highways. Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) filed the bill, dubbed the 'Pot for Potholes Act' Monday. The bill outlines regulations for growing, processing and selling marijuana. Additionally, it states 75% of the revenue derived from taxing marijuana and marijuana products 'must be deposited into the state highway fund.' Read the full text of the bill here The legislation comes a year after Behn launched a 'Rocky top, not rocky roads' campaign to raise awareness about what she called a lack of funding for roadway infrastructure projects across the state. Behn told News 2 a draft report anticipating Tennessee's infrastructure needs estimated the cost of needed public infrastructure improvements at $78 billion. 'Unfortunately, there just hasn't been momentum at the Tennessee legislature the past decade to see it [marijuana legalization] over the finish line,' Behn said. 'Now that I'm a member of the House Transportation Committee, I thought, 'What a wonderful way to marry the two ideas of a creative revenue stream and to give the Tennessee public something they desperately want.'' Behn said the state has a backlog on infrastructure projects, but the state budget is insufficient to cover that backlog. This bill, Behn added, would allow Tennessee to diversify its revenue stream. Additionally, Behn said public opinion polling showed the legalization of cannabis was popular. December 2024 data from a Vanderbilt University poll showed more than 60% of voters supported recreational legalization. The bill also cites the fact 38 states have a marijuana regulatory structure. Legislation aims to increase age verification of tobacco, hemp product retail sales 'I still think there are some rigid dogmas and stereotypes around marijuana at the legislature,' Behn said. '…I think Tennessee is, unfortunately, deemed as a state often that is really backwards. What a wonderful opportunity to think forward and to legalize marijuana and to fill the potholes with that money.' Behn is hopeful about the bill's future, saying it was well-received in a transportation committee meeting. 'I'm excited to see what kind of coalition I can build to get it across the finish line,' Behn added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
