Rep. Phillip Johnson appointed Chairman of Transportation Committee
“I am honored to have been appointed as Chairman of the Transportation Committee,” said Representative Johnson. “This committee deals with the very important issues of our state’s infrastructure, which can assist improving the economy and making Tennessee a jobs-friendly place.”
(NASHVILLE, January 13, 2011) – Representative Phillip Johnson has been named Chairman of the House Transportation Committee for the 107th General Assembly. He will also serve on the Commerce and Calendar and Rules Committees.
Legislation typically referred to the House Transportation Committee deals with truck weights; safety regulation (motorcycle safety, motor vehicles, trucks, trains, airplanes, bicycles); highways, roads and bridges and railroads (maintenance, repair and construction); pipelines, public utilities, public works, and motor vehicle registration.
“The Commerce Committee plays an important part in keeping Tennessee a business-friendly state, which is of the utmost importance in these trying economic times,” stated Representative Phillip. “I’m honored to be named to the committee.”
Phillip Johnson was also appointed to the Calendar and Rules Committee, which is tasked with the last review of bills before debate on the floor.
We have worked together to help move our communities forward, succeeding in obtaining grants, road improvements and
bridges, as well as many other accomplishments. I will continue to support the hard-working individuals and groups in my district by helping them be successful in their efforts to make our communities better. It has never been about me; it has always been about us.
- With my own children in public schools, I will continue to support quality education, and expect accountability and results from our educational system. Our children deserve every opportunity to succeed in life, and a good education is the key. Along with academics, I will continue to push for more physical activity and fitness in our school curriculum. It is essential that we address our long-term health concerns on the front-end of the problem to truly affect the future of health concerns in our state.
I realize that I cannot accomplish these things alone. I welcome your input and prayers as we face the challenges before our great state and local communities.
Moving forward to this election cycle, I am keenly aware of the serious issues we face. - I am committed to protecting our American way of life, supporting strong policies that oppose illegal immigration.
- I will continue to be pro-life, and work to protect the sanctity of life.
- I am committed to keeping our taxes low, limiting the influence of government on our lives and freedoms, and will never support a State Income Tax.
- I will stand strong for our Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Phillip talking to
Williamson County
Chamber of Commerce
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Shop tax free in Tennessee August 6-8
August Sales Tax holiday provides big savings for all Tennesseans
NASHVILLE – State Rep. Phillip Johnson, (Pegram) reminds us the 5th Annual TN Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled for Friday, August 6 and continuing through Sunday, August 8. The Department of Revenue is reminding Tennessee shoppers that during these three days of savings, you can save almost 10 percent on tax-free clothing, school and art supplies and computer purchases.
“The timing on this year’s Tax Free Holiday is perfect for back-to-school shoppers, especially those recently affected by the flood or facing difficult economic times,” stated Rep. Johnson.
The holiday begins Friday, August 6 at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday, August 8 at 11:59 p.m. During the designated three-day weekend, consumers will not pay state or local sales tax on select clothing with a price of $100 or less per item, school and art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item, and computers with a price of $1,500 or less.
Last year's tax-free weekend was extremely successful in giving back to Tennesseans, providing nearly $8 million in tax savings to Tennessee familiesPlease visit the Sales Tax Holiday Web site at www.tntaxholiday.com to learn more about the items exempt from sales tax. The Tennessee Department of Revenue also assists consumers via e-mail, Salestax.Holiday@TN.gov, and through its toll-free statewide telephone hot line, (800) 342-1003. Staff is available to answer questions Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. (Out-of-state and Nashville-area callers, please dial (615) 253-0600.)
In a continued effort to promote Tennessee’s sales tax holiday, the Department of Revenue has launched a new dedicated facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/TNTaxHoliday.
Examples of exempt items include:
Clothing: Shirts, dresses, pants, coats, gloves and mittens, hats and caps, hosiery, neckties, belts, sneakers, shoes, uniforms whether athletic or non-athletic and scarves
School Supplies: Binders, book bags, calculators, tape, chalk, crayons, erasers, folders, glue, pens, pencils, lunch boxes, notebooks, paper, rulers and scissors
Art Supplies: Clay and glazes; acrylic, tempera and oil paints; paintbrushes for artwork; sketch and drawing pads; and watercolors
Computers: Central processing unit (CPU), along with various other components including monitor, keyboard, mouse, cables to connect components and preloaded software (Note: While the CPU may be purchased separately, other items must be part of a bundled computer package in order to be eligible.) iPad’s are eligible for tax exemption, video games and consoles are not.
Bills to limit impact of federal healthcare takeover move forward amid contentious debate
House members were successful in moving forward with the “Health Freedom Act” this week, as the bill moved out of the House Commerce Committee by a 19 to 11 vote. The panel approved the measure in a bipartisan manner, which is aimed at protecting the right of an individual to purchase—and the right of doctors to provide—lawful medical services without penalty. The bill would also require the state Attorney General to take the necessary steps to defend these rights.
The bill, which has been debated at length throughout the committee process, hit a snag Thursday morning in the House Calendar and Rules Committee. The committee is responsible for setting the House floor calendars and scheduling legislation for consideration on the House floor. On Thursday morning, opponents attempted to stall the legislation once again, using parliamentary tactics to hold the legislation in the committee indefinitely. Eventually, the bill was referred back to the Finance, Ways and Means Committee despite having an insignificant price tag. The legislation will appear in the Budget Subcommittee next week.
Other states have passed similar legislation, and many are already in the process of filing a lawsuit against the federal government regarding the healthcare overhaul.
Concerned that expanding government programs are rarely effective solutions to complex issues, proponents of the “Health Freedom Act” have argued the federal government takeover of healthcare will only prove to balloon the cost of healthcare services to the states.
The bill has been debated at length by both the Industrial Impact Subcommittee and the full House Commerce Committee. Because there is no price tag of significance on the legislation, it is expected to make one more stop in the House Calendar and Rules Committee before a vote on the House floor.
Similar to House Bill 3433 in context, House Joint Resolution 745 cleared another hurdle this week by moving out of the Commerce Committee, but faces Tennessee’s lengthy constitutional amendment approval process, which can take up to four years.
The same night, the House considered and passed a resolution that expresses opposition to the federal takeover of healthcare with a vote of 66-29. After nearly two hours of contentious debate, House Joint Resolution 704 also won bipartisan approval. The joint resolution must now make its way through the Senate for approval.
Committee tightens restrictions on traffic cameras
The Transportation Committee moved forward a proposal that places tough restrictions on the controversial traffic surveillance cameras utilized by cities across the state. Rep. Phillip Johnson chaired a committee of experts from across the state to develop the stringent standards incorporated into House Bill 3024. This bill will, among other things, require a law enforcement officer to review the video evidence and prohibits the company operating the cameras from sending notices of violations.
English in the Workplace
The ‘English in the Workplace’ legislation continued to advance this week, winning approval from the Consumer and Employee Affairs Committee. The bill will next be presented in the House Calendar and Rules Committee, which sets floor calendars.
