State Senator Todd Gardenhire of Chattanooga will serve on three committees in the Tennessee State Senate, including the Judiciary Committee, the Education Committee and the Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey made the announcement last week as the 108th General Assembly concluded its organizational session in Nashville.
Gardenhire will serve with Senator Mike Bell on the Senate Judiciary Committee. That committee’s scope includes all bills dealing with civil laws, criminal laws, judicial proceedings, apportionment of elected officials and governing bodies, and all matters relating to the courts, as well as law enforcement.
“Senator Bell and I will be together on a committee that hears all the matters that affect our courts, State Constitution and the way justice is administered in the State of Tennessee,” added Gardenhire.
The Senate Education Committee reviews all legislation regarding K-12 schools and higher education. “The citizens of the 10th Senatorial district know I’m very concerned about education, particularly as it concerns vocational education and helping students who reside in Chattanooga’s inner city,” said Gardenhire. “Everyone talks about jobs, jobs, jobs, but a critical element of economic growth is that our education system must focus on careers, careers, careers.”
“We need a school dedicated to doing the job that the old Kirkman High School did for many Chattanoogans,” added Gardenhire. “That is to give students the opportunity to train for the jobs that are associated with a trade to give them a long lasting career in southeast Tennessee.”
“We also need to re-focus our resources to the elementary school age group,” added Gardenhire. “I firmly believe if we don’t catch these kids before they get to the fifth grade, their future education prospects will be bleak.”
As a member of the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Gardenhire will hear legislation concerning energy; agriculture, farming, forestry; natural resources; conservation, game and fish, mines and minerals.
“My appointment to the Energy & Agriculture Committee, along with Senator Bell, will mean Bradley County will have two State Senators looking out for a major portion of the economy and livelihood of thousands of constituents that live in Bradley County.”
The General Assembly will take a brief recess to make office assignments and await budget details before convening the first full week of the regular 2013 legislative session on January 28.
Source: State of Tennessee