Glen Casada
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year,
I know it is a little early for all of the greetings, but this will be my last newsletter for this year! I hope to have my annual survey available for you to complete next week on-line on my website, and out in the mail a few weeks later. If you would like to fill out on-line to avoid postage, my web site address is www.glencasada.com. Your input and completion of the survey is much appreciated. Also, if you have any suggestions or ideas for upcoming legislation, please call Carol, my assistant, at 741-4389 to set up an appointment.
This upcoming legislative session will be a “tough” one due to revenue shortfall. Tennessee could see as much as a billion dollar shortfall. I think this budget will be the toughest one yet. Last year’s budget had some cutting, but we relied heavily on federal stimulus money to supplement our state budget. The stimulus money is gone and we are now forced to deal with state dollars only. I am committed to cut spending and to not raise taxes.
I have a few items on my upcoming legislative agenda for next year. A few bills I am currently researching are allowing mothers who have lost a child due to a stillbirth to be able to obtain a death certificate. I am also looking at legislation that will define malpractice for emergency room doctors so that only gross negligence will open them up to malpractice lawsuits. I think that this will help lower our health care costs. I am also researching legislation that has been passed in previous sessions that have led to unnecessary spending, so as to overturn it and thus saving taxpayers money.
Lastly, I am working on several local issues of interest to us in the 63rd District. I-65 widening is one of those. I am having my second meeting this fall with T-DOT. I realize that there is no state or federal money for road improvements, but Tennessee must find a way to widen this stretch of interstate. Superior Essex is a second item that I am working closely with T-DEC on and finding a way to solve this smell issue. I hope your Thanksgiving and Christmas are relaxing and enjoyable for you and your families. I look forward to working with and for you in the upcoming year. Please feel free to contact me about any issues of importance to you.
I look forward to hearing from you on ideas to make Tennessee better. Please feel free to call me with your thoughts and inputs or set up a meeting through Carol, my legislative assistant at 741-4389. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Glen Casada
63rd district State Representative
