In the wake of the Nashville Electric Service (NES) team’s completely inept handling of both the ice storm and communications during and after the storm, they have rushed to add lobbying heft and PR support to address calls for accountability and explanations. Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Cameron Sexton, have criticized NES’s communication and failed power restoration timeline during and following the ice storm. In response, NES has suddenly added a number of Republican consultants and lobbyists to attempt to shield them from the Republican supermajority State House and Senate membership who are seeking answers and reforms.
Axios reports that NES has now hired Stones River Group, led by former Republican Gov. Bill Haslam’s chief of staff Mark Cate, as a consultant. The Stones River contract is for four months and will cost NES $110,000.
To support Metro government lobbying, NES has also hired Hall Strategies, led by prominent local lobbyist and communications executive Joe Hall. The firm’s six-month contract will total $30,000.
Part of NES’ GOP prophylactic efforts have included using the firm BHA — owned by Blake Harris, who previously worked as chief of staff for Gov. Bill Lee — for pro bono crisis communications support during “the back half of the storm response,” according to NES via Axios. It is not yet clear whether BHA will be added to the paid Consulting team now that the ice storm is over.
GARRETT BILL RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN BORN CITIZENS SEEKING FEDERAL OFFICES GETS PUSHBACK
There are a number of bills, moving forward in the Tennessee legislature, dealing with illegal immigration and attempts to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving benefits, getting licenses, and generally making Tennessee, a less attractive magnet for illegal immigrants to be drawn to the state. One proposed piece of legislation by State Representative Johnny Garrett of Sumner County and State Senator Brent Taylor of Memphis, would ban foreign-born citizens from seeking Federal elective offices.
A similar ban already applies to anyone seeking the office of President. Nevertheless, some on the Left have raised questions about the constitutionality of the proposed measure.
But now some military Veterans are also expressing concern about the legislation. In a Letter to the Editor to the Hendersonville Standard, Todd McKinley, Department Commander, American Legion, points out:
“As an Afghanistan and Iraq War combat veteran, it seems to me that State Representative Johnny Garrett of Sumner County clearly could care less about the thousands of Tennesseans who served their adopted communities, state and nation honorably, came home and became American citizens the right way. Now, in an unbelievably anti-constitutional way, Rep. Garrett in his proposed House Bill 2036, just told every veteran in the Volunteer State that those who served right alongside us/them in some far-flung battlefield, became citizens the right way, many having been wounded for this nation, while others received valorous awards are not welcome.”
“This proposed legislation is truly un-American and un-Tennessean and isn’t remotely supported by the state’s largest Veterans Service Organization and we urge other VSOs in the state to join us in this simple rebuke. This isn’t an attack on Rep. Garrett, but he should bear in mind that the Volunteer State has more to it than those who hang out in a Nashville echo chamber.”
It would seem to be a simple fix to grant an exception for those who gain their citizenship through military service.
VETS VERSUS VOUCHERS
Speaking of veterans, another conflict may be arising between those who have served us in uniform and those wanting to dish out hundreds of millions of dollars in private school vouchers to the wealthy elite who already have their kids in private schools. A longtime property tax relief program for disabled veterans ( and low income seniors) is set to continue for at least another year, thanks to a one- time $10 million boost contained in Governor Lee’s budget. But with more low-income seniors and disabled veterans qualifying, the fund has run dry in the past, forcing the state to tap reserves.
Comptroller Jason Mumpower has warned that funding for the property tax relief program could soon run out if lawmakers don’t act.
The $10 million in one-time funding to supplement the program’s $41 million in recurring expenses in the upcoming fiscal year is only a short term solution. Yet the legislature is bulking at providing long-term funding for the program pleading “limited funds” being available. So while hundreds of millions of dollars are being approved in annual recurring budgeting for the voucher scheme, $10-20 million for disabled vets and poor seniors is a bridge too far?
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
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