Remember, the State of the State address pretty much sets the tone for the Legislative Session.
PREVIEW: Gov. Lee's State of the State Defines "America at Its Best"
Monday, January 31, 2022 | 04:54am
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released the following speech excerpts ahead of his fourth State of the State Address that will be delivered tonight at 6 p.m. CT in the House Chamber of the Tennessee State Capitol.
The 2022 address will pay homage to 225 years of statehood by building on the state slogan "Tennessee - America at Its Best".
Defining "America at Its Best"
Today, our country faces challenges of a different kind, but I believe now more than ever, Tennessee embodies America at Its Best. And in order to ensure that, I am proposing a budget and America at Its Best policies that reinforce freedom, innovation, exceptionalism and optimism.
Guarding Freedom
In recent history, big government has attempted to take over society instead of contributing to it. That's no way to live, and Tennessee has pushed back on that big government. In fact, Tennessee has recently been ranked as one of the top five freest states in the country.
Protecting Life, Supporting Families
My office has proposed and supported some of the soundest pro-life legislation in the country. Thanks to our partners in the legislature, we passed thoughtful laws that protected the unborn and supported expecting mothers. If the federal courts return full authority to the states, Tennessee's laws will automatically provide the maximum possible protection and offer a glimmer of redemption as America reconciles our troubled past. I believe Tennessee can be a major part of that reconciliation by offering both hope and resources to families in crisis.
What to know about the seven books undergoing 'adjustments' at Williamson County Schools
Nashville Tennessean January 28, 2022
"The Shyest Fish in the Sea," "Separate is Never Equal," and "Love That Dog."
These elementary school-level English language arts texts - and others - in the "Wit & Wisdom" curriculum at Williamson County Schools will undergo changes in their usage. The decision was released Tuesday.
Overall, 31 texts were called into question by the local chapter of Moms For Liberty, a conservative parent group, via a formal "reconsideration" request process permitted by board of education policy.
A book interpreted as bad grammar and broken English. A "dark, depressing story" that "asks teachers to play therapists."
A title deemed not "factual" or "fully representative," and as omitting "key elements" of the Declaration of Independence. Another text where teachers must "control the pacing" of the lesson and discussions of mature topics like the death of a character.
A committee ultimately decided "Walk Two Moons," a book used in instruction of fourth grade students, should be removed from the curriculum. It also noted several required "instructional adjustments," as well as recommended changes for seven books.
The original complainants or any school employee impacted by the complaint have until Feb. 15 to appeal the committee's decision. If no appeal is submitted, the decision is final.
Here's what to know on the the books that will continue to be used with both required and suggested "instructional adjustments" from the committee:
'Sea Horse: The Shyest Fish in the Sea'
"Sea Horse: The Shyest Fish in the Sea" by Chris Butterworth and John Lawrence is used in instruction of first-graders at WCS.
Community members and Moms For Liberty members voiced objections at school board meetings for its mention of "gender fluidity" and its description and visual portrayal of the animals' mating practices.
According to the WCS report, complainants said the book uses "social conditioning," that it and the video-"Pygmy Seahorses: Masters of Camouflage" by science video series Deep Look-are "attempting to normalize that males can get pregnant" and indicative of an agenda," and that the suggestion that gender is fluid is too early" for the first grade.
The video mentions: "We humans tend to think of who we are as mostly fixed. But in the ocean, identity can be a fluid and mysterious thing."
However, the committee stated the book is a "very strong informational text."
"It is scientifically accurate and shares many facts throughout the text," the report said. "The committee concludes it is first grade appropriate and meets the life cycle standards in science therefore having a cross-curricular benefit to students."
The committee did not share Moms for Liberty's concern about the book's mention of gender fluidity. The committee wrote that they "do not see the video connecting in any manner to human gender fluidity as referenced by complainants."
With expiration of county health order, school mask autonomy left to districts - for now
Memphis Commercial Appeal, January 27, 2022
Shelby County is coming out from under a health order for the first time since the pandemic began, signaling an end of a local authority restricted by state laws passed last fall that prohibit several COVID-19 mitigation measures.
Health order 29 expires Monday, and the health department won't issue another, Shelby County Health Department Director Michelle Taylor said.
Meant to allow for localities to respond to the pandemic once it reached "severe conditions" - a case metric that at the time had rarely been seen but has been the norm during the omicron wave - a state law prohibiting mask requirements also hinges on the issuance of a state of emergency for COVID-19 by Gov. Bill Lee.
Lee has not issued a state of emergency.
The omicron variant surge in Memphis is on the decline, but active cases are still higher than they have ever been before. Hospitalizations are beginning a decline after a plateau at a record high. Reported pediatric cases have remained at record levels throughout January.
Throughout the pandemic, the health order has regulated business capacity and masking and provided public health recommendations to institutions and individuals on how to respond to COVID-19.
We are so proud of the work of TN Eagle Forum's Tennessee Student Eagles leader, Frances Arthur, as well as her work as the Chair of the National Student Eagles program. You may be interested in her recently published book.
Emotional Health and Intelligence for Students: Teacher's Guide Paperback - December 10, 2021
She is also working on a Student Journal as a companion to this Guide.
