Tri-Cities officials air their concerns to Northeast Tennessee legislators

By: Gary B. Gray/Bristol Herald Courier | TriCities.com
Published: January 05, 2008

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Northeast Tennessee lawmakers agreed Friday to support each one of 17 specific legislative initiatives contained in the Joint Legislative Policy of the Tri-Cities.

A joint resolution comprised of eight categories of legislative objectives includes the opposition of collective bargaining agreements with unions representing public safety officers and opposition to mandatory consolidation of 911 boards.

The resolution supports the formation of a Tri-Cities Airport Authority, airport access roadway improvements and legislation that creates a level playing field for cable companies.

A total of nine state senators and representatives, including Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, met with city leaders and senior staff from Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City to discuss policies supported and opposed by the combined local governments.

Two main themes were evident at the meeting at the Bruton Smith banquet room at Bristol Motor Speedway – legislators are in step with the regional issues and welcome input from local governments, and the growing unity among the three cities has added leverage for this part of the state.

"This is going to be a challenging year, and it’s important that we take your messages with us back to Nashville" said State Rep. Nathan Vaughn, D-Kingsport, referring to the coming 2008 session of the Tennessee General Assembly.

Vaughn then asked local government officials to "make sure you’ve discussed the issues with local citizens before you approach legislators."

"We’ve got to work together if we are to have a successful session," Vaughn added. "I’m a Democrat, and I’m sure it doesn’t matter if it’s a Democrat or Republican that helps get your agenda passed. This isn’t about us – this is about you and the citizens counting on you to make things better."

Mayors of each city began the session by clarifying the legislative policies most important to the region.

"A lot of times, regional cooperation is just lip service," said Dennis Phillips, Kingsport’s mayor. "But I feel we’re working together better than ever, and I know that makes the lives of the people in Nashville a bit easier."

It was the seventh year the three cities have jointly developed a state legislative policy document and the 21st year of discussion on collective regional issues.

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey talked about his support for the revival of state Route 357 Extension from the intersection of U.S. 11E and U.S. 19E to the airport.

Tennessee Department of Transportation officials announced in March that the 357 project has been scrapped because traffic studies indicated there was not enough need for a new road.

"I’m still upset we’re not moving forward on that," Ramsey said. "But I will say we do have a great team here in Northeast Tennessee, and I do believe we have regional cooperation like never before."

State Rep. Jason Mumpower, R-Bristol, praised the way the three cities have united, but he told local officials they needed to work more with the Tennessee Municipal League, which is a liaison between city and state government.

"In the House, you have 99 members, and you may have five to 10 representing one metro area," he said. "With Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City speaking with a unified voice, that helps us tremendously."

ggray@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2512

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Northeast Tennessee legislators at Joint Legislative Policy of the Tri-Cities on Friday:

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville; State Sens. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, and Mike Williams, I-Maynardville; State Reps. Dale Ford, R-Jonesborough, Kent Williams, R-Elizabethton, Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough, Jason Mumpower, R-Bristol, and Nathan Vaughn, D-Kingsport. U.S. Rep. David Davis, R-1st District, also was in attendance.