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Rep. Jim Hackworth - House District 33
IMMEDIATE RELEASE March
13, 2008
House Moves on Lottery Scholarship Legislation
Helping Heroes Act and Rural Health Act
Expand Opportunities at College Degree
NASHVILLE (Mar. 13) – This week the House of
Representatives moved closer to passing important lottery scholarship
legislation designed to expand the opportunity for more Tennesseans to
attend college.
“The original purpose of the lottery was to help send
Tennesseans to college,” said Rep. Hackworth. “That purpose
remains true today and years of running a surplus shows that we could be
helping more people achieve the dream of a college degree.”
In the Higher Education Subcommittee, a bill targeting
the retention GPA of students who receive the HOPE Lottery Scholarship
was approved and moved to the full House Education Committee for
passage. Under the new legislation, the retention GPA for students
would be revised from 3.0 to 2.75, helping to increase the retention
rate among college freshman and sophomores. Currently more than
70% of incoming freshman who qualify for the HOPE Lottery Scholarship
lose it after the first year.
“With so many losing their scholarships, it’s obvious
that a change is needed,” Hackworth said. “Working students and students
who struggle when they first start college shouldn’t be penalized the
rest of their college career. A college degree is not just for the
elite or the privileged, but for all those who want to attain higher
education.”
Helping Heroes Act and Tennessee Rural Health Act
Also Referred to Full Committee
Two new programs also making their way through the House Education
Committee are the Helping Heroes Act and the Tennessee Rural Health Act.
Both bills look to offer additional resources to deserving college
students.
Since September 11th, over 12,000 Tennesseans have
served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of those veterans are
returning home and expecting a fully paid college education thanks to
the GI Bill. Unfortunately, the GI Bill of today only covers about
two-thirds of the cost of a four-year college experience. That
leaves many soldiers with few alternatives except to go into debt.
“These brave men and women of Tennessee represent the
‘Volunteer State’ with their service to our country,” Hackworth
said. “We must honor their service by helping them earn a college
education without having to sacrifice their financial health in the
process.”
The Helping Heroes Act of 2008 will provide Tennessee’s
returning veterans from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan an
additional $1,000 a semester for the entire course of a four year
program of study. When combined with current federal GI Bill benefits,
the Helping Heroes Act will almost completely finance the cost of a
bachelor’s degree in Tennessee.
“Tennessee’s veterans shouldn’t have to worry about
affording college after devoting so much of their lives to protecting
ours,” Hackworth said. “The Helping Heroes Act is the least
we can do to those who give so much.”
Another bill that looks to expand the dream of a college
education, as well as help fill a growing need across the state is the
Tennessee Rural Health Act of 2008.
The legislation allows students seeking to become
licensed physicians, osteopathic physicians, and physician assistants or
receiving a Tennessee certificate of fitness as a nurse practitioner to
receive scholarship funds covering both in-state tuition and fees in
return for practicing medicine in a health resource shortage area.
“More and more of our rural communities are having to
drive hours just to get to the nearest doctor, leaving those living
outside of our major cities at significant risk,” Hackworth said.
“This bill would give an incentive to those seeking to become medical
professionals, while also providing much needed coverage to Tennessee’s
rural areas.”
Both bills, along with the adjusted GPA retention
legislation, are expected to come up before the House Education
Committee next week.
Long-Term Care Joint Study Committee to Hear
Administration Recommendations
Revitalizing the retirement system in Tennessee continues to be a
priority this year. This Monday the Joint Study Committee on
Long-Term Care will meet to talk about the recently proposed legislation
by Governor Bredesen.
“We have a responsibility to improve the options our seniors have in
Tennessee when it comes to retirement and long-term care,” Hackworth
said. “We have sat at the bottom of the pack for too long in this
country, and our retirees deserve better.”
Issues with Tennessee’s long-term care system have
included a lack of options beyond traditional nursing homes. Many
Tennesseans are living longer and want to remain independent for as long
as possible, rather that be placed in a retirement facility. With
access to in-home care limited and few alternatives available, the
committee has begun researching ways to expand the current set of
choices.
Later this month members of the committee will travel to
Oregon to see first-hand effective alternatives to the standard nursing
home option. Oregon was recently ranked as one of the best states in the
country when it comes to long-term care.
“Taking good ideas from other states is one way we can
improve our system here in Tennessee,” Hackworth said. “But
Tennesseans have to be prepared to make some tough choices when it comes
to long-term care.”
Resolution Rejecting Georgia Request at Border Change
Moves to the Senate
Finally, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a
resolution on Monday rejecting a request by Georgia Legislators to
participate in a border commission to redraw the state line.
“The drought that Georgia is suffering through is
difficult and as a neighbor we should do everything we can to help out
our friends to the south,” Hackworth said. “However, moving a
nearly 200-year-old border so you can siphon off our water doesn’t seem
like a reasonable or effective way to combat the water crisis.”
The resolution passed with a vote of 90-0-2, with two
members present but not voting. The Tennessee Senate will now take
up the measure, where it is expected to pass.
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