Continuing Tennessee’s positive trajectory a top priority in 2024
DISTRICT 33 STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN RAGAN
Tennessee is leading the nation in many ways. Good governance has become our reputation, and it is certainly justified. Economists and lifestyle experts continue to recognize our state as one of the best-managed in the nation. Moreover, we Tennesseans have all contributed to making this state one of the best places to live in the nation.
This great progress is, in no small part, because of what I call the Three E’s: energy, education and efficiency of government. I’m especially proud of what we achieved for education.
Tennessee has grown exponentially in the past decade, and a crucial part of that has been our skilled and reliable workforce. Our education system makes that workforce so capable, and will keep it so for future generations.
Last year alone, the General Assembly helped our education system continue to make great strides by increasing funding for students and teachers.
Tennessee allocated $350 million in additional funding for school districts, passed a $232 million school safety bill, and passed the largest pay increase in state history for educators through the Teacher Paycheck Protection Act.
This legislation will put Tennessee teachers among the nation’s Top 10 highest-paid educators by 2026.
Additionally, I was proud to carry legislation that extended benefits to school-age children of members of the military reserve forces.
Higher education is another area of crucial importance to our state.
This is why I’ve introduced several bills to ensure that our public colleges and universities are doing all they can to promote student success.
When I entered office, the state of education in Tennessee was poor. However, good policy changes and great work from our teachers and administrators have turned our state’s system around.
In 2009, Tennessee received an “F” rating for academic standards, according to an Education Next report. Less than a decade later, in 2017, Tennessee received an “A” rating.
We were able to accomplish this through historic investments in student achievement, improved academic standards, dedicated educators and expanded opportunities.
It is no exaggeration to say Tennessee’s education has undergone an impressive overhaul in recent years.
Nonetheless, we cannot take our foot off the gas in pursuit of progress in education. We must continue fighting for Tennessee’s students, because our future depends on them.
Of course, keeping our kids safe is one of everyone’s top priorities in education. To that end, I recently introduced legislation, House Bill 1633, requiring the Tennessee Department of Safety to create dispute de-escalation training for all school personnel. Many of the tragedies in our schools across the country could have been prevented with an advanced focus on the causes of violence. This bill will give school staff the resources and training they need to promote a safe school environment.
However, safety needs to be about more than just physical danger. Our nation’s culture is in a turbulent season. Several universities nationwide have contributed to such turbulence by serving as hotbeds for tension and activism.
Open and civil discourse is the perfect peaceful counter to activists’ bombastic propaganda. Therefore, I sponsored the 2023 Tennessee Higher Education Freedom of Expression and Transparency Act, which promoted free speech and open dialogue on public university campuses.
For this same reason, I am also introducing House Bill 1661, the Restricted Access by Minors to Obscene Library Materials Act. This bill creates a fair and equitable petition pathway for concerned citizens to keep obscene content away from children.
In other words, with open discussion, it democratically ensures that control over our children’s development belongs to our parents and communities.
And while it’s too early for me to decide on Gov. Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarships, I know the debate will be lively and that everyone has one goal in mind: Helping all Tennessee students achieve the best education possible.
I expect the General Assembly will continue this course throughout the remainder of the session and for years to come. Because students are the future of Tennessee, I think an education system that graduates productive good citizens is paramount. To reach this goal, school safety, transparency, and ensuring students excel are essential to this great state’s forward trajectory.
Serving you in Nashville has been a blessing. I enjoy coming to work every day, and I do it with one goal in mind: Making District 33 and the entire state better than it was yesterday.
State Rep. John Ragan represents House District 33, which includes part of Anderson County.