From left, Greg Taylor, Friends of Hixson president; Capt. Zachary McCullough, Chattanooga Police Department; Steve Underwood, manager of Hixson Home Depot; Lisa Taylor, Friends of Hixson vice president; Rosalind Connor, Friends of Hixson board member; Rep. Greg Martin; David Queen, Friends of Hixson board member; Major Jay Montgomery, Chattanooga Police Department; Mark Harrison, Friends of Hixson board member; Bo Watson, TN State Senator, District 11; and Arch Trimble IV, Friends of Hixson board member
Friends of Hixson welcomed District 26 Rep. Greg Martin to the August Coffee meeting at Clear Creek Church of Christ.
Rep. Martin provided a recap for the audience from the 113th General Assembly and his expectations for the Public Safety Special Session, called by Governor Bill Lee, that convenes next week.
Rep. Martin provided a recap of the bills he co-sponsored this past session. These bills included classifying the North Chickamauga River as a Scenic River and assisting firefighters with PTSD and mental health diagnoses incurred while on duty.
Rep. Martin reminded attendees that there is no sales tax on groceries from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31 and that Tennessee has a balanced budget, low debt, and a AAA bond rating.
Rep. Martin advised attendees that Hamilton County was the first county to have 100 percent coverage in all schools, including charter schools with either an SRO or SSO, because of the $140 million grant to fund SROs in all schools and another $40 million grant to improve school safety and a $30 million grant for a homeland security officer in every county. Funding was provided to hire new officers for the Tennessee Highway Patrol and $10 million in equipment grants for volunteer fire departments in Tennessee. Other grants were provided for improved parks, health, children and family, and transportation initiatives.
Rep. Martin ended his presentation by discussing the upcoming special session. He hoped the session would be productive and reminded the attendees that questionnaires had been sent out to all District 26 constituents, asking them for input on public safety. Governor Lee has provided a list of topics that can be called during this special session, and the session will focus on those topics.
The floor was opened for questions from the audience and concluded with Rep. Martin advising the attendees that he was looking forward to a productive session.