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Alexander visit
US Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee was in Newport on Wednesday to bring local residents up to date on Washington activities. The event was hosted by the Partnership. Alexander has been in the US Senate since 200, and chairs the Senate Health Committee. While fellow Senator Bob Corker has been very vocal in his support of Donald Trump for the presidency, Alexander shied away from the issue. "If it's all right with you I won't talk about the presidential election. I think everyone has made up their mind about that election. As far as I'm concerned it's been driven down to about the lowest possible level it could be, and I wasn't elected to tell you how to vote. I'd like to talk about my job as a United States senator," he told the audience. Alexander touted the repeal of Common Core mandates which means state and local school systems can choose to follow the concept or choose another curriculum. The senator also addressed health care insurance which has increased in cost by 44 to 62 percent in Tennessee. He said 1,444 citizens of Cocke County with Blue Cross-Blue Shield coverage will lose their coverage in January, even after premiums have increased by more than any other state except for Oklahoma. Alexander has proposed legislation to allow each state to define the available policies. The lawmaker also wants to modify a new rule that says anyone who earns less than $47,000 annually must be paid overtime for any work over 40 hours per week. Alexander has introduced legislation to exempt non-profit organizations and also spread out the pay level over several years. The 21st. Century Cures legislation which Alexander is supporting, is putting more money into medical research, to address Alzheimer disease, stem cell research and other medical issues. The senator was asked to support an increased minimum wage, because currently some people collect higher social welfare benefits than they can collect on a minimum wage job. Alexander also asked those in the audience for feedback on whether the Foothills Parkway should be built the 33 miles to connect Cosby and Wears Valley in Sevier County. "It took 72 years to build the current Parkway, and to build the next stretch would probably cost at least $500 million," he said. Alexander said the road would impact 4,000 acres of beautiful land, or should we build a trail there, should it be for horseback? A member of the audience suggested using the land to boost Adventure tourism, including a mountain bike trail. Local officials will be asked to develop a local consensus which can then be presented to congress for legislative action.
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The fireflies are coming!
Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
Gas prices drop
Tennessee keeps all US House seats
Monday, April 26, 2021
Boat accident victim ID'd
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
Cocke County Wildfires
Friday, April 23, 2021
Leaving WNPC
Mathis announces candidacy
Newport drug roundup
Cruise Against Cancer
Jobless numbers
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