Rep. Kevin Brooks and House Colleagues Pass Tax Cuts for

Tennesseans

NASHVILLE - The pocketbooks of all Tennesseans are getting help from the Legislature with the passage of two major tax cuts.

The House of Representatives today overwhelmingly approved the repeal of the death tax and the reduction of the food tax on two separate votes. Both bills have long been a major priority for many Members of the House Republican Caucus who believe the bills will help taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned money and place Tennessee on better economic footing.

“This is a landmark moment for Tennesseans,” stated House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville). “We believe, when government revenues are higher, that money doesn’t belong to the State but to taxpayers and should be returned to them immediately. Our Republican Majority was placed here to balance the budget, cut wasteful spending, and lower taxes. Today we carried through on that promise.”

Leading Battery Manufacturer Will Create 60 New Jobs, Invest $36 Million

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with local and company officials today announced that P&G Duracell will expand its battery manufacturing and packaging facilities in Cleveland, Tenn.  The expansion will create 60 jobs and represents a $36 million investment by P&G Duracell, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance alkaline batteries.

“Existing Tennessee industries are an integral part of the communities they call home, and I would like to thank P&G Duracell for reaffirming its commitment to the citizens of Bradley County,” Hagerty said.  “Expansion decisions are only made after careful and thoughtful consideration, and this announcement shows a tremendous vote of confidence in the area’s quality workforce and the state’s favorable business climate.”

The Cleveland manufacturing facility is one of only three P&G Duracell plants in the U.S. and will be the sole producer of C- and D-cell batteries for the Duracell brand.  The company’s other manufacturing plants are located in Lancaster, S.C. and LaGrange, Ga.  The Cleveland packaging facility is the only one of its kind in North America, packaging batteries for all three U.S. plants at the Bradley County location.  The batteries made and packaged in Cleveland are then distributed throughout the U.S. and to Europe, Asia and Latin America. 

NASHVILLE - Tennessee lawmakers today passed landmark legislation that will continue a program that has helped many foster children transition into adulthood. House Bill 2337 will continue the Transitioning Youth Act—a program that provides assistance to foster children between the ages of 18-21 once they age out of the foster care system. The critical legislation helps individuals bridge the gap from their teenage years to adulthood, and passed on the House floor with a vote of 97 – 1.

Rep. Kevin Brooks (R-Cleveland) who serves as Chairman of the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee stated, “it’s a joy to serve on this committee with Rep. Mark White (R- Memphis) Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee. Vice-Chairman White truly carried this legislation through the House from start to finish. It’s a pleasure to work alongside men and women who are committed to Tennessee’s youngest generation. This bill does so much good for the young people that need it most.”

The House of Representatives Thursday moved legislation to provide small business entrepreneurs with a “one stop opportunity” webpage to help incentivize and encourage small business activity throughout Tennessee.

Countless studies have shown small businesses are the backbone of Tennessee’s economy. House lawmakers have consistently shown they are committed to removing regulatory roadblocks and refashioning government to be a resource for job creators in Tennessee. Today’s legislation provided more evidence of this long-standing commitment.