Stewart for State Senate

A Week’s Worth

From the Tennessee Senate

This is a big time in the lives of our high school seniors, with graduations planned across Tennessee. Best wishes to you seniors, and congratulations to all you moms and dads who’ve helped them be all they can be!
We also take time to honor our bravest Americans - those who gave it all in freedom’s fight. Freedom is an everyday thing for us - easy to take for granted. But Memorial Day reminds us of the high price that’s been paid.
Made in the USA - I sponsored a resolution this week expressing the state’s commitment to buy products and services made in the United States when we spend our share of federal stimulus money. I was proud to have my Democratic colleagues in the Senate co-sponsor it.
As we work our way out of these tough times, it’s more important than ever that we put our money where our jobs are: in American businesses.
We in Tennessee have seen too many good manufacturing jobs go overseas. It’s time we make a commitment to keeping our dollars and our jobs here, where we need them most.
I’m glad to put my name on this resolution that encourages the state to do business that way.
Common sense bill for law-abiding gun owners - Senator Doug Jackson passed a bill this week that will make it easier for Tennessee hunters and other law-abiding gun owners to take a rifle or shotgun with ammunition along in their car or pickup.
Under this legislation, those with a valid handgun carry permit may transport a rifle or shotgun in their private vehicle as long as the ammunition is not in the gun’s chamber. It would be legal to have ammunition in the chamber when the gun is used for legally justified self-defense.
The Supreme Court last year confirmed our Second Amendment right to bear arms. That is important not only to Tennessee hunters but also to those who own a gun to protect themselves and their families.
Senator Jackson’s legislation is a common-sense bill that I and my Senate Democratic colleagues can support.
Democrats protect working Tennesseans - Senate Democrats blocked legislation this week that would have made it harder for many working Tennesseans to make ends meet every month.
A bill sponsored by Senator Dewayne Bunch, a Cleveland Republican, would have allowed private employers to pay workers only once a month.
Republicans could not get the required majority, and the bill failed.
Tennessee Democrats have a long tradition of standing up for working men and women. At a time when our family budgets are stretched tighter every day, it’s more important than ever.
This is no time to force working families - many of whom are getting by on less already - to wait until the end of the month to be paid…Eric