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  • Haslam, Barnes Announce Plans To Reform Welfare Programs To Encourage Self-Sufficiency

    Monday, September 18, 2017 | 1:53pm

    NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes today announced plans to reinstate the federal work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that was waived in 2008 during the economic recession. With the state’s record low unemployment rates and significant job growth, the waiver is no longer needed across most of the state – but will remain in place in 16 counties designated as economically distressed.  Haslam also announced he will propose legislation to the 2018 General Assembly that will incentivize work, reduce fraud and strengthen program integrity in the state’s welfare programs.

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  • Tennessee High School Graduation Rate Reaches Highest Rate on Record

    Thursday, September 14, 2017 | 10:14am

    NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced today that the 2016-17 graduation rate of 89.1 percent is the highest on record for Tennessee. The statewide graduation rate is up more than half a percentage point since last year, and overall it has increased 3.6 percent since the 2010-11 school year. This year, graduation rates increased in nearly 56 percent of districts with high schools. “Teachers and educators in Tennessee have worked tirelessly to support students and these record graduation rates show their hard work is making a difference,” Haslam said. “As more students graduate from high school, we are committed to helping them go to college, succeed and become skilled members of Tennessee’s workforce. The graduation rate is reflective of the many gains we are making in education in our state.”

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