Bredesen Signs Charter Schools Bill
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 | 11:27am
NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen today signed four pieces of legislation into law at a ceremonial bill signing ceremony at the Capitol. Among the bills signed was the Commercial Breeder Act (SB258/HB386), a bill related to funding for regional transportation authorities (SB1471/HB1263), a bill changing the law regarding selection of firefighter representatives to the TCRS board (SB473/HB1484), and a bill expanding charter schools in Tennessee (SB2133/HB2146).
The charter schools bill will expand the prospective student population of charter schools and increase the cap on the number of charter schools in Tennessee.
“Expanding charter schools provides additional opportunities for more children across the state,” said Bredesen. “Children at-risk will benefit from expanded access to charter schools, just as they have benefited from access to high-quality Pre-K. While charter schools are not the answer for every child, they increase competition, which is great for public education. As more schools are forced to adopt best practices for all students, our entire system is strengthened.”
The Commercial Breeder Act, also known as the “Puppy Mill” bill, will help ensure that humane treatment is provided by large-scale breeders of dogs and cats and protect consumers who acquire animals from them.
Regional transportation authorities that work improve mass and increase mass transit options on a multi-county or regional level are allowed to establish their own dedicated funding sources under new provisions to the Tennessee law.
A list of firefighter candidates for the pubic safety representative to the TCRS Board of Trustees will now be submitted by the Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association under the new law.
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