Intergovernmental Relations

About TACIR

The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) was created in July 1978 by Chapter 939 of the Public Acts of 1978. TACIR was created in response to legislative findings in the late 1970s indicating the need for a permanent intergovernmental body to study and take action on questions of organizational patterns, powers, functions, and relationships among federal, state, and local governments.

Mission

In the late 1970s, legislative findings indicated the need for a permanent intergovernmental body to study and take action on questions of organizational patterns, powers, functions, and relationships among federal, state, and local governments. In pursuit of this goal, the TACIR was created in 1978 (T.C.A. 4-10-101). The TACIR's enabling act provides the basis for what has remained the Commission's enduring mission (T.C.A. 4-10-104), to serve as a forum for the discussion and resolution of intergovernmental problems; provide high-quality research support to state and local government officials in order to improve the overall quality of government in Tennessee, and to improve the effectiveness of the intergovernmental system in order to better serve the citizens of Tennessee.

Goals

Many specific duties and functions are required of the TACIR in its enabling act, and additional duties are often assigned by the General Assembly through legislation. From its broad set of statutory obligations and special charges, the purpose for TACIR's existence can be summarized in four concise yet encompassing goals:

·       Advance discussion and deliberation of critical and sensitive intergovernmental policy matters.

·       Promote action to resolve intergovernmental problems and improve the quality of government.

·       Forge common ground between competing but equally legitimate values, goals, and interests.

·       Provide members of the General Assembly and other policymakers with accurate and timely information and analysis         to facilitate reasoned decision-making.

 

For more information on TACIR, visit their website here.