MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee state legislators headed back to Nashville Tuesday to tackle issues on education, healthcare, and criminal justice reform, among several others.
In recent months, the legislature passed several bills related to COVID-19 masking and vaccination measures in schools, municipalities, and businesses.
Sen. Raumesh Akbari, (D) Memphis, said one of the top priorities for the Democratic caucus this year will be expanding healthcare across the state and education funding.
"We’re going to focus on healthcare for all, expanding Medicaid," Akbari said. "Again that’s an uphill battle, but there is some bipartisan buy-in. And two - looking at education funding. This is something that at least the Governor said is a priority so looking at ways our schools can be more equitably funded."
Rep. John Gillespie, (R) Memphis, agreed that investing in education can improve communities. He said public safety will also be a top priority for the bills he's working on.
"I believe that education and public safety do go hand in hand," Gillespie said. "Some of the problems we have here in Shelby County factor back to problems in education and disruptions."
Criminal justice reform was also top of mind for Akbari. She wants to change the fines and fees many families can't afford.
"There are several fines and fees related to expungement and just helping people to kind of navigate what we call the crimes that affect those who are in poverty," Akabari said. "If you actually had money then you would be able to pay it and it would not be something that lingered with you."
Gillespie is proposing a bill that could change how people who set bail are chosen to do so.
"In every county in the state of Tennessee, we have unelected judicial commissioners that are appointed by the county commissions," Gillespie said. "They set bail and I'm taking a very hard look into that. There are practices that have been going on that quite frankly we're letting some people out that are violent criminals on bail."
The legislative session begins at noon.