Tennessee
Today’s Big Idea: Gov. Bill Haslam’s Tennessee Promise scholarship program offers two years of free community college or technical school to all of the state’s high school graduates. It was funded by transferring $312 million in reserves from the Tennessee Lottery-funded Hope Scholarship program.
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Gov. Bill Haslam’s Tennessee Promise program so intrigued the White House that President Barack Obama decided to use it as a model for a similar program on a national scale.
Today’s Big Idea: Gov. Bill Haslam’s Tennessee Promise scholarship program offers two years of free community college or technical school to all of the state’s high school graduates. It was funded by transferring $312 million in reserves from the Tennessee Lottery-funded Hope Scholarship program.
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Gov. Bill Haslam’s Tennessee Promise program so intrigued the White House that President Barack Obama decided to use it as a model for a similar program on a national scale.
Dear Friend,
This week, I sent a letter to Attorney General Holder asking him to reschedule marijuana and I led a letter with three of my colleagues asking for Speaker Boehner to postpone Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address to Congress. Keep reading to learn more about what happened this week.
[MEMPHIS, TN] – In response Attorney General Eric Holder’s comments this week regarding marijuana at the National Press Club, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) called on Attorney General Eric Holder to use existing authority to reschedule marijuana.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Keith Ellison (D-MN), and Maxine Waters (D-CA) sent a letter today to Speaker of the House John Boehner urging him to postpone Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before a joint session of Congress. The letter was cosigned by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), André Carson (D-IN), John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Danny Davis (D-IL), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), Henry “Hank” Johnson, Jr.
[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) released the following statement after learning that Shelby County residents are receiving phone calls from scammers claiming to sell anti-virus software.
“Phone scammers are becoming increasingly savvy,” said Congressman Cohen. “Be wary of anyone who calls or emails you and asks you to relay personal information. If you are skeptical, it is best to trust your instinct. Please, for your own protection, do not give them any information.”
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement regarding the passing of radio personality Zeke Logan:
“Today is a sad day; another Memphis treasure lost. Zeke Logan was funny, friendly, and down-to-earth. Zeke and Drake had me on their show many times and were very supportive, and I recall spending a nice afternoon in Washington having an outdoor lunch with Zeke and his family, whom he loved so much. I am sorry to learn of his passing and send my condolences to his family and loved ones.”
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement regarding the passing of Dr. John Shea Jr.:
“Dr. Shea was a pioneer in the field of otology and a legendary doctor in Memphis who helped usher in a new era of treatment. He came from one family of physicians and leaves behind another. Memphis will miss Dr. John Shea Jr., as I know his wife Lynda Lee Mead, their children, and his friends and loved ones will as well.”
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today issued the following statement regarding the Tennessee State Senate Health & Welfare Committee, by a vote of 4 to 7, effectively killing Governor Haslam’s “Insure Tennessee” plan to expand Medicaid in Tennessee:
“Foolish, foolish, foolish. Sad, sad, sad. Sick, sick, sick.”
“This vote is foolish because it leaves $1 billion in federal funds each year on the table that could have helped keep hospitals open, boosted our economy, and improved our citizens’ health.”