Over the past year, Tennesseans from across the state have contacted Beacon more about one issue than any other. Despite being a generally low-tax state, many Tennesseans feel squeezed by their local governments. In 2019 alone, local governments proposed more than $200 million in property tax hikes. And as many of those who reached out... READ MORE
What does SB409/HB1131 do? The bill requires magistrates to document their findings in writing anytime they refuse to release a defendant on their own recognizance instead of imposing bail. Thus, if they determine that a defendant is a threat to public safety or flight risk, they will have to document their reason for making that... READ MORE
Explanation: Burdensome government licensing laws keep thousands of Tennesseans out of good jobs, and there is very little they can do to challenge whether those laws are even necessary in the first place. The problem: State law declares that the right to earn a living free from arbitrary government interference is a fundamental right. Yet... READ MORE
Explanation: Reforming or eliminating the cash bail system in Tennessee will save taxpayers money and enhance public safety. The problem: Over 40 percent of Tennesseans in jail are awaiting trial and over 700,000 people in the United States are sitting in jail awaiting trial for alleged crimes—many of them low-level, non-violent crimes, including misdemeanors. This... READ MORE
Explanation: Creating and implementing a statewide universal Education Savings Account (ESA) program will empower parents to create the custom education experience best suited for their child, improve education outcomes through enhanced competition for educational dollars, and help revitalize economically distressed areas by reducing the need to move based on school district geographies. The problem: Politicians... READ MORE
In a recent 3-2 decision, the board overseeing alarm system licensing in Tennessee reversed its previous decision to classify Beacon Center client Adam Jackson's product as an alarm system READ MORE
But with all of this good news, our labor force is still struggling. READ MORE
This hospital is an albatross around the neck of Nashville taxpayers and there is no reason to keep funding it. READ MORE
It is a perpetual ongoing never-ending loop. Please let us off the ride. READ MORE
We have to get out of our social bubbles to affect real change. READ MORE
Given that it is far more dangerous—to Nashvillians’ freedom at least—to be a Metro Council member than it is to ride a scooter, I propose some regulations on serving in our city’s esteemed legislative body. READ MORE
We still have much to do to truly address employability issues in our state. READ MORE