Beacon Impact

Expanding School Choice in Tennessee

Expanding School Choice in Tennessee

This year, legislators are considering a proposal to give even more parents across Tennessee options for educating their children.  Education Freedom Scholarships (EFS) provide around $7,500 for a student to attend a school of their choice and cover other approved educational expenses, such as tutoring, therapies, and textbooks. Last year, over 42,000 students applied for […]

Ready to get involved?

Did you hear Justin Owen on the Matt Murphy Show and decide it’s time to take action? Here are some links to help you get started! Do you have questions about how to get even more involved? Email Taylor Justice at taylor@beaconimpact.org!

Reining in the Unchecked Power of the Administrative State with the Tennessee Regulatory Freedom Act

Reining in the Unchecked Power of the Administrative State with the Tennessee Regulatory Freedom Act

THE PROBLEM The Administrative State has outsized power in Tennessee. Unelected state agencies can impose major costs through administrative rulemaking without full legislative approval or sufficient input from the businesses and industries affected by such rules. These rules can carry significant compliance costs, reshape entire industries, and function like laws, but are imposed without a […]

Bringing Transparency to Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

Bringing Transparency to Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

THE PROBLEM Local governments should work for the taxpayers who elect them. Unfortunately, through the practice of taxpayer-funded contract lobbying, that is not always the case. Local government entities like county commissions and school boards frequently hire contract lobbyists on the taxpayers’ dime to fight legislation that would benefit the very taxpayers who fund them. […]

Protecting Full Expensing for Businesses in Tennessee

Protecting Full Expensing for Businesses in Tennessee

THE PROBLEM Full expensing, or bonus depreciation, is a tax policy that enables businesses of all sizes to deduct the full value of capital expenses in the year the expenditures are incurred, rather than depreciating the assets over several years. These investments may be for equipment or infrastructure to support and expand their operations. In […]

Increase Access to Healthcare by Eliminating CON Laws

Increase Access to Healthcare by Eliminating CON Laws

Healthcare can be expensive and complex. But Tennessee’s rules and restrictions are making it worse, often for those who can least afford care. Adopted in the 1970s, certificate-of-need (CON) laws require a government permission slip before providing most healthcare services, such as opening a new hospital or purchasing high-tech medical equipment. Imagine if every new […]

Have a Voice in Massive Property Tax Increases

Have a Voice in Massive Property Tax Increases

THE PROBLEM Across the state, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for hardworking Tennesseans to afford a home, and local property taxes are one of the main culprits. In the past year, dozens of local governments have passed huge property tax increases. Nashville raised property taxes by 26 percent, Kingsport by 24 percent, Jonesborough by 28 percent, […]