TN.gov Newsroom

NASHVILLE — Governor Phil Bredesen today unveiled FindHelpTN, a Web-based eligibility screening tool designed to connect Tennesseans with social service programs and resources.

 

“Anyone who has tried to help someone find or apply for social service programs knows how challenging the process can be,” Governor Bredesen said. “FindHelpTN provides case workers, advocates, clergy or family members and individuals themselves with access to a single source of information to identify programs for which someone may qualify.”

 

NASHVILLE — U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today confirmed funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support the Volunteer State Solar Initiative in Tennessee. Under DOE’s State Energy Program, Governor Phil Bredesen has proposed a statewide plan that prioritizes energy savings, creates or retains jobs, increases the use of renewable energy, and reduces carbon pollution.

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today announced that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will represent Tennessee as one of 56 new quarter-dollar coins honoring national sites. Beginning in 2010, the United States Mint will issue the quarters in accordance with the “America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008.”

“Miss Anna Belle’s signature line was ‘Politics is a beautiful word.’  ‘Politics’ was most certainly made more beautiful here in Tennessee by being graced by the presence of Anna Belle Clement O’Brien for so long.  With her passing, we’ve lost yet another link to a more generous and collegial political world.

 

“I first got to know her when I ran — and lost — against her nephew, Bob Clement, for Congress in 1987.  She was definitely and firmly on the other side, but always gracious and kind.  In the years after that, she took me under her wing and went out of her way to help me along with advice and unqualified support.  I confessed to her many times that her ‘Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval’ was just what a young outsider needed to break into Tennessee politics, and she was always pleased to hear that.

 

“Andrea and I offer our sympathy and condolences to her nephews Bob and Frank Clement, to her niece Sara Kyle, and to all of the members of her family on her passing.” 

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today signed Executive Order #60, continuing a policy that ensures executive branch employees ordered to active military duty are not financially constrained by lower military pay while they are in service. Governor Bredesen has issued this order every year since taking office.

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today requested a federal designation of natural disaster for agriculture for Overton County as a result of excessive rain and flooding that occurred in July.

 

“A disaster designation is important for making federal assistance available to farmers who experienced significant losses last month due to heavy rains and flooding,” said Bredesen. “I’m glad to make this request and hope it will help these farmers recover from this isolated storm event.”

 

“We depend upon the leadership and commitment of citizens like these Tennesseans to serve the state through its boards and commissions,” said Bredesen. “I appreciate their readiness to serve, and I am confident they bring the experience and knowledge necessary to become valuable members of their respective boards and commissions.” 

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today announced the federal government has approved his request for disaster assistance for six counties in West and Middle Tennessee awaiting assistance due to severe storms, heavy rains, flooding and flash flooding that occurred July 15-17, 2009.

 

Local governments and public utilities of Chester, Clay, Decatur, Jackson, Overton and Wayne Counties are now eligible for Public Assistance Program reimbursement from the federal government. The public assistance designation also covers emergency response and recovery costs incurred by state government.

 

“The economic cost to local budgets from disasters can be just as devastating as physical damage from a storm, but this federal assistance will help alleviate part of that financial pressure,” said Bredesen. “I appreciate President Obama’s prompt approval of the disaster declarations that will help these communities rebuild.”