Constance Every, Independent :
Education is a HOT TOPIC in TN issues. The obvious answer to address all education concerns is to fully fund every school in TN. Every School under my administrative term in office will have Trade, STEAM, & Apprenticeships studies. Less testing more focus on student wrap around care and services. Are the policy changes I look forward to implanting once in office.
Constance Every, Independent :
STEM is the Future especially when a person such as I fully support and will be moving TN towards Green ReNewable Energy statewide. The STEM career field will be abundant in TN as we retire the old poison methods of coal, oil, and other high pollution refineries. Going Green will create a 50 Million Job Market compared to just 27 Million Jobs with the archaic model of energy.
Constance Every, Independent :
FI will be Going Green For Tennessee. Companies such as Ford, Smith Wesson, and other Big Manufacturer Corporations will be required to help TN achieve our Green Energy Grid by having strict standards on Zero Waste Production and helping to build our infrastructure on charging stations etc. This is a fair exchange for the state of TN land and other raw material that makes our state so appealing to developers.
Constance Every, Independent :
We must Clean our Waterways!!! Lax policy on dumping and recycling standards is a factor in creating threats to safe water for our citizens of Tennessee. Not only do we need to constantly monitor our water resources but we also need to increase and enforce a complete lifecycle for recycling and reuse to achieve net zero waste. As well as severe punishment for violations.
Constance Every, Independent :
I believe there is already a federal wildlife oversight along with endangered species protection. To me the logical answer here is getting these plants and animals on the registry for the state of TN so in the future of any concern the state would be backed by the Federal Branch of Government for punitive action against those caught in violation of harm of our endangered protected class species.
Constance Every, Independent :
To be exact the number is 3.5 Million Tennesseeans are without mental health resources statewide. I know all too well through personal experience of seeking access to mental healthcare and the real hardship with finding the proper help. We will be accepting the funds for Medic Care 4 Every1 and fully legalization of Cannabis in TN. We will use the extra funds from the Medic Care and Tax Revenue of Cannabis to fully fund Mental Health in TN which includes Rural Communities having full accessibility.
Constance Every, Independent :
We need to increase Public Sanitation Standards statewide in TN. Pandemics are successful because American Society is Nasty!!!! 48% of Men do not wash their hands after using the bathroom!!! Compared to 42% of Women do not wash their hands after using the bathroom!!! We may not be able to make everyone wash their hands but restaurants, bars, hotels, banks, etc will have to increase their schedules of cleaning and sanitization. I will also strengthen the oversight power of the state and county health departments statewide to ensure standards of cleanliness are being constantly monitored as well as incentives for businesses and other public locations that maintain perfected standards.
Constance Every, Independent :
Healthcare is a human right and that includes prescription meds. With increased funds from Medicare and Cannabis, TN through our statewide public health insurance can give free meds to those battling cost burdens in the homes. Also we could cap vital cost meds such as insulin for diabetes, chemo for cancer, & auto immune treatment such as Cromes. Again Healthcare is a Human Right!!! If I have to give it away for free, then that is what I will do.
Constance Every, Independent :
End Food Deserts!!! No Communities without Stores. Also I am major on Community Land Trust to build community gardens EVERYwhere in TN!!! I am also interested in providing all resources for Food Scaping in Neighborhoods and Subdivisions. Another Idea is Community Land Trust for Community Gardens and starting up Co-ops to ensure accessibility and affordability. Passing Policy for stores and restaurants to donate food instead of throwing it away and building greater relationships with our grassroot organizations such as Sleeves 4 Needs that does this right now in the Knox, TN area. These are my plans for addressing Hunger Crises in TN.
Constance Every, Independent :
I believe this is where my Activist background comes in handy!!! As Governor of TN, I am the state strongest Advocate. I would go to DC and Request the Federal Branch to crack down greater oversight on Big Pharma Companies who mass produce opioids medication. Also I would Push for Federal Full Legalization of Cannabis and in TN I would create a Public Oversight Committee of Patients to watch dog along with the State Health Department to identify participants in the crimes of opioids abuse.
Dr. Patricia Waters, Democrat, District 1 :
First we repeal the 3rd/4th grade retention & Age Appropriate Materials laws and return governance to teachers and librarians. Secondly we need to fund a long-term commitment to place reading teachers & reading specialists in all schools, especially rural schools. Thirdly all teachers no matter the content area need training & support in explicit reading strategies & writing pedagogy, not just a couple of workshops, but consistent, embedded support in the school across the entire school year.
Kate Craig, Democrat, District 3 :
I would fully fund our public schools and not ban books in classrooms and libraries. I would invest in technologies to ensure that students have access to resources that prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. I believe our teachers and librarians are trained to deliver age- appropriate material. I would support investments in Pre-K funding research has shown that investments in early education have positive outcomes for students. I would also invest in after school programs, STEM programs, and the arts.
Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican, District 7 :
To put Tennessee education into perspective, Tennessee has moved from 49 th in student achievement in 2010 to 31 st today. From 2011 to 2013, Tennessee was the fastest improving state in K-12 academic achievement according to the Nation’s Report Card based on the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) standardized examinations. Nevertheless, 31 st is not good enough. I supported higher standards for teachers and students and will continue to support measures for improvement. In 2021, I co-sponsored SB 7002 to address the problem of two thirds of third graders reading below grade level. The bill, now state law, establishes remedial math and reading camps during the summer, in-class tutors in math and reading, and after school educational programs. Improving teacher pay and school facilities remains a top priority.
Dr. Patricia Waters, Democrat, District 1 :
Science education in this state is really unequal: we need an inquiry based curriculum that begins in the early grades. Science is observing, doing, making: not passive, not a regurgitation of facts. My background is in ELA so I cannot speak to math education but I do know we need to make math ed more performative & to foster professionalism with, say, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Kate Craig, Democrat, District 3 :
I would invest in STEM programs in K-12 schools and fully fund our public schools. I would support our teachers. I would also support initiatives to expand the TN Promise to 4-year schools so that students aren’t saddled immense amounts of debt. I would also support grant opportunities for public/private partnerships and research funding for graduate students and researchers at universities.
Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican, District 7 :
The most important measures the state legislature can take to promote technology and innovation are to create a business friendly environment. Tennessee has a world class basic science research facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Incentives to commercialize basic science discoveries can result in the “next big thing†for the nation and world. The state universities, graduate programs, and business schools need to collaborate closely with such a world class facility like the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to continue innovation and business applications.
Dr. Patricia Waters, Democrat, District 1 :
We need to have a massive investment in wind and solar and codify passive energy resources.
Kate Craig, Democrat, District 3 :
I would like to see investments in solar power to create tax incentives so that every day homeowners can more easily afford solar panel installations. One investment I would support would be to increase investments statewide on charging stations that would allow more electric vehicles to come into the state to reduce our dependance and use of fossil fuels. I would also create grant programs for counties and municipalities to transform their existing public transportation vehicles to energy efficient and electric vehicles.
Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican, District 7 :
I would support subsidies, tax credits, and innovative programs from TVA and local utilities to promote renewable energy sources such as residential solar panels. Programs such as these become more feasible as efficiency improves and costs come down.
Dr. Patricia Waters, Democrat, District 1 :
We can know longer treat water rights as geographically bound but must educate our citizens as to the interconnectedness of our water systems, their vulnerability, but also their capacity for renewal. Water is the new gold and Tennessee has not been proactive in managing water resources from a holistic vantage. We need a new relationship with TVA & the Corps of Engineers so the state can be proactive in protecting this vital resource. (I think of the invasive species in Watts Bar and the s-l-o-w response to what is a growing crisis. See Kentucky Lake.)
Kate Craig, Democrat, District 3 :
I live beside Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tennessee. Right beside it the plan is the Holston River. Routinely, Eastman is cited for chemical spills into the river. As such, because of this and other spills that happen regularly across the state, I do not believe the water quality is sufficient in Tennessee. Additionally, the state needs to make real infrastructure investments to address water and wastewater infrastructure. Pipes that were designed to last 50 years are over 80 and 100 years old. They’re leaking into our groundwater which is affecting our drinking water.
Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican, District 7 :
I have no practical or educational experience with water remediation so I am unable to comment.
Dr. Patricia Waters, Democrat, District 1 :
Enforce their protections: education is key so educate the public, beginning in the schools, as to the importance of each species to its environmental niche.
Kate Craig, Democrat, District 3 :
It's imperative that we curb climate change to protect the species that call Tennessee home. We must invest in renewable resources and hold corporations accountable who pollute our waters and air. We also must invest in renewable resources and infrastructure to facilitate these advancements. This includes increasing charging stations across the state for electric vehicles and increasing hydro and solar investments.
Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican, District 7 :
I have visited a facility in Knoxville that is preserving rare little-known, minnow-like fish in Tennessee’s streams. Although I do not have a background in this area, I would depend on the testimony of experts in the field on steps that need to be taken.
Dr. Patricia Waters, Democrat, District 1 :
Expand Medicaid; create mobile clinics that travel a circuit; increase & improve our ACA insurance exchange.
Kate Craig, Democrat, District 3 :
I would be a champion for Medicaid expansion to increase access to access to healthcare—which includes mental healthcare. This would help re-open hospitals that closed in rural areas and insure people in rural areas. In Northeast Tennessee, it would be a tool that could help bring in more competition to break up the medical monopoly.
Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican, District 7 :
As a physician, I have sponsored legislation and received awards for my work in improving mental health access in Tennessee. My bills include The Mental Health Parity Bill, Mental Health Telemetry Bill, a bill for Tennessee becoming a member of the interstate compact for psychology, a bill for Family Counselors, and others. For 2023, I have a bill that would increase the psychiatry residency programs at the Tennessee teaching hospitals.
Dr. Patricia Waters, Democrat, District 1 :
I think you know as well as I the public health response in TN was deeply compromised by political actors. We need to fund our state government, not starve it. The wonderful Dr. Jha and Dr. Fauci notwithstanding, most scientists are not adept at media campaigns and public health demands a need for savvy communications, which for the most part are not the best.
Kate Craig, Democrat, District 3 :
In addition to expanding Medicaid to ensure better public health outcomes and reduced community spread as well as to ensure everyone has access to affordable medical care when they need it. Unlike our current government, I would follow science and lead. I would work to ease fears and to gain trust to assuage fears related to vaccines. And I wouldn’t hoard billions of dollars in a rainy-day fund, while stripping resources away from workers and families trying to make ends meet.
Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican, District 7 :
With the present Covid posture, the state needs to continue to promote accurate information on covid, encourage covid vaccinations and boosters , especially in high risk populations, and counter covid misinformation with facts.
Dr. Patricia Waters, Democrat, District 1 :
We need to expand Medicaid and support federal efforts around access and affordability.
Kate Craig, Democrat, District 3 :
I would support expanding Medicaid that will bring $5.57 million a day back to Tennessee to not only increase access to affordable healthcare—which includes prescription medication, but also to support research and development through grant programs as well as jobs to develop new medications through university settings and public/private partnerships.
Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican, District 7 :
As a physician, we already have affordable insulin. The problem is Big Pharma in the United States charges up to 39 times the cost compared to other developed counties. Examples: USA up to $400/month, Canada $12/month, Germany $11/month, Switzerland $12.46/month. So we do not need to spend more money to do “research and developmentâ€, we need to regulate the cost to a fair and reasonable price. Please see my bill SB 522 which regulates the price gouging by Big Pharma of insulin.
Dr. Patricia Waters, Democrat, District 1 :
We need to pay people a living wage, not federal minimum wage. We need to expand Medicaid. We need to end sales tax on food. We need to support public schools where we can develop community kitchens.
Kate Craig, Democrat, District 3 :
I worked for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee and collected data for the 2006 hunger study. In this role, I spoke with people making decisions between food and housing as well as food and medication. Parents who were choosing to go without so their children could eat. As such, I would support raising the state’s minimum wage, work to eliminate food deserts, and regulate the Air BNB market that has contributed to skyrocketing housing costs.
Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican, District 7 :
The best program to defeat food insecurity as well as many other social ills is to make available well paying jobs with benefits. That aside, continued participation in the federal school food program and the food stamp program. The best investment remains job and skills training such as the Tennessee Promise, Reconnect Tennessee, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, and other educational programs.
Dr. Patricia Waters, Democrat, District 1 :
N/A
Kate Craig, Democrat, District 3 :
First and foremost, I would expand Medicaid to bring more resources to communities and increase the number of beds in treatment centers. I would also use Medicaid expansion funds to hire more medical examiners and dedicate them to counties in high impact areas to turn around medical examiner reports back to police departments so they can prosecute drug dealers bringing fentanyl into our communities.
Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican, District 7 :
As a physician with an interest in the opioid crisis, I have sponsored, passed, and supported several bills addressing the opioid epidemic. These bills include increased access to Medication Assisted Treatment (Saboxone) by allowing Nurse Practitioners to prescribe under addiction qualified physician supervision, restricting opioid prescriptions for opioid naïve patients, locked prescriptions bottles to reduce adolescent access, and opposing and repealing legislation criminalizing drug use during pregnancy. My bills have also increased access to treatment in Tennessee to Office Based Opioid Treatment (OBOTS) centers as well as in Federally Qualified Medical Centers (FQMCs) for low income patients.
Cameron Parsons, Democrat, District 1 :
From the federal level, I would like to see the Child Tax Credit be expanded to fight child poverty. Children are much more likely to succeed if they have their basic needs met. I would also like to help teachers stay in the profession. We can offer tax based incentives, grants, and tuition assistance to help recruit and keep teachers working.
Mark Harmon, Democrat, District 2 :
Our state should reject voucher schemes that effectively skim a few kids out of public schools but overall do nothing to improve student performance. We need to pay public-school teachers higher wages, respect them, and reduce class sizes. Here in Knoxville, we have good experiences with community school models. In this approach, the school has later hours and becomes a community magnet, offering fun extra-curricular courses to students, tutoring, plus adult education, job training, and literacy education. This successful innovation should be expanded dramatically.
Mike Winton, Independent, District 4 :
I myself, a product of public education, have asked several educators what is wrong and how do we fix it? The findings are relatively simple. Take politicians out of the education business of which they know nothing for the most part. Put education back in the hands of local school boards working with parents and teachers. Allow teachers to teach, children to learn and communities to flourish.
Cameron Parsons, Democrat, District 1 :
Innovation has been one of the key economic drivers of the country for a long time. The federal government has been a strong advocate for American businesses. We accomplish this by containing to support research and development, providing training assistance to employees, facilitate cooperation between groups, funding for higher education, etc. I want to see our country stay a world leader in technology and science, and as a scientist myself, I will encourage good policy decision making.
Mark Harmon, Democrat, District 2 :
I support the presidential administration’s bold plan for quick action on climate change through green-energy technology, electric vehicles, and charging stations.
Mike Winton, Independent, District 4 :
Education is the key to any advancement in those fields.
Cameron Parsons, Democrat, District 1 :
Renewable sources of energy are the future. Wind, solar, and hydroelectric sources of electricity are all ready ramping up and will continue to grow. The federal government has been the main facilitator of this change, as it was too much for private enterprise. We must continue to support these initiatives that provide a better future for all Americans.
Mark Harmon, Democrat, District 2 :
I support expanded college grants so we are graduating young people with skills in green energy, and many other areas where bold initiatives are necessary.
Mike Winton, Independent, District 4 :
This along with question 2 run hand in hand. Everyone, I believe, realizes an additional energy supply need. Fossil fuels will continue to diminish over time. By reintroducing nuclear energies coupled with its demand of advanced educational development and high paying jobs will complement our state and its economy.
Cameron Parsons, Democrat, District 1 :
I spend a lot of time on the water here is East Tennessee, and I have always felt safe about the quality of the water. I support having clean water for everyone. We should always be monitoring and maintaining high standards.
Mark Harmon, Democrat, District 2 :
I learned as a Knox County Commissioner that our streams often are out of EPA compliance because of sediment runoff. We need stronger enforcement of law so sloppy developers do not allow sedimentary runoff in such huge amounts. We also need policies that take on urban sprawl which also adds to water quality degradation.
Mike Winton, Independent, District 4 :
I don't have enough information to make a statement.
Cameron Parsons, Democrat, District 1 :
I support our ongoing conservation efforts.
Mark Harmon, Democrat, District 2 :
I strongly support conservation laws and EPA enforcement of environmental protections. I also will draw attention to, and support policies, to reduce the sprawl that threatens our green spaces.
Mike Winton, Independent, District 4 :
I will continue to support the dept of Interior and its effort to protect our lands, forest and wildlife preserves. I also will work to help keep agriculture an active and viable part of Tennessee's heritage.
Cameron Parsons, Democrat, District 1 :
We should look for ways to use technology to give more people access to mental healthcare. We could consider making mental healthcare a priority in primary care facilities. Education assistance, better training for existing professionals, and tax credits for professionals working in high demand areas could also help.
Mark Harmon, Democrat, District 2 :
In Tennessee we desperately need to accept Medicaid expansion. As a congressman, I would be an outspoken advocate for that. We are closing rural hospitals because our legislature stubbornly refuses to take billions that could be helping with rural services, including mental health care.
Mike Winton, Independent, District 4 :
Tennessee has lost over 10 rural hospitals to the lack of leadership in most part by not expanding healthcare to the unqualified working class. Federal funding had been assigned but not taken advantage of by our state leaders. I believe with our elected congressman working with our state legislative body we can get this done. Also, professionals in this field have expressed concern to this matter and made me aware that mental health is not only a threat but a growing illness that should be treated as any other illness and the supply for low income patients coverage be met.
Cameron Parsons, Democrat, District 1 :
Research is key. We must understand exactly what went wrong so that we can avoid those errors the next time. We need people willing to accept blame and acknowledge what we can do better.
Mark Harmon, Democrat, District 2 :
Lawmakers should model good behavior by being fully vaccinated, supporting masks and other precautions, and responding quickly and forcefully against Covid-19 disinformation. We should support a vigorous research agenda regarding pandemics, and we should support global agencies responding to disease hotspots.
Mike Winton, Independent, District 4 :
We are in serious need of the plain simple truth. Not 20 talk show doctors and 20 different treatments that misinform the public.
Cameron Parsons, Democrat, District 1 :
The federal government has provided funding for every single new drug released in at least the last 10 years. Congress recently passed legislation that capped insulin prices, and I support that move. The American people deserve to have access to low-cost generic medication.
Mark Harmon, Democrat, District 2 :
The Inflation Reduction Act phased in a cap for out-of-pocket medical costs, established a $35 cap for a monthly supply of insulin, and empowers Medicate to negotiate down high-cost drugs. I supported it. My opponent voted against it.
Mike Winton, Independent, District 4 :
Education and research again come into play. It's amazing how this one process can change so many people's lives. Rural Healthcare and our state expanding the healthcare to the 300,000 uninsured Tennesseans and the access to not only healthcare and preventative care can reduce some of the burden. Research and development will increase competition in prescription and drug access.
Cameron Parsons, Democrat, District 1 :
Expanding on the Child Tax Credit, shifting tax burdens away from working families, providing free or reduced lunches for children in schools, and helping our farmers would all be a good start.
Mark Harmon, Democrat, District 2 :
Increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour will raise millions out of poverty, reducing hunger in our working families. I support the Keep Our Kids Fed Act (S. 2089). It increased the federal reimbursement rate to our schools for school lunches by 40 cents, and for school breakfasts by 15 cents. My opponent voted against it.
Mike Winton, Independent, District 4 :
We as Americans can't stand anymore hand out programs. It makes us weaker and more and more dependent. We need to initiate Hand Up programs and allow a sense of pride by the ones that are helped and duplicate the process as we pay it forward.
Cameron Parsons, Democrat, District 1 :
The opioid crisis is one of the worst public health disasters that we have ever had in this country. We have to take steps to prevent people from becoming addicted in the first place. That involves telling doctors not to overprescribe those dangerous medications, reporting abuse, offering alternative medications, destroying excess medications, and being open and honest about the issue. We have to have support for people in need before they fall into the opioid trap. Secondly, we have to help those people already addicted to recover. We need to research the problem, come up with innovative solutions, and be ready to implement policies to help people.
Mark Harmon, Democrat, District 2 :
As a legislator, I will fight to be certain mental health treatment (often a precursor or consequence of opioid abuse) is fully funded, and must be treated the same way as other health concerns. I also support efforts to hold accountable corporate leaders who engaged in improper and deceptive techniques to drive up the use of dangerous and addicting opioids.
Mike Winton, Independent, District 4 :
I have in my billfold a list of at least 10 people's names where opioid use, addiction and death have been the results of pill mill, unrestricted medical oversight and greed for the almighty dollar which have damaged people's lives to a point of destruction and death. Tougher penalties with real consequences for the one's responsible will help.