Seven companies that received nearly $7.9 million in FastTrack economic development grants from the state have gone bankrupt or dissolved, leaving the state out grant money with nothing to show for it, according to a new audit report by the Tennessee State Comptroller.
Each year the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development offers millions of dollars to new or expanding companies to incentivize job creation — typically about $5,000 to $8,000 per job created. The state has awarded more than $700 million in FastTrack grants since the program began in 2016.
If the company fails to create at least half the required jobs within three years, ECD can “claw back” all the money, either through court proceedings or willing repayments.
But sometimes, companies incentivized with state tax dollars don’t prove to be good investments. Seven of the companies granted FastTrack dollars since 2016 have gone bankrupt or dissolved, leaving the state out $7.9 million in unrecoverable grant money, according to the audit.
The state has identified another $22.5 million in funds that need to be clawed back and is in litigation against 10 companies seeking to recover the funds. TNECD has already recovered $14.4 million in grant money since 2016.
In 2020, the comptroller found the agency was not successfully ensuring FastTrack grantees met all contract requirements. The audit released this week showed TNECD has made improvements in that area.
Blackburn, Hagerty vote down IVF protection bill
U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty voted against a Democrat-led measure to protect access to in-vitro fertilization treatments this week. While both senators say they support IVF access, they have voted twice against federal bills to protect the treatment this year.
Senate Republicans blocked Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s Right to IVF Act in a 51-44 vote on Tuesday, the second time the legislation has seen a vote this year. The bill would have created a right to IVF treatments and required insurance plans to cover them.
Hagerty decried the move as a “show vote,” reiterating his support for IVF while indicating in a TV interview that the bill would also permit gene editing and cloning — topics the bill does not address.
“Senator Hagerty supports IVF, which is legal in every state and not under threat, and supports President Trump’s proposal to make sure IVF is available to all Americans,” a spokesperson for Hagerty told The Tennessean. “He voted against Democrats’ phony legislation because it’s not only unnecessary, but is a vague, overbroad, and unvetted proposal that would strike down every state law limiting technologies that involve genetic material, which would open the door to gene editing, cloning, and other uncertain applications.”
Blackburn also said she supports IVF access.
“The Democrats’ Right to IVF Act goes far beyond protecting access to IVF and includes a political wish list of controversial policies,” Blackburn told The Tennessean. “Once again, they are using fear tactics and the media to scare voters. As a mom and a grandmom, I know that having children is one of the greatest blessings that God gives us, and I support IVF. I have plenty of friends that have used IVF to be blessed with a beautiful family, and I support each of them and their choice.”
Following the Alabama Supreme Court decision that shut down IVF clinics there earlier this year, state lawmakers in Tennessee voted down a bipartisan measure that would have explicitly protected Tennesseans’ access to IVF — sending a message that restrictions could come in the future.
Kid Rock, Guilfoyle to host fundraiser for pro-LGBT Republican group in Nashville
Singer Kid Rock will headline a fundraiser in Nashville this month for a Republican group that represents the LGBTQ+ community.
The 53-year old “All Summer Long” singer will appear alongside Don Trump Jr. and his fiance, Kimberly Guilfoyle, at an event dubbed “Red White & Rock” on Sept. 29, hosted by Log Cabin Republicans. Former First Lady Melania Trump has hosted fundraising events for the group in the past.
Kid Rock’s appearance follows his role at the Republican National Convention in July.
Log Cabin Republicans claims to be the nation’s largest Republican organization representing LGBTQ+ conservatives and allies. According to its website, the group has “promoted the fight for equality” through state and local chapters, and a D.C. office. Its Tennessee chapter hosted Trump Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell for a happy hour in July.
Kyle Rittenhouse to headline Patriot Dinner in Columbia
A new conservative group in Maury County is hosting its first-ever fundraiser in Columbia on Monday, headlined by 21-year old gun rights activist Kyle Rittenhouse.
Rittenhouse fatally shot two people and injured a third with an AR-15 style rifle during racial unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020. He was acquitted of all charges in a high-profile criminal trial, in which the jury determined that in all three cases, he feared for his life and acted in self-defense.
Since the trial, Rittenhouse, now 21, has become a darling of gun rights groups, is an outreach director for Texas Gun Rights and often speaks at events associated with Turning Point USA, a libertarian activist group.
Tickets to the Conservative Republicans of Maury County’s Patriot Dinner are $100 per person; VIP tickets that include a meet and greet with Rittenhouse start at $150.
Leadership change at Department of General Services
After six years at the helm, Christi Branscom, will step down as commissioner of Tennessee’s Department of General Services at the end of this month, Gov. Bill Lee announced this week. The agency manages state properties and logistics.
“During her tenure, she has led significant capital improvement projects, wisely stewarded taxpayer dollars by reducing the State’s real estate footprint, and secured the Department of General Services’ standing as a Top Tennessee Workplace for five consecutive years,” Lee said. “Maria and I wish Christi continued success and pray God’s richest blessings over her in the days ahead.”
Branscom led the department through many changes spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, including “Project Tetris” — an efficiency initiative to maximize state office real estate and reduce the state’s footprint in high-value areas of Nashville. The project made Tennessee a national leader in its real estate management — with at least eight other states consulting with the department about how to implement similar changes.
Branscom also oversaw significant capital projects, including completion of the State Library and Archives building, renovations to the John Sevier Building and a handful of new State Parks.
Lee has appointed Matt Van Epps to lead the department following Branscom’s departure. Van Epps is a member of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and was previously deputy chief operating officer in Lee’s office. He also helped coordinate the state’s pandemic response with the COVID-19 Unified Command Group.
Catch up on the week:Got a question for us?
Got a question about state politics you would like us to tackle? Let us know. Email us at mabrown@tennessean.com, vjones@tennessean.com or statehouse@tennessean.com.
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Publish date : 2024-09-19 23:06:00
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