Thank You and Welcome to District 85
I would like to thank each of you for your prayers and many acts of kindness shown during the illness and subsequent death of my husband, State Representative Larry Turner.
Having the opportunity to continue Larry’s legacy as the “conscience of the legislature” has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. It has allowed me to continue at a higher level what I have done all of my adult life and that is to serve as an advocate for the people.
I was sworn in on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 and “hit the ground running,” becoming immediately involved in our successful efforts to get “Race to the Top” federal funding. It has been nonstop since. These past six months have been challenging ones, across our state and here at home. The economy has begun to show signs of progress, but we still have a long way to go. However, thanks to the forward thinking of Governor Phil Bredesen and the Tennessee Legislature, we were able to pass a budget this year with no new taxes while still providing the same level of services upon which Tennesseans have come to depend.
In a collaborative effort with my colleagues in the House of Representatives, one of my priorities has been to provide more educational opportunities to help bring jobs back to Shelby County and working to provide more educational opportunities to help folks be better prepared to enter today’s job market. We were able to succeed on one front with the appopriation of $120 million for local community colleges and technical schools, which would include Southwest Tennessee Community College. The Legislature also tackled a number of other important issues like small business development, K-12 education, more parental involvement in education, long-term care and illegal immigration.
If you think of an issue important to you and your family, I hope you will take the time to share those concerns with me. Please do not hesitate to call me at (615) 741-6954 or at my home at (901) 785-6750. You may also email me at rep.johnnie.turner@capitol.tn.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.