TFTA :: Advocacy



TENNESSEE ARTS CAUCUS PROMOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS In 2005, TFTA approached House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh (D) Covington and then Lt. Gov. John Wilder (D) Mason to discuss the creation of an Arts Caucus within the Tennessee General Assembly. Both Naifeh and Wilder enthusiastically endorsed the idea and served as the first two founding members. Today the Arts Caucus boasts a membership of 35 House and Senate members and is led by Senator Doug Overbey (R) Maryville. “The Arts Caucus helps facilitate valuable policy discussion on the importance of the arts in our state. The arts have an economic impact on our communities, define who we are culturally and should be part of nearly every policy discussion that takes place in the General Assembly . I am proud to serve as the Chair of this group because I believe the Caucus helps all members of the General Assembly stay informed about the many positive aspects of and the enormous impact of the arts on our citizens.” -- Representative Doug Overbey (R) Maryville, Chair of the Tennessee General Assembly Arts Caucus Tennessee General Assembly Website

Tennessee General Assembly Arts Caucus

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey (R) Blountville		Speaker Jimmy Naifeh (D) Covington

Arts Caucus Chair

	Senator Doug Overbey (R) Maryville

Senate Members

	Senator Diane Black (R) Hendersonville Senator Tim Burchett (R) Knoxville Senator Lowe Finney (D) Jackson Senator Joe Haynes (D) Nashville Senator Douglas Henry (D) Nashville Senator Doug Jackson (D) Dickson Senator Jack Johnson (R) Franklin Senator Beverly Marrero (D) Memphis Senator Randy McNally (R) Oak Ridge Senator Mark Norris (R) Memphis Senator Steve Southerland (R) Morristown Senator John Wilder (D) Somerville Senator Jamie Woodson (R) Knoxville Senator Dolores Gresham (R) Somerville

House Members

	Representative Joe Armstrong (D) Knoxville Representative John DeBerry (D) Memphis Representative Lois DeBerry (D) Memphis Representative Jimmy Eldridge (R) Jackson Representative Beth Halteman (R) Nashville Representative Matthew Hill (R) Jonesborough Representative John Hood (D) Murfreesboro Representative Susan Lynn (R) Mt. Juliet Representative Joe McCord (R) Maryville Representative Gerald McCormick (R) Chattanooga Representative Steve McDaniel (R) Parkers Crossroads Representative Steve McManus (R) Cordova Representative Randy Rinks (D) Savannah Representative Charles Sargent (R) Franklin Representative Johnny Shaw (D) Bolivar Representative Mike Turner (D) Old Hickory Representative Nathan Vaughn (D) Kingsport Representative Les Winningham (D) Huntsville