Vote YES on 1: Right to Work
In the upcoming November election, Tennessee voters will be considering whether to place right-towork in the Tennessee Constitution. This critical provision in Tennessee state law has been a cornerstone for the state’s successful business climate since its enactment. Adding it in the State Constitution would further solidify Tennessee’s position as a probusiness and pro-worker state, and also protect Tennessee from extreme repeal efforts originated in Congress.
Right-to-work means Tennesseans cannot be forced to join a union and pay dues in order to get or keep their job. Tennessee has been a right-towork state since 1947. As of now, 28 states have right-to-work laws. In Tennessee, the law is positioned as one of the most important policies leading to our economic strength. Right-to-work has been linked to numerous benefits for businesses and employees alike, such as the boosting of local economies, prevention of discrimination and mandatory union dues, and a rise in wages and real personal income. Research shows right-to-work states like Tennessee have higher real income growth, employment growth and population growth, but it has come under attack both nationally and at the state level, including right here in Tennessee, where a bill to repeal right-to-work was recently filed.
The resolution places the following language on the November 2022 ballot as an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution for voters to approve or reject: “It is unlawful for any person, corporation, association, or this state or its political subdivisions to deny or attempt to deny employment to any person by reason of the person’s membership in, affiliation with, resignation from, or refusal to join or affiliate with any labor union or employee organization.”
Tennessee Farm Bureau encourages you to vote Yes on 1 as the 2022 Resolutions states “Tennessee’s RightTo-Work Law must not be repealed either directly or through amendment to the Taft-Hartley Act or other federal labor laws. Tennessee’s Right-To-Work Law should be added to the state’s constitution.”
FARM BILL:
Every five years, a new farm bill is written, and in such a rapidly changing world, it is essential for farmers to be involved in the conversation. The farm bill provides an important consistent opportunity for policymakers to address agricultural and food issues comprehensively. It has grown over the decades to serve food and agriculture, but its roots are in farm commodity program support. These traditional support commodities include corn, cotton, wheat, soybeans, rice, dairy, peanuts and sugar. The farm bill has expanded and broadened to include nutrition assistance, conservation, research, specialty crops and bioenergy programs.
Why does the farm bill matter for everyone?
- Food Security: America’s public investment in agriculture through farm bill programs helps secure our domestic food supply and keep our country strong while consumers get the benefits of high-quality, affordable food.
- Jobs: The food and agriculture industry supports nearly 21.5 million U.S. jobs (more than 14 percent of U.S. employment) and contributes more than $1 trillion to U.S. gross domestic product.
- Conservation: The farm bill’s investment in ag research and conservation programs are critical to ensuring the productivity and sustainability in our farms and domestic food supply.
- Risk Management: We all depend on the success of American agriculture so it’s important for America’s farmers to be supported by strong farm programs as they face down weather disasters, high supply costs and inflationary pressures. Managing risk is critical to keep food on our tables.
- Addressing Hunger: The farm bill includes nutrition programs intended to ensure the most vulnerable among us have access to healthy, affordable food.
Tennessee Farm Bureau has established a Farm Bill Working Group comprised of 18 individuals from across the state. This group gathered at the Tennessee Farm Bureau office on July 21 and 22 where they listened to guest speakers and held discussion regarding ideas for the upcoming farm bill. This group will continue to meet throughout the writing of the 2023 Farm Bill. For more information, go to fb.org/farmbill.
