Attending the Shelbyville event, surrounding the recent visit of Gov. Bill Lee recently, from left, State Rep. Pat Marsh, City Mayor Randy Carroll, County Mayor Chad Graham

Chamber Photo

I was very proud to have Gov. Lee and First Lady Maria visit the district last week. They arrived in Shelbyville at 9 a.m., where we had a large, enthusiastic crowd waiting to welcome them at the Grindstone Cowboy restaurant. The governor did a great job speaking to the crowd about the upcoming 250th anniversary of our nation.

He then traveled to Moore County for another large rally at 10:30 a.m. The governor plans to visit every county in Tennessee this year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

I also want to highlight a program that is seeing significant growth in our schools this year. JAG-TN (Jobs for America’s Graduates–Tennessee) was started in Tennessee under Gov. Alexander. These programs have proven highly effective at supporting students who face significant barriers to graduation and workforce success. Since 2018, JAG-TN has grown from a small network of schools into a statewide initiative, transforming student outcomes. The number of students enrolled has increased from 490 to 3,500. Counties served have increased from 13 to 29, and schools served have increased from 18 to 44. We have JAG-TN programs in Bedford  County at Cascade High School, Community High School, and Shelbyville Central High School.

We also had a great day on Thursday when I presented a resolution honoring Justified Honors, the Tennessee Walking Horse that has won the World Grand Championship four times at the Celebration. The owners, Dr. Jim and Lisa Baum, along with the trainer and rider, John Allan Callaway and his father, Alan, were present for the presentation. Celebration Board Chairman Jeffrey Howard and CEO Warren Wells were also there. The entire legislature had the
opportunity to hear about this fantastic horse. Justified Honors will be coming to the Capitol on Tuesday for our annual Ag Day on the Hill.

I also received an update on the Memphis Safe Task Force and wanted to share some encouraging news. Legislators from Shelby County report that Memphis is becoming safer and open for business again. The task force has made more than 6,200 arrests since September 2025, including 35 for homicide, 686 for controlled substances, 550 for firearms violations, and
89 for sex offenses. It has also seized 1,023 firearms and located 148 missing children. This is great news for Memphis and great news for Tennessee.
I also wanted to make sure everyone is aware of House Bill 2264, which establishes a Class A misdemeanor offense for deliberately interfering with a lawful religious service. The legislation addresses actions such as trespassing, disruptive demonstrations, or other intentional acts meant to disturb or obstruct the order and solemnity of a religious gathering.

In other news, Gov. Lee recently announced the approval of The Boring Company’s lease and permit for the Music City Loop by the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. This project will connect downtown Nashville to the Nashville International Airport, with an estimated travel time of approximately eight minutes between
downtown and the airport once the system is complete.

It was a pleasure to welcome members of our Moore, Lincoln, and Bedford County Farm Bureaus to the Capitol this week. I always appreciate the opportunity to sit down with the hardworking men and women who keep our agricultural community strong. I’m grateful they took the time to visit; it is always good to see familiar faces!
Yesterday, it was great to visit with Cheryl Pendergrass and her colleagues from the Tennessee Health Care Association. She represents the Lynchburg Nursing Center, and we were also glad to have folks join us from Shelbyville and Fayetteville.

I also wanted to highlight that Southwest Airlines launched its first direct flight from Nashville to Knoxville, which took place last week. Southwest Airlines has been in Nashville since 1986, when they had 8 flights per day. Today, they operate up to 203 daily departures to 80 destinations from Nashville, continuing to play a major role in connecting our state and
supporting our economy.

I’m honored to serve as your state representative! Please call or email me if I can ever help.  615-741-6824, rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.gov. You are also welcome to come to the Capitol and stop by my office at 610 in the Cordell Hull building.