2025 - 2026 ENDORSEMENTS
EXPANDING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
This bill requires local school systems and public charter schools to adopt policies prohibiting students from using cell phones during instructional time, with certain exceptions. Beacon Impact believes these policies will help students focus on learning and reduce negative mental health impacts.
Under this legislation, students will have another option for qualifying for Tennessee public college and university admission and for certain grants and scholarships, including the Hope scholarship. Beacon Impact believes the Classic Learning Test will expand students’ opportunities to demonstrate their academic potential.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Under the Tennessee Property Protection Act, housing authorities and community development agencies will be restricted from acquiring “blighted” areas, including individual properties that show no sign of blight. Further, it will allow owners to correct code violations before their property is declared to be blighted. Beacon Impact believes this bill protects property owners and strengthens private property rights protections.
HEALTHCARE
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
This resolution urges the United States Congress to pass the Fair Tax Act. This proposed act will repeal many federal taxes (personal income tax, alternative minimum tax, death tax, gift tax, capital gains tax, corporate income tax, self-employment tax, and payroll taxes) and replace them with a national retail sales tax. As demonstrated by Tennessee, Beacon Impact believes this shift to a consumption tax will grow our nation’s economy by removing impediments to savings and production.
Click here to read HJR 17.
This bill will require local governments to procure insurance through a competitive public bidding process, ensuring the best price is obtained. Beacon Impact believes this will lead to better governance and save taxpayers money while increasing oversight of government risk pools.