5 weeks, TDC family. That’s all we’ve got left of the session; keen readers will note that those final 1.5 to 2 weeks are “flow-motion”, where the General Assembly hammers out the budget (cough $4.5M for Network bill, cough). That means, that we’ve got maybe 3 weeks to get to our final destination.

Hang in there folks, DDH is just around the corner. I hope to see as many of you there as I can (and again, please come and say hello if you see me – talking about this stuff is my favorite thing). For those that can’t make it this time, know that you’re with us in spirit, and your presence in our community makes our individual impacts all the more real. Get ready for the big day with our latest policy update.

It is go time, friends. Not just because things are starting to pick up speed at Cordell Hull, but also because they need to. Believe it or not, we’re at about the halfway point of the session. The Senate has set a hard stop date of April 17th, and this time I believe them.

One day at a time, friends. One week in legislative time is an eternity, one year in DC time is an eternity and four, five, or ten years from now, the world will without exception be a different place. So stick with me, and we can find the right moments that helps to build a better world in the face of what feels like chaos and backsliding – it’s what we do.

On February 10th, 2025, Governor Bill Lee gave his annual State of the State Address in front of a joint session of the Tennessee General Assembly. This year’s theme, “Innovation”, argues that Tennessee should lead the way in the next frontier of the American story. Which is why it is somewhat of a disappointment that Tennesseans with disabilities were largely left out of the evening.

We’re at the lull-before-the-storm part of session. The Special Session is over, and the real session hasn’t quite begun. It may seem quiet over the next couple of weeks (at the Tennessee General Assembly, that is), but don’t believe it – we’ve got lots to do.