The Daily Herald
The annual State Eggs & Issues breakfast is a time when state leaders discuss the major projects and bills currently being decided within the state legislature.
This year s event, presented by the Maury Chamber & Economic Alliance, along with Columbia Breakfast Rotary, was no different.
Friday s panel consisted of Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, and Reps. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, and Michael Curcio, R-Dickson, returning to address the Columbia crowd.
Topics ranged from the legislature s stance on COVID-related mandates, education and judicial reform, as well as ways Republicans and Democrats can work better together.
COVID-19, masks and mandates
Now that Tennessee is more than a year out from the initial outbreak of COVID-19, the first topic addressed was where are we now?
During school board budget meetings last week, MCEA representatives highlighted the desire for teacher raises, which have not been given by the board since 2017.
MCEA representatives told the school board that a raise for teachers is much needed, especially following a tough year amid COVID-19. In contrast, the Maury County Commission is proposing a 5% raise for all county employees.
During the budget meeting last week, MCEA president Stephanie Sparks-Newland read the children s story, “Swimmy,” by Leo Lionni to the board, emphasizing the need for teacher raises in a tough environment amid COVID-19.
Fellow teachers attended the meeting, reciting in unison the book s catch phrase, just keep swimming, illustrating the idea that teachers must keep going despite no increase in compensation.