Nashville Next & Background Report: “Partnering for an Equitable and Inclusive Nashville”

Post Date February 26, 2013
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Category Blog

Check out this background report “Partnering for an Equitable and Inclusive Nashville,” that ACO contributed to for NashvilleNext, a community-driven process for creating a countywide plan which will guide Metro Nashville through 2040.

We are also very honored to have been specifically highlighted in the Advocacy and Community Engagement section!

 

NashvilleNext
What is it?

Nashville Next is a community-driven process for creating a countywide plan which will guide Metro Nashville through 2040.

Who’s in charge?

It’s a joint effort of Metro government, many local businesses and service organizations, and – most …

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Citizenship Workshop -ACO/TIRRC/NICE 2/16/13

Post Date February 22, 2013
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Category Multimedia

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New Attacks on Refugee Resettlement Programs

Post Date February 20, 2013
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Category Immigration

HB 1326 by *Womick ( SB 1325 by *Ketron)

As introduced, requires the Tennessee office for refugees to compile and report certain refugee resettlement information; requires refugee resettlement agencies to pay the state certain costs incurred by the state from resettlement activities; directs certain funds received to the department of intellectual and developmental disabilities. – Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 49 and Title 71.

This bill has been placed on State and Local Government Committee calendar for 4/9/2013 & sent to a summer study committee in the House. (Bill is done for 2013)

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Impact of Laws on Diversity

Post Date February 20, 2013
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Category General Welfare, Policy

SB 0740 by *Tate ( HB 1231 by *Turner J)

As introduced, upon request of a member of the general assembly, directs the fiscal review committee to include within a fiscal note an assessment of the bill’s impact on the diversity of individuals participating in state or local government. – Amends TCA Section 3-2-107.

This bill has been referred to the Senate State and Local Government Committee on 2/6/2013, and to the House State Government Committee on 2/26/2013.

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Anti-Bullying Policy in Schools

Post Date February 20, 2013
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Category General Welfare, Safety & Security

SB 1124 by *Kyle ( HB 0927 by *Camper)

Click here for talking points

As introduced, expands definition of harassment and bullying in schools to include conduct based on actual or perceived demographic traits, requires review of anti-bullying policies at least once every three years, clarifies that such policies apply to students, school staff and volunteers. – Amends TCA Title 49.

This bill has been assigned to the Senate General Education Subcommittee calendar for 4/1/2013, and sent to the Department of Education in the House on 3/26/2013.

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Supporting ELL Programs

Post Date February 20, 2013
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Category Immigration

SB 1118 by *Kyle ( HB 0895 by *Powell)

As introduced, requires funding of the BEP at the level of one ELL instructor for each 20 students who are English language learners and one ELL translator for each 200 students who are English language learners. – Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 3, Part 3.

This bill has been assigned to the General Senate Education Subcommittee on 3/27/13, and taken off Notice for the House Education Subcommittee on 3/26/13.

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Positive Bills for 2013

Post Date February 19, 2013
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Category Policy, Positive, State, Website Display

As we continue to ensure a sustained prescenses at the state capitol, ACO will regularly update you on proposed legislation and their impact on our community.

Click on the headings below, to get more information on each bill that we are closely monitoring this legislative session.

Click here to sign up for ACO’s legislative alerts.

For more information about ACO’s advocacy work, please contact our Director of Policy & Administration, Remziya Suleyman, at remziya@acotn.org.

Our Issues:

1. Supporting ELL Programs

2. Anti-Bullying Policies in Schools

3. Impact of Laws on Diversity

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English Only Policies

Post Date February 19, 2013
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Category Policy

HB 0593 by *Sparks ( SB 0900 by *Campfield)

Click here for talking points

As introduced, requires that all written and oral examinations administered to applicants for a driver license, intermediate driver license, temporary driver license, or temporary intermediate driver license shall be in English only. – Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 3.

Taken Off Notice in the House Transportation Subcommittee and sent to the general subcommittee of the Senate Transportation Committee on 3/20/2013. (Bill is done for 2013)

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Requiring English and Civics Testing for TN HOPE Scholarships

Post Date February 19, 2013
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SB 0006 by *Summerville:

As introduced, requires students seeking Tennessee HOPE scholarships, Tennessee HOPE access grants and Tennessee HOPE scholarships for nontraditional students to pass the U.S. citizenship and immigration service’s naturalization tests on English and civics to be eligible for the scholarship or grant. – Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 9.

This bill has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee on 3/20/2013.

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Barriers to Partaking in the Civic Process

Post Date February 19, 2013
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Category Policy

HB 0985 by *Matheny ( SB 0549 by *Bell) 

Click here for talking points on the bill
Attorney General’s Opinion: Bill is “Constitutionally Suspect“

As introduced, prohibits persons who are not U.S. citizens from being admitted to polling places; requires appointed poll watchers to be U.S. citizens. – Amends TCA Title 2, Chapter 7, Part 1.

This bill has passed the Senate, and held on house desk on 3/11/2013. (Bill is done for 2013)

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Attacks on Equal Opportunity

Post Date February 19, 2013
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Category Policy

SB 0007 by *Summerville  

As introduced, prohibits state government entities from compiling and keeping statistics and data by race, gender or ethnicity unless specifically required by federal law or court order; requires state government entities to identify all laws that contravene this prohibition and to propose legislation to eliminate such laws. – Amends amend TCA Title 4 and Title 49.

This bill has been referred to the Senate State and Local Government Committee on 01/10/2013 (Bill is done for 2013)

 

SB 0008 by *Summerville ( HB 0448 by *Powers) 

(Click Here for Talking Points on the …

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Negative Bills for 2013

Post Date February 19, 2013
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Category Negative, State, Website Display

As we continue to ensure a sustained prescenses at the state capitol, ACO will regularly update you on proposed legislation and their impact on our community.

Click on the headings below, to get more information on each bill that we are closely monitoring this legislative session.

Click here to sign up for ACO’s legislative alerts.

For more information about ACO’s advocacy work, please contact our Director of Policy & Administration, Remziya Suleyman, at remziya@acotn.org.

 

Our Issues: 

1. Attacks on Equal Opportunity

2. Barriers to Partaking in the Civic Process

3. Requiring English and Civics Testing Scholarship

4. English …

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BREAKING THE CYCLE: Faith Communities and the Transformation of Bigotry

Post Date February 18, 2013
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Category Events

BREAKING THE CYCLE:
Faith Communities and the Transformation of Bigotry

Guest Speaker:
DANIEL TUTT
Fellow, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

Thursday, February 21, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Reception follows

Christ Church Cathedral
900 Broadway
Nashville 37203

Responses and Reflections:

Imam Yusuf Abdullah
Masjid Al-Islam, Nashville

Volney Gay
Professor of Psychiatry and Religious Studies
Vanderbilt University

Jackie Halstead
Managing Director
Lipscomb University’s Institute for Christian Spirituality

Presented by the Family of Abraham

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Muslim Day on The Hill

Post Date February 14, 2013
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Category Policy
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Update on Al-Farooq Mosque

Post Date February 12, 2013
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Category Blog

Following the horrible act of vandalism at Al-Farooq mosque in Nashville yesterday, the community came together like never before. The outpouring of support and comforting response was a true testament to who we are as a community, a city, and a state.

Through the diligent efforts of local law enforcement, a suspect was caught and charged with burglary and felony vandalism only a few hours after the crime was committed. We applaud law enforcement for their support and encourage their continued investigation as they pursue this …

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ACO Response to Masjid Al-Farooq Vandalism

Post Date February 11, 2013
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Category Blog, Policy

Following another act of vandalism at Al-Farooq mosque in South Nashville early this morning, the Muslim community rejects such acts of violence and destruction against any and all houses of worship. Houses of worship for all faiths are sacred and should be safe spaces for worshipers, families and children. We are grateful for the rapid response from law enforcement. We call on community leaders and clergy at this time to join us in condemning and speaking against yet another act of violence targeting an Islamic center in …

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