Legislative Recap: A Comprehensive Victory for Tennessee Values

As we conclude this review of the 114th General Assembly's accomplishments, I would like to step back and take a broader view. These aren't just individual policy victories - they represent a comprehensive approach to governing that puts Tennessee families first and proves that conservative principles work.

When I ran for office, I promised to defend Faith, Family, and Freedom. Looking at what we accomplished together, I'm proud to report that we delivered on those promises in ways that will benefit Tennessee families for generations to come.

Defending Faith:

We protected religious freedom for healthcare workers, ensuring people of faith can serve in medical professions without violating their conscience. We established pro-life protections for pregnant mothers and unborn children because every life has inherent dignity and worth. We rejected international organizations that seek to impose secular values contrary to our beliefs.

Sometimes, even well-intended legislation can miss the mark by failing to strike the right balance or leaving room for unintended consequences.

Voted No on HB1044 (Healthcare Conscience Protections): While the intent was to protect the religious freedom of healthcare providers—a value I strongly support—the bill failed to consider the rights of patients. Without clear protections for patients with religious objections to treatments like vaccines or blood transfusions, this law could be used to deny them access to critical, even life-saving care. That is why I voted no—because legislation protecting conscience must also protect patient dignity.

Abstained on HB990 (Redefining Abortion Exceptions): I abstained from voting on HB990 because its vague language opened potential loopholes that could weaken Tennessee's pro-life laws. Although some described it as a simple clarification, I had serious unresolved questions and didn't hear back from a trusted pro-life physician in time. After the vote, that doctor confirmed my concerns and opposed the bill for the same reasons. I couldn't, in good conscience, vote for a bill I believed might undermine the very protections it claimed to uphold with confirmation.

The legislation passed this session intended to affirm our values—but because it wasn't written with the care and precision these values deserve, it may ultimately undermine them.

Our responsibility is not only to pass laws with good intentions, but to ensure those laws are sound, balanced, and defensible—especially when they touch on matters of life, liberty, and conscience.

Faith isn't just personal - it's the foundation of moral society. When the government attacks faith, it attacks the very principles that make civilization possible. Tennessee stands as a beacon for religious liberty in an increasingly hostile world.

Strengthening Families:

We protected parental rights in education, ensuring that moms and dads have control over their children's upbringing rather than government bureaucrats. We criminalized AI-generated content involving minors, strengthened child abuse penalties, and ensured that children use facilities corresponding to their biological sex. We increased access to childcare and established a bill of rights for foster children.

Strong families are the foundation of strong communities. When families thrive, everything else follows - economic prosperity, social stability, and cultural health. Our policies support parents and protect children because families are the basic unit of society.

Preserving Freedom:

We dismantled discriminatory DEI policies, ensuring opportunities are based on merit rather than group identity. We limited government emergency powers, rejected international control, and eliminated unnecessary regulations. We protected free speech, religious liberty, and the right to bear arms. We kept taxes low and the government limited.

Freedom isn't free - it requires constant vigilance against those who would expand government power at the expense of liberty. Tennessee demonstrates that free people in a free society can achieve prosperity and happiness while upholding a constitutional government.

The Tennessee Model:

What we've accomplished in Tennessee offers a model for other states struggling with big government, high taxes, and woke ideology:

Economic Freedom Works - Our low taxes, limited regulations, and business-friendly policies create jobs and opportunity while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Law and Order Protects Everyone - Strong criminal justice policies that support victims and law enforcement create safe communities where families can thrive.

Constitutional Government Preserves Liberty - Limited government with proper checks and balances protects individual rights while preventing tyranny.

Traditional Values Build Strong Communities - Faith, family, and personal responsibility create the social capital necessary for prosperity and happiness.

Why This Matters Beyond Tennessee:

Tennessee's success sends a powerful message to the nation: conservative governance works. While liberal states hemorrhage residents and businesses fleeing high taxes and failed policies, Tennessee attracts people seeking opportunity and freedom.

We're proving that you don't have to choose between prosperity and principle, between economic growth and traditional values, between individual liberty and social order. Conservative policies deliver all of these benefits simultaneously.

The Numbers Don't Lie:

• #1 in fiscal management and business climate

• Lowest debt per capita and zero income tax

• #4 in population growth as people vote with their feet

• $971 million saved by fighting illegal immigration

• Billions invested in healthcare while protecting medical freedom

• Comprehensive education reforms that empower parents

  
  

Personal Reflections:

Serving as your representative during this historic session has been both an honor and a responsibility I don't take lightly. Every vote I cast, I asked myself: "Does this defend faith, strengthen families, and preserve freedom?"

These accomplishments belong to all of us - every citizen who voted, every person who made calls, every family that stayed engaged in the political process. Our constitutional republic works when people participate, and Tennessee's success reflects the engagement of citizens who refuse to let government run their lives but we must stay vigilant.

Challenges Ahead:

Our work isn't finished. The forces that seek to expand government, attack faith, and undermine families never rest. We face ongoing challenges from federal overreach, international pressure, and cultural decay that threaten the values that make Tennessee special.

But we've proven that principled leadership and engaged citizens can overcome any challenge. When we stand together for what's right, we win.

A Promise for the Future:

As we look ahead to future legislative sessions, I promise to continue fighting for the principles that guide my service:

• Faith will be protected, not persecuted.

• Families will be empowered, not replaced by government.

• Freedom will be preserved, not traded for false security.

• Constitution will be followed, not ignored.

• Taxpayers will be served, not exploited.

  
  

Thank You:

Thank you for your trust, your support, and your engagement in the political process. Thank you for standing with me as we fight for Tennessee values. Thank you for proving that citizens can still make a difference in American politics.

Together, we're not just changing Tennessee - we're showing America what's possible when people choose freedom over dependency, principle over politics, and constitutional government over administrative tyranny.

With gratitude and determination,

Michele Reneau

State Representative, District 27

P.S. If you appreciate the work I’m doing to serve our district and keep you informed, I would be grateful for your financial support before we head into the new year. If you’d like to contribute, you can do so securely here: www.electmichele.com/donate