MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee General Assembly is considering a bill that would significantly impact blind business owners across the state.
Now, those owners are calling on legislators to oppose House Bill 1066 as it goes to the floor for a vote on Thursday.
The bill’s author, Rep. Kevin Vaughan, says the basis behind the bill is that it was bought to him by administrative staff who were frustrated by the level of service provided by the commissary vendors on the grounds of the Cordell Hull building and the Capitol.
“Tennessee currently has a good reputation as a state to business in, but at this time we’re looking at draconian legislation that essentially kind of put 304 people out of work immediately,” said Billy Brumlow, Chair of the Tennessee Committee of Blind Vendors.
Like any loving couple, Lance and Edna Morris depend on one another. However, they don’t want to have to depend on the government to make a living.
“If this bill passes, we will no longer have the money. Most are 80 or certainly at least 61, probably within a year or two of their jobs they will lose their health insurance. And like most families, they go paycheck to paycheck. They’ll lose their homes,” said vendor Lance Morris.
Edna Morris works as a commissary vendor at 201 Poplar and believes the Tennessee Business Enterprises Program for the Blind is one of the best in the nation.
She says the Tennessee Department of Human Services will lose around $3 million in matching federal funds if this bill passes.
“We’ve got people wanting to move to Tennessee to get into our program,” said Edna Morris.
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In a statement, in part, Representative Vaughan said, “Initially, we were attempting to increase performance by introducing competition for those services, including preferences for vendors with various disabilities. We want to make sure that any conflicts or inconsistencies are remedied prior to bringing it back before the House for a vote.”
“But as a blind person, I had to have a full-time employee to drive me around so that we could log our machines. It costs blind people more money to do the same business as well,” and Lance Morris.
A large contingency of blind people are expected in Nashville this week to advocate and express their opposition to this bill.
