District 95 tends to ask little of Rep. Kevin Vaughan, R-Collierville, but Wednesday he shared lawmakers’ decisions impacting the suburb.

Vaughan spoke at the Collierville Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon about what the Legislature’s recent accomplishments and what’s to come in the legislative session that opened Tuesday. 

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He noted his district — which includes Collierville, the east side of Germantown north of Poplar and a portion of unincorporated Shelby County — would rather the government not interfere with their daily lives, but COVID-19 mandates at the federal and county level changed that.

“Y’all were madder than hornets – September, October. I got more emails, more phone calls,” he said “People were absolutely livid.”

In 2021, the Legislature convened three times outside of the regular session.

“My part-time job has become fuller and fuller by the minute,” Vaughan joked, noting 2021’s three special sessions.

In October, during the third extraordinary session, Vaughan carried a bill sponsored by Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, “reigning in the laws of the Shelby County Health Department.”

“We made the best of a bad situation and tried to pass laws that we could actually control the outcome of,” he added.

The law limits a county health department’s power forcing it follow guidelines set by the state Department of Health.

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COVID-19 continues to be a challenge in Tennessee. Vaughan noted it has tragically affected many in the community, but he believes it is not a partisan issue.

“What you’re seeing with COVID is you’re seeing a real measurement of what’s important to people and what their risk tolerance is,” he said. “It’s really a challenge and a battle between security and freedom. ... It’s not a red, blue issue. It’s not a R, D issue. It’s a situation that affects every single person differently.”

The Legislature also convened in an extra session to approve incentives for Ford Motor Company’s presence in the state. Vaughan eagerly anticipates impact the Megasite of West Tennessee will have on Collierville and the region. 

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“Raw materials will come on that site, and they will come out (as) the F-150 Lightning,” he said. “This is not some new fangled product or a product offering that is going to be a risky venture.”

Forbes reported the Ford F-Series trucks were the best selling vehicles in 2020 and 2021 despite supply struggles.

“There’s nothing around (the megasite),” he said. “It’s going to be great for an area that has seen a great deal of population loss. ... What we’re going to see is a transformation of the entire landscape of West Tennessee.”

He said it may create some challenges locally. As the site looks for people for new jobs, they may take some from Shelby County, which could impact price increases and delays, Vaughan said.

There will be more lanes needed on Interstate 40 and larger bridges.

“But if you prepare for it, you’re in better shape,” he said. “To transform an entire region, that’s a great investment.”

As legislators reconvene they are looking at new district proposals but could also take up Gov. Bill Lee’s possible funding model for education. Vaughan, a former Collierville Schools board member, understands the gravity of this decision.

“I will tell you this, as we see education being delivered in different manners across the state, we are very concerned as your state Legislature,” he said. “We are very concerned whether or not our students are getting a fair shake as a result of what’s being offered right now.”

He said the lower proficiency levels shown by TCAP testing will lead to social problems the Legislature must address in the future.

Lawmakers may review some criminal justice reforms, a pillar during Lee’s gubernatorial campaign, but the details are yet to be seen, Vaughan noted.

“I wouldn’t say he and the General Assembly are necessarily aligned,” Vaughan said. “He’s a very compassionate man. He has personal convictions about that I would say I’m not sure are shared by the state Legislature.”