Robertson Co.News

Despite the pandemic and months of quarantine, Robertson County is showing an increase in sales tax revenues for 2020, compared to 2019. County Finance Director Jody Stewart says sales tax revenues are up by nearly 17 percent and officials are hopeful the trend will continue through 2021. Robertson County receives 50 percent of the net collections for each city. Then there is a county trustee administrative fee of one percent on each city’s 50 percent share.

More than 100 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores across Tennessee will begin offering COVID-19 vaccines today.  The pharmacies received vaccines from the federal government this week as part of the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.  Governor Bill Lee says Walmart is a great large-scale partner to reach the state’s goal of vaccinating as many Tennesseans as possible.  Among those who are now eligible to receive the vaccinations are those 70-years-old and older.

A state representative wants the Tennessee General Assembly to have the power to exempt the state from presidential executive orders.  House Bill 1229 was filed by Republican Susan Lynn of Mount Juliet yesterday, with the bill also sponsored by Senator Frank S. Niceley of Strawberry Plains in the Senate.  If it becomes law, it would give the joint government operations committee the authority to review an executive order issued by a president.  The committee would have the ability to consider if an executive order applies outside the scope of federal authority and whether the state will seek an exemption.

Electric car battery manufacturer Microvast is expanding in Clarksville. The Department of Economic and Community Development announced yesterday the company is planning a 220-million-dollar investment in a new plant that could create nearly 300 new jobs.  The company will begin recruiting workers for the new facility in the fall.