JONESBOROUGH, Tenn., (WJHL) — Republican lawmakers from the state convened in Jonesborough on Tuesday to highlight their achievements and challenges from the year while outlining what Tennesseans can anticipate in the upcoming session in Nashville.

The panel included state Sens. Rusty Crowe and Bobby Harshbarger and state Reps. Rebecca Alexander, Monty Fritts, Tim Hicks and Todd Warner.

The panel discussed multiple topics, including reproductive rights, gun rights, their beliefs on weather manipulation and faith-based issues.

Rep. Alexander addressed public school funding, stemming from her opposition to private school vouchers. She also touched on the region’s shortage of hospitals not affiliated with Ballad Health in Northeast Tennessee.

Crowe expressed support for a court decision that found two Tennessee gun laws unconstitutional, which included restrictions on carrying guns in public parks and prohibiting carrying a gun with a specific “intent to go armed.”

“It’s a positive outcome because more people carrying guns legally and responsibly leads to safer communities,” he remarked. “Criminals will acquire guns regardless; they disregard the laws, so I view this as a beneficial ruling.”

A survey by the Tennessee Department of Labor showed that Carter County had a high unemployment rate of 4.8%.

Crowe said he has plans to tackle this.

“We recently enacted legislation to allocate $40 million for revamping our entire TCAT structure. This initiative aims to ensure that students enrolling in TCAT courses receive education aligned with the current job market demands,” he stated. “Consequently, I anticipate more young individuals entering trades that are in high demand in the community. That’s a key focus.”

In regard to future plans, Crowe said he has a few big points he’d like to focus on.

“We must remain committed to lower taxes, reduced government intervention, personal accountability, faith, family, freedom, and common sense,” he said. “These principles have sustained Tennessee’s leadership. If we uphold them, we’ll be in a strong position.”

The next General Assembly session begins in January.