Kingsport Lawmaker Advocates for the Establishment of a Tennessee Mint
In a bid to safeguard Tennessee residents against potential economic crises and to maintain cash within the local economy, Kingsport lawmaker, State Representative Bud Hulsey, is pushing for the creation of a mint in Tennessee. Hulsey communicated his intentions at a meeting of the Washington County Federated Republican Women held at the Jonesborough Visitors Center, stating that his vision is to fortify the state’s stability in the face of a prospective financial downfall.
Fears Surrounding Digital Currency
Hulsey, a Representative for the 2nd District of Sullivan County, voiced his concerns regarding the Federal Reserve System’s plans for digital currency. “When you do away with cash and you have a Central Bank digital currency, which means you’ve got numbers on your phone, or the little chip in your hand or the card in your wallet. It’s just numbers,” he noted.
The lawmaker believes that the impending implementation of digital currency could signal a loss of liberty. Persistent on his stand, Hulsey had previously attempted to introduce legislation aimed at promoting cash usage locally. However, the bill failed to gather sufficient support from his colleagues in the recently concluded session of the state General Assembly. Hulsey, however, remains undeterred and plans to reintroduce the bill if successful in November’s re-election.
Easy Transition to a Mint
Hulsey revealed that Greeneville, located a mere 30 miles away from Kingsport, already functions as a mint for the U.S. government, producing pennies through a company named Artazn. Building upon this, Hulsey expressed the excitement he received from the U.S. Mint who gave their support for the potential establishment of a dedicated Tennessee Mint. He went on to disclose that, if established, the Tennessee Mint could be the primary manufacturer of the U.S. government’s Silver Eagles.
Other Legislative Efforts
Beyond the proposal for a mint, Hulsey also intends to continue advocating for three other bills close to his agenda, which are all currently under summer study. One such bill is aimed at establishing a process to nullify any laws perceived to be an overreach of the federal government’s constitutional powers. The proposed “Restoring State Sovereignty Through Nullification Act” has stalled in the last two proceedings of the General Assembly, but Hulsey remains committed to the cause and motivated to drive his bills through to implementation.
In wrapping up his address, Hulsey left a stirring message, stating, “If we’re going to salvage this republic, it’s going to take two things: revival in the church and state legislators who will stand up when any kind of unconstitutional tyranny comes against this state and say, ‘That ain’t happening here.’” As he continues his pursuit of a mint in Tennessee and other equity-establishing legislations, Hulsey stands firmly in his commitment to secure the financial and constitutional sovereignty of Tennessee’s citizens.
