opinion
We have witnessed many unprecedented moments over the past few months. And most of the news has been grim. But as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic, a silver lining is appearing on the edge of the dark clouds. We are witnessing some of the most rapid and exciting improvements in innovation in the history of the world.
Take telehealth for example. During the first month of the pandemic, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee reported that it had managed 18 times more telehealth claims than a year before. Despite being forced to stay home, Tennesseans all across our state were able to continue seeing their doctors remotely. State lawmakers even recently returned to Nashville for a special session to make permanent many of the telehealth changes made by Gov. Bill Lee in his executive orders. Telehealth is thriving and is here to stay.
Much more transformation is needed
But it doesn’t have to stop there. As our economy rebounds, transformative changes will need to occur to address our ongoing and ever-changing needs. Home delivery of groceries, meals and alcohol, and prescription medicine, remote work services, and treatments for new and existing diseases will be needed more than ever.
What if we not only brought those services here to benefit Tennesseans, but became the nation’s ground zero for the creation of these innovations in the first place? Not only could attracting our country’s brightest minds to start and grow their business here mean that Tennesseans get the innovative services and products they need, but it would also lead to more and better job opportunities for Tennesseans.
So what are some of the reforms needed to lead the nation in innovation freedom? First, we should ensure that business licenses can be obtained faster here than any state in the nation. It shouldn’t take more than 24 hours to get the paperwork needed to start a new business.
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Second, we should fast-track innovative business ideas and models, rather than mire them down in regulatory red tape. We need to cut red tape and fees and only keep in place common sense regulations that protect health and safety.
Oftentimes, existing regulations were drafted decades ago, and new innovations weren’t even contemplated back then. Applying outdated regulations to new ideas is like jamming a round peg into a square hole. It frequently means that new innovations never even make it off the ground. If we want to attract the Elon Musks of the world here to Tennessee, this is a necessary step.
Tennessee is already pushing boundaries
We should also build upon our existing framework that makes it easier to test new products in our state. For example, Amazon recently chose Franklin as one of just two southern cities to test its new delivery robots.
These devices roll slowly along sidewalks, avoiding people, bikes, dogs, etc., to deliver goods to people’s homes and businesses. Franklin made the list in part because our state legislature has already paved the way for this type of innovation to be tested in a safe but welcoming environment. We should embrace this type of testing in even more areas and for even more products.
Overregulated states chase away creativity
Countless entrepreneurs and job creators are already fleeing former entrepreneurial havens like California because of their high taxes, overwhelming regulatory burdens and overreaching governments. There’s no reason those innovators shouldn’t set up shop and bring their products to market in Tennessee and hire Tennesseans to work for them in the process.
With the right reforms, Tennessee can lead the nation in innovation freedom, all while protecting our citizens’ health and safety. And when we do, it just might be a Tennessean who creates the next home delivery robot, the next healthcare delivery model or even the world’s next lifesaving medication.
Justin Owen is president and CEO of the Beacon Center of Tennessee.
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August 24, 2020 at 05:04PM
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What if Tennessee led the nation in innovation freedom? | Opinion - Tennessean
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