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Carter County measure calling for more state scrutiny of Ballad Health fails to pass
The Carter County Commission failed to pass a resolution asking Tennessee officials to better regulate Ballad Health, a state-sanctioned East Tennessee hospital monopoly. Commissioners voted 11-9 in favor of the resolution, but two abstentions and two absent members prevented the tally from reaching the 13 yes votes required for passage. The resolution stems from a […]
Lawmakers say the spirit of Tennessee’s ticket price transparency law isn’t being followed
Pull up tickets on StubHub to see Jason Isbell at Ryman Auditorium Friday night, and a buyer might think it costs $90 for seats on the first level. But make a click, and the price jumps 48% to $133. This type of ticket pricing isn’t supposed to happen in Tennessee because lawmakers passed legislation requiring […]
2024 Senate: FEC reports show Blackburn’s raised $7M in nine months, Johnson $1.3M in six weeks
Tennessee’s 2024 Senate election — 13 months off — is already drawing plenty of money. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Franklin, will enter the 2024 Senate election with a sizable advantage after raising $1.9 million into her campaign account and $5.1 into a political action committee during the first nine months of 2023, according to Federal Election […]
Analysis: Nashville, Willamson and Sevier’s prop up of Tennessee’s tax base
Three Tennessee counties subsidize a significant portion of the state’s tax collection, sending in more than double the dollars they receive, an analysis of legislative spending and state budget data from 2023 shows. Tennessee’s Office of Legislative Budget Analysis released its county-by-county reports last month, spanning from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, and […]
Nashville files lawsuit over sports authority changes, fourth suit filed against state this year
Metro Nashville’s government filed its fourth lawsuit against the state this year, challenging lawmaker-imposed changes to its board overseeing sports venues, including the Bridgestone Arena, Geodis Park and Nissan Stadium. Earlier this year, Republican lawmakers passed legislation giving the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House six appointments on Metro Nashville’s 13-member sports authority. […]
East Tennessee official says Ballad Health issued threat to care after community protest
An East Tennessee county commission will vote later this month on a resolution asking Tennessee lawmakers to break up or better regulate Ballad Health, a hospital chain that operates in the region as a state-sanctioned hospital monopoly. But amid discussions of the resolution, Carter County Commissioner Nick Holder warned that if the resolution is approved […]
East Bank developer proposal hints at potential struggle to keep revenue, housing promises
Editor’s note: This story’s subhead has been updated, as well as the dollar figure for the state incentive for TPAC Former Nashville Mayor John Cooper made a lot of promises when trying to sell the public on the need to build a new NFL stadium for the Tennessee Titans and redevelop the East Bank. He […]
TN Charter School board goes split decision on Hillsdale allowing school in Madison, not Maury
The Tennessee Charter Commission approved another American Classical Education charter school, reversing a denial by the Jackson-Madison County School Board. On Thursday the commission voted on charter school appeals in Madison and Maury counties made by American Classical — a charter school chain affiliated with Michigan-based Hillsdale College. Tess Stovall, the executive director of the […]
Blackburn and Johnson each announce seven-figure campaign hauls in the 2024 Tennessee Senate race
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect Blackburn’s fundraising numbers Knoxville Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson’s campaign announced she raised $1.3 million in the first six weeks of her bid to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn in 2024. Blackburn’s campaign announced she raised $2.7 million over the past quarter, holding $6.5 million […]
Rep. Justin Jones sues Tennesssee House Speaker over expulsion and silencing rules
Rep. Justin Jones sued Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton in federal court Tuesday, alleging numerous constitutional violations related to his expulsion and silencing during this year’s legislative sessions. In the lawsuit, Jones, D-Nashville, said his removal from the Tennessee House earlier this year violated his right to a fair trial and unfairly stripped him of […]
Federal Appeals Court upholds Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for minors
A Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for minors will remain in place after a ruling from the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. The state law — which went into effect on July 1 — bans doctors from providing medical care, like puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries, to transgender children. Tennessee Republican lawmakers made passing […]
List of groups spending $1 million or more in Tennessee politics grows to 193
This story was last updated on Oct. 26, 2023 Over the past 15 years, 193 companies, associations and other groups have spent at least $1 million trying to influence Tennessee’s politics. Earlier this year, the Lookout published the initial parts Cash for Clout series examining money’s influence in Tennessee politics, including a donations database and list of […]