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Speakers react to Memphis murders with prison panel
Responding to five killings in Memphis this week, Tennessee’s House and Senate speakers appointed a legislative panel to study the release of prison inmates, work that could lead to construction of more prison space. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, who is also Senate speaker, and House Speaker Cameron Sexton this week created the Joint Ad Hoc […]
Stockard on the Stump: Governor declares he didn’t violate the Little Hatch Act
In his push to embed Tennessee’s right to work law into the state Constitution, Gov. Bill Lee denies he and former Gov. Bill Haslam violated the Little Hatch Act with a video shot at the State Capitol. AFL-CIO President Billy Dycus says they clearly broke the law, but he’s not planning to request equal time […]
Feds seek protective order on evidence against Casada and co-defendants
The Department of Justice is asking the attorneys for former House Speaker Glen Casada to keep secret the evidence they share against him and co-defendants in advance of an October trial. In their case against Casada and his ex-chief of staff, Cade Cothren, federal authorities plan to provide the defendants with law enforcement agency reports […]
Registry of Election Finance to audit Humble for potential illegal coordination with PAC-like group
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance is set to audit former Senate District 27 candidate Gary Humble to determine whether his campaign illegally coordinated with his nonprofit organization Tennessee Stands. Registry board member Tom Lawless, a Nashville attorney, called for the investigation Wednesday based on his general knowledge of the situation. “There’s some smoke there, […]
East Tennessee State refuses to discriminate regardless of court order on Biden guidance
East Tennessee State University tweaked an online description of federal protections for LGBTQ students, in response to a request from state Rep. John Ragan, but the university reasserted its non-discrimination policy stands for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. In response to a letter Joint Government Operations Committee Chairman John Ragan sent […]
Stockard on the Stump: House Speaker sought postponement of TennCare contracts
At the request of House Speaker Cameron Sexton, the Legislature’s Fiscal Review Committee put off action recently on a set of managed care organization contracts with TennCare, the state’s Medicaid insurance program. Fiscal Review Director Krista Lee Carsner said in an email obtained by the Tennessee Lookout that Speaker Sexton requested postponement. Sexton confirmed Thursday […]
Slatery touts win in opioid battles but tried to force East Tennessee DAs out of the fight
Outgoing Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery recently claimed victory in a $450 million national settlement with Ireland-based drugmaker Endo International, yet five years ago he tried to derail legal efforts in Northeast Tennessee that led to a $35 million settlement that’s netting more money for nine counties than his Endo deal brought for the entire […]
Government Operations chair tells universities to drop LGBTQ policies
The House chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Government Operations Committee is unilaterally ordering state universities to suspend any policies making LGBTQ students a protected class amid federal litigation. In a letter to East Tennessee State University President Brian Noland, state Rep. John Ragan notified the university that because a federal court enjoined the U.S. Department of […]
Sentencing hearing for ex-Rep. Smith postponed amid Casada case
A sentencing hearing for former Rep. Robin Smith, who is set to cooperate with the prosecution in Rep. Glen Casada’s trial, is being postponed until January 30, a court document filed Monday shows. Smith’s sentencing hearing was scheduled for Oct. 17. Her plea agreement to fraud charges anticipates she will testify in United States v. […]
Stockard on the Stump: The Casada chronicles
“I rode into (Nashville), was feelin’ about half-past dead / I just need a place where I can lay my head.” The smoke alarm went off in our Vegas hotel about 1:45 a.m. Tuesday. False alarm, but we couldn’t go back to sleep and decided to get the heck out of Dodge. By the time […]
Glen Casada: The rise and fall of a House Speaker
(Editor’s note: This story originally published Jan. 10, 2022.) Two and a half years removed from resignation as House Speaker and a year from an FBI raid, Rep. Glen Casada continues to grapple with the reason for his exit. Despite an overwhelming no-confidence vote by his own House Republican Caucus in 2019, Casada still contends […]
State asks court to find Cothren in contempt, order him to respond to subpoenas
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance is asking a Davidson County chancellor to find Cade Cothren in contempt of court and order him to comply with two subpoenas related to a shadowy political action committee. Represented by the Attorney General’s Office, the Registry filed a motion this week in Chancery Court to shut down Cothren’s […]