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Sen. Robinson faces second wave of federal charges
State Sen. Katrina Robinson, already under federal indictment, is charged in a new case with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, according to a federal criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday. Robinson, 40, a Memphis Democrat, was accused in 2020 of stealing $600,000 from her federally-funded business to pay for a lavish lifestyle. In this […]
Governor touts COVID-19 “science” in push to send students back to schools
Taking a shot at the state’s two largest school systems, Gov. Bill Lee accused Metro Nashville and Shelby County school systems of caving in to “scare tactics” when they opted to teach students virtually during a pandemic-affected school year. “Months ago, when critics were loud and the scare tactics were louder with all the reasons […]
Republican leader: Caucus paid Phoenix Solutions through state party
A House Republican leader is confirming the caucus paid an out-of-state vendor called Phoenix Solutions through the state Republican Party for campaign mailers after being assured the vendor wasn’t campaigning against sitting House members. State Rep. Johnny Garrett, a Goodlettsville Republican who serves as whip for the House Republican Caucus and handles re-election and vendor […]
House joins Senate in passing Medicaid block grant
A Medicaid block grant agreement brokered with the Trump Administration rolled through the House Friday on a party line vote. The measure passed 68-22, as the House joined the Senate in approving a Medicaid waiver program designed to enable the state’s TennCare program to take advantage of savings garnered over decades of work. Rep. Bryan […]
Senate approves Medicaid block grant, paves path for House
The Tennessee Senate pushed a modified block grant Medicaid program to passage Thursday despite concerns it will be rescinded when President-elect Joe Biden takes office Jan. 20. The Senate voted 25-6 in favor of the move, with only Democrats in opposition. The House is set to consider the measure Friday at 9 a.m. after it […]
Senate speeds modified block grant agreement with feds; House suspends rules for consideration
The Tennessee General Assembly is roaring ahead with a modified Medicaid block grant program for the state’s poorest residents despite the possibility the Biden Administration could rescind it. Two Senate panels — the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee — approved the federal agreement Wednesday, with dissent coming only […]
Hargett remains Secretary of State despite modicum of Democratic opposition
The General Assembly overwhelmingly re-elected Secretary of State Tre Hargett to the constitutional office, despite opposition from some Democrats, and elevated former legislator Jason Mumpower to the post of Tennessee Comptroller, replacing the retiring Justin Wilson. Twelve Democrats out of 132 members in the 112th General Assembly voted against Hargett’s re-election Wednesday at the War […]
Smith sidesteps questions about FBI raid but won’t deny she could be subject of probe
Days after the FBI raided her office and home, state Rep. Robin Smith denied being a “target” of a federal investigation but stopped short of saying she’s not a “subject” of the FBI probe. “My attorney issued a statement on Friday. It’s an accurate statement. I am fully cooperating. I plan to be doing that. […]
U.S. Capitol attack looms over Legislature as lawmakers downplay insurrection
A Republican Tennessee lawmaker who attended the Washington, D.C. protest-turned-riot denied Tuesday she did anything wrong as she faces potential removal for supporting the insurrection. State Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, a Lancaster Republican representing the 40th House District, acted as if she was unaware of the Jan. 6 attack in which five people died as […]
Targets of FBI raid lawyer up
A new Marshall County Republican legislator targeted by the FBI in a Friday morning raid has hired a prominent Nashville criminal defense attorney to represent him. Todd Warner, a Chapel Hill farmer and businessman, retained Peter Strianse after federal agents swooped down on his home and business early Jan. 8. Warner also could face renewed […]
Cooper: House to seek removal of President Trump
Congressman Jim Cooper predicted Monday the U.S. House will seek to remove President Donald Trump this week for inciting insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, either by invoking the 25th Amendment or impeaching the commander in chief as he leaves office. Cooper, a Nashville Democrat, was set to return to Washington, D.C., Monday where he said […]
Cooper urges Biden to reverse TennCare block grant
Three days after Tennessee officials announced approval of a Medicaid block grant to fund TennCare, the state’s program for sick and needy residents, Congressman Jim Cooper sent President-elect Joe Biden a letter asking him to rescind the plan. Tennessee’s Republican leaders say a block grant will enable the state to run the healthcare program more […]