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Stockard on the Stump: Senate Republicans caught off guard by redistricting ruling
Senate Republicans who rule the roost in the Legislature were reportedly “shocked” this week when a three-judge panel blocked their Senate redistricting plan, finding it violated the state Constitution. The opinion forced the state to file an appeal in the Tennessee Court of Appeals arguing the decision will throw the state’s elections into chaos. The […]
Governor appeals judicial opinion blocking Senate redistricting plan
Gov. Bill Lee is making an “extraordinary” appeal of a three-judge panel’s opinion blocking a Senate redistricting plan from taking effect. The governor, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Tennessee Elections Coordinator Mark Goins filed the appeal in the State Court of Appeals Thursday after the judicial panel placed an injunction on the Senate plan […]
Marriage bill creating path around same-sex unions causes ruckus in House committee
Lawmakers battled Wednesday over legislation creating a new form of marriage in Tennessee, one that some said could cause financial confusion among families, scrap same-sex marriages and allow older men to marry young girls. The House Civil Justice Committee deferred House Bill 233 until April 13 after lengthy debate. But the Senate version of the […]
Judges order Tennessee Senate redistricting map to be redrawn; trial possible for House plan
A three-judge panel hearing a lawsuit against the state’s redistricting map ordered the state Senate map to be redrawn but allowed the House plan to stand, at least until a trial is held, according to news reports. In a 2-1 decision, the panel issued an injunction Wednesday against the Senate, ruling it failed to meet […]
Ethics reform bill to tamp down on corruption clears first hurdle in Tennessee Senate
Legislation designed to shine more light on political actions committees and campaign finances passed its first committee in the Legislature Tuesday, a move lawmakers hope will block corruption. The Senate State and Local Government Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 1005, carried by Senate Speaker Pro Tem Ferrell Haile, sending it to the Senate floor for […]
TennCare bill targeting Centene faces rocky road in Senate
The Senate sponsor of TennCare legislation has serious reservations about changing the bill to give the nation’s largest Medicaid managed-care company a multi-billion-dollar contract after it failed to win a bid. “That would be hard for me to accept. There’d have to be some very compelling reason to do that,” Sen. Todd Gardenhire said Monday. […]
Stockard on the Stump: House Speaker stands by bill giving Centene a TennCare contract
House Speaker Cameron Sexton reiterated support Thursday for legislation that would steer a TennCare contract to Centene Corp., saying it’s necessary to ensure coverage for thousands of people on a dual enrollment plan. Sexton contends more “openness” is needed because thousands of people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid were dropped from TennCare by companies […]
TennCare bill would give contract to company linked to bid-rigging complaint
Lawmakers held up legislation Wednesday that would create an opening for a TennCare contract to be given to a massive company connected to a bid-rigging lawsuit filed against the state. House Bill 2625, sponsored by Rep. Charlie Baum, was placed “behind the budget” in the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee on Wednesday because it […]
Little-known super PAC threatens lawsuit to save Ortagus’ Tennessee congressional bid
Fifth Congressional District candidate Morgan Ortagus is playing it cool in light of legislation passed Monday that could stall her campaign. But at least one new group in the pro-MAGA vein is threatening to challenge the measure. The day after the Tennessee House sided with the Senate in requiring a three-year state residency to run […]
Tennessee House Speaker, other lawmakers testify before federal grand jury
House Speaker Cameron Sexton said Monday he gave “factual information” to a grand jury investigating political corruption and confirmed he is not a “target” in the federal probe. Sexton was among at least five lawmakers subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury, including Republican Reps. Jason Zachary of Knoxville, Bud Hulsey of Kingsport, Patsy Hazlewood […]
Stockard on the Stump: FBI expediting Tennessee House corruption investigation
It wouldn’t be shocking to see indictments come up before the Legislature adjourns in late April. Sexton and state Rep. Esther Helton, R-East Ridge, both confirmed Thursday they are to go before the grand jury early next week. Helton told the Tennessee Lookout she believes she was ordered to show up because she used a […]
Tennessee Rep. Bud Hulsey confirms he was served with federal subpoena
Only one state House member other than Speaker Cameron Sexton admitted Wednesday to being subpoenaed this week to testify before a federal grand jury. Rep. Bud Hulsey confirmed to the Tennessee Lookout he was served Tuesday as part of a federal probe into corruption on Capitol Hill. Hulsey speculated the grand jury wants to interview […]