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Stockard on the Stump: Lawmakers take bipartisan poke at potential election audit
Republican and Democratic lawmakers who seldom agree on anything are questioning a likely move by the coordinator of elections to push legislation for an audit of the state’s elections. Changing state law at the whims of those still peeved at elections in other states where Trump lost to Biden is a bad move, some would […]
Garnering support for COVID-19 special session not a given
Republican leaders in the House and Senate are still working to gain two-thirds support and signatures among members to call a special session on COVID-19 issues. Lawmakers received word recently that the session is “expected” to start Oct. 27. But obtaining 22 signatures in the Senate and 66 in the House remains a work in […]
Griffey labels pro-vaccine legislators as ‘medical Nazis’
Conservative firebrand Rep. Bruce Griffey is castigating lawmakers who favor vaccine mandates, calling them “medical Nazis” and seeking the use of ivermectin to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Saying he is not opposed to vaccines for elderly Tennesseans with health problems, the Paris Republican, nevertheless, said in a letter to colleagues Tuesday he “vehemently” opposes mandates […]
Williamson County group clashes with State Election Commission
A group of Williamson County residents skirmished with the State Election Commission Monday, claiming the state’s voting process is full of loopholes that could lead to fraud. Although it failed to show any proof of voter fraud in Tennessee during the 2020 election—which former President Donald Trump still claims was stolen—the group dubbed Williamson County […]
Stockard on the Stump: UAW official has no doubt Ford plant will be union facility
In the last two weeks, numerous news stories have speculated on whether the Ford electric truck plant targeted for the Memphis Regional Megasite will be a union shop. It’s a big deal in a right to work state with anti-union sentiment among the controlling Republican Party. Tennessee’s three automakers are split, with Nissan and Volkswagen […]
COVID-19 special session likely to start Oct. 27
A special session of the General Assembly to deal with COVID-19 issues could start Oct. 27 and run several days. House Republicans received a text message from leadership Wednesday saying the special session is “expected” to begin on that day. Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville also posted a tweet Wednesday saying the session on […]
Memphis Democrat Katrina Robinson faces removal from Senate if she does not resign
Convicted on felony fraud charges, state Sen. Katrina Robinson could be removed from her District 33 seat in the General Assembly if she doesn’t resign from her post, even before court appeals are exhausted. Robinson could not be reached for comment this week. But based on her statements following a jury verdict last week and […]
House Republicans could hold Ford project hostage for COVID-19 session
Tennessee House Republicans seeking a special session on COVID-19 issues could try to put the state’s $5.8 billion deal for a Ford electric truck and battery campus on ice. House Speaker Cameron Sexton told WWTN-FM late last week some members of the House Republican Caucus would vote against funding for the Blue Oval City project […]
Stockard on the Stump: Welcome to the Green New Deal, Tennessee
Lawmakers across the state are cheering the Blue Oval City plan for the Memphis Regional Megasite, a Ford-SK Innovation project to build electric trucks and batteries that will transform southwest Tennessee. But the $5.6 billion project, which will lead to 5,800 jobs, comes with some teeth grinding and eye rolling as well. In other words, […]
Governor extending mask opt-out order despite three court rulings
Gov. Bill Lee, hamstrung by three federal court rulings, said Thursday he is extending an executive order allowing parents to opt their children out of school district mask requirements. “I’ve been incredibly disappointed by rulings from the federal judges who’ve chosen to legislate from the bench,” Lee said Thursday after an event at Stewart Builder […]
COVID could creep into Blue Oval special session
With a legislative special session likely in two weeks to approve the state’s Blue Oval City deal, talk is circulating about COVID-19 issues sneaking into the debate. Gov. Bill Lee could call the General Assembly together Oct. 18-20 to approve a $500 million incentive package for the Ford-SK Innovation deal at the Memphis Regional Megasite, […]