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For-profit charter schools could take hold in Tennessee
Nearly 20 years after nonprofit charter schools started in Tennessee, legislation enabling for-profit charter school managers to operate is moving through the Legislature despite concerns they could benefit from state funds while keeping financial aspects secret. This proposal is being pushed by National Heritage Academies, a for-profit company owned by entrepreneur J.C. Huizenga, which has […]
Senate committee bucks governor to remake Historical Commission for Forrest vote
A Senate committee gave credence Wednesday to legislation vacating the Tennessee Historical Commission over its vote to relocate the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust, despite opposition from Gov. Bill Lee. In a 5-4 vote, the Senate Government Operations Committee gave a positive recommendation to Senate Bill 600 from Sen. Joey Hensley to remove 29 Historical Commission […]
Public officials would be impeached for removing statues
Two lawmakers who want to impeach any public official who removes statues from the Capitol’s second floor are tiptoeing around an amendment that appears to punish the governor for his efforts to relocate the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust. Sen. Joey Hensley, a Hohenwald Republican, and Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican, both said Tuesday […]
Stockard on the Stump: Top legislators seeking Mr. Phoenix
Retired Capitol Hill reporter Tom Humphrey for years wrote a column called “Humphrey on the Hill.” In his stead, Sam Stockard am taking up the mantle with a new report called “Stockard on the Stump,” a collection of briefs, anecdotes and quotes from the latest week in the Tennessee General Assembly. With the FBI prowling […]
Legislation could move state cases out of Nashville courts
A resolution designed to remove Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle from the bench may have died, but other legislation is pending that could move cases against the state out of Davidson County into more conservative parts of Tennessee. Cases against the state of Tennessee are filed in Davidson County courts because the State Capitol is located […]
Tennessee GOP measure to oust Nashville judge fails
A resolution to remove Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle over her ruling last year to expand absentee voting during the pandemic is dead after the measure failed to clear a necessary House subcommittee. Republican lawmakers targeted Lyle over her ruling that fear of COVID-19 was an adequate reason to request an absentee ballot. The […]
Forrest on way out Capitol door: Historical Commission votes for removal to State Museum
Hearing overwhelming support to move the Nathan Bedford Forrest out of the State Capitol, the Tennessee Historical Commission voted Tuesday to relocate the embattled statue to the State Museum. After a 25-1 decision, the bust of the Confederate lieutenant general will be moved with U.S. Admirals David Farragut and Albert Gleaves as part of a […]
Slatery, Hargett oppose federal voting rights bill
Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery and Secretary of State Tre Hargett have signed letters written by their Republican colleagues criticizing a Democrat-backed federal voting rights bill. One letter, obtained by the Tennessee Journal, shows Slatery is joining 19 Republican attorneys general in a letter written by the Indiana attorney general and others contending the act […]
Fired Rutherford Circuit Court Clerk employees file suit claiming harassment
Two men terminated by the Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk, one of them disabled with cerebral palsy, are claiming they were wrongfully fired after suffering harassment and discrimination. Nicholas Trail, who has the physical disability, and Stephen LaQuire filed the lawsuit Thursday, March 4, in Rutherford County Chancery Court against Court Clerk Melissa Harrell, saying […]
Stockard on the Stump: Holt sidesteps moral dilemma with state job handling booze industry
Retired Capitol Hill reporter Tom Humphrey for years wrote a column called “Humphrey on the Hill.” In his stead, Sam Stockard is taking up the mantle with a new report called “Stockard on the Stump,” a collection of briefs, anecdotes and quotes from the latest week in the Tennessee General Assembly. As a state representative, […]
Tennessee Republicans belittle Congress’ voter rights resolution
Tennessee Republican leaders are belittling Congress’ move this week to change voting laws, mainly by bringing more people into the election process and changing the method for redrawing district lines. On a party-line 220-210 vote, the U.S. House on Wednesday passed wide-ranging voting and ethics legislation. The measure faces a higher hurdle in the Senate, […]
Permit-less gun carry bills steamroll through Legislature
Despite opposition from law enforcement officials, permit-less weapon legislation gained momentum in the General Assembly this week, although lawmakers might have to pick Gov. Bill Lee’s bill over one considered to be true “constitutional carry.” The Senate Judiciary Committee passed an amended version of the governor’s bill on a 7-2 vote Tuesday, followed by the […]