Politics
Democrats walk out over Jones silencing, as House-Senate remain in stalemate
House Democrats walked out of the chamber in protest Monday after their Republican colleagues voted to stop Rep. Justin Jones from commenting on legislation. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, ruled Jones, D-Nashville, was “off-topic” on two occasions, allowing the Republican supermajority to block him from commenting on any legislation for the rest of the day. […]
House Republicans lose decision on sign bans
(Editor’s note: This story has been updated.) Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Anne Martin has ruled that the holding of small signs in House of Representatives’ galleries and committee meeting rooms is likely protected by the First Amendment, keeping in place a temporary restraining order allowing members of the public to carry signs. “Although the […]
As House-Senate remain stuck, finance commissioner warns about budget shortfall
Besides a House-Senate impasse over legislative “sticking points,” approving expensive bills during the governor’s special session will be difficult with the state hitting a $330 million “hole in the budget.” Even though sales tax revenues are coming in higher than initially projected, to the tune of $2.5 billion for fiscal 2022-23, Finance and Administration Commissioner […]
Former Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist dies at 87
Don Sundquist, former U.S. Congressman and two-term governor of Tennessee, died Sunday at the age of 87 in Collierville. At the request of the Sundquist family, Gov. Bill Lee’s office announced the Republican leader’s death. “Gov. Sundquist was a connector. He delighted in bringing people together from all walks of life to work for the […]
Emergency hearing over House sign ban set for Monday
A Davidson County Chancery Court judge has set an expedited hearing for Monday in a legal dispute over a decision by the Tennessee House of Representatives to ban protest signs during a specially called session on public safety. In the order issued Friday, Chancellor Anne Martin said a temporary restraining order will remain in place, […]
Tennessee House Speaker Sexton challenges free speech ruling on signs
House Speaker Cameron Sexton is seeking a hearing within 24 hours to challenge a court’s temporary order allowing members of the public to display signs of protest in the Tennessee House of Representatives during the special legislative session on public safety this week. Lawyers for Sexton and other defendants argue the court overstepped its authority […]
House-Senate impasse continues as senators adjourn until Monday
Neither the House nor the Senate would budge Thursday, forcing a “standoff” to continue until next week as lawmakers try to negotiate an end to Gov. Bill Lee’s special session. Senators approved four bills requested by Lee, including a $30 million spending measure, then adjourned until Monday at 4 p.m. Meanwhile, in the House, lawmakers […]
Tennessee House spends legislative day pretending the Senate didn’t kill most of their bills
The Tennessee House of Representatives spent Wednesday debating dozens of bills unlikely to pass after the Senate closed its final committees, having passed only three new laws and a $30 million funding package. House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, said senators told him they would only pass three bills, but he suggested it didn’t matter […]
Trump absent but still dominates as GOP presidential rivals clash at first debate
Eight Republican presidential candidates gathered onstage Wednesday night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a heated first primary debate heavily influenced by former President Donald Trump, though the party’s front runner refused to attend the two-hour event. Trump instead recorded a competing 46-minute interview with former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson that aired on X, formerly known […]
Senate passes bills, sets talks with House for adjournment
The Tennessee Senate passed four bills Wednesday, including a $30 million spending measure, but found itself in a standoff with House leaders before this week’s special session can end, according to Lt. Gov. Randy McNally. House leaders want the Senate to make concessions enabling it to pass more than the three bills the upper chamber […]
Judge issues injunction against Tennessee House, barring enforcement of sign ban
Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Anne Martin issued a restraining order on Wednesday, barring the Tennessee House of Representatives from enforcing a rule banning signs during the special session on public safety. A temporary injunction hearing has been set to hear the ACLU lawsuit on Sept. 5. The ACLU of Tennessee, representing three women ejected […]