State Government
With revenue ‘returning to normal,’ state talks fiscal year 2025
Economists say the days of massive budget surpluses are over, but the state remains in a solid financial position. And the economy is not in a recession.
Ian Round
Ian Round is The Daily Memphian’s state government reporter based in Nashville. He came to Tennessee from Maryland, where he reported on local politics for Baltimore Brew. He earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland in December 2019.
There are 432 articles by Ian Round :
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November 2023
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State Government -
State Government ‘Angry moms,’ educators to TN Republicans: Don’t turn down federal money
The federal funding supports students with disabilities, English learners, rural students and those from low-income households. No state has ever rejected it.
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City of MemphisLandlords use police call info to evict problem tenants
Renter Victoria Williams is thankful for the pilot program that keeps her landlord informed when police are called to rental homes in her neighborhood. But critics say it gives landlords too much power.
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State Government US Supreme Court asked to halt state’s youth gender-affirming care ban
The request by plaintiffs in the case known as L.W. v. Skrmetti represents the first time the U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to weigh in on such a law.
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Health Care Audit: Memphis Health Center’s poor record-keeping led to $230K TennCare underpayment
Memphis Health Center was owed a bit more than $1 million for thousands of unreported appointments, but TennCare overpaid it by nearly $784,000 for other services during a five-year period. The center did not dispute the comptroller’s findings and accepted responsibility.
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October 2023
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State Government State attorney general says Meta exploits teenage ‘vulnerability’
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti filed his lawsuit in Davidson County Chancery Court, alleging that Meta violated the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act.
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State Government Friends of George’s attorney: Drag performer Flamy Grant makes case stronger
Drag performer Flamy Grant was scheduled for a pride festival at Maryville College when the Blount County District Attorney wrote he completed a “diligent search” of state laws that might allow him to cancel the event.
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Shelby CountyAs state leaders take aim at prosecutors, including possible impeachment, Mulroy isn’t worried
“There are things that my office is doing that I think the Cameron Sextons of the world would be pleased to hear,” Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy told The Daily Memphian in a recent interview.
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State GovernmentTBI rape kit processing times greatly improve after funding boost
Turnaround times at the Jackson Crime Lab, which processes sexual assault evidence kits from Memphis, decreased from 51 weeks to 18 weeks between July 2022 and August 2023. Last year, the numbers were getting worse.
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Free Access
ElectionsState lawmakers from both parties optimistic about Mayor-elect Young
Most said Young is a good listener capable of improving the local economy. They described him with words such as “deliberate,” “vision,” “different,” “new” and “refresh.”
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State Government Justin Jones sues Cameron Sexton, claiming expulsion violated free speech
Justin Jones’ attorneys argue Cameron Sexton “led an illegal and unconstitutional effort to expel them — all in an effort to quash legitimate and open discussion about the use of weapons of war in murdering six Nashville citizens.”
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State Government More than 100K lose TennCare coverage in first months of ‘unwinding’
TennCare says the majority who lost health coverage are eligible but fell through the cracks due to “procedural” reasons, such as failing to update their contact information after moving.
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September 2023
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State Government Appeals court upholds ban on gender-affirming care for minors
A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled 2-1 that the transgender plaintiffs did not have a constitutional right to gender-affirming care as minors, saying courts should get out of the way of “thoughtful debates” within state legislatures.
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Public Safety Brian Kelsey to remain free pending appeal
The judge determined that Kelsey had raised a “substantial and close question that is integral to the merits of his convictions” and did not appeal for the sole purpose of delay.
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State Government Tennessee Republicans form working group to reject federal education funds
House Speaker Cameron Sexton first expressed interest in rejecting $1.8 billion in annual federal education funding during the regular legislative session earlier this year.
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Public Safety Brian Kelsey appears in court to ask for bail pending appeal
With four weeks left until he’s scheduled to go to prison, former state Sen. Brian Kelsey appeared in federal court in Nashville on Thursday, Sept. 21 to argue that prosecutors violated his plea deal — and that he should remain free while the appeal plays out.
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Public Safety Brian Kelsey appeals conviction, says prosecutors violated plea deal
Prosecutors say Kelsey’s request for bail is another delay tactic. The parties are set for oral arguments on the bail motion Thursday, Sept. 21.
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State Government State approves funding for ‘first step’ in Wilder Youth Center replacement
The renovation is part of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services’ plan to manage the crisis of placements for youths in foster care or the juvenile justice system.
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August 2023
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State Government Here are details on the four bills the General Assembly passed
The two chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly resolved a standoff on Tuesday, Aug. 29, agreeing to pass the four bills that the Senate passed last week and ending a special session prompted by the Covenant School shooting.
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Mayor's race
ElectionsIn her run for mayor, Karen Camper says she’s in a ‘unique position’
In her campaign for Memphis mayor, Tennessee House Minority Leader Karen Camper is emphasizing her relationships with the state’s Republican leadership, saying her role would allow her to bring more state resources to Memphis.
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State Government House Speaker ejects audience, silences Jones in special session; Democrats walk off in protest
Sexton’s moves followed a subcommittee chairman’s move last week to clear the entire audience from a hearing room — including parents of survivors of the Covenant School shooting.
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Update
State GovernmentSpecial session to continue next week as Senate adjourns for the weekend
The General Assembly’s special legislative session will not end this week. The state Senate on Thursday, Aug. 24, adjourned for the weekend with the intention of returning Monday afternoon, after a meeting that lasted just a few minutes.
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State Government Tennessee Senate passes four bills, special session likely to end Thursday
The bills seek to improve background checks, create an awareness campaign about free gun locks and require a report on human trafficking; they mostly continue things the state government already does.
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State Government Audience ejected at special session: ‘This is not what democracy looks like’
Tuesday saw the first committee hearings of the special session and the beginning of discussion on bills. More than 100 people — including parents of Covenant School shooting survivors — were removed from one of the first hearings.
Related story:
House sets controversial rules as General Assembly begins special session
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State Government House sets controversial rules as General Assembly begins special session
In addition to limiting public access, the Tennessee House of Representatives listed consequences for members who breach decorum during the special legislative session that began Monday, Aug. 21.
Related story:
Protesters in Nashville rally for — and against — stricter gun laws
‘Freedom Ride for Millennials:’ Dozens bus to Nashville for first day of special session
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