Rep. White says Speaker’s race needs ‘consensus’ candidate
Rep. Jim Coley calls for major changes in Speaker's office, including elimination of bill "kill lists" and opportunities for all members to speak on the floor.
Sam Stockard
Reporter
Sam Stockard is a Nashville-based reporter with more than 30 years of journalism experience as a writer, editor and columnist covering the state Legislature and Tennessee politics for The Daily Memphian.
There are 1058 articles by Sam Stockard :
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June 2019
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State Government -
State Government Registry of Election Finance gives Hardaway clean slate
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance cleared state Rep. G.A. Hardaway Wednesday for filing a late report on his campaign finances for the pre-general period of 2018.
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State Government Lee talks to House members about preempting Casada special session request
Gov. Bill Lee is checking the "temperature" of House members to decide whether to call a pre-Aug. 2 special session to replace embattled House Speaker Glen Casada before he wants to leave the post.
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State Government Republican Gillespie will seek District 97 House seat in 2020
Shelby Countian John Gillespie will run in the Republican primary for the House District 97 seat being vacated by Rep. Jim Coley in 2020.
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State Government Black Caucus wants guarantees against racism, misogyny before backing special session
The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators is talking to House Republican Speaker candidates to determine whether it could support a special session based on one condition: assurances of “justice” in the General Assembly.
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Public Safety State senator calls for ‘thorough’ investigation of Webber shooting
State Sen. Katrina Robinson wants a "transparent and thorough" investigation into the shooting death of Brandon Webber, saying the details are "unclear."
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State Government Byrd could face expulsion vote in pending legislative special session
The House of Representatives could use a special session this summer to replace House Speaker Glen Casada and to expel state Rep. David Byrd, who is accused of sexual misconduct by three women who played basketball for him at Wayne County High 30 years ago.
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State Government Planned Parenthood targets DeBerry for votes restricting abortion
Planned Parenthood is bashing state Rep. John DeBerry with billboards across Memphis highlighting his votes for legislation restricting and outlawing abortion. DeBerry says new attitudes are needed against the procedure.
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State Government Shelby lawmakers say Achievement School District needs state hearing, restructuring
Memphis lawmakers are calling for hearings on the Achievement School District and restructuring the way it manages charter schools in the wake of the director’s resignation.
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State Government Constitutional questions force August special session to replace Casada
NASHVILLE – Questions about the Legislature's constitutional authority to remove the House speaker from office are influencing Gov. Bill Lee’s decision to call an August special session on the matter, according to a Memphis legislator.
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State Government Hardaway has ‘zero confidence’ in special prosecutor handling email case
State Rep. G.A. Hardaway of Memphis wants a new process for appointing special prosecutors amid discriminatory comments by the district attorney chosen to investigate a case involving House Speaker Glen Casada’s office and an African-American activist.
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State Government Frayser needs ‘a seat at the table’ to deal with Brandon Webber death
Following the shooting death of Brandon Webber in Frayser, state Sen. Sara Kyle contends the community’s residents need to be made a part of the dialogue to stop such incidents.
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Shelby County Reimbursement increase can save rural hospitals, says McNally
As Lt. Gov. Randy McNally supports a federal rule change to increase Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals, Shelby Democrats continue their call for Medicaid expansion.
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State Government State Rep. DeBerry deals with turmoil in 2019 session
Memphis Democrat calls criticism “hog wash” from fellow Democrats for voting with Republicans on education and abortion legislation.
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State Government Kyle hopes for fresh approach between State Museum and Foundation amid financial questions
Amid questions about the Tennessee State Museum Foundation and its fundraising, state Sen. Sara Kyle is hoping for a better relationship between the nonprofit entity and the Douglas Henry State Museum Commission.
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State Government Three Memphians appointed to Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct
Three Memphians will serve on the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct, a body created by the Legislature to investigate and act on complaints against judges.
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State Government House Republicans set July 24 meeting to pick Speaker nominee
The 73-member House Republican Caucus will hold a late July meeting to vote on a Speaker nominee in advance of an August special session when the full chamber will replace Glen Casada.
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State Government Governor schedules Aug. 23 special session to replace House speaker
Gov. Bill Lee has called an Aug. 23 special session for the House of Representatives to replace resigning House Speaker Glen Casada.
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State Government State Museum Foundation to consider backing women’s suffrage centennial exhibit
Amid questions about its fundraising for the Tennessee State Museum, the Tennessee State Museum Foundation will consider providing funds for a centennial celebration of the Legislature’s 1920 women’s suffrage vote.
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State Government Supreme Court lets states continue gerrymandering unchecked
The impact of a U.S. Supreme Court decision in which it declined to set limits on partisan gerrymandering could be felt in Tennessee when it starts redistricting in two years, drawing support from Republicans and opposition from Democrats.
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State Government Lee performs balancing act on Pride Month, LGBT in workplace
Gov. Bill Lee professed support for "equal protection" when questioned about support for Pride Month events and LGBT rights in the workplace.
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State Government Bill Lee’s Asia trip yields little for West Tennessee
Gov. Bill Lee landed a Mitsubishi corporate headquarters for Franklin during an Asian economic recruiting trip. But whether the travel abroad yields anything for the Shelby County area is unclear as Lee was noncommittal when asked about landing tenants for Memphis Regional Megasite.
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July 2019
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State Government Hands-free cell phone law seeks to curb distracted driving crashes
Tennessee’s new “hands-free law,” which took effect Monday, seeks to curb distraction-related crashes across the state and particularly in Shelby County, which leads the state in such accidents. The measure is among a number of new state laws that became effective Monday.
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State Government Methodist Le Bonheur suspending court collections
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis is suspending court activity during a review of its delinquent bill policies and concerns raised by lawmakers.
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State Government House Democrats seek expansive probe into Casada’s expenses
A day before the Fourth of July and with an August special session looming, House Democrats are calling for a wide-ranging investigation into the expenses of resigning Speaker Glen Casada.
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