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 :
NASHVILLE – In its final hours, the 2019 legislative session exploded into revolt as House Speaker Glen Casada, sergeants at arms and troopers allegedly tried to block Democrats from leaving the chamber in protest, leading to a physical incident involving Rep. G.A. Hardaway and other Democrats.
After hours of gridlock over a TennCare block grant bill and a scuffle at the House door, the Legislature approved a compromise as the General Assembly ended its session for the year.
NASHVILLE – State Sen. Brian Kelsey is touting passage of Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account initiative, pointing out it was a long time coming.
NASHVILLE – The Legislature has passed legislation allowing people to obtain a conceal-carry handgun permit without taking live-fire training.
NASHVILLE – State Sen. Brian Kelsey’s push to pay college athletes for performance got a boost in the General Assembly this week.
NASHVILLE – The Legislature adopted Gov. Bill Lee’s voucher legislation to use public dollars to send children to private schools in a hotly-contested compromise report despite doubts raised about its long-term financial implications.
The state Senate approved a $38.6 billion budget for fiscal 2019-20 with a variety of tax cuts while adding $220 million to bolster the rainy day fund and give teachers pay increases totaling $71 million.
Legislation setting up an online gambling sports network in Tennessee passed the Senate on Tuesday, potentially bringing in $50 million in wagering revenue annually, a measure that will become law without the governor's signature.
NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account bill is headed for a conference committee where House and Senate members will try to hammer out differences, mainly over immigration verification and homeschooling.
Responding to an increase in distracted-driving crashes, the Legislature is outlawing the handling of cell phones by motorists.
NASHVILLE – The state Senate is restoring $2.5 million to a Tom Lee Park improvements project and earmarking $2.5 million from a different source for a Germantown Performing Arts Center amphitheater.
NASHVILLE – House Finance, Ways & Means Committee Chairwoman Susan Lynn said Monday she expects the House to accept a Senate voucher bill Monday afternoon.
Shelby County Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools – targeted by Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings accounts bill – are threatening a lawsuit against the state, contending the legislation is unconstitutional.
With major sticking points between the House and Senate on Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account bill, the legislation is likely headed for a conference committee, lawmakers say, where even a compromise plan’s result is unpredictable.
The state Senate has pulled $2.5 million from Gov. Bill Lee’s planned $10 million Memphis riverfront redevelopment grant, with plans to redirect the money to a Germantown Performing Arts Center amphitheater.
The Tennessee Senate approved legislation Thursday penalizing paid voter registration drives that turn in large numbers of incomplete forms and fail to train workers, legislation spurred by a 2018 Tennessee Black Voter Project drive.
The state Senate passed Gov. Bill Lee's education savings account bill Thursday after a 20-13 vote, enabling public dollars to be used for private education.
The state House of Representatives approved a nearly $38.6 billion budget Wednesday, including $27.3 million to fund a TennCare program for severely disabled children and $18 million in pork barrel money, which could be a hurdle in Senate budget talks.
The House pushed an online sports betting bill to the finish line Wednesday, enabling people to use a computer or phone app to wager on sporting events.
NASHVILLE – The House of Representatives barely passed Gov. Bill Lee’s voucher legislation after a historic 40-minute deadlock Tuesday that saw one member flip his vote to push the bill to passage by the narrowest of margins.
Rather than go home for the year without passing substantive abortion legislation, the House and Senate on Monday both adopted bills banning abortions if federal law is reversed.
With a vote set for Monday, Shelby County Democratic lawmakers are castigating a bill from the Secretary of State’s Office penalizing paid voter registration drives for failing to undergo training and for turning in incomplete forms.
State Rep. G.A. Hardaway is set to meet with the state attorney general's office to discuss matters dealing with the constitutionality of Gov. Bill Lee's education savings account plan.
State Senate candidates would be able to collect nearly a half-million dollars from political action committees under legislation sponsored by state Sen. Brian Kelsey and approved Thursday in the Senate.
The state Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation Thursday carried by state Sen. Brian Kelsey establishing a charter commission with authority to overrule local school boards and run charter schools.