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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December 2018
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State Government State Rep. G.A. Hardaway, still smarting from 2012 redistricting, says Tennessee’s Black Caucus will focus on the importance of voting in 2019 and could seek an independent commission to draw House districts after the 2020 census. -
State Government Akbari to push automatic restoration of voting rights for low-level felons
Senate Minority Chairman Raumesh Akbari, with an eye toward passage of a Florida referendum on felon voting rights, is planning to sponsor legislation automatically restoring the right to vote for people with low-level felony convictions. -
State Government Gov.-elect makes another round of cabinet appointments
Gov.-elect Bill Lee made another round of cabinet appointments Monday, announcing Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Long, a former police officer at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Memphis, will serve as Safety and Homeland Security Department commissioner. -
State Government Lawmakers demand governor-elect avoid conflicts with Lee Company
As Gov.-elect Bill Lee works at disentangling himself from the family-founded Lee Company, state lawmakers say he must take steps to avoid even the appearance of conflict with government contracts the company holds. -
State Government Black Caucus work on criminal justice reform could mesh with Lee’s efforts
The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators is putting together a legislative agenda that could fit with one of Gov.-elect Bill Lee’s priorities — keeping felons from going back to prison. -
City of Memphis State water plan seeks to protect Memphis Sands Aquifer
The Memphis Sands Aquifer isn’t in danger of drying up, but it remains in federal litigation, and Tennessee leaders say a long-term look at water needs statewide will help prepare for growth and updated systems. State officials say the aquifer produces the purest drinking water in the nation — 159 million gallons daily for public water supplies. -
State Government Akbari takes Senate Democratic Caucus chairmanship
Freshman Sen. Raumesh Akbari will serve as chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus in the 111th General Assembly, taking the post Tuesday by acclamation. Though the group is small in number, with five members compared to 28 in the Senate Republican Caucus, Akbari said the “energy is undeniable” and she believes the group can “kick it up another notch for 2020.” -
Health Care Haslam appoints advisory board for UT Health Science Center
Gov. Bill Haslam appointed a five-member advisory board for Memphis-based University of Tennessee Health Science Center, including U.S. District Court Judge Mark Norris and Michael Ugwueke, president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, according to the governor’s office. -
State Government Shafer picks up papers, McManus officially enters District 32 Senate race
The race is taking shape for the final two years of the District 32 Senate seat vacated by Mark Norris. -
State Government Lamar brings 20-something perspective to Legislature
A president of the Tennessee Young Democrats and still not 30 years old, freshman Rep.-elect London Lamar is determined to make young people part of the political equation across the state. -
State Government Kelsey loses Senate Republican Caucus chairman race
State Sen. Brian Kelsey lost his bid for Senate Republican Caucus chairman despite promising to raise $100,000 for the group’s campaign account by the start of the 2019 legislative session. -
State Government Kelsey says closed GOP primaries could ensure election integrity
State Sen. Brian Kelsey says closing Republican primaries could bolster the “integrity” of GOP elections and keep other groups from affecting them. But Tennessee’s governor-elect and sitting governor disagree with such a move. -
State Government Camper brings new outlook to state House Democratic leadership
State Sen.-elect Raumesh Akbari is “super excited” about the election of Rep. Karen Camper as leader of the House Democratic Caucus, a key position in the workings of the state Legislature. -
State Government Republican House speaker-nominee commits to Shelby/Memphis economy
Calling Memphis a key part of Tennessee’s economy, Republican House Speaker-nominee Glen Casada says he will ensure the city receives its “fair share” of economic development projects through the state.
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November 2018
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State Government ACLU honors Turner for life of civil rights work
Former state Rep. Johnnie Turner didn’t participate in Memphis sit-ins during the 1960s in search of glory. Nor did she hear the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or ride the Memphis city buses fearing death during the 1960s thinking she would be recognized someday at a Nashville gala. -
State Government Steve McManus confirms candidacy for 32nd District Senate race
Former state Rep. Steve McManus, loaded with money from his previous House service, confirmed Friday he will enter the race for the vacant 32nd District Senate seat to fill two years remaining in the term of Mark Norris, who left the post to take a federal judgeship. -
State Government Former Shelby County Commissioner Chism eyes state Senate run
Former Shelby County Commissioner George Chism, who left the body after one term and ran for county trustee, is considering entering the special election for the 32nd District state Senate seat vacated by Mark Norris. -
State Government Akbari likely next Senate Democratic Caucus chair
State Sen.-elect Raumesh Akbari is running for the Senate Democratic Caucus chairmanship, saying she wants to “tackle the role” of electing Democratic candidates across the red state of Tennessee. -
State Government Memphis attorney Wiseman to serve on Lee’s staff
Memphis attorney Lang Wiseman will serve as deputy to the governor and chief counsel for Gov.-elect Bill Lee. He is among the next governor’s staff appointments announced Tuesday and the only one from Shelby County so far. -
State Government Vaughan won’t run for vacant District 32 Senate seat
State Rep. Kevin Vaughan of Collierville will not run in the special election to fill the District 32 seat vacated by Mark Norris. -
State Government Towns bashes state finance registry after it fines Memphis representatives
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance has assessed fines against three Memphis legislators for failing to file campaign finance reports, eliciting a blistering response from state Rep. Joe Towns, who contends the body is “out of control.” -
State Government Camper makes history with Democratic Caucus election
Memphis Democratic Rep. Karen Camper won election Sunday within the House Minority Caucus to become the group’s leader, the first African-American caucus leader in Tennessee history. -
State Government Chism supports expanded Medicaid, increased education funding
Freshman state Rep. Jesse Chism is ready to ride a bit of a learning curve in his first year in the state House, yet he’s going in with strong convictions for more health care coverage and better backing of public schools. -
State Government Camper, Towns run for House Minority Caucus leader
Two Memphis state legislators are vying to become leader of the House Democratic Caucus in an effort to help the minority party regain stature in the Legislature. Reps. Karen Camper of District 87 and Joe Towns of District 84, both Memphis Democrats, are running for the top leadership position in the caucus along with Reps. Johnny Shaw of Bolivar and Bo Mitchell of Davidson County, a late entrant into the race. -
Metro Governor sets special election for District 32 Senate seat
Gov. Bill Haslam set a special election Wednesday for the District 32 seat formerly held by Mark Norris after the Collierville Republican resigned to take a U.S. District judgeship in West Tennessee.
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