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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November 2018
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State Government A state panel is set to consider Memphis’ request for a Fairgrounds Tourism Development Zone in which tax revenue would be used to pay off the debt for construction of a youth sports and events complex and connected improvements, an estimated $100 million project. -
Metro Shelby legislators want state recruiting incentives spread to Memphis
With Amazon set to net nearly $77 million in state funds for a Nashville logistics headquarters, Shelby County state legislators say they’d like to see Tennessee spread the love to Memphis. -
Education UT Health Science Center completes strong year
With finances in good shape, key positions filled and building projects reshaping the Memphis campus, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is wrapping up a strong 2018 and looks toward long-term major improvements such as a Biotech Research Park. -
State Government DiPietro goes out with head high
University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro is leaving the system on a high note – amid strong financial reports and growth of facilities – after surviving some bumps and bruises, mainly dealing with student diversity. -
North Memphis State approves TDZ for Fairgrounds redevelopment
A state panel approved Memphis’ request Monday for a Fairgrounds Tourism Development Zone to help fund an estimated $150 million project complete with a youth sports and events complex that will depend on construction of a privately developed hotel. -
Real Estate Memphis to take bids for Fairgrounds hotel-retail site and Mid-South Coliseum
Buoyed by a state-approved tourism development zone, the city of Memphis will take bids for a hotel-retail developer on the Fairgrounds site as part of a $161 million public-private project and go after a private operator as well to repurpose the Mid-South Coliseum. -
State Government Casada wins House Speaker race
State Rep. Glen Casada vaulted to victory Tuesday in a three-way House Speaker race, giving Williamson County a bit more power in Tennessee politics. -
State Government Coley’s child trafficking legislation making a difference
Tennessee netted the nation’s highest score for child trafficking laws from a national advocacy group for the second straight year, an area state Rep. Jim Coley makes a priority in the Legislature. -
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. -
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. -
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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December 2018
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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. -
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 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 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 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 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.
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