State Supreme Court won’t hear school voucher appeal
A Davidson County chancellor in early May ruled the voucher program unconstitutional, saying the Legislature forced the program on Shelby and Metro Nashville without local approval.
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 2020
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Elections Buoyed by legislation, DeBerry likely to run as independent
Legislation allowing Memphis Rep. John DeBerry to renew a re-election bid is to be considered Thursday by the full Senate after Democrats kicked him off the ballot.
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State Government Some lawmakers oppose sending National Guard to D.C.
State Rep. Jesse Chism, who stood between the National Guard and peaceful protesters on the steps to the State Capitol Monday night, is opposed to sending Tennessee troops to the nation's capital as they mobilize.
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Update
Food NewsState to inject $200M into small businesses forced to close in pandemic
The Department of Revenue will look at the sales taxes reported by businesses statewide and prepare to make payments ranging from $2,500 for the smallest to $30,000 for the largest ones, as the state distributes federal CARES Act funds.
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City of Memphis Manufacturer defends masks, as state investigates
Mask distribution has been halted until results of an independent test of the Renfro mask and chemicals used in its manufacturing are confirmed.
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Elections Senate panel kills legislative hopes to expand absentee balloting
A Senate committee defeated legislation designed to let more people vote without going to the polls this fall as the COVID-19 crisis is expected to stretch on for months.
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State Government Tennessee deploys 1,000 troops to D.C. to deal with potential rioters
The Tennessee National Guard mobilizes 1,000 troops to stop potential rioting in the nation’s capital over the death of George Floyd.
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Financial Services Governor Lee announces millions for business owners
Roughly 28,000 businesses shutdown by the pandemic will be eligible to receive a share of funding, governor says.
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Health Care Health Department halts distribution of free face masks
Questions arise about the safety of odor-fighting Silvadur applied to the masks, which diminishes in the fabric with washings.
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State Government House makes Tennessee Second Amendment sanctuary, shoots hole in abortion rights
The House bolstered gun ownership and undercut abortion rights Monday night, the first night in session after more than two months out for the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Elections Secretary of State holding on to $55M for projects besides universal absentee voting
Two challenges against Tennessee’s absentee voting law are scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, in Davidson County Chancery Court.
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Coronavirus State sets second PBS schedule for learning
All six Tennessee PBS stations, including WKNO Memphis, will offer high-quality educational programming for grades K-3, weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon through June and July.
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State Government National Guard to remain mobilized across state
A day of peaceful protest of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis, Minnesota police erupted into violence Saturday night in Nashville as people set fire to the Metro Nashville Courthouse, clashed with police, then broke out windows and started fires in Lower Broadway honky-tonks and businesses.
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State Government Lawmakers want more ‘checks and balances’ in state of emergency
State Rep. Tom Leatherwood is pushing for a full review of Tennessee’s state of emergency law and executive order rules, while state Rep. G.A. Hardaway says a legislative oversight panel could be convened for the rest of a state of emergency.
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May 2020
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State Government Governor mobilizes National Guard as George Floyd protest escalates in Nashville
Lee activates Guard after in response to protests "that have now taken a violent, unlawful turn in Nashville."
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State Government Tennessee Black Caucus demands justice in response to George Floyd killing
Saying the time for “hollow words” is over, the Tennessee Black Caucus called for legislative reform to address the needs of African Americans and sought justice in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police.
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State Government Nursing homes face punishment for failing to test for COVID-19
With nearly 40% of the state's COVID-19 deaths coming from nursing homes, Tennessee is ready to put sanctions on long-term care facilities if they fail to complete virus testing of staff and residents.
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Premium
State GovernmentState sees worsening budget with department cutbacks and rescinded tax breaks
The Lee Administration is projecting COVID-related budget problems that will force the state to trim department budgets by 12% and to push off tax cuts such as phasing out the Hall income tax.
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Public Safety Night of unrest sparks day of response
Everyone from Gov. Bill Lee to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland to a coalition of other elected and community leaders spoke out Thursday, May 28, on the Wednesday night unrest over a Minnesota man’s death at the hands of police.
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Elections Governor refuses Black Caucus’ request for universal absentee vote
Despite COVID-19 cases continuing to spread statewide, with Tennessee counting 373 more Thursday, Gov. Bill Lee is rejecting a request by the Tennessee Black Caucus to issue an executive order allowing universal absentee voting.
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Coronavirus Coronavirus live blog, May 12: Executive order on permits and health care workers extended
Gov. Bill Lee extended continuation of a previous executive order to boost social distancing efforts. It maintains extended deadlines for motor vehicles and handgun permits and encourages working from home.
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State hits 400,000 coronavirus tests
”That means 6% of our population has stepped forward and asked for a test and received one,” Lee said during his press briefing.
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State issues guidelines for non-contact sports, summer camps, higher ed
Six counties – Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan – may continue to follow individual reopening plans created in consultation with state and local health departments.
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State Government House subcommittee cuts governor’s authority over refugee resettlement
A House subcommittee voted twice Thursday, May 28, to undermine the governor’s authority to place Tennessee in the federal refugee resettlement program.
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State Government Tennessee to stop sharing COVID-positive information with law enforcement
Gov. Bill Lee’s Administration is ending a highly-criticized policy of sharing COVID-positive information with 911 boards and law enforcement agencies across the state, saying plenty of PPE is available and urging first responders to wear it when they interact with people.
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