Benjamin Smith reports on state politics for The Daily Memphian. Ben studied journalism at The University of Alabama and wrote for magazines in Alexander City, Alabama. Ben currently lives in Nashville and enjoys music, basketball and reading.
There are 38 articles by Benjamin Smith :
In spite of the divisive legislation that may crop up in rows from January to April every year, Tennessee lawmakers actually agree on more than one may realize.
After four months of argument, compromise, bickering and squabble, the 2025 Tennessee General Assembly concluded April 22.
Disagreements about what kind of authority an appointed board should have over the Memphis school system stopped the bill from advancing before lawmakers adjourned for the year.
A special committee of state lawmakers is expected to hammer out the details of a proposed takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools in a final push toward passing the legislation before the Tennessee General Assembly adjourns in the coming days.
The Tennessee General Assembly passed three possible amendments, including one that could allow judges to deny bail to defendants accused of certain crimes.
Rep. G.A. Hardaway, along with other Memphis lawmakers, expressed concern over the reductions and outright elimination of many Memphis organizations and programs.
Options for funding the project, widely agreed upon by state legislators as necessary despite disputes about priorities and timing, are becoming increasingly limited.
Shelby County’s five state senators voted down party lines for a bill that would allow school districts to deny education to students based on immigration status.
As the current Tennessee General Assembly legislative session draws to a close, bills are facing do-or-die moments in committees.
“Humanitarian crisis.” “Big liability.” “Ungodly problem.” These are some of the terms Tennessee lawmakers used to describe the Shelby County Jail as they passed a bill to help fund construction of a new one.
The measure, narrowed to Memphis-Shelby County Schools, would strip elected school board members of their duties and assign oversight of the district to a board of state-appointed Shelby County residents.
SB0336, sponsored by state Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, would remove the requirements for persons convicted of certain felonies to have fully paid all court costs associated with their crime to be eligible to vote.
A discussion about gun laws lead to Rep. Justin J. Pearson, confronting fellow Rep. Andrew Farmer during a House subcommittee Wednesday, March 26, temporarily suspending the session.
The bill passed narrowly in an 11-7 vote, with three Republicans, including Memphis Republican Mark White voting against it alongside all four of the committee’s Democrats.
A fiscal note attached to the bill estimates a cost of more than $283 million, a figure that doesn’t include land, staffing or maintenance costs.
Bills targeting the taking and distribution of unauthorized intimate photos and expanding rights for such victims were not only passed but received a standing ovation in the Tennessee General Assembly.
A Tennessee subcommittee passed Rep. Mark White’s school takeover proposal. White suggested his proposal would have a new, narrowed focus on Memphis, likely allaying concerns from other school districts who could have become targets. At MSCS, anti-takeover protestors condemn ‘attack on democracy’Related story:
The proposal, aimed at removing juvenile access to vaping products and decreasing the industry’s reliance on China, would also pull many vapes off Tennessee shelves.
The bill gives local education agencies the ability to deny enrollment to students unlawfully present in the United States.
While in Nashville asking the Legislature for support for the Rock ’n‘ Soul Museum, Priscilla Presley was given the highest civilian award Tennessee can bestow.
A couple of bills that would completely eliminate the 4% sales tax on groceries were introduced to the 114th General Assembly — and they have bipartisan support.
The bill requires TDOT to work with local communities to create a policy regarding the collection and disposal of personal property used for camping near or around state and interstate highways.
A bill requiring Tennessee school districts to adopt a policy prohibiting students from using cellphones and other “wireless communication devices” during instruction time passed in the state House of Representatives Monday.
Two bills seeking to restrict the sale and manufacture of hemp-derived cannabinoids in Tennessee passed through the state House of Representatives Criminal Justice subcommittee last week.
Eighty-six members of the Greater Memphis Chamber traveled to Nashville to meet with state legislators, officers and cabinet heads to advocate for issues relevant to the local business community.
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