Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Benjamin Smith

Shelby County legislators passed 97 bills this year

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 18:16:47 -0600

After four months of argument, compromise, bickering and squabble, the 2025 Tennessee General Assembly concluded April 22.

Pets, social media, voyeurism victims: Here's where state lawmakers agreed

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:43:24 -0500

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.

MSCS avoids state takeover this year

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 05:57:10 -0500

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.

MSCS takeover details likely left to special committee

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 18:57:49 -0500

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.

Controversial bail-denial amendment sent to ballot

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 07:20:57 -0500

The Tennessee General Assembly passed three possible amendments, including one that could allow judges to deny bail to defendants accused of certain crimes.

Downtown safety funds survive state whittling of local programs

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 18:18:38 -0500

Rep. G.A. Hardaway, along with other Memphis lawmakers, expressed concern over the reductions and outright elimination of many Memphis organizations and programs.

If sales tax hike is dead, how will Shelby County pay for a new jail?

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:00:06 -0500

Options for funding the project, widely agreed upon by state legislators as necessary despite disputes about priorities and timing, are becoming increasingly limited.

State Senate passes bill aimed at immigrant students

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:01:55 -0500

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.

What's happening in the waning hours of the 2025 state legislative session

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Wed, 9 Apr 2025 10:27:56 -0500

As the current Tennessee General Assembly legislative session draws to a close, bills are facing do-or-die moments in committees.

Lawmakers inch toward sales-tax hike to pay for 'ungodly problem'

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Thu, 3 Apr 2025 08:47:27 -0500

“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.

Tenn. House advances its version of Memphis school takeover

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Wed, 2 Apr 2025 20:54:55 -0500

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.

Voting-rights bill passes Tennessee Senate committee

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Tue, 1 Apr 2025 17:52:47 -0500

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.

Tempers flare between Pearson, Farmer during House committee hearing

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:43:53 -0500

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.

School districts could deny enrollment to immigrant children if bill passes

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 16:08:28 -0500

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.

New West Tenn. juvenile detention facility plan passes first hurdle

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 19:14:38 -0500

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.

Unlawful photography bills get widespread support in General Assembly

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 04:00:10 -0500

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.

Tennessee takes first step toward MSCS takeover

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:54:11 -0500

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’

Proposed state tax on vaping products moves forward

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:14:27 -0500

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.

Controversial immigrant education bill passes House committee

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 16:18:11 -0500

The bill gives local education agencies the ability to deny enrollment to students unlawfully present in the United States.

State honors Priscilla Presley as she asks support for Rock ’n‘ Soul Museum

bsmith@dailymemphian.com (Benjamin Smith) — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 18:37:27 -0500

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.