There are 127 article(s) tagged Cameron Sexton:
“Basically, we’ll be able to educate the kids how Tennessee sees fit,” House Speaker Cameron Sexton said, pointing that rejecting the money would mean that Tennessee would no longer have “federal government interference.”
CoreCivic gave $107,490 to Tennessee politicians and PACs from July to September, the majority going to incumbent Republicans. The company has stayed in business despite a high murder rate and accusations of underinvestment in safety.
Tennessee passed a law similar to “truth in sentencing” in 1979. The law led to overcrowded prisons, rioting and millions in damage to state property. The National Guard was called in. The result was a federal consent decree and sentencing reform. Will history repeat itself?
Many of the proposed bills would increase penalties for rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes and require the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to test rape kits faster.
It now takes the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation about 49 weeks to test the state’s rape kits, but some lawmakers hope to cut that time to 30 to 60 days.
Gov. Bill Lee was in Memphis Friday, Sept. 9, touting stricter laws targeting violent repeat offenders passed during his tenure.
Carlson characterized Lee as soft on crime in a monologue against criminal justice reform, which, he claimed, “means letting violent people out of prison early.”
House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally held a ceremonial signing of the bill at City Hall in Memphis.
“Governor, the COVID-19 emergency has long passed in Tennessee,” state Rep. Jason Zachary wrote. “We ask that you direct the Tennessee Department of Health to halt distribution, promotion or recommendation of COVID-19 vaccines for our youngest Tennesseans.”
Cameron Sexton says he sees no reason to ban AR-15 weapons in the wake of the Uvalde, Texas, mass shooting. Meanwhile in Washington Thursday, Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen was calling for such a ban.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland went after critics of his backing of the state truth in sentencing law and his description of 201 Poplar as a “revolving door” for criminals during a lively interview on “Behind The Headlines.”
Amid an FBI investigation coming to a head, lawmakers found time to advance Gov. Bill Lee’s school funding overhaul.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and law enforcement leaders are advocating for a state bill that would eliminate parole for people convicted of specific felony offenses, such as attempted murder.
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton discusses the controversial redrawing of House district lines on The Daily Memphian’s “On The Record” podcast.
In addition to the pay raises, Strickland again called for changes in state laws, particularly around gun crimes, and doubled down on his earlier declaration that the local criminal justice system is a “revolving door.”
The bill would give the Tennessee health commissioner the authority to determine uniform quarantine guidelines for the state and appoint county health directors.
Shelby County Schools leaders, however, say the school system’s mask mandate remains in place despite the executive order that also includes mask mandates by school systems. Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner is suggesting the county should take the issue to court.
All four House Republicans from the Shelby County delegation signed Sexton’s call for a special session.
Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright says even with recent changes in state laws this year, it’s unclear where the health department’s authority to issue mask mandates and require other measures ends and where decisions by elected officials begin.
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton was in Memphis to discuss violent crime, before the topic turned to COVID.
Tennessee Speaker Cameron Sexton will ask Gov. Bill Lee for a special session if districts close or require masks. Shelby County Schools is requiring masks for students and staff.
Lawmakers wrap up legislative session viewed differently by Democrats and Republicans.
In the war against opioid overdose deaths, Tennessee is winning one battle — doctors are prescribing pain pills at much lower rates — but still losing other battles.
Despite major voting law reforms in some states, such as Georgia, few major changes have been made so far in Tennessee.
During a wide ranging interview on The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast, state House Speaker Cameron Sexton also questioned whether the new federal COVID stimulus package is necessary for Tennessee.