There are 90 article(s) tagged London Lamar:

• February 2022

  • Nonprofit leader joins Democratic primary for open state Senate seat

    There’s a new contender for an open school board seat while more incumbent judges file for re-election.

    By Bill Dries February 25, 2022

  • Bill seeks to treat gun violence as a public health issue

    A bill by state Rep. London Lamar would require data sharing between police departments and the state health department, and would require TDH to produce an annual report on the public health impacts of gun violence.

    By Ian Round February 18, 2022

  • Could an independent commission help with redistricting?

    Unfair maps can result in expensive lawsuits, poor representation for the political minority, foregone-conclusion elections and safe seats for incumbents. Partisan redistricting also causes voters to lose faith in the system and disengage from civic life.

    By Ian Round February 13, 2022

• January 2022

  • Shelby County lawmakers set priorities for the 2022 session

    Residency requirements, reckless driving and Germantown’s namesake schools are among the issues lawmakers plan to address at the upcoming General Assembly session. School funding reform might have to wait until next year.

    By Ian Round January 10, 2022

• December 2021

  • Shelby County loses one seat in State House GOP redistricting plan

    The proposed political map, which was unveiled Friday, Dec., 17, takes one seat away from Shelby County, while adding three to Middle Tennessee. 

    By Ian Round December 19, 2021

  • GOP redistricting proposal pits two Black Memphis Democrats against each other

    State Rep. Torrey Harris said the boundaries of state Rep. London Lamar’s district were extended by several blocks, just enough to include his home at South McLean Boulevard and Union Avenue, according to a tentative map House Republicans allowed him to see.

    By Ian Round December 15, 2021

• October 2021

  • General Assembly taking aim at local COVID rules in special session

    Seeking to stop local governments and businesses from enacting COVID-related rules, the Tennessee General Assembly is convening Wednesday evening for another special session. Dozens of bills were introduced Tuesday afternoon and evening.

    By Ian Round October 27, 2021

• March 2021

  • Human trafficking self-defense bill makes progress

    Victims of human trafficking would be allowed to use force in self-defense under a bipartisan bill making its way through the Tennessee General Assembly.

    By Ian Round March 14, 2021

• October 2020

  • Lawmakers could chip away at governor’s emergency powers

    The chairman of a committee studying the governor’s emergency authority says the Legislature could increase notification requirements and even put an end the office’s executive powers in a prolonged state of emergency.

    By Sam Stockard October 03, 2020

• September 2020

  • Legislative leaders say another hurdle remains to remove Forrest bust

    Tennessee’s lieutenant governor and House speaker are entering the fight over Nathan Bedford Forrest, saying another step should be taken before the Historical Commission can consider a waiver to remove the Confederate general’s bust from the State Capitol.

    By Sam Stockard September 15, 2020

• August 2020

  • Lawmakers seek ‘checks and balances,’ look at governor’s emergency powers

    Gov. Bill Lee may have stayed within his boundaries during a state of emergency brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, but legislators still want more “checks and balances” and probably a bigger say in how orders are executed.

    By Sam Stockard August 23, 2020

• July 2020

  • State Rep. Lamar appointed to emergency powers committee

    State Rep. London Lamar is hoping a new emergency powers committee she is joining will look at the governor’s executive authority and decisions affecting everything from business closings to education amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

    By Sam Stockard July 23, 2020

• June 2020

  • Legislature passes anti-abortion bill after midnight

    The Tennessee House overwhelmingly passed fetal heartbeat legislation Thursday to prohibit abortion, then held out hope the Senate would consider the measure.

    By Sam Stockard June 19, 2020

  • Legislators send conflicting messages on Nathan Bedford Forrest

    The state House and Senate sent conflicting signals Tuesday, June 9, on the fate of Nathan Bedford Forrest’s bust in the State Capitol and a special day honoring his life. A Senate panel voted to keep Forrest Day while state Rep. London Lamar persuaded a House committee to get rid of the special day.

    By Sam Stockard June 09, 2020

  • 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.

    By Sam Stockard June 01, 2020

  • 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.

    By Sam Stockard June 01, 2020

• May 2020

  • 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.

    By Sam Stockard May 29, 2020

  • Lamar to keep fighting for universal absentee ballots

    State Rep. London Lamar said Wednesday it is "irresponsible and inconsiderate" to ask tens of thousands of Tennesseans to go to the polls just months after the governor ordered them to stay home to avoid COVID-19.

    By Sam Stockard May 13, 2020

• April 2020

  • State’s COVID-19 response reflecting desperation of some

    COVID-related protests in Tennessee and nationally are drawing mixed reviews from lawmakers with some calling them "troublesome" and "irresponsible" while others saying they are encouraging.

    By Sam Stockard April 20, 2020

• March 2020

  • Lamar calls elections coordinator ‘vague’ on voting plan

    With July early voting four months away, state Rep. London Lamar is questioning whether the Secretary of State’s Office is prepared to deal with a pandemic, saying universal absentee voting is needed to avoid risking people's lives.

    By Sam Stockard March 24, 2020

  • Human trafficking bill inspired by Cyntoia Brown clears House

    Responding to Cyntoia Brown's case, legislation by state Rep. London Lamar of Memphis has passed in the House enabling victims of human trafficking to use it as a self-defense in criminal cases.

    By Sam Stockard March 03, 2020

• February 2020

  • HOPE scholarship bill for pregnant students advances

    State Rep. London Lamar is gaining momentum to pass legislation enabling students who become pregnant to keep their HOPE Scholarship funds.

    By Sam Stockard February 25, 2020

  • Lamar demands end to Forrest Day, compares him to Hitler

    State Rep. London Lamar compared Nathan Bedford Forrest to Hitler and urged lawmakers Tuesday to put an end to Tennessee’s annual daylong observance for the Confederate general.

    By Sam Stockard February 11, 2020

  • Legislation would keep ‘HOPE’ alive for pregnant students

    Legislation sponsored by state Rep. London Lamar of Memphis would allow students who become pregnant to keep their HOPE Scholarships and take time to have a child before enrolling in college.

    By Sam Stockard February 04, 2020

• January 2020

  • Sanford: Memphis politicos pick their presidential candidates

    State legislators and the Memphis and Shelby County mayors are among elected officials who have endorsed a presidential candidate and plan to campaign for their choice.

    By Otis Sanford January 30, 2020