State House passes bill to stop bans on traffic stops
It happened amid Tyre Nichols' family and local Democratic lawmakers accusing the bill’s sponsor of deceit.
Topic: Tennessee Legislature
RSSThere are 143 article(s) tagged Tennessee Legislature:
-
March 2024
-
-
State Sens. London Lamar, Brent Taylor debate on bail reform, proposed laws
Two state senators, both from the Memphis area and both members of Tennessee’s Senate Judiciary Committee, agree on many aspects of the city’s crime problem even though they see different paths for solving it.
-
-
February 2024
-
Legislative roundup: Bills on bail, police reform advance in Nashville
Bills advancing through the Tennessee General Assembly this week included one aimed at reversing police reforms passed in the wake of Tyre Nichols’ 2023 death in Memphis.
-
Law aimed at protesters would increase penalty for blocking traffic to felony
A bill moving through the Tennessee General Assembly would make it a felony to block a roadway, a penalty enhancement intended to prevent another protest like the one that blocked the Hernando DeSoto bridge for hours earlier this month.
-
Rep. White to file legislation to let governor add members to Memphis school board
Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) cited prolonged frustration with the board’s locally elected leadership when explaining his plans to Chalkbeat on Tuesday.
-
-
November 2023
-
State Senate districts must be redrawn, court rules
A three-judge panel ruled that the state Senate map is unconstitutional because the districts in Nashville are not consecutively numbered. The state House map will remain unchanged, and the redrawn Senate map is unlikely to change the body’s partisan or racial composition.
-
-
October 2023
-
Sanford: Talk of rejecting federal education dollars is an exercise in lunacy
“No other state has been successful in turning down federal education money, so Tennessee is plowing new ground with this wrong-headed, purely political sideshow.”
-
-
August 2023
-
House Speaker ejects audience, silences Jones in special session; Democrats walk off in protest
Sexton’s moves followed a subcommittee chairman’s move last week to clear the entire audience from a hearing room — including parents of survivors of the Covenant School shooting.
-
How gun-rights groups exert influence on state lawmakers
Republican Debra Maggart had worked to pass a number of gun bills, but she said the National Rifle Association decided to “annihilate” her in 2012 after she spoke against Tennesseans keeping weapons in their cars while at work.
-
‘We cannot continue to watch tragedies unfold’
Memphians rally two days before the Tennessee General Assembly will begin its Aug. 21 special session to consider gun safety legislation, mental health initiatives and other public safety measures.
-
Justin J. Pearson easily keeps state House District 86 seat
Pearson easily beat independent candidate Jeff Johnston in the second special general election this year for the seat covering the western edge of Shelby County.
-
-
June 2023
-
Judges block state law banning teacher group from automatically deducting member dues
The Tennessee Education Association sued earlier this month over the two-pronged law, which also gradually raises the minimum teacher salary up to $50,000 for the 2026-27 school year.
-
Large majority of local residents support gun reform, poll shows
Poll results show wide support for gun-safety legislation in Tennessee’s most populous county — which supplies more Republican votes than any other county — as Gov. Bill Lee attempts to convince state lawmakers of the need to pass gun-safety legislation during a special session.
-
Opinion: Without public safety, ‘we are paralyzed’
“No matter your political stripe, society shouldn’t feel like it is teetering on the brink. That’s why we are gathering in Nashville for a special session at the end of the summer: We all know that there is more to be done.”
-
Pearson easily wins state House District 86 Democratic primary
In the low-turnout contest, Justin J. Pearson got better than 94% of the vote across 19 precincts, compared to 5% for challenger David Page.
-
-
May 2023
-
County Commission calls on judges to enact new release restrictions early
The new state law requiring elected judges to make decisions about releasing defendants accused of violent felonies takes effect July 1. The County Commission is asking General Sessions judges to start doing that immediately.
-
-
April 2023
-
Justin J. Pearson appointed to House seat in 7-0 vote
The commission voted to return Pearson to the District 86 state House seat at a special meeting Wednesday, April 12.
Related story:
-
What happens now that Justin Pearson has been expelled from his House seat
The Shelby County Commission has filled two vacant seats in the Tennessee General Assembly from Shelby County in the past year — one following an expulsion and the other resulting from the death of a legislator. Here is how the process works.
-
General Assembly introduces resolutions to expel Justin Pearson, two other Democrats
Tennessee Republicans on Monday, April 3, introduced resolutions to expel state Reps. Justin Pearson, Justin Jones and Gloria Johnson after their protest in favor of gun-safety legislation last week. They could be voted on as soon as Thursday.
Related story:
House Speaker accuses Memphis Democrat, two others of ‘insurrection’
-
House Speaker accuses Memphis Democrat, two others of ‘insurrection’
The Democrats — Reps. Gloria Johnson and Justin Jones — could face expulsion, along with Rep. Justin Pearson, who also participated in the protest. Pearson had no legislative committee assignments to be stripped from.
-
-
March 2023
-
Opinion: Arming teachers won’t make schools safer
“In addition to being a teacher, all three of my own children attend public schools. Like everyone, I want to keep them safe. I want to keep my students safe. Putting more guns into schools is not the answer.”
-
Tennessee House passes narrow bill allowing abortion to save patient’s life
The only health conditions the amended bill mentions are ectopic and molar pregnancies. It does not mention preeclampsia, for example, and there are no exceptions for rape or incest.
-
State House District 86 special election outcome already decided
The special election to fill the vacancy for the state House seat held by the late Barbara Cooper was decided with the January primary. Democrat Justin J. Pearson is running unopposed on the Tuesday, March 14, ballot. He’s already serving in Nashville by appointment.
-
Lawmakers delay vote on permitless gun carry for 18-year-olds amid heavy opposition
Tennessee lawmakers on Wednesday, March 8, delayed a vote on a bill that would expand permitless gun carry to 18-year-olds and allow permit holders to carry any firearms, not just handguns. No law enforcement agencies support it.
-
Give them pumpkin to talk about: Pie could become state symbol
Currently, the state has several official symbols, including horses, insects, minerals and trees. But nothing as delicious as pies.
-