Schools to receive $81M in CARES Act grants
The state is doling out $81 million in grants to K-12 schools, colleges and universities to prepare for a safe reopening this August in the COVID-19 climate.
Topic: Bill Lee
RSSThere are 428 article(s) tagged Bill Lee:
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July 2020
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Lee announces enhanced police training plan
Gov. Bill Lee announced Thursday, July 2, plans for a partnership with various agencies to enhance officer training and increase police training.
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Lee orders liability protection for health care providers, considers legality of mask requirements
Governor signed an executive order providing legal cover for health care providers in the COVID-19 pandemic and said his administration is looking at the legal authority for local governments to mandate face masks.
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June 2020
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Legislature approves $39.4B budget early Friday after day of talks
The Tennessee Legislature broke an impasse Thursday night and was set to pass a $39.4 billion budget for fiscal 2021 dealing with a $1 billion shortfall caused by the COVID-19 crisis, wrapping up a short but chaotic session surrounded by protest.
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Governor proclaims Friday as Juneteenth, but still indecisive on Forrest bust
Gov. Bill Lee is proclaiming Friday, June 19, as Juneteenth in Tennessee, but he stops short of demanding removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from the State Capitol.
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Governor refuses to take stand on Forrest but encourages ‘dialogue’
Despite civil strife, Gov. Bill Lee refuses to say whether the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust should be removed from the State Capitol or the day of recognition for the Confederate general should be eliminated.
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Lee Administration holding on to $1B in federal funds
The Lee Administration is holding out hope it can use about $1 billion in CARES Act money to replace lost revenue, spending only about a fourth of $2.3 billion the federal government has sent Tennessee since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
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State likely to challenge chancellor’s decision allowing expanded absentee voting
The state is planning to challenge a court ruling requiring expanded absentee voting during the COVID-19 pandemic and could be violating a chancellor's order to immediately send applications to any voter who requests one.
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Some lawmakers oppose sending National Guard to D.C.
State Rep. Jesse Chism, who stood between the National Guard and peaceful protesters on the steps to the State Capitol Monday night, is opposed to sending Tennessee troops to the nation's capital as they mobilize.
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State to inject $200M into small businesses forced to close in pandemic
The Department of Revenue will look at the sales taxes reported by businesses statewide and prepare to make payments ranging from $2,500 for the smallest to $30,000 for the largest ones, as the state distributes federal CARES Act funds.
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Manufacturer defends masks, as state investigates
Mask distribution has been halted until results of an independent test of the Renfro mask and chemicals used in its manufacturing are confirmed.
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Tennessee deploys 1,000 troops to D.C. to deal with potential rioters
The Tennessee National Guard mobilizes 1,000 troops to stop potential rioting in the nation’s capital over the death of George Floyd.
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Lawmakers want more ‘checks and balances’ in state of emergency
State Rep. Tom Leatherwood is pushing for a full review of Tennessee’s state of emergency law and executive order rules, while state Rep. G.A. Hardaway says a legislative oversight panel could be convened for the rest of a state of emergency.
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May 2020
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Nursing homes face punishment for failing to test for COVID-19
With nearly 40% of the state's COVID-19 deaths coming from nursing homes, Tennessee is ready to put sanctions on long-term care facilities if they fail to complete virus testing of staff and residents.
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Governor refuses Black Caucus’ request for universal absentee vote
Despite COVID-19 cases continuing to spread statewide, with Tennessee counting 373 more Thursday, Gov. Bill Lee is rejecting a request by the Tennessee Black Caucus to issue an executive order allowing universal absentee voting.
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Lee Administration dodges Trump’s call for governors to open houses of worship
Gov. Bill Lee's Office isn't worried about President Donald Trump’s demand for houses of worship to open, saying he never ordered churches to close but did urge alternative services to avoid spreading COVID-19.
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Black Caucus urges governor to stop COVID information-sharing with police
The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators is asking Gov. Bill Lee in letter form to end a program allowing personal information of COVID-positive people to be shared with law enforcement. Otherwise, it says people should refuse to give their addresses when tested.
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Lee says ‘everything’s on the table’ for budget cuts
Grappling with finances in the pandemic era, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says the entire budget is up for review, including funds tied to the Education Savings Account, though he favors keeping the program intact as the Legislature gets ready to convene June 1.
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Inmate advocate calls prisons’ COVID care a ‘nightmare’
With more than 12% of Tennessee prison inmates testing positive for COVID-19, an inmate advocate is raising questions about the cleanliness of facilities while challenging the state's numbers and policies.
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State to lift capacity restrictions on restaurants in most counties
With the spread of COVID-19 appearing to weaken, the state’s Economic Recovery Group announced Friday, May 15, it will lift capacity restrictions on restaurants and retail in areas not covered by local directives, such as Shelby County.
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Governor considers stopping COVID information sharing with police
Gov. Bill Lee said Tuesday a stronger supply of personal protective equipment could allow him to change a decision requiring the state Department of Health to share information about COVID-positive patients with law enforcement to help first responders.
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Governor: Fear of COVID-19 no reason for mail-in absentee ballots
Gov. Bill Lee and state Election Coordinator Mark Goins say fear of catching COVID-19 does not qualify as a reason to vote by mail as the state faces two legal challenges of its absentee ballot rules.
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Federal funds targeted to keep unemployment fund from draining
State leaders say they plan to use federal CARES Act money to keep from "extinguishing" the state’s $1.2 billion unemployment insurance trust fund.
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Black Caucus seeks end of COVID-19 identity sharing with law enforcement
The Tennessee Caucus of Black State Legislators is asking Gov. Bill Lee’s Administration to stop giving names and addresses of COVID-19-positive people to law enforcement, contending it will cause people who don't trust the government to avoid testing.
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Camper, Democrats urge removal of voucher funding in budget crisis
With a $700 million budget shortfall looming, House Minority Leader Karen Camper said the state needs make the Education Savings Account program its first cut.
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