There are 51 article(s) tagged Gov. Bill Lee:

• March 2020

  • Gov. Lee limits elective procedures

    Lee said he hopes to free up protective devices and ventilators for the response to the coronavirus. In addition, he said Tennessee colleges of applied technology are using 3-D equipment to print face shields.

    By Sam Stockard March 24, 2020

  • Governor signs executive order curtailing business operations statewide

    Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order Sunday, March 22, calling for businesses across the state to use "alternative business models" beginning Monday. Like local orders already in place, it bans dine-in services at restaurants statewide.

    By Sam Stockard March 23, 2020

  • Coronavirus daily blog, March 18: Health Department confirms fourth Shelby case

    • Tennessee's 98 cases mostly in patients between 18-49 years old
    • Small business emergency declared
    • Nike donating $500,000 to Memphis response
    • Community Foundation launches response fund

    By The Daily Memphian Staff March 20, 2020

  • Coronavirus daily blog, March 16: SCS extends closure to April 6

    Confirmed cases

    Tennessee

    52

    Shelby County

    2

    • Tunica casinos close temporarily
    • Catholic Diocese of Memphis decree cancels Eucharist celebration, excuses people from mass
    • U of M may postpone spring graduation 
    • Dow experiences worst day since 1987
    • Gov. urges all Tennessee schools to close

    By The Daily Memphian Staff March 20, 2020

  • Coronavirus daily blog, March 17: Strickland declares state of emergency; third local case confirmed

    The state reports the total number of confirmed cases in Tennessee is 73, and a third Shelby County case has also been reported. That individual is isolated at home and did not contract it in Shelby County.

    By The Daily Memphian Staff March 20, 2020

  • Montgomery: Are people of faith limited to thoughts and prayers?

    Do we just pray for our environment? Or pray for children being separated from their parents? Or might the faith communities be called to engage in … dare I suggest it … politics?

    By Steve Montgomery March 15, 2020

  • Conaway: In the governor’s office and beyond, common sense is far from common

    Tennesseans don’t trust Tennessee to take care of them any more than they trust Washington to take care of them. The same people are in charge in both places.

    By Dan Conaway March 13, 2020

  • Sanford: No more Mr. Nice Guy

    Gov. Bill Lee sticks to his guns, unmoved by pleas from law enforcement officials, mayors, gun merchants and firearms trainers.   

    By Otis Sanford March 12, 2020

  • Literacy bill advances in Legislature, minus ‘science of reading’ phrase

    The governor set aside $68 million in next year’s proposed budget to overhaul reading instruction. 

    By Marta W. Aldrich March 11, 2020

  • State changes course on coronavirus reporting, will identify home county

    The state reversed course Tuesday amid criticism and said it would begin identifying the home county of those with confirmed cases of coronavirus.

    By Sam Stockard March 10, 2020

  • Shelby County wants out of permitless gun carry legislation

    Shelby County Commission wants to be "carved out" of Tennessee's proposed permitless carry law.

    By Linda A. Moore March 09, 2020

  • Permitless carry proposal stirs debate on both sides of issue

    Proponents and opponents of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's proposed permitless carry measure weigh in on the controversial issue. 

    By Yolanda Jones March 09, 2020

• February 2020

  • County mayor wisely paused plans to build a new juvenile center

    The impatience to build a new facility from scratch caught the attention of the company holding title to an existing, unoccupied facility. Now instead of an $11 million annual lease agreement, the county could acquire the building and property for just a fraction of the original expense – $3.4 million.

    By Mick Wright February 21, 2020

  • Sanford: Tennessee has a man problem in politics, public policy

    Far too many of this state’s political leaders have a paternalistic and chauvinistic attitude toward women. And what’s worse, these guys just don’t care how it looks.

    By Otis Sanford February 20, 2020

  • With six kids in college, refugee family works while others wait

    Faith-based agencies in 2019 resettled the fewest refugees in Tennessee in more than two decades. The numbers likely will be even lower this year. Meanwhile, some legislators are challenging Gov. Bill Lee’s decision to continue participating in the nation’s 40-year-old refugee resettlement program.

    By David Waters February 15, 2020

  • Conaway: The mean in Tennessee is mean

    It’s just flat mean of the Tennessee Legislature to continue to deny even basic health insurance to some 300,000 working Tennesseans just to make a political point.

    By Dan Conaway February 07, 2020

  • Education initiatives in $40B budget highlight State of the State

    Gov. Bill Lee, in his second State of the State address, introduced a $40.8 billion budget plan using $408 million in surplus funds to boost K-12 education and set up a children’s behavioral health safety net.

    By Sam Stockard February 04, 2020

  • Governor funds $41M STEM building for University of Memphis

    Gov. Bill Lee's $40.9 billion budget for fiscal 2020-21 includes $41 million for a STEM building at the University of Memphis to replace an outdated building.

    By Sam Stockard February 03, 2020

  • Indigence among us

    Cutting poverty and increasing the financial security of all Americans ought to be a political objective, if not obsession.

    By Bryce W. Ashby, Michael J. LaRosa February 03, 2020

• January 2020

  • Democrats demand major funding increase for K-12 education

    One Memphis lawmaker contends Tennessee is setting up public education to fail by underfunding it then turning it over to charter operators and private schools.

    By Sam Stockard January 29, 2020

  • Lee takes on abortion; U of M looks to Europe; and squad goals

    Welcome to Friday, Jan. 24, and The Early Word. Today we're talking about a pipeline in the pipeline, what's happening with coronavirus and interstate shootings. 

    By Mary Cashiola January 24, 2020

  • Sanford: Gov. Lee stands up to state GOP on refugee issue

    This political tempest involves the thorny issue of whether Tennessee should continue to participate in a federal refugee resettlement program.

    By Otis Sanford January 16, 2020

  • More voucher advocates join Gov. Bill Lee’s administration

    The new hires are expected to further expand the influence of organizations advocating for education policies such as vouchers and charter schools. 

    By Marta W. Aldrich January 16, 2020

  • Five education issues to watch as state legislators convene this week

    Likely to lead the 2020 agenda will be proposals to improve students’ reading skills and increase teacher compensation, two needs that most every lawmaker can agree on.

    By Marta W. Aldrich January 13, 2020

  • Shelby County makes it official: It’s a refuge for refugees

    In a letter to the U.S. Department of State, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris notified federal officials that the county will continue to welcome refugees.

    By Linda A. Moore January 04, 2020