There are 13 article(s) tagged Mike Bell:

• August 2020

  • Anti-protest bill clears Legislature amid honking and shouting

    Legislation to toughen penalties for protesters around the Capitol passed the Legislature Wednesday, including a provision making illegal camping on state property a felony offense.

    By Sam Stockard August 14, 2020

  • Akbari: Anti-protest bill ‘ludicrous’ for making illegal camping a felony

    Legislation making camping on restricted state property a felony is “ludicrous,” state Sen. Raumesh Akbari said as the Legislature wrapped up a special session designed, in part, to stop “lawless” activity and send protesters packing.

    By Sam Stockard August 13, 2020

  • Legislature passes bill to protect businesses from COVID-19 lawsuits

    In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday, Aug. 12, setting a "higher bar" for people to sue businesses, schools and healthcare facilities accused of making them sick through negligence.

    By Sam Stockard August 12, 2020

  • Indicted Robinson leads Shelby delegation in out-of-state travel

    Indicted for allegedly taking more than $600,000 from her federally-funded business for personal expenses, state Sen. Katrina Robinson traveled extensively with taxpayer money to legislative conferences in her first year as a state lawmaker.

    By Sam Stockard August 10, 2020

• June 2020

  • Senate passes COVID liability protection for businesses, schools

    The Republican-controlled state Senate, attempting to stop a potential wave of COVID-19 lawsuits, passed legislation this week giving businesses and schools greater protection from liability.

    By Sam Stockard June 17, 2020

• March 2020

  • ‘Constitutional carry’ gains momentum in Senate

    A Senate committee recommended passage of legislation enabling people to carry handguns without a state permit, despite hearing from police officers and the parent of a woman whose son was gunned down at an Antioch Waffle House.

    By Sam Stockard March 03, 2020

• September 2019

  • Akbari backs bill grandfathering rentals in homeowners associations

    State Sen. Raumesh Akbari backs legislation that would stop homeowners associations from restricting the lease of neighborhood homes.

    By Sam Stockard September 13, 2019

• August 2019

  • SisterReach director expresses frustration in fetal heartbeat hearing

    Cut off from speaking on legislation designed to restrict abortion, the Memphis founder of SisterReach refused to go quietly Tuesday, turning toward people in the audience and calling them "hypocrites."

    By Sam Stockard August 14, 2019

  • Senate committee delves into bill restricting abortions at conception

    Memphis Democratic senators challenge presenters in Judiciary Committee hearing on legislation banning abortion at conception.

    By Sam Stockard August 13, 2019

• April 2019

  • Online sports betting hits Legislature’s jackpot

    Legislation setting up an online gambling sports network in Tennessee passed the Senate on Tuesday, potentially bringing in $50 million in wagering revenue annually, a measure that will become law without the governor's signature.

    By Sam Stockard April 30, 2019

• March 2019

  • Senate passes community oversight legislation with limited subpoena power

    Memphis Democratic senators oppose bill even though it would allow oversight boards to have a private investigator seek subpoenas from a judge.

    By Sam Stockard March 19, 2019

• December 2018

  • Advocacy groups want tax incentive records open to public

    Tennessee's tax-credit liability of nearly $1 billion is raising questions about economic development incentives and transparency for taxpayers. 

    By Sam Stockard December 26, 2018

  • Kelsey loses Senate Republican Caucus chairman race

    State Sen. Brian Kelsey lost his bid for Senate Republican Caucus chairman despite promising to raise $100,000 for the group’s campaign account by the start of the 2019 legislative session.

    By Sam Stockard December 04, 2018