In Jonathan Skrmetti’s first year as Tennessee Attorney General, his office has enforced loosened gun laws, advocated for a state law that takes power away from local prosecutors in death penalty review cases and defended many controversial state laws.
“Court proceedings can’t happen without court-appointed attorneys, but attorneys can’t afford to take cases at the current rates. The criminal justice and juvenile court systems are running out of options,” said Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly Kirby.
Turnaround times at the Jackson Crime Lab, which processes sexual assault evidence kits from Memphis, decreased from 51 weeks to 18 weeks between July 2022 and August 2023. Last year, the numbers were getting worse.
Justin Jones’ attorneys argue Cameron Sexton “led an illegal and unconstitutional effort to expel them — all in an effort to quash legitimate and open discussion about the use of weapons of war in murdering six Nashville citizens.”
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen was among the Democratic majority voting for the bill, and Rep. David Kustoff was among the 126 Republicans who voted for it.
TennCare says the majority who lost health coverage are eligible but fell through the cracks due to “procedural” reasons, such as failing to update their contact information after moving.
A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled 2-1 that the transgender plaintiffs did not have a constitutional right to gender-affirming care as minors, saying courts should get out of the way of “thoughtful debates” within state legislatures.
The judge determined that Kelsey had raised a “substantial and close question that is integral to the merits of his convictions” and did not appeal for the sole purpose of delay.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton first expressed interest in rejecting $1.8 billion in annual federal education funding during the regular legislative session earlier this year.
With four weeks left until he’s scheduled to go to prison, former state Sen. Brian Kelsey appeared in federal court in Nashville on Thursday, Sept. 21 to argue that prosecutors violated his plea deal — and that he should remain free while the appeal plays out.
A trio of elected Republican state leaders highlighted their accomplishments in Nashville and the benefits for their constituents in Shelby County’ suburbs.
Dignitaries including Gov. Bill Lee were present as Alliance Healthcare Services celebrated a facility being built in Binghampton that will cover behavioral health, addiction, and walk-in help for children and families.
The renovation is part of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services’ plan to manage the crisis of placements for youths in foster care or the juvenile justice system.
Johnson is running for a seat currently held by Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn.
The two chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly resolved a standoff on Tuesday, Aug. 29, agreeing to pass the four bills that the Senate passed last week and ending a special session prompted by the Covenant School shooting.
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.
The Memphis Republican’s bid for a state income tax in his second term as governor estranged him from the GOP statewide, but Sundquist made his peace with a more conservative state party late in life.
The General Assembly’s special legislative session will not end this week. The state Senate on Thursday, Aug. 24, adjourned for the weekend with the intention of returning Monday afternoon, after a meeting that lasted just a few minutes.
The bills seek to improve background checks, create an awareness campaign about free gun locks and require a report on human trafficking; they mostly continue things the state government already does.
Tuesday saw the first committee hearings of the special session and the beginning of discussion on bills. More than 100 people — including parents of Covenant School shooting survivors — were removed from one of the first hearings. House sets controversial rules as General Assembly begins special sessionRelated story:
In addition to limiting public access, the Tennessee House of Representatives listed consequences for members who breach decorum during the special legislative session that began Monday, Aug. 21. Protesters in Nashville rally for — and against — stricter gun laws ‘Freedom Ride for Millennials:’ Dozens bus to Nashville for first day of special sessionRelated story:
Representatives of DC Project, Equity Alliance, Memphis For All, Moms Demand Action and other groups gathered in Nashville leading up to the special session that commenced Monday, Aug. 21.
Justin J. Pearson was sworn into the state House of Representatives for the third time on Monday, Aug. 21, following his April 6 expulsion, quick interim reappointment and subsequent special election victory earlier this month.
Around two dozen local advocates and concerned citizens rode the bus to Nashville Monday to advocate for gun-safety legislation.
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.