What's New On The Hill 3/15/2024
Here are upcoming dates of importance:
This Wednesday, we join in celebrating Veterinarians Day on the Hill, a special occasion where our dedicated veterinarians are recognized for their outstanding contributions in the House Agriculture Committee.
For 50 years, the Tennessee Prayer Breakfast has united Tennesseans for fellowship and prayer, focusing on our state's well-being.
It's an honor to stand with current and former state leaders, thanking God, seeking His wisdom, and praying for ongoing blessings for Tennessee and its people
HFGR was thrilled to welcome our esteemed client, TAMHO, to the Cordell Hull Building this week for a fruitful discussion on behavioral health in Tennessee.
With a turnout of over 75 members and staff, the event proved to be a significant step forward in addressing critical issues in our community!
VOUCHERS, VOUCHERS, VOUCHERS
The Tennessee voucher bill remains the focal point of discussions as it progresses through the state legislature. With Governor Bill Lee's proposal for a statewide school voucher program gaining momentum, debate continues to intensify.
While Republicans rally behind the bill, Democrats voice increasing opposition, staging rallies outside the capitol to advocate against it. The proposal, which aims to provide tax-payer funded vouchers of up to $7,075 annually for public school students to attend private schools or homeschooling, has ignited a contentious debate surrounding its potential impact on Tennessee's education system.
Proponents argue that it offers parents more choices in their children's education, while opponents express concerns about the potential diversion of essential funding from public schools.
As the legislation advances, it remains to be seen how the differing viewpoints will be reconciled, and what the final impact will be on Tennessee's education landscape.
Senator London Lamar from Memphis, stands out as the first lawmaker to give birth while actively serving in the Tennessee Senate in decades. Balancing her roles as a state senator, Democratic caucus chair, regional director at a national education nonprofit, and now mother to her 7-month-old son, Nylinn, Lamar juggles multiple responsibilities daily.
She brings Nylinn with her to the Capitol, earning him the affectionate nickname "Baby Senator" from colleagues.
London’s leadership and dynamic capabilities are inspiring to women, especially those with young children, to pursue elected office and leadership roles!
Read More featured in the Tennessean "Tennessee's London Lamar brings child care, political representation and her son to Senate"
IN THE NEWS
TN Senate passes bill to undo Memphis traffic stop ordinance
A bill from a Memphis Republican that would essentially ban Memphis’ ban on pretextual traffic stops passed the state Senate on Thursday.
WREG.COM - March 14, 2024
TN lawmakers propose legislation to remove schools under MSCS
Activists are pushing back on a Tennessee representative and senator plan to have more state control in the public school system.
FOX13MEMPHIS.COM- March 13, 2024
Bill to raise minimum wage in Tennessee fails
On Tuesday, the bill, HB 2602, failed in the House’s Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee and Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.
WVLT.TV - March 13, 2024
Bill to eliminate grocery tax and raise taxes for big corporations in TN moves forward in legislature
Legislation to eliminate the grocery sales tax in Tennessee making its way through the legislature.
NEWSCHANNEL5.COM - March 12, 2024
Bill to change Tennessee legislature's sexual harassment policy handling fails
A bill that would change the way the Tennessee Legislature handles sexual harassment claims within the Senate and House chambers failed Tuesday.
FOX17.COM - March 13, 2024
Tennessee: Gun Owner Financial Privacy Bills Pass House & Senate Committees
On Tuesday, March 12th, the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee passed Senate Bill 2223 by a 7-0 vote, and the House Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee passed House Bill 2762 by a voice vote.
NRAILA.ORG - March 12, 2024
Bill to remove protections for Tennessee wetlands stalls out
The Tennessee General Assembly has effectively quashed a bill that would have removed statewide protections for wetlands.
WPLN.ORG - March 12, 2024
University of Memphis could become its own K-12 school district under new legislation
The University of Memphis, which operates three high-performing schools for K-12 students on its campus, could become its own school district under new legislation from two Republican lawmakers from Memphis.
CHALKBEAT.ORG - March 12, 2024
Tennessee legislature moves to reverse ordinances weakening police authority after Tyre Nichols' death
A Tennessee lawmaker is sponsoring legislation to reverse a series of ordinances that prevent officers from performing traffic stops in certain instances for minor offenses after the death of Tyre Nichols.
FOXNEWS.COM - March 11, 2024
House GOP quashes effort to have AG handle legislature's sexual harassment investigations
A short-lived bipartisan effort to move sexual harassment investigations outside the purview of the legislature to the Attorney General’s Office died on Tuesday as House Republicans declined to discuss the proposal – preventing a former lawmaker who resigned amid a harassment report from testifying on the bill.
TENNESSEAN.COM - March 12, 2024
Nashville I-40 exit to Donelson Pike to permanently close Friday. Here's what to know
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced that beginning Friday, March 15 at 8 p.m., they will be permanently closing Exit 216C on Interstate 40 East to State Route 255 North/Donelson Pike. The permanent closure is part of an ongoing project in Donelson to construct a new I-40 interchange and re-align Donelson Pike.
TENNESSEAN.COM - March 12, 2024
Republican, Democrat file bill to move sexual harassment inquiries outside the legislature
In a rare bipartisan effort, Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, and Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, together filed legislation Monday aimed at moving investigation and resolution of harassment complaints outside the legislature to the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office.
TENNESSEAN.COM - March 12, 2024
Democrats question if Lee tax plan could benefit his private company as alternative push fails
House and Senate Democrats are calling on Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to disclose franchise tax records for the Lee Company – which the governor still owns – to clarify whether his business or family would benefit financially if the legislature approves a proposed $1.9 billion franchise tax break and refund.
TENNESSEAN.COM - March 12, 2024
Bill blocking court oversight of Legislative rules dies in committee
A bill that would have prevented state courts from hearing challenges to Legislative rules failed to pass a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, effectively shelving the measure this year.
TENNESSEELOOKOUT.COM - March 12, 2024
Committee kills Behn-Warner bill to create transparency in sexual harassment investigations
A House panel refused Tuesday to hear a bill by a bipartisan duo of lawmakers to shift House sexual harassment investigations to a third party, denying former Rep. Scotty Campbell a chance to testify for the measure.
TENNESSEELOOKOUT.COM - March 12, 2024