Tennessee’s legislature made waves in 2023. Here’s a review of the year’s top stories in state politics.

Tennessee politics got national attention in 2023. There were protests, expulsions, culture wars and one official’s interesting social media activity brought to light. Below is a list of some of the top events from the year.

Culture war bills

The General Assembly met in January. For the most part, business was going as usual in a state ran by a Republican supermajority. There was the refusal to pass abortion exceptions, laws that targeted what some say are explicit books, and a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The latter has been challenged in the courts, but will remain in effect until a final ruling. Lawmakers also quickly passed a bill in February that would ban drag shows in public spaces.

Covenant School shooting leads to special session

Then, later in March, the world had all eyes on Tennessee after an assailant killed six people, including three children, at a private Christian school in Nashville before being killed by police officers. The public began demanding lawmakers, who were still in session, pass legislation limiting access to guns, and putting tighter restrictions on who can and can’t possess them.

With lawmakers not passing any gun safety legislation in the final days of session, Gov. Bill Lee decided to call lawmakers back to Nashville for a special session focusing on public safety. However, after about a week and a half, lawmakers adjourned only having passed three bills that don’t enhance background checks, keep guns out of the hands of people deemed a threat, or anything directly related to the Covenant School shooting.

Expulsions lead to birth of Tennessee Three

During the initial legislative session in 2023, the public rallied for days — until finally, three Democratic lawmakers, known now as the Tennessee Three, stood up during a floor session and demanded that their colleagues follow the publics orders.

As a result, two of them, Reps. Justin J. Pearson and Justin Jones, were expelled for breaking several rules of decorum. The two young, Black men — both freshman lawmakers — were back in their positions in less than a week, after being appointed by their districts.

Lawmaker drama

Instagram comments from Senate Speaker Randy McNally on an openly gay man’s photos became the hot topic. McNally had commented heart and fire emojis and, in one instance, “you can turn a rainy day into rainbows and sunshine” on the model’s nearly naked pictures on the social media platform. McNally deleted his Instagram, apologized for his actions, and later survived a vote of no confidence, which allowed the 79-year-old to remain party leader.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s residency came into question. And Rep. Scotty Campbell resigned after accusations of sexual harassment against an intern was made public.

Correction: This story originally said the gender-affirming health care ban was blocked from taking effect; it is currently in effect. The Sixth Circuit ruled that it will remain in effect until the legal challenge has a final ruling.