This week Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey wants to push through legislation from the last session that would give gun owners a way to legally store firearms in their vehicles. Last year, the issue was so divisive among Republicans, a top-ranking lawmaker was unseated in a primary election out of retribution.
State of the State in Photos
Photographer Stephen Jerkins looks inside the capitol during Governor Bill Haslam’s 2013 State of the State address. View the gallery here.
Haslam Specific on Crowd Pleasers, Vague on Hot Buttons
Governor Bill Haslam laid out a plan in his third state of the state address to cut taxes, pay state employees more and still save money for a rainy day. Hot button policy proposals were mentioned, but far from fully fleshed out.
Capitol Hill Conversation – A Glimpse at the State of the State
Monday night Governor Bill Haslam will make his annual State of the State address, when he gives his assessment of Tennessee’s state of affairs. The speech is largely about money and policy, and the governor has $300-$400 million in new tax revenue to play with this year.
Rhee Brings Spotlight to State Legislatures
The controversial former chancellor of Washington D.C. schools is hopscotching the country this month, dropping in as state legislatures reconvene for the year. Michelle Rhee is using a political machine to push dozens of policy points from Missouri and Ohio to Georgia and Tennessee.
Haslam Non Committal on Funding Officers in Elementary Schools
Governor Bill Haslam is trying to avoid kneejerk reactions to the deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. He wants to hear more before committing additional state money for armed law enforcement officers in elementary schools.
Haslam in Holding Pattern on Big Higher Ed Changes
Tennessee’s one-of-a-kind governance system for colleges and universities will stay as is for now, though Governor Bill Haslam says he’s looking for a better way. The administration is holding off on making any major changes.
VU Poll Finds Tennesseans Split on Medicaid Expansion
Tennesseans are equally split over whether to expand the state’s Medicaid program as part of the Affordable Care Act. That’s according to new polling from Vanderbilt University released Wednesday.
Haslam Stiff Arms State Exchange
Tennessee will not create it’s own health insurance exchange as envisioned under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. Governor Bill Haslam says he really did want to, telling the White House in a letter he “did not come to this decision lightly.”
Farmers Look Into Crystal Ball
Tennessee farmers are being asked to contemplate their future. State agricultural officials have announced a soul searching exercise.
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