Nearly half of the Democrats in the Tennessee Senate are retiring in the next year – which isn’t saying much. There are only seven left. And with no mercy rule in politics, Republicans say they plan on running up their numbers.
Hearings Debunked Common Core Myths, But Lt. Gov. Still Sees ‘Complicated’ Debate
Common Core will be the most “complicated” and “important” debate in the upcoming session of the Tennessee legislature. That’s according to Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, who predicts the General Assembly will want to make some tweaks.
Chamber rivalry defeats charter school authorizer, judicial redistricting
There was a tit for tat as the state legislature finished business for the year. As a result priorities of speakers in both chambers went down to defeat.
UPDATED: Legislature Takes a Breath on Picking Senate Party Nominees
The Tennessee General Assembly has delayed consideration of ending primary elections for U.S. Senate. Several lawmakers say voters need time to weigh-in on possibly losing their power to pick party nominees.
Audit Finds Massive Overpayments to TN Unemployed
A new audit says the state overpaid more than $73 million in unemployment benefits.
Florida Medicaid Expansion Could Provide ‘Cover’ to Tennessee
Lawmakers in Tennessee are watching Florida closely after the state’s conservative Republican governor went along with a major piece of the Affordable Care Act. Governor Bill Haslam is still on the fence about expanding the state’s Medicaid program – known as TennCare.
Unclear If Employers Could Fire Weapon-Storing Workers
There is confusion among the sponsors of so-called ‘Guns-in-Trunks’ legislation. They disagree on whether employers could fire a worker for keeping a gun in their car at the company parking lot, even though it could soon be legal.
A Push to Reset TN’s Judicial Playing Field
Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says it’s time to redraw the boundary lines separating the domains of District Attorneys. At a press conference Monday, he’ll ask for buy-in from prosecutors and those on the bench.
Virtual Schools Under Microscope of Tennessee Lawmakers
Virtual education appears to be the future, even for the youngest students. School districts are offering classes online. Cyber schools – many of them run by the same for-profit company – are popping up all over the country. But student test scores have fallen short.
Capitol Hill Conversation – The Starting Gun Bill
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.
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