Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly seem to have it out for Davidson County this session. They’ve introduced several bills that would hand over power of local boards to the state, make it harder for Nashville to pay for their convention center, and slice the size of the Metro Council in half.
Republicans advance bills targeting transgender care and drag shows at contentious first hearings
Two bills opposed by LGBTQ advocates are already advancing in the state legislature in the early days of session. One prevents minors from being at drag shows, and the other would stop some medical care for transgender minors.
A top Republican lawmaker files legislation to downsize the Metro Council
A proposal filed Monday would cut the Nashville Metro Council in half — from 40 members to 20. Supporters of the bill believe reducing the council would make it more efficient.
Tennessee lawmakers vow to ban gender-affirming surgeries at noisy anti-trans rally
They pledged to end “irreversible body altering surgeries on minor children,” though there’s little evidence many are occurring right now in Tennessee.
Vanderbilt is the latest target in a far-right campaign against transgender health clinics
A far-right podcaster who has been leading a campaign against Boston Children’s Hospital for providing gender affirming care has now turned the sights of conservatives on a similar clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Tennessee lawmakers could make big changes to criminal sentences in 2022
Some want to make it easier for people to get out of prison. Others want to make it harder.
Tennessee GOP forces through sweeping bill that lets businesses require masks and COVID tests but not vaccines
Tennessee lawmakers stayed at the capitol until early Saturday morning, wrapping up debates over who’s allowed to require masks, negative COVID-19 tests, or vaccines. Schools could soon face much tougher restrictions on masking requirements, and local health departments face having their powers to respond to the pandemic curtailed.
Tennessee lawmakers aim to block vaccine and mask mandates during special session
State lawmakers plan to tackle vaccine and mask mandates from both local and federal officials when they come back next week for a special session on COVID-19.
Tennessee Legislature Votes To Hold Back Third Graders Who Don’t Read At Grade Level
The Tennessee legislature approved Thursday a slate of bills meant to improve literacy among students, as well as hold schools harmless during the pandemic. One of the measures headed to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk allows schools to hold back third graders if they don’t read at grade level. In Tennessee, about 64% of third graders […]
GOP Bill Would Defund Nashville And Memphis Schools For Remaining Virtual
The measure is meant to push school districts to go back to in-person learning — an issue that has had the support from Gov. Bill Lee and other Republicans in the state.
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