Here’s a quick roundup of the policy news in TN this week:
- The Tennessee Supreme Court is considering whether the state’s lethal injection protocol constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
- TennCare change to “value-based” payment system saved $11.1 million in first year.
- Amazing breakdancing Lebanon police officer is at it again. (OK, that’s not really policy but it’s really cool).
- Of 102 sentences commuted by President Obama this week, five were Tennesseans.
- More than 420,000 Tennesseans unable to vote this year because of their criminal record.
- US Attorney for Middle District of TN announced charges for six Fort Campbell soldiers and two civilians who stole Army gear to sell overseas.
- Memphis City Council passed ordinance to lower penalties for small amounts of marijuana possession.
- Nashville will track marijuana citations and arrests under new ordinance giving officers greater discretion to prevent potential bias in enforcement.
- The Tennessean launched a Spanish-language version. (Sign up for El Boletin).
- The Knoxville News Sentinal ended long-time state politics column by Tom Humphrey. “Humphrey on the Hill” ran from Jan. 28, 2009 to Sept. 30, 2016, and will be very missed.
