Here's what caught our eye in and around the Tennessee Legislature this week.
#ICYMI Tennessee
-
President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate new Williamson County resident, Andrew Puzder, as his Labor Secretary. Puzder is the CEO of CKE Restaurants (Hardee’s and Carl Jr’s). Tell TN senators what you think about the nomination.
-
Trump Education Secretary nominee, Betsy DeVos has been involved in TN’s voucher debate. Tell TN senators what you think about the nomination.
-
First bill filed in TN Senate for 2017: prohibits Tennessee counseling associations from adopting national codes of ethics standards by reference; builds on controversial 2016 law allowing refusal of cases that conflict with sincerely held principles.
-
Tennessee medical marijuana bill is coming next week. Tell TN lawmakers what you think.
-
The TN House GOP is starting to have more closed-door meetings. TN Democrats called foul but they do it too. TN Capitol Press Corps concerned that "due to unprecedented size" of state Republican caucus, could act as "de facto legislature."
-
New Vandy poll says most Tennesseeans are feeling good post-election.
-
Nashville metro resolution proclaims that all citizens “will continue to welcome and to afford equal justice to all residents and visitors regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, or protected status.”
-
Here's how federal education reform & No Child Left Behind repeal will affect TN schools.
-
Rutherford County’s jail was decertified after a failed inspection by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI).
-
Governor Haslam says a gas tax push is coming in 2017. Tell TN lawmakers what you think.
-
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen [D, TN-9] introduced a bill to fund seatbelts on schoolbusses after Chattanooga crashed killed six children.
-
Two juveniles were charged with arson for starting the Gatlinburg fires.
-
Nashville and Murfreesboro VA hospitals rank among the worst in the nation for mental health.
-
U.S. Rep Marsha Blackburn [R, TN-7] bill to ban ticket bot scalpers cleared Congress and is headed to President Obama’s desk.
-
Governor Haslam announced $12 million in state funding for expansion of St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
- The U.S. Department of the Interior banned mountaintop coal mining on nearly 75,000 acres in East Tennessee.