Tag: Sen. Mark Green

Mark Green Picks Up Another Endorsement For Congress, This Time From Williamson Business PAC

Jason M. Reynolds
Mark Green

The Williamson Business PAC on Thursday announced its support of Dr. Mark Green for U.S. Congress to replace Marsha Blackburn. The PAC conducted interviews with all the candidates running for the vacant 7th District congressional seat, and its board concluded that State Sen. Green is the best choice, according to a press release from Green’s campaign. “Representing the Williamson Business community, our board members endorse Mark due to his strength, fortitude, integrity and compassion. These are all needed qualities in a statesman and well exemplified by Senator Mark Green,” said Cherie Hammond, the PAC’s chair. Having run a business in Brentwood, Green also based his congressional campaign headquarters in Cool Springs. His campaign is supported by many of the county’s leaders, including State Sen. Jack Johnson, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, Franklin Mayor Ken Moore, Fairview Mayor Patti Carroll, Spring Hill Mayor Rick Graham and Nolensville Mayor Jimmy Alexander. “I’m honored to receive the Business PAC’s endorsement,” said Green. “Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. As I travel the 7th District, I’ve heard from countless business owners that burdensome federal regulations are stifling their growth. Having built a company myself, I will fight every day to get…

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Haslam Signs Bill That Makes it Harder for Illegal Aliens to Conceal Immigration Status

Chris Alto
Bill Haslam

Unlike the anti-sanctuary cities bill, Governor Haslam signed into law a bill sponsored by Sen. Mark Green and Rep. William Lamberth which prohibits municipalities from creating their own local identity card programs and the use of any local identity card to be accepted as proof of “citizenship, immigration status or residency.” This bill, the very last one passed by the General Assembly before adjourning “sine die” meaning until the new two year session beginning in January 2019, was passed by reconciling the House and Senate passed versions of the bill. The Senate passed the conference committee version by a 25-3 vote and the House passed it 69-9-1. Local identity card programs have become a popular program in sanctuary cities to help illegal aliens appear as if they are lawfully present. In other cities the cards have also helped illegal aliens avoid arrest and possible deportation during traffic stops. During Nashville’s last mayoral race, all of the candidates including Megan Barry endorsed creating a local identification card program that would include illegal aliens. The bill version Lamberth passed out of committee included a specific reference to prohibiting the use of the matricula consular card being accepted as an identification document because as Lamberth…

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Iowa and Texas Anti-Sanctuary City Laws Are Strong Precedent for Haslam to Sign New Tennessee Legislation

Chris Alto
Bill Haslam

Governor Bill Haslam should look to Texas, Iowa and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to support signing Tennessee’s new anti-sanctuary city legislation which passed 64-23 in the House and 25-5 in the Senate. The Texas sanctuary city law signed last year, is the strictest in the country and more extensive than the Tennessee bill. In March, a unanimous three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals allowed all but one part of the Texas law to go into effect. Most importantly for Governor Haslam’s consideration, the provisions in the Texas law requiring local law enforcement to comply with ICE detainers, was upheld by the court. The only part of the Texas law blocked by the court was prohibiting public officials from endorsing sanctuary city policies, a provision not included in the Tennessee bill. The Texas law includes criminal penalties for refusing to comply with an ICE detainer request. Tennessee’s bill does not include any criminal sanctions. In ruling to uphold the Texas law on compliance with ICE detainer requests, the Court effectively dismissed the same Fourth Amendment arguments being put forth by the TN Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) against the Tennessee bill. Citing to an earlier…

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Tennessee General Assembly Passes Immigration Bills That Help Governor Fulfill Campaign Promises to Voters

Chris Alto
Gov. Bill Haslam in 2010 & 2018

Running right up to the last hours of the 110th Tennessee General Assembly, legislators passed two related immigration bills by wide margins that help the Governor fulfill campaign promises he made during his first run for office. In 2009, gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam told voters that if elected, his top priority was to “mak[e] Tennessee the No.1 state in the Southeast for high quality jobs” and that he would work to protect the “values we all hold dear.” Deterring illegal immigration in Tennessee was a featured part of Haslam’s plan to deliver on these campaign promises: The Green-Reedy anti-sanctuary city bill passed yesterday in the Senate 23 – 5 and in the House 64 – 23, provides clear guidelines for cooperation by state and local law enforcement with federal immigration authorities in identifying and removing criminal aliens which Haslam said he supported during his campaign. Months before he was elected as governor in 2010, Haslam endorsed the action of a newly Republican majority legislature which passed a bill requiring jailers to contact federal immigration authorities once it was determined that an illegal alien had been arrested. The Green-Lamberth bill, also passed yesterday by a wide vote margin, prohibits local jurisdictions from creating…

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Tennessee General Assembly Passes Aggressive Anti-Sanctuary City Bill

Chris Alto
State Sen Mark Green w State Rep Jay Reedy

Repeated efforts by House members to derail the anti-sanctuary city bill were unable to stop it from passing on a 64 – 23 vote. Bill sponsor Rep. Jay Reedy carefully explained that sanctuary policies are intended to obstruct cooperation with federal immigration authorities and that these policies protect people who have been arrested for committing a crime under Tennessee law and are then discovered to also be wanted by ICE. Reedy’s explanation did not stop Rep. Patsy Hazlewood from trying to persuade her colleagues not to support the bill. Hazlewood will have a Democrat challenger in the general election. Democrats in both the House and Senate spoke to wanting stronger laws to stop illegal aliens from working in Tennessee. Caucus Chairman Rep. Mike Stewart introduced an amendment that would criminalize employing illegal aliens and make it a Class E felony. In 2011, however, the U.S. Supreme Court held that states could only impose sanctions on employers through measures like revoking business licenses. Rep. Reedy invited Stewart to work with him next session on strengthening the state’s E-verify statute. Sen. Mark Green passed the Senate companion bill SB 2332, with a solid 23 -5 vote. “We’ve seen time and again that…

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State Rep. William Lamberth Passes Bill That Prohibits Use of Consular Cards for Identification in Tennessee

Chris Alto
State Rep William Lamberth

Passing his bill with a vote of 72-23 and one abstention, Rep William Lamberth (R-Cottontown) offered a compelling argument that consular cards were not designed nor intended to be used in this country for identification purposes by people legally in this country and his bill would prevent Tennessee from following the example of other states that have chosen to accept consular cards as a valid form of identification: I humbly think our citizens should be safer and in a better position than any other state in the union. Lamberth, a former Sumner County prosecutor, explained that some states have chosen to accept consular cards as a valid form of identification even though the cards were not designed or intended for that purpose. During hearings on Lamberth’s bill in the House State Government Committee, a representative from the TN Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), confirmed that consular cards issued by foreign consulate offices, are used by foreign governments to locate its nationals who are in the U.S. and in some instances, collect taxes from them. In their testimony opposing Lamberth’s bill, the co-Directors of TIRRC admitted that immigrants who primarily rely on consular cards are “people who do not have immigration…

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Vast Majority of Tennessee House Republicans – 58 Out of 74 – Are Co-Sponsors of Anti-Sanctuary City Bill

Chris Alto
Jay Reedy

Fifty-eight Tennessee House Republicans are named co-sponsors on the anti-sanctuary city bill HB2315. Adding the bill’s chief sponsor, State Rep. Jay Reedy (R-Erin), means that 80 percent of the House Republicans support strengthening and closing the loopholes in Tennessee’s existing anti-sanctuary city statute. (Seventy-four of the 99 members of the Tennessee House of Representatives this session are Republicans, while 25 are Democrats.) Tennessee’s anti-sanctuary city law passed in 2009, only addresses written policies that prohibit local governments, officials and employees from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. This narrower definition of “sanctuary city” would likely not have applied to at least one of the sanctuary city ordinances proposed by the Metro Nashville Council last June. The two ordinances proposed by the Metro Nashville Council would have made Nashville the most liberal sanctuary city in the country. One of the bills included a “don’t ask so you don’t have to know or tell” practice prohibiting Davidson County and Nashville employees, including law enforcement, from providing pertinent information to ICE regarding criminal aliens. Reedy’s bill expands the definition of sanctuary city to include practices that obstruct cooperation with federal immigration authorities and help shield illegal aliens who have also committed crimes. North Carolina and Georgia…

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Senate State & Local Government Committee Passes Two Important Anti-Ilegal Immigration Bills

Chris Alto

A bill to strengthen Tennessee’s law prohibiting sanctuary cities was passed by a majority vote of the Senate State & Local Government Committee with only Democrat State Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) voting no. Among other features of SB2332, sponsored by State Sen. Mark Green (R-Clarksville), is a broadened definition of “sanctuary policies or practices” that help shield criminal illegal aliens and encourages more illegal immigration to those locations. Several weeks ago, the State and Local Director from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) spoke to the committee reminding them that “sanctuary policies come in all shapes and sizes:” Some are written, some are not. Some are enacted through local laws while others masquerade as ‘welcoming resolutions; some even appear as internal law enforcement agency policy. Despite these differences in appearance, the uniting factor is that sanctuary policies place a greater emphasis on the welfare of illegal aliens than the welfare and safety of citizens and legal residents in their own communities. Tennessee’s current statute only addresses written sanctuary policies. Nashville promotes itself as a “welcoming city” – in fact, so welcoming that in June 2017, two ordinances were introduced by Councilmen Bob Mendes and Colby Sledge promoting practices that…

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State Sen. Mark Green and State Rep. Bryan Terry Unapologetic About Not Giving In-State Tuition to Illegal Aliens

Chris Alto
State Rep. Bryan Terry and State Sen. Mark Green

State Sen. Mark Green (R-Clarksville) and State Rep. Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro) are clear that the goal of their in-state tuition bill is to block awarding the state benefit to illegal aliens. Their bill augments the Tennessee’s “Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act” with precise language identifying in-state tuition as a state benefit. Terry’s explanation leaves no doubt in this regard: In-state tuition only covers between 25-75 percent of the cost to provide the college education. Taxpayer funds support the rest. That is clearly a state benefit. Any attempt to exclude post secondary assistance in the definition of a state benefit is contrary to the facts and our bill will ensure taxpayers are protected. There are U.S. citizens who live out of state, but pay business or property taxes in Tennessee. They still must pay out of state tuition. We shouldn’t be incentivizing illegal immigrants to take advantage of Tennessee taxpayers when we don’t even provide a courtesy to Americans who are investing in our state. And his bill, HB2101 directly contradicts State Rep. Mark White’s (R-Memphis) bill, HB2429 which is trying to exempt in-state tuition from state law that defines what is a “state or local public benefit.” Last week the House Education Subcommittee…

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GOP State Rep. Candidate Tommy Vallejos Marched With Open Border Groups Demanding Amnesty for Illegal Aliens

Chris Alto

Tommy Vallejos, a Montgomery County Commissioner and GOP candidate for Tennessee’s District 67 State House seat currently held by retiring State Rep. Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville), has been an advocate for both legal and illegal aliens in Tennessee. Vallejos is the founder and current Chairman of Latinos for Tennessee (L4TN) and former Director for Hispanic Organization for Progress & Education (HOPE), a position he held for almost five years but which is not referenced on his campaign’s website. Pitts’ wife Cynthia served on HOPE’s board during Vallejos’ tenure as director. While leading HOPE, Vallejos joined Soros-backed open border groups including the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) in the 2010 D.C. march organized by the National Immigration Forum. Rally-goers were demanding comprehensive immigration reform that along with border security, would include an amnesty and path to citizenship for illegal aliens. U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, considered Congress’ most radical open borders advocate for illegal aliens, was the rally’s keynote speaker. Today, Vallejos tells The Tennessee Star that “I have never been for amnesty, but felt our immigration system was broken (still is) and needed reform.” As a recognized leader of the Latino community, Vallejos who described himself as a “staunch Republican,” opposed a 2006…

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Art Laffer Endorses State Sen. Mark Green for Congress

Wendy Wilson

Conservative economist Arthur Laffer, who advised the Reagan administration, has endorsed state Sen. Mark Green (R-Clarksville) for Congress. Green is running for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7) to run for Senate. “As a Tennessean, I’ve witnessed firsthand Mark’s leadership for pro-growth policies in the State Senate,” Laffer said in a campaign news release. “With great tenacity and courage, Mark led the fight to repeal the Hall Income Tax, making Tennessee one of only two states that has ever repealed an income tax of any kind. The U.S. Congress needs Mark Green’s leadership.” Laffer is known as the father of supply side economics, which contributed to economic growth in the 1980s. He previously endorsed U.S. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-6) for Tennessee governor and announced he would assist her campaign as economic policy adviser. In Nashville, he serves as founder and chairman of Laffer Associates, an economic research and consulting firm. Green is an Army veteran, physician and businessman. He also has been endorsed by the Club for Growth, Family Research Council Action PAC and the House Freedom Fund. “I’ve looked up to Art Laffer ever since I was a student of economics at West Point,” Green said.…

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State Sen. Mark Green Endorsed by Family Research Council in Run for Congress

Wendy Wilson
Mark Green FRC endorsement

The Family Research Council’s Action PAC on Thursday endorsed state Sen. Mark Green (R-Clarksville) for Congress. Green is running for the 7th Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7), who is running for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN). The Washington, D.C., pro-family advocacy group has many members and supporters in Tennessee. “These formidable times require bold leaders of unwavering conviction,” Lt. General (Ret.) Jerry Boykin, executive vice president of the Family Research Council and its Action PAC, said in a campaign news release. “From speaking with Mark Green, consulting with those who know him, and observing his professional record in the Tennessee Senate, we believe he will be just such a leader in the United States Congress.” Boykin said the council’s Action PAC believes that if elected, Green would “continue to advocate for limited government and strong family values.” Earlier this month, Green picked up an endorsement from the Club for Growth, a fiscal conservative advocacy group. He also has been endorsed by former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, who won the 2012 Tennessee Republican presidential primary. Green is a physician, veteran and businessman first elected to the state Senate in 2012.…

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Franklin Mayor Ken Moore Considering Joining Race for U.S. Rep. Blackburn’s Seat

Wendy Wilson

Franklin Mayor Ken Moore is considering running for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7) to run for Senate. Moore said Wednesday it is a difficult decision because he loves his job as mayor, Franklin Home Page reports. He said he would continue to serve as mayor while campaigning. Moore said he was encouraged by someone, whose name he did not reveal, to seriously consider campaigning for the seat. State Sen. Mark Green (R-Clarksville) has already declared his intention to run, and Williamson County conservative Christian activist Laurie Cardoza Moore has said she’s considering joining the race. The mayor, who describes himself as a moderate Republican, would be an establishment choice against Green and Cardoza Moore, who both have support among grassroots conservatives. Mayor Moore, meanwhile, has already drawn support from one prominent Tennessee Democrat. Charles Robert Bone, a well-connected Nashville attorney, businessman and Democratic Party fundraiser, praised Moore on Twitter, saying, “Partisan politics aside, [Moore] would be a fine congressman and great for Middle TN.” Moore was elected as a Franklin alderman in 2007 and served as vice mayor before becoming mayor in 2011. He worked as an orthopedic surgeon for more than 28 years. In 2005, he spent time teaching…

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State Senator Mark Green To Speak Tuesday At First Tuesday Event

Wendy Wilson

State Sen. Mark Green (R-Clarksville) will speak Tuesday at Tim Skow’s First Tuesday event. A Republican activist, Skow in an email to First Tuesday fans mentioned the “political earthquake centered in Alabama,” where Roy Moore this week won the state’s GOP Senate primary runoff. Wondering what this might mean for Tennessee politics, Skow called Green “the man who will be in the eye of the storm.” Green had announced plans to run for governor, but then was nominated by President Trump to be Army secretary. He withdrew from consideration after leftists protested past statements he had made about LGBT activism and Islam. He decided against rejoining the governor’s race, leading to speculation about what other race he might join, if any. U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) on Tuesday announced he will not seek re-election. His announcement came on the same day the anti-establishment Moore was cruising to victory in Alabama. Green’s name has come up as a possible candidate for Corker’s seat. So far, Andy Ogles, the former head of Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee, is the only announced candidate for the Republican nomination. Green has also been mentioned as a possible candidate to replace U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7) should she…

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Seven Republican State Lawmakers to Represent Tennessee at Balanced Budget Amendment Planning Convention

Wendy Wilson

  Seven Republican Tennessee state lawmakers will head to Phoenix next week for the Balanced Budget Amendment Planning Convention. The purpose of convention, which starts Tuesday and is expected to last through Thursday or Friday, is to lay the groundwork for an anticipated convention convened under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose a balanced budget amendment. The lawmakers include Sens. Mark Green (R-Clarksville), Mike Bell (R-Riceville), Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) and Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro), and Reps. Jay Reedy (R-Erin), Sheila Butt (R-Columbia) and Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro). The national convention of the states next week is the first held since 1861, when states met to discuss an amendment they hoped would avert a civil war. A resolution submitted to the convention by the Tennessee delegation is the first draft of rules presented for consideration, according to a news release issued by the Tennessee Senate Republicans. “The resolution filed by our delegation will serve as a guide to the discussion to get the ball rolling on rules to govern an Article V convention to balance the federal budget,” said Sen. Bell. “Our nation’s founders, Mason and Madison, insisted there be a method to amend the Constitution, fearing that at some point in…

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State Sen. Mark Green, Rep. Judd Matheny and Tennessee Eagle Forum’s Bobbie Patray Honored for Efforts to Fight Terrorism

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

  NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Center for Security Policy gave awards Friday to state Sen. Mark Green, (R-Clarksville), state Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) and Bobbie Patray of the Tennessee Eagle Forum for their efforts to counter terrorism. Christopher Holton, vice president for outreach for the Washington, D.C.-based conservative think tank, was at Legislative Plaza to present the awards. Holton called the three “exemplary individuals” and cited their work on state legislation approved this past spring that protects people who report suspicious activity from civil and criminal liability if they act in good faith. Green sponsored the legislation in the Senate and Matheny was the sponsor in the House. Holton said such legislation is needed to encourage people to report suspicious activity and behavior. He mentioned the reluctance of neighbors of the San Bernardino terrorists to report suspicious activity they witnessed. They did not contact authorities because they were afraid of being called racist. “We don’t want that to happen anywhere,” Holton said. Matheny told The Tennessee Star that it is a “much-needed law,” and Green said he was grateful that the Center for Security Policy recognized their efforts. They both received a Defender of Freedom Award. Patray, the longtime president of the Tennessee Eagle…

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Center for Security Policy to Honor State Sen. Mark Green, Rep. Judd Matheny and Tennessee Eagle Forum’s Bobbie Patray

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

  The Center for Security Policy will honor three Tennesseans on Friday for their efforts to protect their fellow Tennesseans from terrorism. The Washington, D.C.-based conservative think tank will recognize State Senator Mark Green (R-Clarksville), State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) and Bobbie Patray, president of the Tennessee Eagle Forum. The group will hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. Friday in Room 16 at Legislative Plaza in downtown Nashville, where the awards will be presented. The awards for Green and Matheny are for sponsoring legislation to counter terrorism. The award for Patray is for her leadership role in promoting legislative initiatives to counter terrorism, as well as her efforts to “preserve the integrity of Tennessee’s education system and to protect the constitutional rights of Tennessee’s citizens,” according to a press release from the group. Patray told The Tennessee Star on Wednesday that she is “very honored and humbled by this recognition and especially to share the day with Sen. Mark Green and Rep. Judd Matheny.” “We have worked together on a number of important issues,” she said. “I am very grateful to the Center for Security Policy for this recognition.” For Patray, the award comes as she has marks her 30th anniversary…

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State Senator Mark Green Not Running In 2018, Announces New Organization to Recruit People of Faith For Elected Office

Laura Baigert

  In a remarkable year for State Senator Mark Green (R-Clarksville), who was the first to announce a run for governor and then selected as President Trump’s choice for Army secretary, later withdrawing his name from consideration as his nomination process became “a distraction,” followed by a grassroots effort to recruit him back into the gubernatorial race, and presented the Outstanding Achievement in State Tax Reform award from the Tax Foundation, Green has taken on a decidedly different cause that some might view as “a calling.” Green announced Wednesday on WWTN 99.7 Nashville Morning News that he, along with 12-year Georgia State Senator Judson Hill who resigned in 2017 to run for Congress, are forming a 501(c)4 not-for-profit and a corresponding super PAC, with the purpose of recruiting “people of faith to run for elected office.” Putting his own political advancement on hold until 2020, Green said he would continue to serve in his current State Senate seat while he runs the new nationwide effort.  Some of the reasons Green cited for that are that there are already “great people” in some of the races and that, with the turnover in 2018, there is a need for some continuity in…

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Nick Clooney Helps Tennesseans Promote Constitution at 917 Society Benefit

Wendy Wilson

FRANKLIN, Tennessee — Most all Tennessee schoolchildren know at least a little about the U.S. Constitution, but members and supporters of the 917 Society say there’s more to be done to help students understand its background and importance. The Nashville area nonpartisan group held a benefit Tuesday evening at the Franklin Theatre to raise money for a project to put the Constitution in the hands of eighth-graders and to complete an educational documentary on the founding document narrated by Nick Clooney, a Kentucky journalist, author and former anchorman. Clooney, father of actor George Clooney and brother of the late singer Rosemary Clooney, attended the event Tuesday with his wife, Nina, to whom he has been married since 1959. In 2004, Clooney made an unsuccessful run in Kentucky for a congressional seat as a Democrat. He is widely respected for his media work and has received an Emmy for commentary and another for historical narration. Attendees at Tuesday’s event were treated to a video featuring Clooney, a skit and a panel discussion. In the video, Clooney said the Founding Fathers “in a brilliant fashion” were able to produce the Constitution through patience and negotiation. “It’s my dictionary of democracy and I have it…

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Seven Republican Candidates For Governor To Speak At Rutherford County Event

Wendy Wilson

  Republican candidates for Tennessee governor will speak at this year’s Reagan Day Dinner sponsored by the Rutherford County GOP. The lineup for the May 25 event will include seven “announced and expected Republican gubernatorial candidates,” according to promotional material. They include businessmen Randy Boyd and Bill Lee, Congresswoman Diane Black, State Senators Mark Green (R-Clarksville), Mark Norris (R-Collierville) and Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet), and Speaker of the State House of Representatives Beth Harwell (R-Nashville). Only Boyd and Lee have announced to date. Part of the mission of local chapters of the Republican Party is to inform voters about candidates running for office, said Donna Barrett, chair of the Rutherford County GOP. “What better way than to have the candidates present at functions where we can personally hear where they stand on issues?” Barrett told The Tennessee Star. On the most important state issues in 2017, the gas tax increase included in the IMPROVE Act passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by Gov. Haslam, the seven announced and expected Republican gubernatorial candidates hold positions that range from support to opposition to no comment so far. State Senator Mark Norris and Speaker of the House Beth Harwell voted yes…

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Teacher Bill Of Rights Passed Unanimously By State Legislature

Wendy Wilson

  The Tennessee General Assembly has unanimously passed the Teacher Bill of Rights, which proponents hope is the just the beginning of efforts to give teachers more backing in state law. “We were pleased to help lead the effort in our state on behalf of educators and our members to secure rights on their behalf,” said JC Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee (ProEd), in a statement. But Bowman gives the credit for the bill’s success to the legislators who advocated for it. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Mark Green (R-Clarksville) and Rep. Jay Reedy (R-Erin).  Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) was also very involved. The bill comes amid concerns about a teacher shortage in Tennessee. There are various factors for the shortage, but one that is often cited is the undermining of teachers’ authority. Teachers face disrespect from students, sometimes even violence. Teachers have also raised concerns with regulations that have stifled their voices in decision-making. The new legislation calls for teachers to be treated with respect and have their professional judgment respected. It also provides more support for when they have to defend themselves against violent students. In addition, it says that teachers should be able to review…

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Executive Director Of Latinos For Tennessee Calls Attacks On State Senator Mark Green ‘Character Assassination’

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

The executive director of Latinos For Tennessee is defending state Sen. Mark Green, who has come under attack since being nominated by President Trump to be army secretary. Progressive groups have mercilessly berated Green (R-Clarksville) for his Christian views, especially as they relate to LGBT issues and Islam. In a column for The Tennessean, Raul Lopez called the attacks “character assassination” and said that Green “has dedicated much of his professional life to serving others.” “His appointment should be a proud moment for the Volunteer State that knows firsthand that Senator Green is a selfless patriot who loves our country and has put on the uniform to fight for our precious freedoms,” Lopez wrote. “But because Mark Green is a man of faith, critics are seizing on a handful of statements that are purposefully drawn out of context to paint him as intolerant of others.” Latinos For Tennessee is a conservative political advocacy group headquartered in Nashville that promotes faith, family, freedom and fiscal responsibility. Green is a retired Army officer and physician. He is getting slammed for defending traditional marriage and calling former President Obama’s promotion of transgender bathroom policies “absurd” and also for raising questions about what schoolchildren are taught about…

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Rep. Jay Reedy Calls Teacher Bill of Rights a First Step in Giving Teachers More Support

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

  For state Rep. Jay Reedy, the issue of teachers losing respect in today’s culture is one that hits close to home. Reedy’s wife teaches chemistry at Houston County High School on the edge of Middle Tennessee 75 miles west of Nashville. “Today’s school setting hears the complaints from students and parents and discounts the teacher,” Reedy told The Tennessee Star. The lack of respect from students and school officials are driving both new and experienced educators from the classroom, said Reedy, whose three children attend public schools. Reedy (R-Erin) along with Sen. Mark Green (R-Clarksville) is sponsoring a bill advancing in the state legislature known as the Teacher Bill of Rights. The bill on Tuesday cleared the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee. The proposed legislation calls for teachers to be treated with civility and have their professional judgment respected. It also provides backing in case they’re pressured to spend their own money on classroom supplies and it says they should have a say in the materials used in their classrooms. The bill also says teachers have a right to defend themselves if threatened with violence, a growing problem in some classrooms, especially in urban districts where students have become more…

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Council on American Islamic Relations, Unindicted Co-Conspirator in Terror Financing, Opposes Mark Green Nomination

Chris Alto
Tennessee Star

  The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) a named unindicted co-conspirator in the federal 2008 Holy Land Foundation (HLF) trial, the largest terrorism financing prosecution in the U.S., is opposing President Trump’s nomination of Tennessee state Senator Mark Green for Secretary of the Army. CAIR has joined LGBT advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign to work against Green’s confirmation. Both groups are leveling “phobic” claims against Green. Green, is a West Point graduate and Iraq war veteran who was deployed three times during his term of service. After completing his training in emergency room medicine, he served as a special operations flight surgeon during the 2003 Red Dawn raid that resulted in the capture of Saddam Hussein.  Green monitored Hussein during the 24 hours prior to his extraction. Green received a variety of awards during his years of service. After leaving the military, he founded Align MD, an emergency room staffing company and the Align MD Foundation which provides health care to underserved populations. The Foundation operates free medical clinics in several cities and organizes medical missions trips to places like Ethiopia and Cambodia. CAIR was founded by the Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP) which was established to advance the political…

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Islamic Group Aligns with LGBT Advocates to Oppose Tennessee’s Mark Green Appointment as Army Secretary

Tina LaFleur
Tennessee Star

  The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), perhaps best known as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terror funding scandal, issued a statement denouncing Tennessee state senator Mark Green’s nomination to serve as President Donald Trumps Secretary of the Army. CAIR – who forcefully label people and groups with whom they disagree with the Muslim Brotherhood term, “Islamophobic” – announced its opposition to Green’s confirmation due to past remarks and policy positions. Offered as proof of his “Islamophobia,” CAIR’s statement included a laundry-list of quotes by Sen. Green, apparently all from a single appearance at a Chattanooga Tea Party meeting last year. Perhaps most interesting about the pro-Islamic organization’s statement is at the end, with its acknowledgment and alignment with LGBT advocates against Green: Other groups are opposing Green’s confirmation because of his criticism of federal attempts to bar discrimination in workplaces and businesses. SEE: L.G.B.T. Advocates Criticize Nominee for Army Secretary State Sen. Mark Green is a medical doctor, West Point graduate, and a career military veteran with a distinguished record of service. He is a staunch advocate for limited government, secure borders, and fiscal responsibility. Before being tapped for the Army Secretary position, Green was strongly considering a run for…

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Tommy Vallejos Will Run For Mark Green’s State Senate Seat

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

Montgomery County Commissioner Tommy Vallejos says he plans to run for state Sen. Mark Green’s vacated seat. Green (R-Clarksville) was recently nominated by President Trump to become secretary of the army. There will be a special election to replace Green once he is confirmed. Vallejos, a county commissioner since first getting elected in 2010, also serves as board chairman for Latinos For Tennessee, a group that promotes conservative values and policies. A retired army veteran, he is an associate pastor at Faith Outreach Church in Clarksville and has been involved in prison ministries and gang awareness and prevention. Vallejos told The Tennessee Star he wouldn’t run as a Republican but then legislate as a liberal once at the Capitol. “We have too many RINOs there now,” he said, referring to the moniker Republicans in Name Only. “I don’t want to be one of those. You’ve got to stand on principles.” Vallejos, 54, lives in Clarksville and has been married almost 35 years. He and his wife have four children and seven grandchildren. He is a native of New Mexico. Early in the 2016 presidential election cycle, Vallejos campaigned for Ted Cruz but later stood by Trump after he became the Republican…

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Teacher Shortage Worries Tennessee Department of Education

Wendy Wilson

Tennessee is scrambling to come up with ways to find and keep quality teachers in the classroom. The state Department of Education released a report last week that details the problem and outlines proposed solutions that focus especially on strengthening ties with teacher education programs in the state’s postsecondary schools. “More than 65,000 teachers show up each day to work in Tennessee’s public schools. At the current rate, half of these teachers will leave or retire in the next decade,” the report says. Bethany Bowman, director of professional learning for Professional Educators of Tennessee (ProEd), calls the situation “a complete mess.” “The Department of Education is too optimistic,” she told The Tennessee Star. “They’re always talking about highly effective teachers and I’m thinking, you’re lucky to get teachers period.” Bowman noted that just days before the start of the new school year last summer, Metro Nashville Public Schools was still short 400 teachers. The district employs around 6,000 teachers. As if simply finding good teachers weren’t enough, the state also wants to focus on making teaching staffs more diverse. The report said that only 14 percent of new teacher candidates graduating from Tennessee’s teacher education programs self-identified as not white in…

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Modified Teacher Bill Of Rights Advances In State Legislature

Wendy Wilson

  The state Senate Education Committee on Tuesday passed a bill called the Teacher Bill of Rights that educators say would give teachers much-needed respect. However, the bill was amended to take out a provision prohibiting Tennessee public school teachers from being evaluated by professionals who do not have the same subject matter expertise or from being evaluated based on the performance of students the educator has not taught. The provision had earlier been removed from a companion bill in the House. Also stripped from the Senate bill Tuesday was a provision prohibiting schools from moving teachers to other schools based solely on test scores from state mandated assessments. The former had been deemed too unwieldy and costly, and bill sponsor Sen. Mark Green (R-Clarksville) told the committee Tuesday the latter provision wouldn’t give struggling schools the flexibility they need. “I’ve gotten to the point where I can accept that,” he said. The bill retained measures calling for teachers to be treated with civility and have their professional judgment respected. It also frees them from the burden of spending personal money to “appropriately equip a classroom.” It promises teachers a “safe classroom and school” and underscores their right to defend themselves if…

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State Senator Mark Green Praises Fellow Tennesseans At Wednesday’s Trump Rally in Nashville

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

State Senator Mark Green, fresh off news that President Trump is considering him for Secretary of the Army, was greeted with applause and cheers Wednesday as he spoke before Trump’s arrival at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. Green, who prior to being considered for a post in the Trump administration had announced intentions to run for governor in 2018, complemented Tennesseans for being “hard-working people with common sense” who did the right thing by voting for Trump overwhelmingly in the 2016 presidential race. “You just saved America,” he told the crowd. Green (R-Clarksville) said that Tennesseans want accountable and limited government, legal immigration, fewer regulations and a military committed to winning on the battlefield – all things President Trump is fighting for. Since Trump’s win, the stock market has reached historic highs and more people are going back to work, Green said, enthusiastically stating that “the Trump bump is real.” Green also said that Tennesseans are ready to repeal Obamacare but, like Trump in his speech, did not offer specifics on what a new plan should look like. Fierce debate over healthcare is under way in Washington, D.C., with many things still unclear as to what degree free market principles will…

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