State Senator Paul Bailey, Chairman of the State Senate Transportation Committee, has not responded to an inquiry from The Tennessee Star to explain the Tennessee Department of Revenue’s correction of his assertion that Pilot Flying J, the truck stop company owned and operated by Gov. Haslam’s family, will not benefit…
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When former Gov. Don Sundquist proposed imposing a state income tax on residents of Tennessee in 1999, Nashville talk radio hosts Steve Gill and Phil Valentine led the horn-honking opposition that ultimately killed the unpopular proposal three years later in 2002. It is a different media landscape in 2017, as…
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As Governor Bill Haslam continues to tout the need for a massive tax increase in order to fund road and bridge construction and maintenance in Tennessee it is increasingly clear that the well-funded and heavily lobbied campaign for higher taxes actually has nothing to do with roads. It is actually…
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There’s no denying that Tennessee’s infrastructure is in need of repair. But Gov. Bill Haslam’s proposed gas tax increases to fund the projects—which the state House of Representatives will vote on this Wednesday – isn’t the right solution. Instead, lawmakers should use money already in the state budget, which is more…
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By Richard A. Viguerie, CHQ Chairman February 28, 2017 In my book TAKEOVER I discussed how I apply to politics the marketing knowledge and experience I’ve gained over my 55-years in direct marketing. Over those many years, I developed what I call “Viguerie’s Four Horsemen of Marketing,” which are: Position…
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VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing Tuesday, February 28 Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Philippians 4:6-7 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be…
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In an exclusive interview with The Tennessee Star, Jeremy Hayes says he will challenge State Rep. Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet) in the 2018 Republican primary because of her support for Gov. Haslam’s gas tax increase proposal. “I think it’s absolutely ridiculous. It’s the dumbest bill,” Hayes, the former co-chairman of…
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State Rep. John Mark Windle (D-Livingston), who pulled the surprise move to adjourn last week at the House Transportation Subcommittee before a fair chance was given to vote on the Hawk Plan, the alternative to the governor’s gas tax increase plan that reallocates sales tax revenue, is at it again.…
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Dear Tennessee Star, Shenanigans at the State Capitol never cease. The proposed Gas Tax is a tax that will definitely affect every single Tennessee citizen in more ways than one. The Transportation House Sub Committee suddenly adjourned their meeting last week and the next meeting is at HIGH NOON, March 1 in LP…
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For some, Tuesday, Feb 28 might be just another National Chocolate Soufflé Day, but to the Williamson County Republican Party loyalists, it’s time to pick a new GOP Chair. The election in 2015 of outgoing Chairwoman Julie Hannah was a great victory for the conservative grassroots. Of the two candidates…
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At the invitation of Chairman State Sen. Paul Bailey, 99.7 FM WWTN’s Ralph Bristol, host of Nashville’s Morning News, testified before the State Senate Transportation Committee on Monday afternoon about Gov. Haslam’s proposal to pay for additional road construction funding by increasing the state’s gas and diesel tax. Bristol provided…
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During the six years he has served as the head of Tennessee’s state government, Gov. Haslam has cut the state’s portion of the Highway Fund budget by an annual average of $56 million when compared to his predecessor, Gov. Phil Bredesen. In the last six years of Gov. Phil Bredesen’s…
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America First Tennessee, in partnership with liberty-minded, grassroots groups across Tennessee, today confirmed The Spirit of America Rally will be held on Saturday, March 4th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Legislative Plaza in Nashville. “All the permits have been secured, insurance has been obtained, and safety and…
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Last week The Tennessee Star asked State Sen. Paul Bailey, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and general manager and vice-president of Charles Bailey Trucking Company, about the possible impact Gov. Haslam’s proposed gas tax increase will have on Pilot Flying J’s business operations and whether it would be in the…
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America’s children are immersed in a culture of disrespect: for parents, teachers, and one another. Let’s show action on the education front by passing a Teacher Bill of Rights in Tennessee, and bring the respect back to our public schools.
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Reporting by the Chattanooga Times Free Press that State Rep. Barry Doss (R-Leoma), a strong supporter of Gov. Haslam’s plan to increase gas taxes by 7 cents a gallon to fund more road construction, was the driving force behind the sudden adjournment of the Transportation Subcommittee on Wednesday prior to…
Read More VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing. Monday, February 27 Mark 16:15-18 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they…
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As the Haslam IMPROVE Act plan to increase fuel taxes returns to the Transportation Subcommittee on Wednesday March 1, Americans for Prosperity and other activists plan to “turn up the heat” by gathering at Legislative Plaza to express opposition to the proposed tax increases. The Transportation Subcommittee, Chaired by Rep. Terri…
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People Magazine is reporting that actor Bill Paxton is dead at the age of 61 “due to complications from surgery.” Emmy-winning actor Bill Paxton died due to complications from surgery, PEOPLE confirms. “It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications…
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George Rasley, CHQ Editor Our friend Luke Rosiak, Investigative Reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation, should receive a Pulitzer Prize for his investigative reporting of the vast national security breach of the House of Representatives perpetrated by five Pakistani Muslims who were employed as information technology staff by dozens of House Democrats.…
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Mental health is not a subject we readily discuss with others. We keep it hidden. Yet, we must all still live in the real world, where mental illness affects 1 out of 5 people.
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Latinos For Tennessee has issued a statement backing President Trump’s plans to crack down on illegal immigration while keeping protections for those who entered as minors. “The reality is that if we are to remain free and prosperous, no one can be above the law,” said Raul Lopez, the conservative group’s…
Read More VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing. Happy Sunday. February 26 Matthew 7:15-20 A Tree and Its Fruit Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or…
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ABC is reporting that Tom Perez, Secretary of Labor and former President Barack Obama, has been named chairman of the Democratic National Committee: More than 400 party insiders gathered in Atlanta this weekend to cast their ballots. The former Obama appointee will try to rally the party of Democrats still…
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US lawyer and Israel advocate says congressman’s ‘long history of sordid association with anti-Semitism’ and hard-left policies make him a disastrous choice By Times of Israel staff US attorney Alan Dershowitz, January 4, 2015 (screen capture: BBC) Harvard Law professor and pro-Israel advocate Alan Dershowitz has threatened to leave the…
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If you are a Democrat in 2017, nothing brings you credibility like bashing President Donald Trump. So, it should not have been a surprise to see the eight candidates for Democratic National Committee chairman twist themselves into knots Wednesday to prove they are the most virulent opponents of the president.…
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Reprinted With Permission from ConservativeHQ.com CHQ Staff February 23, 2017 Jenny Beth Martin, leader of TeaPartyPatriots.org, has announced that on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 the Tea Party will be back in Washington for a rally at the U.S. Capitol. In an email to Tea Party movement activists and supporters Martin…
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President Trump received a raucous reception at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference Friday, thanking the “power of the people” for electing him and slamming the “fake news” media for much of his address. “Now you finally have a president, finally!” Mr. Trump told the cheering crowd at National Harbor.…
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Former president Barack Obama can not run again for president in the U.S., but that isn’t stopping a group of French fans who are trying to get him to run in their upcoming election. Paris has been canvassed with “Obama17” signs, which urge people to visit a website to sign…
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Salena Zito of the New York Post has probably not yet heard about The Tennessee Star. But in Thursday’s column titled “Why All Your News Now Comes With a Heap of Condescension,” she explained perfectly why The Tennessee Star will soon win the local media battle in the Volunteer State:…
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A Texas megachurch has decided to at least temporarily withhold funds from the Southern Baptist Convention over concerns about the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), one of its component organizations. Prestonwood Baptist Church is a 41,000-member congregation in Plano. In a statement to the Baptist Message, Executive Pastor Mike Buster…
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Three years ago when the “Transparent Tennessee” website was launched, Governor Haslam said: “A state government that is accountable to Tennessee taxpayers is an important part of being customer-focused, efficient and effective. The advanced function of this website will allow citizens more access to information about how state dollars are…
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Once again, powerful business interests have approached the Metro Nashville Development and Housing Agency for a tax break, and once again, the Metro Nashville Development and Housing Agency appear to be all-too-happy to grant their request. Nashville taxpayers, however, are not so eager. In a statement released by the Beacon…
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More than three decades of research shows that a focus on “process”—not on intelligence or ability—is key to success in school and in life.
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More than 300 scientists have urged President Trump to withdraw from the U.N.’s climate-change agency, warning that its push to curtail carbon dioxide threatens to exacerbate poverty without improving the environment. In a Thursday letter to the president, MIT professor emeritus Richard Lindzen called the United States and other nations…
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Helping kick off the 2017 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told grassroots activists gathered in suburban Maryland Thursday that they were part and parcel to President Trump’s historic campaign and victory. “In the case of candidate Trump, and president-elect and nominee Trump, he went right…
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On Wednesday evening, Governor Haslam spoke about his proposed 7 cent gas tax and 12 cent diesel tax increase at Sumner County’s Station Camp High School to a group of about 300 people, around 100 of whom received a personal email invitation from County Executive Anthony Holt. The governor, joined…
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The Tennessee Star’s Laura Baigert sat down with State Rep. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) for this exclusive interview on Capitol Hill Wednesday about the recent protest that disrupted a press conference he had scheduled with State Sen. Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet). Here’s the transcript: Baigert: We’re here with Rep. Pody from…
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Gerrit Lansing, the former White House chief digital officer, was not fired from his post for failing an FBI background check, but voluntarily resigned for reasons regarding his personal investments, a source with first-hand knowledge tells The Daily Caller News Foundation. Recent reports state Lansing was dismissed from the White…
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Is there voter fraud in our elections? If you ask anyone who has been deeply involved in putting on elections, they will tell you there’s always a few ‘bad’ votes in any election. That’s why election officials prefer landslide elections because you know the will of the people was done…
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Latinos For Tennessee is supporting Alexander Acosta, President Trump’s new pick for labor secretary. In a statement, Raul Lopez, executive director of the conservative group, said, “We are delighted to see President Trump nominate a highly distinguished and highly qualified Latino for his cabinet. The fact is that the last…
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The House Transportation Subcommittee adjourned suddenly on Wednesday after State Rep. David Hawk (R-Greeneville) presented his alternative road funding plan. A report late Wednesday in The Chattanooga Times Free Press makes it clear that State Rep. Barry Doss (R-Leoma) (pictured in the headline image), a member of the subcommittee, “who is chairman…
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The first test of Gov. Haslam’s proposal to increase the gas tax to fund road construction is scheduled to take place when the House Subcommittee on Transportation votes today on whether to move the bill to the full Transportation Committee. The Subcommittee has heard testimony from various supporters and opponents…
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Less than two weeks before Governor Haslam introduced his IMPROVE Act centered on a gas tax increase for road funding, Pure Foods, Inc., a recipient of $1.2 million in state economic development funds, filed for bankruptcy. The $1. 2 million from the state’s FastTrack Economic Development (ED) Fund did…
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Bill O’Reilly has gone on quite a killing spree. I think he should also write one called Killing Public Education. Let’s not wait until the autopsy or until Bill O’Reilly writes another book to explain that educators must be given a more active role in determining the policies that concern their students and the teaching profession.
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State Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) knew Tuesday morning could turn out to be an unpredictable one. She was told to expect an “in-office protest” this morning. Then she was told it was cancelled. Sen. Beavers and her staff – that day, a single young woman – arrived in her offices at…
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Dear Tennessee Star, I Googled the definition of “liberal”. You know what it says? 1. Open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values. “they have more liberal views toward marriage and divorce than some people” 2. (of education) concerned mainly with broadening a person’s general knowledge…
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A key member of the House Subcommittee on Transportation who has previously stated his opposition to Gov. Haslam’s gas tax increase proposal has changed his mind. In an exclusive interview with The Tennessee Star, State Rep. David Alexander (R-Winchester), who many thought would vote to kill the governor’s gas tax…
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Governor Haslam appeared nervous and off his game Monday night, as he was peppered with questions he could not answer at a “gas tax town hall” tour stop at the Franklin County Annex Building in Winchester. After giving 30 minutes of opening comments to the standing-room-only crowd of about 150…
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Reprinted with permission from ConservativeHQ.com by Richard A Viguerie, CHQ Chairman and Mark Fitzgibbons February 21, 2017 Donald Trump was elected to make America great again. To do this, he knew he would need to take on America’s biggest lawbreaker. America’s biggest lawbreaker is fighting back against President Trump by…
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