Day: January 12, 2018

Report: Donald Trump Asks Senators Why US Should Accept Immigrants From ‘S***hole’ Countries

Tennessee Star Staff

WASHINGTON — As he rejected a bipartisan compromise Thursday to resolve the standoff over so-called Dreamers, President Donald Trump asked participants in an Oval Office meeting why the U.S. should accept immigrants from “shithole countries” in Africa, according to two people briefed on the meeting. “What do we want Haitians here for?” the president asked, according to two people who were at the meeting.

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Representative Diane Black Praises Trump Administration’s Call to Reinstate Medicaid Work Requirements

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The Trump Administration signaled Thursday that it would once again allow states to impose work requirements for some Medicaid recipients. Gubernatorial hopeful Representative Diane Black (R-TN-06) released a statement supporting the decision: As Chairman of the Budget Committee, I have pushed for work requirements for able-bodied, adult Medicaid recipients. I’m thrilled President Trump agrees and has announced he will give states the flexibility to create work-based health care programs that fit the needs of our individual states. I’m confident that we in Nashville know more about what the people of Tennessee need than bureaucrats in Washington. When I’m elected Governor, I will immediately request a waiver from HHS to allow Tennessee to impose work requirements for able-bodied, adult Medicaid recipients. It’s not just about protecting taxpayer dollars from fraud and abuse; it’s about creating a culture of work and the dignity that comes from that work. Having grown up in a family that had to work hard for everything we had, I know that work is the only way up in this great country. Black is currently well in the lead of the five-way field of Republican candidates vying to be the next governor of Tennessee, according to in the…

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Mae Beavers Rejects Democrat and Republican Leadership’s ‘Amnesty First’ Demands

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In light of Democrats – and some Republicans – push for “amnesty now, reforms later,” gubernatorial hopeful Mae Beavers issued a statement Tuesday reiterating her support of President Trump’s plans to secure the nation’s borders, as well as implement critical reforms to the immigration system including ending the practice of so-called “chain migration” and the Visa lottery, making mandatory the use of the federally run E-Verify by every employer in America. “The cornerstone of President Trump’s campaign was to secure our border and stop the flood of illegal immigrants into our country,” Beavers pointed out. “Millions of Americans voted for him based on that campaign promise alone, and I have every confidence that President Trump intends to fulfill his promise,” adding: I encourage the Tennessee Congressional delegation to stand solidly with President Trump in rejecting any and all attempts to water down his campaign promises with some sort of ‘we will get to border security later’ scheme. Congress has promised to secure our border AFTER we grant certain levels of amnesty before. We always get the amnesty…but never the increased border security and enforcement of our immigration laws. I am calling on our entire Tennessee Senate and Congressional delegation to make it…

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Joe Carr Doubles-Down with a Scathing ‘Shame On You, Shane’ Radio Ad

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Former State Rep. Joe Carr (R-Lascassas) released a scathing radio ad in response to the recent attacks from rival Republican, Murfreesboro businessman Shane Reeves. The two men are vying for the Republican nomination in the January 25 special primary election for the 14th State Senate District to replace former State Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville), who resigned in November to accept a position with the Trump administration in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The one-minute advertisement is different than the other ads we’ve seen in the course of this special election, in that it is focused solely on criticizing Reeves for ‘mudslinging,’ and how his behavior seems to contradict his electioneering persona as non-politician and man of faith. The sharp-tongued script is delivered dry–meaning there is no music or audio effects of any kind–and, apart from the campaign finance disclaimer at the beginning, the lone voice is that of a single, clearly irritated woman. Listen: TRANSCRIPT: Shane Reeves seemed like such a nice young man, then I started getting his postcards attacking Joe Carr. Shane Reeves says he isn’t a politician, but you can’t get much more “politician” than slinging mud just to win a political campaign. I expected better of…

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Comptroller Finds Tennessee Education System Puts Students at Risk for Sexual Abuse

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Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson’s Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) released a series of reports Wednesday, including an examination of sexual misconduct involving students and educators that found taxpayer-funded public schools are rife with opportunities for bad actors to infiltrate the system and exploit children. A .pdf copy of the report’s 12-page Executive Summary is embedded at the end of this article. The genesis of the policy-and-procedures review seems to stem from the spate of reports over the course of the last several months of no less that four separate cases of sexual abuse by school personnel with students, including the notorious case of one teacher kidnapping a Maury County student that made national headlines for weeks. The report specifically mentions the USA Today grading Tennessee a dismal ‘F‘ after the news organization said they looked into “each state’s efforts to reduce the chances that an employee with a history of sexual misconduct could move from one school to another without repercussions.” The Comptroller’s investigation focused on five key areas: Hiring practices for school personnel in Tennessee, including information about other states’ practices The state’s records concerning teacher licenses and the actions taken against them for incidents of misconduct A provision within the…

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Commentary: The DACA Lovefest at The White House

Tennessee Star Staff

by George Rasley, ConservativeHQ.com Editor   It was great to see President Trump at the top of his game yesterday; completely in charge as he stage-managed a White House meeting with congressional leaders. The often-recalcitrant Republicans came across as the President’s docile supporters and the Democrats looked completely flummoxed by an in-command Donald Trump. The only bad thing about the meeting – and make no mistake it is very bad – was that the whole meeting was about how to grant amnesty to the millions of illegal aliens that Obama attempted to legalize through his unconstitutional Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. We tend to agree with author and conservative commentator Ann Coulter, who, in a series of tweets and interviews, denounced President Trump’s apparent willingness to make a deal to allow so-called DREAMers to remain in the country. Coulter called out Trump for his squishy language about the wall and for expressing a willingness to work with Democrats on DACA. Three of Coulter’s tweets nailed our take: “But don’t worry! There will be “border security”! (Political euphemism for: You’re not getting wall.)” And: “This DACA lovefest confirms a main thesis of Michael Wolff’s book: When Bannon left. liberal…

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Gubernatorial Candidate Bill Lee Announces a Business Advisory Council with Over 100 Members

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Tennessee Star

Williamson County businessman Bill Lee made news Thursday with his announcement of the 100-plus member “Business Leaders for Bill Lee Coalition.” “I’ve spent my entire professional life in business, and I appreciate the support of these impressive leaders,” Lee said in a statement. “Business leaders know how to make a payroll, create jobs and grow our economy, and we need more of their know how and expertise to help improve government even more.” The coalition spans the entire state and will be Co-Chaired by three members representing East, Middle, and West Tennessee, the statement said: Kelly Wolfe, Mayor of Jonesborough and President of Wolfe Development – East Tennessee Cordia Harrington, Founder and CEO of The Bakery Cos. – Middle Tennessee Ruste Via, CEO of Christian Family Medicine – West Tennessee “As a businessman, I know we need business principles in government – putting people first, getting the job done, and being a man of your word — are important traits for the leader of our state. Bill Lee is that kind of leader,” said Wolfe. “As business leaders, we know Bill Lee is the most qualified candidate to lead Tennessee into the future. Bill brings real world business experience and…

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Wilson County Commissioners Appoint Clark Boyd to Serve as District 46 State Representative

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With the votes of 16 out of the 22 Wilson County Commissioners, businessman Clark Boyd was appointed to serve in the Tennessee House of Representatives through the 2018 election cycle. “Thank you to the Wilson County Commission for their appointment to serve the 46th district. I embrace the opportunity to serve my community and I look forward to getting to work!” Boyd posted on his Facebook page. The State District 46 seat, formerly held by conservative State Rep. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon), was vacated last month when Pody won the special election to replace his long-time friend and ally Mae Beavers, who in turn resigned her State Senate seat to focus on her run for Governor. Fellow candidate, well-known activist Menda Holmes, withdrew her name from consideration for the appointment, and called on the commissioners to select an interim appointee who was not currently a candidate that would act as a “place-holder” until the regular elections concluded. As The Tennessee Star reported: Two issues arise from an interim appointment by a county commission. The first is that only the county where the departing legislator resides makes the interim appointment, leaving other counties within the district without a vote as to the interim appointee. The…

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Gibson County Mayor ‘Welcoming Witherspoon’ Defends Tyson Foods Plant Using Rhetoric From Open Immigration Organizations

Chris Alto

The announcement in November that Humboldt, Tennessee is getting the Tyson Foods plant that was rejected by citizens in Tonganoxie, Kansas, raises legitimate questions about whether the new plant will attract refugee workers to the area. In their press release, Tyson Foods said the company had “accepted the invitation of city, county and state leaders to build a new chicken production complex in the City of Humboldt, which is part of Gibson County in western Tennessee,” and included words of praise from Humboldt Mayor Mavin Sikes, Gibson County Mayor Tom Witherspoon, a Democrat who has endorsed Knoxville businessman Randy Boyd in the Republican gubernatorial primary, and Gov. Bill Haslam: “This is an historic day for Humboldt, Gibson County and West Tennessee,” Humboldt Mayor Marvin Sikes said. “I want to thank Tyson Foods for their commitment to our community and region. The significant job creation and capital investment that will result from this project will have a positive impact on our community that will last for many years, and I could not be more excited about the future of Humboldt and Gibson County.” “Many years of dedicated work from countless Gibson County citizens and volunteers have laid the foundation for the…

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