Ten bills passed during the most recent legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by Governor Bill Lee concerning school safety will take effect on Monday, July 1.
Read the full storyTag: Bill Lee
New Law Results in Tennessee National Guard Troops Receiving Compensation Faster
A bill signed into law by Governor Bill Lee last year has reportedly resulted in dozens of Tennessee National Guard troops on state active duty receiving weekly compensation as opposed to waiting a month or longer to receive wages.
The bill, HB 0562, strengthened Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-1-109 by adding the following language to ensure active duty troops receive compensation on a weekly basis:
Read the full storyNew Tennessee College of Applied Technology Campus Opens at BlueOval City
The new Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) at Stanton campus is officially open and will welcome its first class of students later this summer.
Read the full storyTennessee Congressional Delegation Urges President Biden to Approve Governor Lee’s Disaster Declaration
All 11 members of the Tennessee congressional delegation sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting the “swift approval” of Governor Bill Lee’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration due to severe storms that devastated communities across the Volunteer State last month.
On May 8 and May 9, several rounds of significant severe weather impacted 13 Tennessee counties, causing three fatalities and damage to 459 homes in Tennessee.
Read the full storyTennessee Governor Bill Lee Endorses Aron Maberry in House District 68 Primary Race
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee endorsed Aron Maberry, a Montgomery County school board member, in the August 1 Republican primary election for Tennessee State House District 68.
Read the full storyTennessee Governor Endorses Jason Emert in House District 20 Primary Race
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee endorsed Jason Emert, a reserve officer with the U.S. Air Force and member of the Tennessee Air National Guard, in the August 1 Republican primary election for Tennessee State House District 20.
Read the full storyShatter-Resistant Glass Films to Be Installed on Every Wilson County School Campus This Summer
The Wilson County School District voted unanimously to approve shatter-resistant glass films to be installed at each of its 24 brick-and-mortar campuses.
On Monday, board members Kimberly McGee, Larry Tomlinson, Carrie Pfeiffer, Jamie Farough, Melissa Lynn, Joseph Padilla, and Beth Meyers all voted to approve Director of Schools Jeff Luttrell’s recommendation that the board hire Osteen Construction to install the security film for a total of $900,105.36.
Read the full storyTennessee Governor Endorses Lee Reeves in House District 65 Primary Race
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee endorsed real estate investor and attorney Lee Reeves in the August 1 Republican primary election for Tennessee State House District 65 on Thursday.
Read the full storyTennessee Congressional Delegation Members React to Trump’s Guilty Verdict
Every member of the Tennessee congressional delegation reacted to former President Donald Trump being found guilty by a Manhattan jury on all 34 counts in the falsification of business records linked to the Stormy Daniels hush money scandal on Thursday.
Thursday’s verdict marks the first time in history that a U.S. president has been convicted of a felony.
Read the full storyAaron Gulbransen Says Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s Universal School Choice Bill Will Be First Order of Business in January
Aaron Gulbransen, executive director of the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition, said he believes state lawmakers will craft a final bill for Governor Bill Lee’s universal school choice proposal before the General Assembly convenes in January.
Lee’s school choice bill, the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, failed to pass the General Assembly during its recent convened session.
Read the full storyTennessee Governor Bill Lee Signs Bill Allowing the Death Penalty to be Considered in Child Rape Cases
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill to authorize the death penalty in child rape cases into law last week. The law now goes into effect on July 1.
The bill, SB 1834/HB 1663, authorizes the death penalty as a punishment for rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, or especially aggravated rape of a child.
Read the full storyELVIS Act Set to Take Effect in Tennessee on July 1
The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, which passed the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by Governor Bill Lee in March, is set to take effect on July 1.
As artificial intelligence (AI) has become more accessible to the general public, personalized generative AI cloning models and services have been used to enable human impersonation.
Read the full storyTennessee Governor Signs Bill Preventing Judges from Using ‘Ability to Pay’ Bail System
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill this week that bans judges in the state from using “ability to pay” bail systems.
“Ability to pay” bail systems are bail calculators that determine a defendant’s bail based on the amount of money immediately available to them. The system was recently implemented in Memphis.
Read the full storyNetChoice Asks Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to Veto Bill That Would Require Parental Consent for Minors to Use Social Media
NetChoice, a “trade organization fighting to protect free expression and free enterprise online,” asked Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to veto a bill that would require minors to have parental consent before downloading social media applications.
The bill, filed as HB 1891 and called the “Protecting Children from Social Media Act,” passed the Tennessee General Assembly and was sent to the governor for final action last week.
Read the full storyACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging Enforcement of Tennessee Law Preventing Transgender Individuals from Changing Sex on Government-Issued ID
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Tennessee filed a lawsuit this week on behalf of a transgender woman – a male that identifies as a female – challenging the enforcement of a Tennessee law that defines “sex” as “biological sex.”
Read the full storyBill to Limit Vehicle Booting, Lower Fee to Remove Boots Passes Tennessee General Assembly
The Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) on Tuesday that addresses the state’s towing, parking, and vehicle booting laws.
Read the full storyTennessee Governor Bill Lee Joins Coalition of Governors in Demanding the Biden Administration Lift Pause on Liquified Natural Gas Exports
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee joined a coalition of 24 other governors in issuing a joint statement demanding that the Biden administration lift its pause on new liquified natural gas (LNG) export approvals.
In January, the Biden administration temporarily paused pending decisions on LNG exports to “non-FTA countries until the Department of Energy can update the underlying analyses for authorizations” in the name of “climate change.”
Read the full storyOracle to Establish New World Headquarters in Nashville
Larry Ellison, founder of the tech company Oracle, announced Tuesday that the company’s world headquarters will be moved to Nashville.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee Confirms ‘No Pathway’ for School Choice Bill, Hints at Reviving Plan Next Legislative Session
Governor Bill Lee released a statement Monday announcing there is “not a pathway” for his universal school choice voucher bill this legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly.
Read the full storyTennessee Governor Bill Lee Joins Group of Governors in Opposing UAW’s Unionization Campaign
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee joined the governors of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas in issuing a joint statement in opposition of the United Auto Workers’ (UAW) unionization campaign.
The coalition of governors said it is “highly concerned” about the unionization campaign, adding such efforts are “driven by misinformation and scare tactics.”
Read the full storyBeacon Center Poll: Donald Trump Leading Biden by 25 Points in Tennessee, Marsha Blackburn Up 16 Points over Democrat Gloria Johnson
The Nashville-based Beacon Center of Tennessee published results of its poll on Wednesday revealing how registered Tennessee voters would vote in the 2024 presidential and senate general election races.
Read the full storyGovernor Lee Signs Bill Vacating Tennessee State University Board of Trustees, Appoints New Members
Governor Bill Lee appointed eight new members to the Tennessee State University (TSU) board of trustees on Thursday moments after signing legislation to vacate and reconstitute the entire board.
Read the full storyGovernor Lee Signs Bill Prohibiting Local Government from Restricting Duties of Law Enforcement
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill prohibiting local governments from limiting the ability of law enforcement agencies to conduct routine traffic stops on Thursday.
The bill, SB 2572/HB 1931, was sponsored by State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) and State Representative John Gillespie (R-Memphis).
Read the full storyWTN’s Matt Murphy Calls Out State Rep. Todd Warner for Claim He Did Not Record or Know Who Recorded Phone Conversation with AFP’s Tori Venable Broadcast in NewsChannel5 Report by Phil Williams
Tuesday afternoon on the Matt Murphy Show, broadcast weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, host Murphy interviewed Tori Venable, executive director of Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee, about AFP’s support for Governor Bill Lee’s universal school choice bill currently under consideration in The Tennessee General Assembly. During the interview, Venable criticized the reporting of Phil Williams in Monday evening’s broadcast on NewsChannel 5, which featured an interview with State Representative Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill), as well as a recording of a phone call between Williams and Venable that was obtained without Venable’s consent.
Read the full storyBen Cunningham: ‘It’s Pathetic’ School Choice Advocates are not Given a Voice by Local Media Outlets
Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, said it’s “pathetic” that advocates of Governor Bill Lee’s universal school choice voucher program are not being given a voice through local news outlets across the Volunteer State.
Read the full storyState Senator Mark Pody ‘Much Happier’ with Senate Version of Governor’s School Choice Bill Compared to House Version
Tennessee State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) said he is “much happier” with the Senate’s version of Governor Bill Lee’s universal school choice bill compared to the House’s version, which includes additional incentives not particularly related to school choice.
Read the full storyDem Tennessee State Rep Justin Jones Goes to Migrant Caravan Camp in Mexico to Support Border Invasion
Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) traveled to a migrant camp in Mexico on Friday where he claimed that there is “no invasion” of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Read the full storyTennessee Governor Bill Lee Responds to President Biden’s State of the Union Address
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, as chair of the Republican Governors Association (RGA), responded to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday by saying conservative-led states are a “steady reminder that America’s best days are still ahead.”
Read the full storyTennessee State Senator Joey Hensley Explains ‘Present’ Vote on School Choice Bill
Tennessee State Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) said he voted present on the State Senate’s version of Governor Bill Lee’s universal school choice bill this week in the education committee because he said he believed there needed to be “more discussion” on the bill before it advanced out of committee.
“I was present, not voting, because I felt like we needed more discussion in the education committee,” Hensley said on Thursday’s episode of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show.
Read the full storyTennessee U.S. Reps. John Rose, Tim Burchett Announce Guests for State of the Union Address
Tennessee U.S. Representatives John Rose (R-TN-06) and Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) have announced which guests will accompany them to President Joe Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address on Thursday.
Read the full storyTennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, Senator Bill Hagerty Announce Guests to State of the Union Address
U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R–TN-05) and U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) have announced which guests will accompany them to President Joe Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address on Thursday.
Hagerty’s guest will be Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, according to a report by The Tennessean.
Read the full storyTennessee State Rep. Gino Bulso Says Flag Bill Ensures ‘Parents Remain in Control of What Values are Being Instilled in Their Children’
Tennessee State Representative Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) said he expects his bill prohibiting the displaying of certain flags on or in a public school, including LGBTQ pride flags, to soon pass the Senate and be signed into law by Governor Bill Lee.
Read the full storyReport: Tennessee Student and Teacher Spending Rose, So Did Education Debt
Tennessee schools saw an 18.4% increase in inflation-adjusted per student funding between 2002 and 2020, according to a new report.
Spending on employee benefits increased by 56.5% over the same period, according to Reason Foundation’s Education Spending Across 50 States report.
Read the full storyLee’s Budget Proposal Has Sharp Spending Cuts, Report Shows
After several years of rapidly increasing spending and tax collections, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has proposed a budget that would spend nearly $10 billion less next year.
That includes $52.6 billion in spending with $25.4 billion from the state and $19.8 billion from federal funds.
Read the full storyGovernor Lee Signs Marriage Bill Protecting Religious Convictions
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law a bill that protects the religious convictions of people approached to solemnize or officiate a marriage.
“A person shall not be required to solemnize a marriage if the person has an objection to solemnizing the marriage based on the person’s conscience or religious beliefs,” reads the new law which took effect on Wednesday.
Read the full storyTennessee State Rep. Scott Cepicky Says Full Text of Governor Lee’s Universal School Choice Bill Expected to be Unveiled Next Week
Tennessee State Representative Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka), who chairs the Education Instruction Subcommittee, said Governor Bill Lee’s universal school choice bill, known as the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, will likely be revealed next week.
Cepicky said there was a meeting on Wednesday for the committee chairs and caucus members to go over the bill’s language, making tweaks to ensure the bill will “function properly” and is “constitutional.”
Read the full storyCorey DeAngelis Says Tennessee School Choice Bill Would Allow Students to Escape ‘One Size Fits All System’
School choice activist Corey A. DeAngelis joined Wednesday’s edition of The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy to discuss a rally he, Robby Starbuck, and Americans for Prosperity (AFP) held in Nashville supporting Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s universal school choice plan, known as the Education Freedom Scholarship Act.
On Tuesday, DeAngelis, Starbuck, AFP, and other school choice advocates held a Rally for School Choice & Parents’ Rights at the state Capitol in support of the governor’s school choice plan.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee, 12 Other Governors Visit Texas’ Border with Mexico
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee joined a coalition of 12 other governors in traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday to participate in a border security briefing held by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Read the full storyLeahy and Brewer Discuss Gov. Bill Lee’s Absence from GOP Governors Letter Demanding Biden Drop EV Mandates
All-star panelist Clint Brewer joined Tuesday’s edition of The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy where he discussed the reasoning behind Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s exclusion from a letter sent by Republican governors to President Joe Biden in regards to his administration’s “mandates” electric vehicle (EVs) mandates.
Read the full storyTennessee State Rep. Susan Lynn Awaits Final Version of Universal School Choice Bill, Notes Funding of Budget Is Issue This Year
Tennessee State Representative Susan Lynn (R-Mount Juliet) joined Monday’s edition of The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy to discuss the General Assembly’s legislative session this year, specifically concerning its approach to Governor Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee Set to Deliver his Sixth State of the State Address on February 5
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee will deliver his sixth State of the State Address to members of the General Assembly and Tennesseans on Monday, February 5, his office announced this week.
Read the full storyTennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Approves $36.6 Million in Grants for 78 Communities
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart McWhorter recently approved $36.6 million in grants that will be distributed across 78 communities in the Volunteer State.
Read the full storyTennessee Congressional Delegation Sends Letter to President Biden Urging Approval of Disaster Declaration Following Deadly Tornadoes
All 11 members of the Tennessee congressional delegation sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting the “swift approval” of Governor Bill Lee’s request for a major disaster declaration due to severe storms that devastated communities across Middle Tennessee over the weekend.
On December 9, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes ripped through Middle Tennessee. The storms caused six fatalities and dozens of injuries, produced significant damage to nearly 1,900 homes, and destroyed over 500 homes, according to initial reports.
Read the full storySix Candidates Apply to Fill Upcoming Tennessee Supreme Court Vacancy
Six candidates will be considered by the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments to fill the Tennessee Supreme Court vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of the Honorable Roger A. Page.
Read the full storyU.S. Reps. John Rose and Mark Green Survey Tornado Damage Across Middle Tennessee
Tennessee U.S. Representatives John Rose (R-TN-06) and Mark Green (R-TN-07) met with community members and surveyed some of the damage left behind after a series of tornadoes tore through Middle Tennessee over the weekend.
Read the full storyTennessee Governor Bill Elected Chair of the Republicans Governors Association
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee was elected to serve as the next chair of the Republican Governors Association (RGA).
Read the full storyAmericans for Prosperity, the Beacon Center of Tennessee Applaud Governor Lee’s Push for Universal School Choice
Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee (AFP-TN) and the Beacon Center of Tennessee released statements applauding Governor Bill Lee’s announcement of his administration’s legislative proposal to establish universal school choice in the Volunteer State.
Read the full storyTennessee Governor and First Lady Announce Annual Christmas Celebration Events
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee announced that the state’s annual official Christmas events, including Christmas at the Capitol and “Heaven and Nature Sing” tours of the Tennessee Residence, will begin next week.
As part of the First Lady’s Tennessee Serves initiative, the Lees are inviting guests to bring requested items to the state’s Christmas events in support of five nonprofit organizations including Creative Aging Memphis, Birthright of Memphis, Jonathan’s Path, Dismas House, and Sevier County Food Ministries, according to a press release by Lee’s office.
Read the full storyGov. Bill Lee Expected to Back Statewide Education Savings Account Legislation
The move to expand Tennessee’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program statewide is expected to have a very powerful ally in the General Assembly’s next session, sources told The Tennessee Star.
State Representative Bryan Richey (R-Maryville) said Governor Bill Lee is planning a press conference on Tuesday to discuss a bill to expand ESA beyond Metro Nashville, Memphis, and Hamilton County into all of Tennessee’s 95 counties.
Read the full storyReport: Tennessee’s Lee and Group Spent $117K in Paris, Italy for TNECD Trip
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee spent more than $117,000 of taxpayer funds over a six-day economic development trip earlier this year, The Tennessean reported.
The group went to Paris and Bologna, Italy while promoting the Paris Air Show with a group that included six state employees, two of their wives and two members of the governor’s security detail, the newspaper reported.
Read the full story