The Tennessee Republican State Executive Committee passed a resolution on Saturday that calls on Governor Bill Lee to forgo calling the Tennessee General Assembly for a special session addressing “public safety,” according to a report by the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Read the full storyTag: Tennessee General Assembly
Tennessee Department of Education Releases Data on Third-Grade Retention Appeals
This week, the Tennessee Department of Education(TDOE) released final data on third-grade retention appeals.
In 2021, Tennessee lawmakers passed the Tennessee Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act. It set forth key academic supports for third-grade students who did not score proficient on the English language arts (ELA) portion of their TCAP assessment. It further updated requirements for students to move to the next grade via multiple pathways for fourth-grade promotion.
Read the full storyNashville Convention & Visitors Corp Board of Directors Announce Support for Governor Lee’s Special Legislative Session
The Board of Directors of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC) has released a statement in support of Governor Bill Lee’s decision to call a special legislative session next month.
Read the full storyNew Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds Sworn Into Office
Tennessee officially has a new State Commissioner of Education. Lizzette Reynolds, a Texas native, was sworn in last week as the latest head of the Tennessee Department of Education. She replaces Penny Schwinn, who resigned effective June 1.
“I am excited and humbled by having the opportunity to serve Tennessee’s families to ensure they get the best possible education for their children,” said Commissioner Reynolds. “I look forward to meeting with educators, families, elected officials, and stakeholders throughout the state and continuing the great work already happening on behalf of kids in Tennessee.”
Read the full storyCommentary: The Left Fights Against Children, We Must Continue to Fight FOR Them
The Marxist Left, dedicated to undermining the liberties, traditions, and values that make America unique and exceptional, is waging a war on children – both born and unborn – in the United States and even right here in Tennessee.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Marxist Left fought to keep schools shuttered and to forcibly mask our kids, resulting in an anxious, confused, and undereducated generation.
Read the full storyTimothy Hill Wins Republican Nomination for House District 3
Timothy Hill won the Republican primary for House District 3 by a landslide in Thursday’s special primary election, according to official election results released by the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office.
Read the full storyTennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition Meets with Lee Administration on Concerns Regarding August Special Session
Members of the Lee administration met with the Tennessee Faith & Freedom Coalition (TNFFC) Board of Directors on Wednesday after the group sent a letter urging Governor Bill Lee to cancel his proposed August 21 special session of the Tennessee General Assembly.
“In response to our letter asking Governor Lee to cancel plans for an August Special Session of the Tennessee General Assembly due to public safety concerns as well as constitutional concerns, Chief of Staff Joseph Williams emailed us and requested a meeting with our Board of Directors. We took him up on that offer and on Wednesday, had a meeting with Chief of Staff Williams and Lee Administration Special Advisor Michael Hendrix,” the TNFFC disclosed in a Friday statement emailed to The Tennessee Star.
Read the full storyTN Faith & Freedom Coalition Calls on Gov. Lee to Cancel Special Session on Gun Control ‘In the Interest of Public Safety’ Due to Danger from Far Left Activists
The Tennessee Faith & Freedom Coalition (TNFFC) called on Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN) Monday to cancel his proposed August 21 special session of the Tennessee General Assembly.
“We are writing you because you have made it clear that you are planning to use your authority to officially call an ill-advised special session of the Tennessee General Assembly on August 21st to address gun issues in the aftermath of the Covenant School shooting tragedy, a heinous and despicable act committed by a mentally ill individual who claimed to be on the transgender spectrum,” the TNFFC said in a letter sent to the governor. A copy of the letter was also sent to all members of the Tennessee General Assembly.
Read the full storyMajority Whip Johnny Garrett: ‘Any Type of Red Flag Law Won’t Go Anywhere in This General Assembly’
Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, guest host John Harris welcomed Majority Whip Johnny Garrett to the newsmaker line to talk about the probabilities and possibilities of passing pro-Second Amendment legislation.
Read the full storyDemocrat State Sen. Heidi Campbell Condemns GOP Legislators’ Call to Cancel Red Flag Special Session
Tennessee State Senator Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) is condemning a group of Republican state lawmakers for signing onto an open letter urging Governor Bill Lee to cancel the special legislative session that the governor called earlier this month.
Read the full storyState Freedom Caucus Network Expresses Support for Tennessee Legislators Rejecting Governor’s Special Called Session
Representatives from the State Freedom Caucus Network issued a statement of support Wednesday for the Tennessee House members who publicly rejected Governor Bill Lee’s call for a special session to pass gun control and red flag laws.
Earlier Wednesday, Tennessee State Representatives Bryan Richey (R-Maryville) issued an open letter to the governor, signed on to by Representatives Ed Butler (R-Rickman) and Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill), urging the abandonment of the special session scheduled for August 21.
Read the full storyJack Johnson: ‘I Want Tennessee to Be the Tip of the Spear in Terms of Fighting the Radical Left’
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, guest host Aaron Gulbransen welcomed Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) in studio to review the Tennessee General Assembly’s legislative victories and the outlook for 2024.
Read the full storyNashville Mayoral Candidates Look to Repair Strife Between State and Metro
As part of a recent questionnaire that WKRN gave to Metro Nashville mayoral hopefuls, the candidates had the opportunity to tell voters their plans to work with the State and repair the strife that has been growing in recent years.
The 10 candidates who participated in the recent Mayoral Forum hosted by WKRN all submitted answers.
Read the full storyLeahy and Simon Skeptical of MNPD Claim It Will Take Another 12 Months to Close Investigation of Covenant Killer
Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Roger Simon in studio to discuss the timeline of the release of documents related to The Covenant School killer.
Read the full storyYears of Tax Revenue Surpluses Bring Grocery Tax Break to Tennesseans
Governor Bill Lee signed the largest tax cut in Tennessee history on Thursday, his office announced. The Tennessee Works Tax Act (TWTA) aims to provide $400 million in savings for families and small businesses.
The sweeping new legislation includes a three-month grocery tax holiday, a tax credit for companies who offer paid family leave to employees, and $150 million in small business tax relief.
Read the full storySpecial Session on Public Safety to Begin in August, Governor Lee Announces
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that he intends to call for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene a special legislative session in August to “strengthen public safety and preserve constitutional rights.”
Read the full storyInterim State Rep Jones Set to Face Republican Challenger Laura Nelson in District 52 Special Election; Neither Candidate Has a Primary Opponent
The candidates for the Tennessee State House of Representatives District 52 special election are set after two candidates – Laura Nelson and incumbent Justin Jones – qualified by the Thursday deadline.
District 52 has a long history of being a Democratic stronghold in the eastern half of Davidson County. Since 2000, the district has elected three Democrats: Rob Briley – brother of former Mayor David Briley, Mike Williams, and most recently, State Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville).
Read the full storyJC Bowman: Former Rep. Bill Dunn Was a Logical Choice for Tennessee’s Commissioner of Education
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed JC Bowman of Professional Educators of Tennessee in studio to discuss why Bill Dunn would have been a good choice for Tennessee’s new commissioner of education.
Read the full storyTFA’s John Harris: ‘The Governor’s Own Actions Are a Strong Red Flag That He’s Not Listening to the People or Truly a Conservative’
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Firearms Associations’ founder, John Harris to the newsmaker line to comment on Governor Bill Lee’s approach to holding a special session to advance red flag laws despite General Assembly’s cold shoulder.
Read the full storyDates Sets for Special Elections in Tennessee State House Districts of Expelled Interim State Reps
State Representatives Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) will have an opportunity to seek election victories in their respective districts after their expulsions from the State House earlier this month. Nashville Metro Council and Shelby County Commission both voted unanimously to appoint Jones and Pearson to serve as their own interim replacements in Districts 52 and 86.
These appointments are only temporary, as special elections must take place to decide who will serve the remainder of Jones’s and Pearson’s terms.
Read the full storyBusiness as Usual for the Metro Community Oversight Board as Bill to Disband Awaits Lee’s Signature
The Metro Nashville Community Oversight Board (COB) held what could be its final meeting Monday night as a bill to disband the authority awaits Governor Bill Lee’s signature. The measure comes after months of criticism of the Board’s makeup and activity.
State Executive Director of the Tennessee Faith & Freedom Coalition, Aaron Gulbransen told The Tennessee Star, “Nashville’s Community Oversight Board and those like it in other localities have been lambasted by individuals on both the Right and the Left. I think the Tennessee General Assembly made the right call regarding the legislation they passed.” Previously, Gulbransen was a senior reporter at The Star.
Read the full storyGovernor Lee Set to Call for a Special Session after House Republicans Refuse to Introduce Red Flag Laws
Governor Bill Lee announced Friday that he will call for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene a special session in order to “pass legislation that will strengthen public safety and preserve constitutional rights.”
Read the full storyJohn Harris: Governor Lee’s Decision to Propose Red Flag Law Legislation Like Scene from Animal House
Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed the Tennessee Firearms Association founder John Harris in studio to talk about Governor Bill Lee’s recent proposal on red flag laws in Tennessee.
Read the full storyTFA’s John Harris: Gov. Bill Lee’s Last Minute Red Flag Law Proposal ‘A Really Stupid and Futile Gesture’ Going Nowhere
Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed the Tennessee Firearms Association founder John Harris in studio to weigh on Governor Bill Lee’s intention to vote on a red flag law and call a special session if not passed.
Read the full storyState Senator Jack Johnson: ‘The Tennessee General Assembly Will Not Pass Any Red Flag Law, Period’
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) in studio to dispel rumors of the Tennessee State Senate passing red flag laws.
Read the full storyAaron’s Analysis: Dispelling Tennessee Red Flag Law Rumors
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Aaron Gulbransen in studio for another edition of Aaron’s Analysis.
Read the full storyCrom’s Crommentary: A Quality Education Should Be the Theme of the Republican Party
Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio for another edition of Crom’s Crommentary.
Read the full storyOusted State Rep Preaches Gun Control, Trans Health Care and ‘Mother God’ During Easter Service
Former Democratic State Rep. Justin J. Pearson in Tennessee gave a sermon during an Easter service praying to the “Mother God,” calling for an end to gun violence and arguing that “transgender children” should receive the “health care” they need, according to recordings of the sermon.
Read the full storyNashville Metro Council to Vote on Interim Successor to Former State Rep. Justin Jones
The Nashville and Davidson County Metro Council is scheduled to meet Monday evening for the purpose of voting on an interim successor to former State Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville).
Jones was expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives on Thursday in a 72 to 25 vote for breaking numerous rules of the House one week earlier on Thursday, March 30, the day over a thousand protestors rioted at the State Capitol and attempted to enter the chamber of the House of Representatives by force.
Read the full storyCrom’s Crommentary: Democrats Don’t Listen to Dissenting Opinions
Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio for another edition of Crom’s Crommentary.
Read the full storyAaron Gulbransen Analyzes What to Do with Three Democratic State Lawmakers Who Participated in State Capitol Riot
Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Aaron Gulbransen, the Tennessee state director for the Faith and Freedom Coalition, in studio to give his position on the expulsion of State Representatives Justin Jones (D-Nashville), Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), and Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville).
Read the full storyFreshman State Rep. Brian Richey Describes Tennessee Legislation That Prompted Him to Run for Office
Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed State Representative Brian Richey (R-Maryville) in studio to discuss his background and what prompted him to run for office.
Read the full storyAaron’s Analysis: Tennessee Capitol Riot a Version of WrestleMania
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Aaron Gulbransen in studio for the first edition of Aaron’s Analysis.
Read the full storyTennessee House to Consider Increasing Voucher Eligibility
An amendment being brought forth this week by House Education Chair Mark White (R-Memphis) if made law, would make more families eligible to participate in the state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program. Often referred to as “vouchers”, ESAs provide funding to eligible families to enroll their children in private schools.
Currently, only students in Davidson and Shelby counties are eligible to participate, but earlier this session SB0012 was passed by the State Senate, expanding eligibility to Hamilton County students. The proposed amendment increases the potential for participation by students in even more districts.
Read the full storyJohn Harris: TN State Senate Shows ‘Cavernous Lack of Constitutional Awareness’ on Second Amendment
Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed John Harris, the founder and CEO of Tennessee Firearms association to the newsmaker line to comment on the Tennessee General Assembly’s lack of awareness of the Second Amendment.
Read the full storyAaron Gulbransen: Affirmative Defense Removed from Abortion Trigger Ban, Expected to Pass Resoundingly in Senate Next Week
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Aaron Gulbransen in studio to discuss Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition goals and the expected swift passage of modified abortion trigger ban in Senate next week.
Read the full storyAaron Gulbransen: The Faith and Freedom Coalition Activates Conservative Voters of Faith
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Aaron Gulbransen in studio to describe the mission of the Faith and Freedom Coalition locally and nationally.
Read the full storyTennessee Star Editorial: Lt. Governor McNally Must Resign from Leadership Now
It is painfully obvious to anyone who has watched the confused public responses of 79-year-old Tennessee Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) to the controversy surrounding his inexplicable social media postings that he has lost a step mentally.
McNally also faces health and physical challenges not unusual for a man of his age. In February he underwent a medical procedure to install a heart pacemaker.
Read the full storyLonnie Spivak: New Bill Would Change the Nashville-Davidson County Mayoral Race Outcome, Could Favor Republicans
Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Davidson County Republican Party Chairman Lonnie Spivak in studio to explain legislation that could give Republicans a chance at winning the Nashville mayoral race.
Read the full storyDavidson County Republican Chair Lonnie Spivak: Tennessee General Assembly Has Moved Swiftly to Pass Key Legislation
Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Davidson County Republican Party Chairman Lonnie Spivak in studio to acknowledge quick legislation passage, social media platform use, and how the Left tries to make something out of nothing.
Read the full storyTennessee Firearms Association Director Richard Archie Says Changes in State Law Are Needed
Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Tennessee Firearms Association Director Richard Archie to the newsmaker line to discuss protecting Tennessee’s gun owners’ Second Amendment rights as it pertains to the Bruen case.
Read the full storyTN State Director for Faith and Freedom Coalition Aaron Gulbransen Provides an Update on Bills Before the Tennessee General Assembly
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Aaron Gulbransen in studio to describe the recent bills that have passed in both the State House and State Senate.
Read the full storyTennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Director Gulbransen Describes Group’s 2023 Agenda
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Director of Tennessee’s Faith and Freedom Coalition, Aaron Gulbransen in studio to talk about the group’s 2023 agenda.
Read the full storyAaron Gulbransen Expects Bill to Reduce Size of Metro Nashville Council Will Pass in Tennessee General Assembly
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Aaron Gulbransen in studio to discuss House Majority Leader William Lambert’s HB 48 which is on the docket for the Finance Ways and Means Committee today limiting metropolitan and municipal government members.
Read the full storyACLU Promises Legal Action Against Bill Banning Sex-Change Operations for Minors If Signed into Law
The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) condemned the passing of HB1/SB1 in the Tennessee General Assembly and promised legal action if the legislation is signed into law by the governor.
Read the full storyTennessee Education Commissioner Travels to DC to Promote Federal Investment in Education
Last week, Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn was in Washington D.C. to help the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) launch the Alliance for Learning Innovation (ALI), a bipartisan initiative co-led with Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC, to increase education research and development investments across the federal government. As expressed by a press release, this new venture aims to dramatically grow federal investment in education:
“The alliance brings together a group of education nonprofits, practitioners, philanthropy, and the private sector to advocate for research-based innovations in education. As a coalition, ALI focuses on innovative solutions that build education R&D infrastructure, center students and practitioners, advance equitable outcomes for students, improve talent pathways, and expand the workforce needed in a globally competitive world. To that end, the alliance has developed a comprehensive multi-part agenda including the goal of dramatically increasing the federal investment in education R&D.”
Read the full storyNewly Elected State Rep Jody Barrett Takes on Role as Freshman Leader, Doubles Down on His Commitment to Reject Federal Education Dollars
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee State Representative (R-TN-69) Jody Barrett in studio to discuss his new role within the Tennessee General Assembly as freshman leader and reconfirm his decision to support the rejection of federal education money.
Read the full storyFreshman State Representative Jody Barrett of Dickson County Describes New Role as Legislator
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee State Representative (R-TN-69) Jody Barrett in studio to describe what it is like in the Tennessee General Assembly as a freshman legislator.
Read the full storyJust Saying Jeb Bush’s Name Fails to Get Data Science Bill Moved Out of House Subcommittee
At this week’s House Education Instruction Subcommittee meeting, State Representative Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis) introduced a bill, HB 0691, that would allow students to earn one credit in data science to satisfy one of the four mathematics credits required for high school graduation. The idea, Parkinson told lawmakers, came from a recently attended conference held by ExcellinEd, the education non-profit founded by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
At that conference, Dr. Steven Strogatz told attendees, “Our current curriculum is rooted in a different era…our current math curriculum is rooted in the 1950s Space race. We have to make room for data science for 21st-century skills.”
Read the full storyMetro Nashville’s Human Relations Commission Condemns ‘Anti-LGBTQ Bills’ in the State Legislature
The Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission is speaking out in opposition to a number of proposed bills making their way through the Tennessee General Assembly this legislative session, specifically ones that are “harmful” to the transgender community.
Read the full story