The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference (TNDAGC) on Tuesday denounced Governor Bill Lee’s decision to use his veto power for the first time to block legislation that would have allowed the Tennessee Board of Parole to deny early release or parole to convicted criminals based on the facts of each individual’s case.
Despite the legislation passing the Tennessee General Assembly with universal support from Republicans, submitted as Senate Bill (SB) 455 by State Senator Paul Rose (R-Tipton County) and House Bill (HB) 527 by State Representative Rick Scarbrough (R-Oak Ridge), Lee reportedly raised concerns that allowing the board to deny parole for those convicted of major crimes would undo Reentry Success Act, a criminal justice reform bill he signed in 2021.
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