Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson to the newsmaker line to discuss adjustments to the budget and explain the process by which a seat is filled after a legislator is expelled.
Read MoreTag: Tennessee State Senate
Leahy and Carmichael: The End of the McNally Era
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael in studio to discuss reactions to Tennessee Lt. Governor Randy McNally’s recent social media snafu and his removal from office.
Read MoreTennessee 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 MoreState Senator Mark Pody on Differences Between House and Senate, Refusing Federal Government Dollars
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee State Senator Mark Pody to the newsmaker line to discuss the differences between the House and Senate and refusing money from the federal government for the state’s education.
Read MoreTennessee State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson Talks About Life on the Campaign Trail
Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Senate Majority Leader, Jack Johnson in studio to discuss the last few weeks on the campaign trail for re-election.
Read MoreTennessee General Assembly Passes Legislation Targeting Organized Street Racing
During its last week of session, the Tennessee General Assembly overwhelmingly approved legislation targeting organized street racing.
State Representative John Gillespie (R-Memphis-HD97) and State Senator John Stevens (R-Huntingdon-SD24) sponsored the legislation, which was originally approved in by the State Senate in late February.
Read MoreTennessee Supreme Court Strikes Down Lower Court’s Redistricting Injunction That Would Have Required Drawing New State Senate Districts
The Tennessee Supreme Court struck down a temporary injunction issued by a three-judge panel that would have mandated drawing new state Senate districts.
Originally, a ruling from the lower court forced the legislative body to “fix” the boundaries within 15 days of the decision, or the judicial branch would have created its own map.
Read MoreTennessee Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Bill Requiring High School Students to Learn Virtues of Capitalism
The Tennessee State Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill, 25-6, that requires high school students to be taught the virtues of capitalism and the constitutional republic form of government in comparison to other economic systems and governmental systems.
The Tennessee State House of Representatives approved the House version of the bill on March 28, 68-21. Prior to the final vote, the Senate voted to substitute and conform to the House-approved version.
Read MoreTennessee Senate Scheduled to Vote on Bill Requiring High School Students to Learn Virtues of Capitalism
The full Tennessee State Senate will vote on Tuesday, April 12, considering a bill that requires high school students to be taught the virtues of capitalism and the constitutional republic form of government in comparison to other economic systems and governmental systems.
The Tennessee State House of Representatives previously approved the House version of the bill on March 28, 68-21.
Read MoreAll-Star Panelist Clint Brewer Discusses Tennessee State House and Senate Redistricting Issues
Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Clint Brewer in-studio to discuss the issue of redistricting in the Tennessee State House and Senate.
Read MoreFull Senate to Vote on Bill Requiring High School Students to Learn Virtues of Capitalism and the U.S. Constitutional Republic
The full Tennessee State Senate will consider a bill that requires high school students to be taught the virtues of capitalism and the constitutional republic form of government.
The Tennessee State House of Representatives passed the House version of the bill on March 28, 68-21.
Read MoreState Senator Frank Niceley Speculates Residency Bill Fate After Monday Night Noncur in State Senate
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed State Senator Frank Niceley in-studio to comment upon the next steps and fate of the highly bipartisan residency bill.
Read MoreTennessee Senate Unanimously Approves Legislation Targeting Organized Speed Racing
The Tennessee State Senate unanimously approved legislation targeting organized street racing.
State Senator John Stevens’ (R-Huntingdon) SB1673 was approved by the Senate on February 28. It was engrossed on March 1. It now sits on the House desk for consideration.
Read MoreState Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson Comments on Rapid Residency Senate Bill 2616 and Education Funding
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson to the newsmakers line to weigh in on the bipartisan support for SB2616 and education funding.
Read MoreLegislation Targeting Organized Street Racing Continues to Progress Through General Assembly
Legislation targeting organized street racing continues to progress through the Tennessee General Assembly.
State Representative John Gillespie (R-Memphis-HD97) and State Senator John Stevens (R-Huntingdon-SD24) previously introduced companion bills targeting organized street racing, HB1661 and SB1673.
Read MoreTennessee State Senator Mark Pody on State of the State: ‘I Did Not Like that Budget at All’
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed State Senator Mark Pody to the newsmakers line to discuss the new state budget, his personal agenda, and focusing on patients’ rights.
Read MoreTennessee Senate Expels Democrat Senator Convicted of Wire Fraud
The Tennessee State Senate voted on Wednesday to remove Democrat Senator Katrina Robinson. The vote was 27-5 to expel her from office.
Senator Robinson was convicted of wire fraud charges. The Tennessee Star previously reported that Robinson was convicted by jurors of four of five counts of wire fraud and that federal officials accused her of using federal grant money awarded to a health care school, The Healthcare Institute (THI), which Robinson operates. She was accused of using $600,000 from the school to pay for her wedding, a political campaign event, and other personal expenses.
Read MoreTennessee Senate Approves Balanced Billing Legislation
Members of the Tennessee State Senate this week unanimously passed legislation that ends the practice of surprise or unexpected medical billing in Tennessee, also called balanced billing. Surprise Medical Billing happens when a patient receives out-of-network care without his or her knowledge – either in an emergency or during a visit to an in-network facility. Weeks later, insurance companies send bills demanding patients pay money for services they assumed insurance would cover.
Read MoreLegislation Targeting Organized Street Racing Gets Additional Co-Sponsors
A Tennessee General Assembly bill targeting organized street racing continues through the legislative process.
It was previously reported that State Representative John Gillespie (R-Memphis-HD97) and State Senator John Stevens (R-Huntingdon-SD24) have teamed up to introduce identical bills, HB1661 and SB1673. There are now fourteen co-sponsors in the state House, including two Democrats.
Read MoreTennessee Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Redistricting Releases Its Plan
The Tennessee Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Redistricting released their plans and maps for congressional and state senate redistricting.
The Senate version of congressional redistricting is substantially similar to the House plan, which was released on Wednesday. These plans split Nashville amongst three congressional districts. Under the current district lines, Nashville is in the 5th Congressional District and is represented by Congressman Jim Cooper. The current 5th District consists of all of Davidson and Dickson counties, and part of Cheatham County.
Read MoreTennessee Lawmakers Target Organized Street Racing with Proposed Bills
Two Tennessee lawmakers are targeting organized street racing.
State Representative John Gillespie (R-Memphis-HD97)Â and State Senator John Stevens (R-Huntingdon-SD24) have teamed up to introduce identical bills, HB1661 and SB1673. These bills create a new offense in the state code, aggravated reckless driving.
Read MoreTennessee State Senator Mike Bell Explains Why He Voted for Ford Motor Company and Economic Incentives
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed retiring State Senator Mike Bell in studio to discuss why he voted for Ford Motor Company Megasite.
Read MoreRetiring Tennessee State Senator Mike Bell Talks About Why He’s Leaving and Plans For the Future
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Tennessee State Senator Mike Bell in studio to talk about his retirement after 15 years in the Senate.
Read MoreTennessee General Assembly Primary Results
While there were 115 Tennessee General Assembly seats open for Thursday’s primary, most went uncontested. In fact, there was just a fractional 36 primaries yielding some surprising results.
In the Senate, all of the incumbents won their primary bid.
In the House, Representatives Micah Van Huss and Matthew Hill both lost their primaries. Coupled with Representative Timothy Hill leaving the House to run in the U.S. House District 1 Republican primary, which he also lost, the representation of the northeast corner of the state will undergo dramatic changes.
Read MoreMemphis Entrepreneur Jeff Webb Discusses His Endorsement of Dr. Manny Sethi for the U.S. Senate
Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. –  host Leahy welcomed the Memphis Entrepreneur Jeff Webb to the newsmakers line.
During the third hour, Webb discussed his motivation for the recent endorsement of Tennessee Senate candidate Dr. Manny Sethi. He described his decision as being one based on the fact that Sethi embodies the American dream, is a political outsider and would be an advocate for small businesses.
Read MoreSenator Kerry Roberts Discusses the Reconvening of the Tennessee State Senate and the Traditional Salute to the State Flag
Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. –  host Leahy welcomed Tennessee state Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) to the studio.
During the second hour, Leahy and Roberts discussed how the Tennessee state Senate reconvened Monday evening with salutes and prayers before the rioting in downtown Nashville.
Read MoreBREAKING on The Tennessee Star Report: State Senator Pody Vows to Bring Heartbeat Bill Back for a Floor Vote, Either Through Committee or Rule 63
State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) vowed on Wednesday morning’s Tennessee Star Report with Steve Gill and Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – to bring the Heartbeat Bill back for a floor vote in the Tennessee General…
Read MoreLt. Gov. McNally Announces Committee Appointments for the 111th General Assembly
Lt. Gov. and Speaker of the Senate Randy McNally (R-TN-05) on Thursday announced state Senate committee assignments for the 111th General Assembly. McNally praised his fellow members in announcing the assignments in a press release. “This Senate is made up of some of the smartest and strongest leaders with whom…
Read MoreNineteen GOP State Senators Endorse Marsha Blackburn for U.S. Senate Over ‘Second Thoughts’ Corker
Nineteen of the 27 Republicans in the Tennessee State Senate endorsed Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-07) on Wednesday for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate over a potential candidacy of Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), who said in September he would not seek a third term but has indicated over the…
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