NEWS & PRESS
Media Contact: Ken Jobe, Press Secretary
(615) 741-110 ext. 44364
On Monday night Governor Bill Lee delivered his annual address to a joint session of the Tennessee General Assembly. Aside from the presence of First Lady Maria Lee and Lt. Governor Randy McNally, both of whom are recovering from serious health issues, there was little to nothing positive about the evening. Lee touted his still…
NASHVILLE-The House Democratic Caucus is mourning the passing of State Representative Mike Carter. It was reported on his twitter feed that Rep. Carter died of pancreatic cancer late last night. House Democrats praised Carter today, saying he was well respected across the aisle. House Minority Leader Karen Camper of Memphis called Carter “a true statesman…
Issue will now be placed on the 2022 ballot NASHVILLE-A resolution that would allow Tennesseans to abolish all forms of slavery in the state will now come before all Tennesseans for a vote. The House of Representatives passed the measure on Tuesday night. Currently, the Tennessee Constitution bans the use of slavery, except as a…
NASHVILLE- State Representative Antonio Parkinson of Memphis released this statement on the comments made today, May 4, by Rep. Justin Lafferty on the Three-Fifths Compromise: “Conversations around race are always very uncomfortable in the Tennessee legislature. Rep. Lafferty’s statement about how the Three-Fifths Compromise was designed to end slavery was alarming, but the real insult…
NASHVILLE- Rep. Joe Towns Jr. of Memphis will meet on Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 with two of 77 former Black McDonald’s franchise owners who are suing the fast-food giant for racial discrimination. Jim and Daryl Byrd own stores in Shelby and Fayette counties. As part of the lawsuit, they maintain that minority franchisees were given…
NASHVILLE-Representative Jason Powell is pleased to announce that The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s 2022 budget includes funding for the construction phase of Nolensville Pike from North of Mill Creek to near Old Hickory Boulevard in Nashville. This 2.4-mile segment represents Phase I of an overall 4.4-mile project to improve SR 11 from Burkitt Road to…
NASHVILLE-A bipartisan bill to aid state law enforcement agencies in tracking sexual assault kits passed both the Tennessee House and Senate today. The bill, HB 39, is sponsored by Rep. Bob Freeman of Nashville and would create a tracking system available for both law enforcement and victims. The tracking of sexual assault kits became a…
NASHVILLE– A bill that would allow intellectually disabled inmates on death row the opportunity to have their sentences altered passed the State House and Senate this evening and is now headed to the Governor’s desk. HB1062 was filed by Rep. David Hawk of Greenville and co-sponsored by Memphis Representative G. A Hardaway. Rep. Hardaway filed…
NASHVILLE-House Republicans have passed a bill that would require women who have abortions to pay for the burial or cremation of the aborted fetuses. If they are unable to pay, the cremation would become the responsibility of the healthcare facility. As the bill (HB1181) was debated on the House floor Monday night, Rep. London Lamar…
The following is a statement from Knoxville State Representative Sam McKenzie (D-District 15) on the school shooting at Austin East High School this afternoon. District 15 is where Austin East is located and Rep. McKenzie is a graduate of the school: