NEWS & PRESS

Media Contact: Ken Jobe, Press Secretary

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Weekly Wrap Up

February 12, 2024 | Comments Off on Weekly Wrap Up

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…

HOUSE DEMOCRATS MOURN PASSING OF REP. MIKE CARTER

May 16, 2021 | Comments Off on HOUSE DEMOCRATS MOURN PASSING OF REP. MIKE CARTER

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…

TENNESSEE HOUSE PASSES RESOLUTION TO ABOLISH SLAVERY

May 4, 2021 | Comments Off on TENNESSEE HOUSE PASSES RESOLUTION TO ABOLISH SLAVERY

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…

BLACK CAUCUS CHAIR ON THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE STATEMENT

May 4, 2021 | Comments Off on BLACK CAUCUS CHAIR ON THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE STATEMENT

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…

REP. TOWNS MEETS WITH BLACK FRANCHISE OWNERS SUING MCDONALDS

May 3, 2021 | Comments Off on REP. TOWNS MEETS WITH BLACK FRANCHISE OWNERS SUING MCDONALDS

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…

REPRESENTATIVE JASON POWELL TO DISCUSS WIDENING OF NOLENSVILLE ROAD

April 29, 2021 | Comments Off on REPRESENTATIVE JASON POWELL TO DISCUSS WIDENING OF NOLENSVILLE ROAD

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…

SEXUAL ASSAULT KIT BILL PASSES HOUSE AND SENATE

April 27, 2021 | Comments Off on SEXUAL ASSAULT KIT BILL PASSES HOUSE AND SENATE

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…

BILL TO PROTECT DISABLED FROM DEATH SENTENCE HEADED TO GOVERNOR’S DESK

April 26, 2021 | Comments Off on BILL TO PROTECT DISABLED FROM DEATH SENTENCE HEADED TO GOVERNOR’S DESK

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…

REP. LAMAR STATEMENT ON BILL TO REQUIRE WOMEN TO BURY OR CREMATE ABORTED FETUSES

April 19, 2021 | Comments Off on REP. LAMAR STATEMENT ON BILL TO REQUIRE WOMEN TO BURY OR CREMATE ABORTED FETUSES

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…

Rep. Sam McKenzie statement on Austin East school shooting

April 12, 2021 | Comments Off on Rep. Sam McKenzie statement on Austin East school shooting

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: