Thumbnail image for Plan to Constitutionally Formalize TN’s Judicial Selection Practice Met with Early Skepticism

Plan to Constitutionally Formalize TN’s Judicial Selection Practice Met with Early Skepticism

by Editorial Staff | Jan. 26, 2012

Even though the current system has been ruled constitutional, many lawmakers have trouble getting over the nagging feeling that it really doesn’t gel with Tennessee’s governing document. And they doubt voters approve either.

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Thumbnail image for Haslam: Legislature Shouldn’t Prioritize Bills Seen as Hostile to Gays

Haslam: Legislature Shouldn’t Prioritize Bills Seen as Hostile to Gays

by Steven Hale | Jan. 25, 2012

On a day when father of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man brutally murdered in 1998, visits Nashville to lament bills seen as hostile to homosexuals, the governor says there are “better things for us to focus on this year” than legislation targeting gays.

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Thumbnail image for Income Tax Debate Coda Finally Underway?

Income Tax Debate Coda Finally Underway?

by Mark Todd Engler | Jan. 24, 2012

The constitutionality of governments in Tennessee levying taxes on income has been a matter of longstanding legal and political debate. That debate is set to continue for a while — but an official and unambiguous conclusion may in fact be on the horizon.

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Thumbnail image for GOP Leaders Look to Limit Judicial Selection Debate

GOP Leaders Look to Limit Judicial Selection Debate

by Andrea Zelinski | Jan. 23, 2012

Gov. Bill Haslam, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and Speaker Beth Harwell have all said they are opposed to the popular election of judges and they now appear to be leaning toward amending the constitution to cement the current practice.

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Incoming!

by Mark Todd Engler | Jan. 18, 2012

A constitutional ban on state and local government taxing income in Tennessee took another step toward the 2014 general election ballot Thursday. The House approved SJR221 73-13-3.

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Thumbnail image for Tennessee State Government Not a ‘Drug-Free Workplace’

Tennessee State Government Not a ‘Drug-Free Workplace’

by Andrea Zelinski | Jan. 18, 2012

In general, most of the state’s 46,000 employees are not subject to mandatory urine sampling, even though private employers are encouraged to drug test their employees in the name of improving safety and spurring productivity.

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Thumbnail image for Redistricting Maps Approved By Legislature

Redistricting Maps Approved By Legislature

by Andrea Zelinski | Jan. 13, 2012

The state Senate map approved Friday pairs Democrats Jim Kyle and Beverly Marrero in the same Shelby County district, as well as Republicans Kerry Roberts, of Springfield, and Jim Summerville, of Dickson. State House, Congressional maps also approved by legislature.

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Thumbnail image for 1-2-3, Go! Redistricting Maps Advance

1-2-3, Go! Redistricting Maps Advance

by Andrea Zelinski | Jan. 12, 2012

The GOP-drawn maps for state House districts were approved Thursday, with some Democratic support.

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Thumbnail image for Shipley Wants TBI to Release Records in Probe of Lawmakers

Shipley Wants TBI to Release Records in Probe of Lawmakers

by Steven Hale | Jan. 12, 2012

The Republican state representative from Kingsport says he’ll push the House Gov-Ops committee to subpoena investigation records into the legislative activities of he and another lawmaker.

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Thumbnail image for GOP Leaders Eating Their Words? Now Say They’ll Support Food-Tax Cut

GOP Leaders Eating Their Words? Now Say They’ll Support Food-Tax Cut

by Andrea Zelinski | Jan. 12, 2012

Leading Republicans who recently said reducing the grocery tax is a bad idea are now lining up to support Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan.

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Thumbnail image for Tax Cuts on Food, Inheritances Pushed by Haslam

Tax Cuts on Food, Inheritances Pushed by Haslam

by Steven Hale | Jan. 10, 2012

The governor said the state sales tax on food should be reduced to 5.3 percent, and that people inheriting up to $1.25 million should be exempt from the state’s inheritance tax. Haslam’s legislative agenda also hit on flexibility in school salaries, state hiring.

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Thumbnail image for Shipley, Ford Overstepped Legislative Role, Not Law: Nashville DA

Shipley, Ford Overstepped Legislative Role, Not Law: Nashville DA

by Andrea Zelinski | Jan. 9, 2012

Local prosecutor’s inquiry into the legislative affairs and political tactics of two east Tennessee state representatives revealed nothing to warrant formal charges.

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