Not natural? Lee declines signature for bill treating people who have had COVID-19 same as vaccinated
A bill declaring previous COVID-19 infections to be same as having been vaccinated has become law in Tennessee without the signature of Republican Gov. Bill Lee.
The measure was sponsored by Rep. Bud Hulsey of Kingsport and Sen. Joey Hensley, a Hohenwald physician. Both are Republicans. The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 26-5 in the Senate and 66-20 in the House.
The bill defines natural immunity as being verified by a lab test or a letter for a licensed physician. Critics said the latter does not require any scientific proof to be established.
The Tennessee Constitution gives the governor 10 days (excluding Sundays) from receipt of a bill to sign, veto, or allow the measure to become law without his signature.
The governor took similar action on a recent bill seeking to establish a three-year residency requirement for congressional candidates to run in Tennessee primaries. By waiting for the entire period before declining to affix his signature, the bill didn’t become law until after the candidate filing deadline.
New edition alert: Lawmakers adjourn for the year and we hand out our annual TNJ awards
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— With the legislature safely adjourned, we hand out awards for the year’s best legislation, lobbying effort, and administration liaison. Also, an assortment participation medals for less laudable actions during the session.
— Party purity? Trump-backed candidate kicked off GOP ballot, but pot-smoking party switcher stays.
— Twenty-two Republican hopefuls failed to meet party standards but 13 are restored to the ballot, including a challenger to Rep. Scott Cepicky and three of four GOP candidates to succeed retiring Rep. Michael Curcio.
Also: Weston Wamp says he’s not behind attacks on rivals, Knoxville hires a new police chief, lawmakers deal final insult to Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle, and the latest intrigue surrounding Bruce and Rebecca Griffey.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
Piercey leaving state Health Department
Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey is leaving Gov. Bill Lee’s administration at the end next month.
Here’s the release from the governor’s office:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey’s departure from state government to enter the private sector, effective May 31. Lee will name a successor in the coming weeks.
“Lisa led our state’s health response through one of the most challenging crises Tennessee has faced, and I commend her faithful service to Tennesseans,” said Gov. Lee. “She has played an
invaluable role in my cabinet, and I wish her much success as she enters the private sector.”
Dr. Piercey joined the Lee Administration in January 2019. As commissioner, she served as a member of the Governor’s Unified Command Group during the COVID-19 pandemic, spearheaded efforts to innovate public health operations across the state and bolstered the healthcare workforce pipeline.
Biden grants clemency to 78, including 5 with Tennessee ties
Democratic President Joe Biden has granted clemency to 78 people. Here are the details on five with ties to Tennessee:
Jose Luis Colunga – Juniata, Nebraska
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana (Eastern District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (July 13, 2010).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on October 26, 2023, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Virgil Goodman, Jr. – Lexington, Tennessee
Offense: Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (Western District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 262 months of imprisonment, six-year term of supervised release (June 30, 2005).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the six-year term of supervised release.
Brandon Jermaine Huguley – Chattanooga, Tennessee
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (Eastern District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 235 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (August 20, 2012); amended to 188 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (May 22, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Bethel Cheyenne Mooneyham – Spencer, Tennessee
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine (Eastern District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (June 13, 2011).
Commutation Grant: Sentence to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Jesse Alan Trimue – Burton, Michigan
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 5 grams of actual methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture, a schedule II-controlled substance (Eastern District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release (June 6, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the eight-year term of supervised release.
McNally hits back at ‘blatant untruths’ about campaign finance overhaul
Senate Speaker Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) is hitting back at what he calls “blatant untruths” being spread about a the campaign finance and ethics overhaul advancing in the General Assembly.
McNally said efforts to get nonprofit “dark money” groups to disclose how much they are spending has caused the most pushback, including over what he called the false narrative that lawmakers are trying to force them to identify their donors.
“It is amazing that various seemingly ‘legitimate‘ groups are resorting to such disingenuous tactics to oppose it,” he said. “Is it because they are spending so much that Tennesseans would be appalled if they knew? Or is it that they spend so little that they fear they would be exposed as political grifters working to enrich only themselves?”
Here’s McNally’s full statement:
There are many blatant untruths circulating regarding the ethics reform bill Speaker Sexton and I have introduced.
The bill in question does not censor or otherwise curtail conservative activism or free speech in any way. Anything conservative groups can do now, they can still do under this bill. The legislation does not restrict their activity at all. The only additional requirement is disclosure.
Openness and transparency in the political process are prerequisites for freedom. For too long liberals, big corporations and corrupt political actors have been allowed to exploit loopholes in our system and operate in darkness.
The original Senate version as well as the current house version does not affect donors at all, just expenditures. It is simply a lie to say otherwise.
This bill is aimed at bad actors like the fictitious Matthew Phoenix and the various shell companies and shadowy PACs used by certain legislators to line their own pockets.
It is amazing that various seemingly “legitimate” groups are resorting to such disingenuous tactics to oppose it.
Is it because they are spending so much that Tennesseans would be appalled if they knew? Or is it that they spend so little that they fear they would be exposed as political grifters working to enrich only themselves?
If you are working to influence the outcome of an election, the voters deserve to know who you are and what you are doing. What could possibly be wrong with that? The fact this is even in question demonstrates the need for the legislation.
Crime victim compensation program has paid out $344M since 1982
Tennessee has paid out more than $344 million to crime victims since 1982, according to state Treasurer David Lillard’s office.
“This is a fund of last resort,” Lillard said in a release. “One would hope to never be a victim, but we all know bad things do happen. When you have no other means, please know there may be help with this program, as evidenced by the millions of dollars paid out of this fund to victims over the past four decades.”
Here’s the release from the Treasurer’s Office:
Nashville, TN — The Tennessee Department of Treasury’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Program has paid more than $344 million to victims over the past 40 years since the program’s inception in 1982.
During that time, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Program has served tens of thousands of innocent victims of violent crimes who had no other means of helping to defray the costs of eligible expenses.
This month, the Tennessee Treasury is joining organizations across the country, April 24 – 30, in recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to raise awareness of victims’ rights, inspire the community, and address unmet needs.
In observation of the week, State Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr. wants to increase awareness to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, which could cover expenses caused by personal injury due to a violent crime, such as medical bills, lost wages, loss of support to financial dependents, mental health counseling, and more.
Money in the fund can even help with expenses incurred while cleaning the scene of the crime, if it occurred in a victim’s home. If the crime results in the death of the victim, the fund can assist remaining dependents with some financial support and can help cover funeral expenses. The Fund does not cover certain ineligible expenses, such as rent or utility bills, travel to doctor appointments, costs from identity theft or fraud, personal property, or any public or private source, including insurance or donations. The money in the fund comes from fines, penalties, and fees paid by criminals to state and federal courts.
The theme for the 2022 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, “Rights, access, equity, for all victims,” spotlights victim service organizations’ best practices to reach all victims and help them forge new healing pathways. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to honor both the individual victims in our community and the groups engaged in building networks of understanding and support.
About 1.6 million people were victims of violent crime in 2020, excluding simple assault, a significant decrease from the year before, according to the most recent National Crime Victimization Survey from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
“This is a fund of last resort,” Treasurer Lillard said. “One would hope to never be a victim, but we all know bad things do happen. When you have no other means, please know there may be help with this program, as evidenced by the millions of dollars paid out of this fund to victims over the past four decades.”
Learn more about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Program at treasury.tn.gov/injury. Follow the Tennessee Treasury on Facebook and Twitter to get involved in the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week conversation.
New TNJ alert: Fallout from GOP’s 5th District cull, compromise on ‘truth in sentencing’ clears way to adjournment
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— GOP ouster of three leading candidates, including Trump favorite Ortatgus, from 5th Congressional District primary reverberates in Tennessee and beyond.
— The end is near: Compromise over “truth in sentencing” bill clears path to legislature’s adjournment as soon as next week.
— From the campaign trail: Races for prosecutor heat up in Shelby, Davidson, and Hamilton counties, big money for Republican Brent Taylor in bid to succeed indicted Sen. Brian Kelsey and Democrat Caleb Hemmer in race for open Nashville House seat, and a skulduggery update.
Also:
Frank Niceley’s blames reporter for his own comments, Lamar Alexander backs parking fees at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Michael Curcio sends his campaign balance to his PAC, Todd Warner praises Dixieland Strategies, and Chris Todd channels Bob Dylan.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
Trump to speak in Memphis, Harris to give commencement speech at TSU
Former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris have upcoming speaking engagements in Tennessee.
Harris is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Tennessee State University in Nashville on May 7, NBC News reports.
“Commencement marks a major milestone in our students’ lives, but to have the Vice President of the United States as your guest speaker makes this moment even more special for our students and their families,” TSU President Glenda Glover said in a release.
Trump is coming to Memphis as part of his “American Freedom” tour on June 18, the Daily Memphian reports. The roster of speakers is also expected to include Donald Trump Jr., commentator Candace Owens, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
State GOP boots Ortagus, Lee, and Starbuck from 5th District primary ballot
Three prominent candidates for the open 5th Congressional District failed to get restored to the Republican ballot Tuesday as members of the GOP’s executive committee representing the newly-drawn seat decided they weren’t bona fide members of the party, and thus ineligible to run under the GOP banner.
Missing the cut are Morgan Ortagus, a former U.S. Senate Department spokeswoman who was endorsed by Donald Trump, businessman Baxter Lee, and music video producer Robby Starbuck.
The move came after Gov. Bill Lee held on to a bill seeking to establish three-year residency requirements for congressional candidates. By waiting to decline to sign the legislation, it became law after the April 7 filing deadline. And because the law couldn’t apply retroactively, recent transplants Ortagus and Starbuck were allowed to stay on the ballot.
The state party is the ultimate arbiter of who can run in its primaries, making it uncertain what recourse may remain for the three ousted candidates. Democrats removed then-Sen. Rosalind Kurita as the nominee for the Montgomery County-based district in 2008 in what was widely seen as retribution for voting for Ron Ramsey to become the Senate’s first Republican speaker since Reconstruction.
The 6th Circuit in 2012 upheld a ruling by then-U.S. District Judge Robert Echols of Nashville that the state Democratic Party’s primary board acted within its lawful authority when it stripped Kurita of the nomination despite her 19-vote victory.
Statement from Ortagus:
I am deeply disappointed in the SEC’s decision. I’m a bonafide Republican by their standards, and frankly, by any metric. I’m further disappointed that the party insiders at the Tennessee Republican Party do not seem to share my commitment to President Trump’s America First policies. As I have said all along, I believe that voters in Middle Tennessee should pick their representative – not establishment party insiders. Our team is evaluating the options before us.
