New TNJ edition alert: Judge hammers lawmakers, DeSantis to headline GOP fundraiser
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is here. Here is what’s in it:
— Parker shot first: Judge slams lawmakers in blocking drag law.
— From the campaign trail: DeSantis headlines GOP fundraiser, no leader in Nashville mayor’s race.
— Obituaries: Nashville Rep. Bill Beck, 14-year Knox County exec Dwight Kessel.
Also: Lackluster fundraising numbers for the Justins, Glenn Jacobs hangs out with Donald Trump, John Ingram rails against a racetrack deal, and a new area code in East Tennessee.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
Beck to lie in state at Tennessee Capitol
Rep. Bill Beck, who died of a heart attack over the weekend, will lie in state at the state Capitol in Nashville on Thursday.
Here are the details:
NASHVILLE—Funeral arrangements have been determined for beloved State Representative Bill Beck. Representative Beck unexpectedly passed away Sunday after suffering a sudden heart attack at his home. The Nashville attorney served in the Tennessee Legislature for almost a decade representing parts of downtown Nashville, East Nashville, Germantown, Inglewood, Madison, Old Hickory, and portions of Donelson. Arrangements are as follow:
THURSDAY, JUNE 8TH:
Representative Beck will lie in state at the Capitol from 2:00 to 6:00 PM.
SATURDAY, JUNE 10TH:
Funeral at Polk Theatre at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
Services begin at 11:00 AM.
Doors open at 10:30 AM.
Reactions to the sudden passing of Rep. Bill Beck
State Rep. Bill Beck (D-Nashville) died of a heart attack over the weekend at age 61. The attorney was first elected to the House in 2014. He was a fierce advocate for his constituents, but also well liked across the aisle.
Here are some reactions to Beck’s passing made through statements or social media postings:
House Minority Leader Karen Camper (D-Memphis):
Bill Beck was one of my closest friends. He was not only my colleague, but also my confidant. His warmth, intellect and passion for people made the House of Representatives a better place. Bill was well respected by members on both sides of the aisle. No matter the political differences or issues, Bill would always find the humanity in a situation. Any encounter with Bill made your day better. I will miss his laugh and his counsel. He was truly the best of us and I cannot imagine the world without Bill Beck in it.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville):
We are incredibly saddened to hear that our colleague, Rep. Bill Beck, has unexpectedly passed away. Bill was a dedicated servant and powerful voice for the city of Nashville, a husband, father, and friend to everyone in the General Assembly.
House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville):
Today we lost a brother, and we are devastated. Our hearts go out to Pam, Meredith and Bill’s entire family. Bill and I entered the legislature together, and it was a true honor to serve with and learn from him. He was a source of advice, inspiration and much-needed levity for me and many others at the most crucial moments. Everyone privileged enough to ever cross Bill’s path knows what a special person and caring individual he was. He truly had a public servant’s heart and the most memorable laugh.
State Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis):
Bill Beck spoke up against the injustice of our expulsions with tact & leadership that’s lacking in the Tennessee General Assembly. He served well & wasn’t afraid of speaking against racist, discriminatory, and immoral legislation targeting Nashville. God grant him peace.
Secretary of State Tre Hargett:
I am saddened to learn about the passing of Rep. Bill Beck. He was smart, witty, and passionate. He treated others with respect, and he served our state well. Please lift up his family in your prayers.
State Sen. Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City):
Please join me in praying for Rep. Bill Beck’s friends and family tonight. Bill was a lifelong servant of our great state, and was a friend to many.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper:
Bill Beck was a constant charming and kind presence. He brightened every room with his grace and wit, and he made politics better for us all. Bill was a true friend, and we will miss him everyday. Our prayers are with his wife Pam & their family as we all mourn this tragic loss.
New TNJ edition alert: Redistricting case update, special session wrangling, AG-approved drag shows
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is here. Here is what’s in it:
— Redistricting case may test anyone-can-sue-government statute.
— Speakers trying to find alternatives to ‘red flag’ law in special session.
— Risqué, but OK? AG says Memphis drag shows ‘don’t even come close’ to violating law.
— Flight of the Phoenix: Sexton declines to discuss Cothren claim of alliance in speaker’s race.
Also: FBI agents raid home of Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., early voting underway in two of three special state House elections, and the Registry’s former home gets a rebranding.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
5 Tennessee Republicans vote against debt ceiling deal in U.S. House
Five of eight Republican members of Tennessee’s delegation to the U.S. House voted against a last-minute debt ceiling deal to avert the first federal default in that nation’s history.
Voting no were Reps. Tim Burchett of Knoxville, Scott DesJarlais of Sherwood, Diana Harshbarger of Kingsport, Andy Ogles of Columbia, and John Rose of Cookeville.
Voting in favor were GOP Reps. Chuck Fleischmann of Chattanooga, Mark Green of Ashland City, and David Kustoff of Memphis.
“This bill is not ideal,” Green said in a statement. “But considering the make-up of our government, the Republicans punched above their weight class and passed a debt ceiling increase that contained key conservative victories.”
Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis also supported the bill.
The measure cleared the House 314 to 117 , with 149 Republicans voting for it and 71 against. Meanwhile, 165 Democrats approved the bill, while 46 opposed.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
Two events to celebrate Tennessee Statehood Day
The Tennessee State Library and Archives is hosting two events to celebrate statehood day. Here is the release from the Secretary of State’s office:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – To celebrate Tennessee’s Statehood, the Tennessee State Library & Archives is hosting free events on Thursday, June 1, and a family-friendly celebration event on Saturday, June 3.
“The mission of the Library & Archives is to preserve Tennessee’s history and make it accessible to our fellow Tennesseans,” said Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “It’s a rare opportunity to see our state’s original founding documents. I encourage my fellow Tennesseans not to miss this chance to have history come alive by viewing these irreplaceable documents up close during our Statehood Day Celebration.”
On Statehood Day, June 1, at 8 a.m. Debbie Mathis Watts will perform her song, “The Tennessee in Me,” an official state song of Tennessee. Tennessee’s three priceless original constitutions, first written in 1796 and revised in 1843 and 1870, will be on display in the Library & Archives lobby, guarded by the Tennessee Highway Patrol Honor Guard from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Library & Archives will also feature rarely seen historical documents, including the Cumberland Compact, Governor John Sevier’s Address to the first Tennessee General Assembly, the Cherokee Nation 1827 Constitution and the founding documents of the State of Franklin.
“Our staff has spent months planning for our Statehood Day Celebrations,” said State Librarian and Archivist Jamie Ritter. “Our family-friendly Statehood Day celebration on June 3 will have so much to offer families that are both fun and educational.”
The Library & Archives will host a family-friendly Statehood Day Celebration on Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Statehood Day Celebration will have a children’s scavenger hunt, games, crafts and living history interpreters. Guests can also see Tennessee’s three original constitutions and the new exhibit showcasing rarely seen historical documents in the Library & Archives lobby from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Library & Archives is joining Bicentennial Mall State Park and the Tennessee State Museum for a variety of events to celebrate Statehood Day. Park Rangers will offer a free guided tour of Bicentennial Mall State Park starting outside the Tennessee State Library & Archives at 9 a.m. on June 1. For more information, visit tnstateparks.com.
The State Museum is celebrating Statehood Day with a children’s story time, statehood artifacts on display, family crafts and a Statehood Anniversary Commemoration at noon on June 1. For the Tennessee State Museum’s full schedule of Statehood Day activities visit TNMuseum.org/Statehood.
The Statehood Day events at the Library & Archives, Bicentennial Mall State Park and Tennessee State Museum are free to the public.The Library & Archives’ Statehood Day Celebration events will take place at their new building, 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N., on the northeast corner of the Bicentennial Mall State Park.
For more information about the Library & Archives Statehood Day events, visit sos.tn.gov/tsla/statehoodday.
Cothren says records would show he consulted for Sexton on speaker’s bid in 2019
Cade Cothren, a former top aide to then-House Speaker Glen Casada, claims in a motion filed in federal court Thursday evening that he was a close confidant to current Speaker Cameron Sexton when the chamber’s top leadership position opened up. Cothren also says Sexton was actively trying to help Cothren get a job as a lobbyist. The motion says Sexton’s behavior contrasts with is statements to federal prosecutors that he didn’t want anything to do with Cothren after the latter was forced out of his House job following a text messaging scandal and revelations he took drugs in his legislative office.
Cothren and Casada are facing federal public corruption charges related to the operation of a mysterious political called Phoenix Solutions. The trial is scheduled for Oct. 3.
Here’s an excerpt from the filing seeking an order for Verizon to turn over Sexton’s phone records:
After his resignation, Mr. Cothren remained heavily engaged with Speaker Sexton, who relied on Mr. Cothren’s expertise, especially during the 2019 special session race for the next Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives after former Speaker Glen Casada’s resignation.
Mr. Cothren was one of then-Representative Sexton’s most consistent confidants during his race for Speaker. The requested telephone and messaging records should show hundreds of telephone calls and corresponding messages between Mr. Cothren and Speaker Sexton during that critical time period and beyond.
The records from [encrypted messaging service] Confide, specifically, will show that Speaker Sexton was also regularly communicating with Mr. Cothren and other state employees on the encrypted messaging application during the relevant time period in the Indictment.
Additionally, the requested records will show that Speaker Sexton was actively reaching out to state officials, state employees, as well as third-parties in an attempt to secure Mr. Cothren a job as a lobbyist as well as other opportunities. These communications are integral to Mr. Cothren’s defense in this matter because the government’s case appears to rely—heavily—on its theory that Mr. Cothren’s reputation was so tarnished after his resignation that Speaker Sexton was adamantly opposed to associating or working with him at all, even on administrative matters.
New TNJ edition alert: Intimidation allegations in public corruption case, parents fret about retention law
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is here (a day early because of the approaching holiday weekend). Here is what’s in it:
— Prosecutors allege threats, intimidation in public corruption case.
— Parents fret about kids being held back due to third-grade test results.
—If drag show law is found unconstitutional, AG wants ruling to apply only to Shelby County.
Also: Freddie O’Connell wants “More Ville and less Vegas,” a rival gun rights group wants to “beat political asses” at the Tennessee Capitol, and Cameron Sexton says he’d do it all over again.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
Lee sending 100 Tennessee National Guard members to border with Mexico
Gov. Bill Lee is authorizing the deployment of 100 Tennessee National Guard members to Texas to help patrol the border with Mexico.
Here’s the release from the governor’s office:
Gov. Lee Authorizes Tennessee National Guard Deployment to Secure Southern Border
100 Tennessee troops to curb ongoing border crisis, support Operation Lone StarNASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee authorized the deployment of 100 Tennessee National Guard troops to secure the U.S. Southern border amid an ongoing national security crisis and surging drug crisis being fueled by an open border.
The announcement follows a joint statement from Gov. Lee and fellow Republican governors last week and a border security briefing in Austin on Monday, where Texas Governor Greg Abbott invited states to support ‘Operation Lone Star’ to secure the U.S. Southern border following the end of Title 42.
“America continues to face an unprecedented border crisis that threatens our nation’s security and the safety of Tennesseans,” said Gov. Lee. “The federal government owes Americans a plan to secure our country, and in the meantime, states continue to answer this important call to service. I am again authorizing the Tennessee National Guard to help secure the Southern border, and I commend these troops for providing critical support.”
The Tennessee National Guard members will deploy at the end of May to provide critical support along the U.S. Southern border, including:
• Patrolling and providing additional security presence along the border
• Assisting road and route clearance, barrier placement and debris removal
• Staffing outpost operations
The Tennessee National Guard has supported border security efforts in the past. In December 2021, Gov. Lee authorized 50 additional troops to respond to the surge in illegal crossings and drug-related activity along the U.S. Southern border. Lee also visited more than 300 Tennesseans stationed at the border in July 2021.
“The men and women of the Tennessee National Guard are always ready to serve their country anywhere, anytime,” said Brigadier General Warner Ross, Tennessee’s Adjutant General. “These troops are a capable contingent that will continue our long-standing tradition of responding to the call to aid our fellow Americans. The Tennessee National Guard is proud to serve and support our state partners in safeguarding the United States along the U.S. Southern border.”
3rd grade retention: Find your school district scores here
Under a new law, students who don’t meet expectations for reading proficiency face the prospect of being held back for another try at third grade. Children in the “approaching” category can take summer school or tutoring to try to make up lost ground and advance to fourth grade.
See how your school district did in data released by the state Department of Education:
| District | Pct. Below | Approa- ching | Pct. Meets | Pct. Exceeds | Pct. Proficient |
| Achievement Schools | 64 | 26 | 9 | 1 | 10 |
| Alamo City | 9 | 16 | 37 | 38 | 75 |
| Alcoa City | 19 | 41 | 28 | 12 | 40 |
| Anderson County | 13 | 43 | 31 | 14 | 44 |
| Arlington Community | 2 | 21 | 42 | 36 | 78 |
| Athens City | 24 | 33 | 34 | 9 | 43 |
| Bartlett City | 13 | 39 | 32 | 17 | 49 |
| Bedford County | 31 | 33 | 26 | 10 | 36 |
| Bells City | 15 | 38 | 37 | 10 | 46 |
| Benton County | 26 | 36 | 25 | 13 | 38 |
| Bledsoe County | 29 | 32 | 27 | 11 | 38 |
| Blount County | 22 | 41 | 27 | 10 | 37 |
| Bradford Special | 30 | 26 | 33 | 12 | 44 |
| Bradley County | 15 | 37 | 33 | 15 | 48 |
| Bristol City | 12 | 37 | 37 | 14 | 51 |
| Campbell County | 28 | 40 | 24 | 7 | 31 |
| Cannon County | 33 | 39 | 26 | 2 | 28 |
| Carter County | 20 | 48 | 26 | 6 | 32 |
| Cheatham Countv | 20 | 38 | 31 | 11 | 41 |
| Chester County | 9 | 35 | 36 | 21 | 57 |
| Claiborne County | 29 | 40 | 26 | 5 | 31 |
| Clarksville Montgomery County | 21 | 37 | 29 | 13 | 42 |
| Clay County | 11 | 42 | 37 | 11 | 48 |
| Cleveland City | 32 | 36 | 23 | 9 | 33 |
| Clinton City | 11 | 34 | 38 | 17 | 55 |
| Cocke County | 28 | 44 | 22 | 6 | 28 |
| Coffee County | 24 | 37 | 28 | 11 | 39 |
| Collierville | 6 | 20 | 37 | 36 | 74 |
| Crockett County | 23 | 34 | 30 | 13 | 42 |
| Cumberland County | 29 | 36 | 23 | 11 | 34 |
| Dayton City | 27 | 24 | 32 | 17 | 49 |
| Decatur County | 17 | 40 | 34 | 9 | 43 |
| DeKalb County | 25 | 33 | 29 | 14 | 42 |
| Dickson County | 20 | 38 | 28 | 14 | 42 |
| Dyer County | 17 | 38 | 31 | 14 | 45 |
| Dyersburg City | 30 | 39 | 22 | 9 | 31 |
| Elizabethton City | 16 | 34 | 32 | 17 | 50 |
| Etowah City | 16 | 40 | 40 | 5 | 44 |
| Fayette County | 44 | 40 | 13 | 4 | 17 |
| Fayetteville City | 20 | 36 | 33 | 11 | 44 |
| Fentress County | 29 | 40 | 26 | 5 | 31 |
| Franklin County | 29 | 36 | 26 | 9 | 35 |
| Franklin Special | 11 | 19 | 36 | 33 | 69 |
| Germantown Municipal | 4 | 16 | 40 | 40 | 80 |
| Gibson County Special | 11 | 34 | 35 | 20 | 56 |
| Giles County | 16 | 42 | 32 | 10 | 42 |
| Grainger County | 14 | 40 | 35 | 12 | 46 |
| Greene County | 20 | 45 | 28 | 7 | 35 |
| Greeneville City | 13 | 41 | 31 | 15 | 46 |
| Grundy County | 29 | 32 | 32 | 7 | 39 |
| Hamblen County | 25 | 34 | 28 | 13 | 41 |
| Hamilton County | 29 | 31 | 27 | 13 | 40 |
| Hancock County | 22 | 46 | 24 | 9 | 32 |
| Hardeman County | 35 | 41 | 22 | 3 | 24 |
| Hardin County | 29 | 43 | 22 | 7 | 28 |
| Hawkins County | 26 | 42 | 26 | 6 | 32 |
| Haywood County | 44 | 39 | 15 | 3 | 18 |
| Henderson County | 15 | 41 | 32 | 13 | 44 |
| Henry County | 25 | 32 | 30 | 12 | 43 |
| Hickman County | 16 | 41 | 31 | 13 | 44 |
| Hollow Rock – Bruceton Special | 11 | 57 | 22 | 11 | 32 |
| Houston County | 43 | 37 | 16 | 4 | 19 |
| Humboldt City | 50 | 34 | 15 | 1 | 16 |
| Humphreys County | 24 | 40 | 30 | 6 | 36 |
| Huntingdon Special | 17 | 38 | 28 | 17 | 45 |
| Jackson County | 25 | 43 | 25 | 7 | 32 |
| Jackson-Madison County | 41 | 40 | 16 | 4 | 20 |
| Jefferson County | 29 | 33 | 26 | 12 | 39 |
| Johnson City | 14 | 22 | 33 | 31 | 64 |
| Johnson County | 43 | 35 | 19 | 3 | 22 |
| Kingsport City | 19 | 36 | 27 | 19 | 45 |
| Knox County | 24 | 33 | 28 | 15 | 43 |
| Lake County | 33 | 35 | 25 | 6 | 31 |
| Lakeland | 5 | 26 | 40 | 29 | 69 |
| Lauderdale County | 33 | 33 | 25 | 8 | 33 |
| Lawrence County | 13 | 40 | 31 | 15 | 46 |
| Lebanon Special | 22 | 33 | 31 | 14 | 46 |
| Lenoir City | 32 | 36 | 28 | 4 | 32 |
| Lewis County | 8 | 42 | 35 | 15 | 50 |
| Lexington City | 11 | 43 | 34 | 12 | 46 |
| Lincoln County | 18 | 38 | 31 | 13 | 44 |
| Loudon County | 16 | 37 | 33 | 14 | 47 |
| Macon County | 21 | 39 | 30 | 10 | 40 |
| Manchester City | 20 | 41 | 28 | 11 | 39 |
| Marion County | 23 | 43 | 28 | 7 | 34 |
| Marshall County | 20 | 46 | 27 | 6 | 34 |
| Marvville City | 4 | 21 | 35 | 39 | 75 |
| Maury County | 26 | 38 | 27 | 9 | 37 |
| McKenzie Special | 27 | 39 | 28 | 5 | 34 |
| McMinn County | 30 | 38 | 28 | 5 | 33 |
| McNairy County | 22 | 40 | 29 | 8 | 38 |
| Meigs County | 17 | 41 | 31 | 11 | 41 |
| Memphis-Shelby County | 42 | 34 | 18 | 6 | 24 |
| Metro-Nashville | 38 | 32 | 19 | 11 | 30 |
| Milan Special | 18 | 46 | 27 | 9 | 36 |
| Millington Municipal | 32 | 34 | 26 | 9 | 35 |
| Monroe County | 30 | 43 | 23 | 3 | 27 |
| Moore County | 18 | 32 | 35 | 15 | 50 |
| Morgan County | 17 | 42 | 30 | 11 | 41 |
| Murfreesboro City | 25 | 32 | 29 | 14 | 44 |
| Newport City | 13 | 33 | 47 | 8 | 55 |
| Oak Ridge | 14 | 27 | 39 | 19 | 59 |
| Obion County | 16 | 44 | 32 | 8 | 40 |
| Oneida Special | 18 | 49 | 28 | 5 | 33 |
| Overton County | 20 | 41 | 33 | 6 | 39 |
| Paris Special | 21 | 36 | 28 | 14 | 42 |
| Perry County | 25 | 58 | 14 | 4 | 17 |
| Pickett County | 30 | 33 | 28 | 10 | 38 |
| Polk County | 23 | 40 | 24 | 13 | 37 |
| Putnam County | 21 | 37 | 28 | 15 | 42 |
| Rhea County | 20 | 40 | 28 | 12 | 40 |
| Richard City Special | 20 | 67 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| Roane County | 22 | 37 | 31 | 10 | 41 |
| Robertson County | 31 | 39 | 22 | 8 | 30 |
| Rogersville City | 29 | 35 | 23 | 13 | 35 |
| Rutherford County | 22 | 34 | 29 | 15 | 44 |
| Scott County | 19 | 41 | 27 | 13 | 41 |
| Sequatchie County | 26 | 32 | 34 | 8 | 42 |
| Sevier County | 24 | 40 | 27 | 9 | 35 |
| Smith County | 15 | 41 | 35 | 9 | 44 |
| South Carroll Special | 15 | 15 | 30 | 40 | 70 |
| Stewart County | 22 | 47 | 26 | 5 | 31 |
| Sullivan County | 19 | 43 | 28 | 10 | 38 |
| Sumner County | 18 | 33 | 31 | 18 | 49 |
| Sweetwater City | 24 | 33 | 28 | 14 | 42 |
| Tennessee Public Charter | 34 | 39 | 18 | 9.7 | 28 |
| Tipton County | 21 | 39 | 30 | 10 | 40 |
| Trenton Special | 22 | 43 | 28 | 7 | 35 |
| Trousdale County | 23 | 28 | 30 | 19 | 49 |
| Tullahoma City | 21 | 37 | 33 | 9 | 42 |
| Unicoi County | 18 | 52 | 21 | 9 | 30 |
| Union City | 23 | 48 | 23 | 7 | 29 |
| Union County | 42 | 36 | 19 | 3 | 22 |
| Van Buren County | 25 | 40 | 29 | 6 | 35 |
| Warren County | 32 | 35 | 26 | 8 | 34 |
| Washington County | 13 | 37 | 36 | 14 | 50 |
| Wayne County | 19 | 51 | 24 | 7 | 30 |
| Weakley County | 16 | 32 | 33 | 19 | 52 |
| West Carroll Special | 13 | 50 | 22 | 15 | 37 |
| White County | 14 | 43 | 30 | 13 | 43 |
| Williamson County | 6 | 22 | 38 | 34 | 72 |
| Wilson County | 15 | 35 | 34 | 16 | 50 |
