New TNJ edition alert: Lee’s carrot-and-stick approach to teachers, blood in the Nashville water
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— Governor’s bid to raise teacher pay hike bill would also ban dues collection.
— Blood in the water: More punitive measures follow law halving the size of Nashville council.
— No harm, no foul? Judges mull motions for summary judgment in re-districting challenge.
Also: Dwight Tarwater’s state Supreme Court nomination confirmed, residency requirement questions cloud Memphis mayor’s race, new Knox County GOP chair pledges “return to normalcy,” and is there an emoji for succession jockeying for the Senate speakership?
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
New TNJ alert: How to ease the anti-Nashville frenzy, Lee’s big-money play for express lanes
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— Could deal on 2028 convention ease GOP’s anti-Nashville frenzy?
— Bill Lee’s $3.3B roads plan includes sending big money to sparsely populated areas, indexing the hiked EV fee.
— Supreme Court nominee Dwight Tarwater in his own words.
— Obituaries: Redistricting advocate Maclin Davis and former senator and lobbyist Tommy Haun.
Also: McNally was alerted to heartbeat issues by watch, Cade Cothren gets delay for Registry case, Guy Jones to retire from prosecutors’ group, and lawmakers charge into trying to regulate drag shows.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
UPDATE: Lee makes Tarwater pick for Supreme Court official
Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday nominated Dwight Tarwater, a former legal counsel to then-Gov. Bill Haslam, to fill an upcoming vacancy on the state Supreme Court.
Justice Sharon Lee, the lone remaining member of the high court appointed by a Democrat, is retiring in August. The other finalists are state appeals judges Kristi Davis and Tom Greenholtz.
Here’s the release:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of Dwight E. Tarwater to the Tennessee Supreme Court and Matthew Wilson to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Western Section.
“Dwight is a highly qualified attorney who will bring significant experience to the Tennessee Supreme Court,” said Lee. “His understanding of the judiciary’s appropriate role and commitment to the conservative principles of judicial restraint make him well-suited for the state’s highest court, and I am proud to appoint him to this position.”
Dwight Tarwater is a partner at Paine, Tarwater, Bickers, LLP. Tarwater brings more than 40 years of legal background to the Tennessee Supreme Court, including decades of trial and appellate experience and service as Chief Legal Counsel to Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. Tarwater earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee and J.D. at the University of Tennessee College of Law. Tarwater will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Sharon Lee, effective August 31.
“Matt’s extensive background in criminal prosecution has prepared him well to serve Tennesseans on the Court of Criminal Appeals,” said Lee. “I am confident he will bring valuable expertise to the bench, and I appreciate his service.”
Matthew Wilson is an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Tennessee. Wilson brings significant criminal law experience to the Court of Criminal Appeals, including nearly 20 years of legal service at both the state and federal levels. Wilson earned his bachelor’s degree at Auburn University and J.D. at Florida State University College of Law. Wilson will fill a vacancy created by the death of Judge John Everett Williams.
Each of these judicial appointments is subject to confirmation by the General Assembly.
