New TNJ edition alert: A special session post-mortem, another RNC snub, and Gloria hopes to take on Marsha
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— What compromise? Senate stamped authority on special session.
— No thanks to a re-do: Nashville gets the snub again for GOP convention.
— From the campaign trail: Johnson joins U.S. Senate race, Pearson backs Turner in Memphis
Also: Jimmy Buffett’s wasted years in Nashville, Don Sundquist lies in state, Chris Todd defends commentary, and an early candidate for Wackiest Bill of the Year.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
House turmoil focus of special session coverage
The silencing of Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and subsequent walkout by House Democrats dominated the news coverage of Monday’s special session. Here are the headline:
Associated Press: GOP silences ‘Tennessee Three’ Democrat on House floor for day on ‘out of order’ rule; crowd erupts.
Tennessee Lookout: Democrats walk out over Jones silencing, as House-Senate remain in stalemate.
USA Today: Republican lawmakers silence ‘Tennessee Three’ Democrat on House floor for day on ‘out of order’ rule.
New York Times: Tennessee G.O.P. Again Silences Democratic Lawmaker Justin Jones.
Daily Memphian: House Speaker ejects audience, silences Jones in special session; Democrats walk off in protest.
WKRN-TV: Democrats walk out of House session after Rep. Jones silenced; Gallery cleared.
WTFV-TV: Rep. Justin Jones has been silenced from the House on Monday. Democrats left. The public screamed.
WREG-TV: Democrats walk out of House session after Rep. Jones silenced; Gallery cleared.
Special session in the headlines
The Senate Democratic Caucus has compiled 10 headlines as the General Assembly heads into the second week of a special session called in response to the mass shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School. Just for good measure we’ll add our own from the print edition of The Tennessee Journal: “Lawmakers shield themselves from advocates in special session.”
Here’s the other fine reporting highlighted by the Senate Dems:
Chalkbeat: Tennessee legislature will avoid gun control in special session prompted by mass school shooting.
FOX 17: No mental health issues poised to become law in Tenn. session reacting to school shooting.
Tennessee Lookout: TN House passes rules to restrict speech, limit disruptions and public during special session.
PBS NewsHour: GOP-led Tennessee legislature orders removal of public from gun control hearing.
Action News 5: Judge blocks rule banning signs after lawsuit over group removed from Tenn. special session.
Williamson Herald: State Legislature’s special session brings controversy.
Phil Williams: Have you seen this man? Lawmakers say Tennessee governor missing from special session talks.
The Washington Post: Despite shooting, hope fades for gun laws in Tennessee special session.
AP: Gun control already ruled out, Tennessee GOP lawmakers hit impasse in session after school shooting.
Times Free Press: Tennessee House, Senate Republicans return amid bitter stalemate.
New TNJ alert: GOP lawmakers throw up barriers to public, feds channel top shelf whiskey
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— Lawmakers shield themselves from advocates in special session.
— Courtside seat: Prosecutors to Phoenix Solutions: You’re no Pappy Van Winkle.
— From the campaign trail: O’Connell gets COVID-19, elbows thrown in Memphis mayoral contest.
Also: Joe Towns can’t stand the heat, shuttered Middle Tennessee newspapers revived, a taxpayer funded birthday party in Memphis, and G.A. Hardaway’s Freudian slip.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
Photo gallery of the first day of the special session
Here is a look at some of the action from the first day of the special session on public safety in Nashville on Monday.
Can ‘Surrender Caucus’ halt special session in its tracks?
This week’s special session on public safety could all be over before it even really begins. At least if a cabal conservative lawmakers have their way. The Capitol complex has been churning with talk of an adjournment motion being made shortly after the governor’s special session gets underway. If successful, everything would be packed in.
The effort by the Adjourn Caucus — whom detractors have labeled the “Surrender Caucus” — is not expected to garner enough support to succeed. But a significant number of votes in favor could set the tone for what’s possible during the special session.
Gov. Bill Lee has already had to dial back his ambitions for the session to result in significant changes in response to the mass shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School last spring. Instead, the session has morphed into generally addressing public safety, including several proposals to impose tougher sentences on juveniles.
Meanwhile, stricter security measures are being imposed around the Capitol complex.
Both chambers are scheduled to gavel in at 4 p.m. Central.
New TNJ edition alert: Response to Lee special session call ranges from hostility to lack of enthusiasm
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— Few enthused as Lee finally issues call for latest special session.
— Republicans seek bylaws changes to clamp down on candidates’ primary eligibility.
— Party like it’s 1970? Rolli channels Dunn in seeking upset GOP victory.
Also: The government seeks to introduce evidence of prior bad acts by Glen Casada and Cade Cothren, Republican operatives launch PAC named after the state’s most famous Democratic lawmakers, and details emerge about the chain reaction in the Ron DeSantis motorcade wreck in Chattanooga.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
Read the special session call on public safety
Our friends at the Tennessee Lookout have gotten their hands on what appears to be a draft of Gov. Bill Lee’s special session call. UPDATE: It’s now official.
Lee’s office said it will propose bills on the following topics (lawmakers may introduce others):
1. Codification of [Executive Order 100] and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Report Implementation: Requires reporting of accurate, complete and timely records from court clerks to the TBI within 72-hours and requires electronic submissions of dispositions and expungements to the TBI.
2. TennCare Mental Health Coverage Waiver: Directs TennCare to seek a waiver from the federal government to allow federal matching funds for Medicaid to cover services for mental illness and substance use disorders at institutions of mental diseases.
3. Addressing Mental Health Workforce Challenges: Budget initiatives that prioritize opportunities to grow and retain mental health professionals in the state.
4. Reforms for Mental Health: Expands access to mental health treatment by eliminating certain collaborative practice requirements for Advanced Registered Practice Nurses with psychiatric training.
5. Strengthening the Identification of Individuals Arrested for Felonies: Provides for the collection of DNA at the time of an arrest for all felonies.
6. Human Trafficking Report: Resolution directing TBI to report on the state of human trafficking in Tennessee.
7. Promoting Safe Storage: Eliminates taxes on firearm safes and safety devices, provides free gun locks, expands safe storage training in state-approved safety courses, and creates a public service announcement to promote safe storage.
Here’s the call:
WHEREAS, public safety is of prime importance to Tennesseans, and enhancing public safety requires a multi-faceted approach that likewise protects Constitutional rights; and
WHEREAS, Tennessee and our nation continue to experience acts of mass violence; and
WHEREAS, Tennesseans are experiencing mental health issues to an unprecedented degree, and this crisis affects not only those suffering from mental health issues, but also society at large; and
WHEREAS, in response to Executive Order 100, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified barriers to timely and accurate information sharing throughout the criminal Justice system, particularly regarding information that should be entered in state and national crime databases; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of Tennessee that the General Assembly convene to expeditiously address these concerns.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Bill Lee, Governor of the State of Tennessee, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by Article III, Section 9 of the Tennessee Constitution, do hereby call the One Hundred Thirteenth General Assembly of the State of Tennessee to meet and convene in extraordinary session at the Capitol in Nashville on August 21, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., Central Time, to consider and act upon legislation regarding:
(1) Mental health resources, providers, commitments, or services;
(2) School safety plans or policies;
(3) Health care providers’ duty to warn about potential violent offenses;
(4) Offenses of committing acts of mass violence or threatening to commit acts of mass violence;
(5) Reports from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation regarding human trafficking;
(6) Identification of individuals arrested for felonies;
(7) Law enforcement’s access to criminal and juvenile records;
(8) Law enforcement’s access to information about individuals who are subject to mental health commitment;
(9) Information about victims of violent offenses;
(10) Stalking offenses;
(11) Measures encouraging the safe storage of firearms, which do not include the creation
of penalties for failing to safely store firearms;(12) Temporary mental health orders of protection, which must be initiated by law enforcement, must require a due process hearing, must require the respondent to undergo an assessment for suicidal or homicidal ideation, must require law enforcement to prove its case by clear and convincing evidence, must require that an order of protection be reevaluated at least every one-hundred eighty (180) days, and must not permit ex parte orders;
(13) The transfer of juvenile defendants aged sixteen (16) and older to courts with criminal jurisdiction, which must include appeal rights for the juveniles and the prosecuting authorities;
(14) Limiting the circumstances in which juvenile records may be expunged;
(15) Blended sentencing for juveniles;
(16) Offenses related to inducing or coercing a minor to commit an offense;
(17) The structure or operations of state or local courts· and
(18) Making appropriations sufficient to provide funding for any legislation that receives final passage during the extraordinary session; making appropriations sufficient to pay the expenses of the extraordinary session, including the expenses of carrying out any actions taken pursuant to this proclamation; making appropriations sufficient to support mental health initiatives; making appropriations for school safety grants, as described on page B-90 of the 2023-2024 Budget Document and in Section 54, Item 1-41, Section 60, Item 25, and Section 60, Item 26 of Chapter 418, Public Acts of 2023; and making appropriations to support school safety at institutions of higher education.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Tennessee to be affixed at Nashville on this 8th day of August, 2023.
Republican executive committee to Lee: Drop special session
The executive committee of the Tennessee Republican Party voted over the weekend to call on Gov. Bill Lee to abandon plans for a special session on public safety, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported.
“The Tennessee Republican Party encourages Gov. Bill Lee to reconsider and not have a special session Aug. 21, 2023,” the the resolution said. The measure was adopted unanimously by the 34 of 66 eligible voters remaining at the end of a marathon meeting in Mt. Juliet on Saturday.
“My concern, and a lot of others’ concerns, is that some of the proposals we’ve heard really violate due process of law,” Tina Benkiser of Signal Mountain, the member who proposed the language of the resolution, told the paper. “And that is a fundamental concern. And when you start talking about potentially infringing on people’s constitutional rights, that needs to be thought out over a long period of time with people who have thought, debated, looked at the language and fleshed all that out. Not something to be rushed through.”
Lee has been meeting behind closed doors with lawmakers in recent weeks, but concrete proposals for the Aug. 21 special session have yet to be made public. Lee has yet to issue the call for lawmakers to return to Nashville.
Group calls on Lee to cancel special session over public safety concerns
The Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition is calling on Gov. Bill Lee to cancel a planned special session in August due to public safety concerns about what it calls “schemes made by Marxist agitators targeting said session.”
The letter is signed by the group’s board members Aaron Spradlin, Scott Nelson, Dave Galbraith, and Greg Lewis.
Here’s the letter sent to the governor on Tuesday:
Continue reading
Governor Lee,It is important to note, before we get into our main issue of disagreement with you, sir, that we, the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition, recognize that there are many important things we do agree with you on. To name a few issues from just this past year, we want to commend your commitment to defending the unborn and the right to life, conservative criminal justice reform, and legislation that you’ve signed defending children against mutilation.
Today, we are writing you because you have made it clear that you are planning to use your authority to officially call an ill-advised special session of the Tennessee General Assembly on August 21st to address gun issues in the aftermath of the Covenant School shooting tragedy, a heinous and despicable act committed by a mentally ill individual who claimed to be on the transgender spectrum.
In the interest of public safety, the safety of downtown Nashville, the safety of those brave men and women charged with maintaining order at the Capitol, the safety of legislators, staff, interns, and visitors, and in defense of the Constitution – we, the Board of the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition, plainly and emphatically oppose the calling of a special session of the General Assembly on this issue and are prayerfully writing to strongly urge that you reverse course on your plan, not call a special session, and wait until normal session in January to make proposals for the legislature to consider – as is the normal process of government.
As you and the public are aware, that heinous act of the murder of six individuals has been politicized by far Left activists and anti-Second Amendment groups funded by Leftist interests, the Biden Administration, Marxist agitators in the General Assembly who nearly started a riot over legislatures lack of desire to take away our Second Amendment constitutional rights – namely Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson, and others who wish to make every inroad they can in order to fulfil their ultimate goal of eliminating the constitutional protections that exist in the Second Amendment.
As you are aware, due to reporting by The Tennessee Star, SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, and other media organizations, Marxist groups that include MoveOn.org, Planned Parenthood and the so-called “Tennessee 3” protest organizers have already held at least one meeting in which audio was obtained that demonstrates clear and cohesive planning for agitators and potential terrorists to disrupt a special session. That same audio also contains details that some of the agitators will be armed and that they are planning to be arrested.
If nothing else, this proposed special session currently scheduled for August 21st has become a rallying cry and a clarion call for every Marxist, Leftist, Soros-funded, and anti-Second Amendment organization across the United States to come to Nashville and, as said in the leaked audio, “____ it up.”
It is important to oppose any encroachment on the Constitution and we firmly oppose Red Flag laws. The Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition has nothing but the highest praise for the leadership and members of the Tennessee General Assembly who are defending the U.S. Constitution against Red Flag laws, leadership that includes: House Majority Leader William Lamberth (who actively blocked a Red Flag bill presented at the end of this past session), Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, Senator John Stevens, Representative Chris Todd, Representative Rusty Grills, Representative Jason Zachary, Representative Jody Barrett, and many others.
However, given that the General Assembly has justly made public their commitment to defending the Constitution, the more immediate concern is the danger of violence and other illegal acts that are being planned by the Marxist Left because of the proposed Special Session.
It is imperative that a special session of the Tennessee General Assembly not be called this summer and we again reiterate our prayer that you, in the interest of public safety, do not officially call the special session currently proposed for August 21st.
It is additionally worth pointing out that the United States does not have a gun problem, but rather a God problem. The power centers of our society promote mental illness and spurn faith in God. Violence is a crisis of the soul, one that will not be solved by passing additional anti-Second Amendment laws. The only way to fix what ails our national soul is by turning back to God.
Attached to this letter is a statement of facts that we hope you will additionally consider as you make your decision.
We look forward to continuing to work with you and your office on areas where we share common ground.
Respectfully and Prayerfully,
The Board of the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition
