NASHVILLE (AP) — The state Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to allow Tennesseans to openly carry guns without a state-issued permit.
The chamber voted 25-2 in favor of the bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Mae Beavers of Mt. Juliet.
29. Haslam free tuition plan garners praise, concern - Friday, April 04, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam's signature proposal this year, a program that would cover a full ride at two-year colleges for any high school graduate, appears on track to pass as lawmakers enter the waning days of the legislative session. The details, however - including how to pay for this perk in the years to come - remain scattered.
30. For-profit charter schools bill fails in House - Friday, April 04, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to allow charter schools in Tennessee to be operated by for-profit groups failed in its final committee vote Thursday before reaching the House floor for debate.
The Calendar and Rules Committee voted 10-7 against the bill after House Speaker Beth Harwell of Nashville raised what she called "grave reservations" about it.
31. For-profit charter schools bill fails in House - Friday, March 28, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to allow charter schools in Tennessee to be operated by for-profit entities has failed its last committee vote before reaching the House floor.
The House Calendar and Rules Committee on Thursday voted 10-7 against the bill after Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell of Nashville spoke out against the measure.
32. Students stage silent protest in Tennessee House - Friday, March 21, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) — A student group that opposes Tennessee's voter ID law has staged a silent protest in the gallery of the House chamber.
Members of the Nashville Student Organizing Committee stood in three rows overlooking lawmakers for more than an hour Monday. They stuck black tape over their mouths and held hands while the chamber went about its business.
33. Haslam signs supermarket wine bill into law - Friday, March 21, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) — Folks waiting for the neighborhood grocery store to stock their favorite merlot or chardonnay may have to wait a little longer even though Gov. Bill Haslam has signed a law to allow supermarket wine sales in Tennessee.
34. Jeb Bush: Follow through on Common Core standards - Friday, March 14, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Wednesday urged state officials to follow through on Common Core education standards despite what he called an "avalanche" of criticism from those who oppose them.
35. Haslam signs supermarket wine bill into law - Friday, March 14, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - After years of legislative debate, Republican Gov. Bill Haslam on Thursday signed a law to allow supermarket wine sales in Tennessee.
Haslam was joined by the measure's sponsors, as well as the Senate and House speakers, who helped the passage of the legislation by bringing different parties to the table to discuss it.
36. GOP leaders meet in Tennessee amid Common Core discord - Friday, March 14, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and two top Tennessee Republicans are meeting at an upscale Nashville hotel Wednesday to discuss education policies that have caused divisions within the GOP around the country — including within the Tennessee General Assembly located across the street.
37. Haslam agenda hits hard times in Legislature - Friday, March 14, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam's agenda is falling on hard times with fellow Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly.
A House vote last week to delay school curriculum and assessment standards was the latest defiance of the governor's wishes. The GOP supermajority in the Legislature this session has also:
38. Bill to block Nashville Amp project worries Haslam - Friday, March 07, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam on Tuesday raised concerns about efforts by fellow Republicans in the state Legislature to block a dedicated bus lane project through Nashville.
The governor told reporters after a speech to the Nashville Chamber of Commerce that although he has not formed an opinion about whether the project - called the Amp - is a good idea, he's worried about the possible precedent of legislative committees deciding over individual transportation projects in the state.
39. School voucher bill advances in House - Friday, February 28, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to create a school voucher program in Tennessee is advancing in the House despite concerns from some lawmakers that the legislation would be detrimental to public schools.
40. Haslam stands by own anti-meth proposal in House - Friday, February 28, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam said Wednesday he is standing by his anti-meth proposal despite the bill being sidetracked in a House subcommittee earlier this week.
The Republican governor told The Associated Press that his proposal to limit sales of cold and allergy medicines used to make the illegal drug will do more to combat meth production in Tennessee than a rival measure with lesser restrictions.
41. State Rep. Mike Turner retiring after 14 years - Friday, February 28, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner said Thursday that he will not seek re-election because he wants to spend more time with his family and explore a run for Nashville mayor.
42. Tennessee House passes supermarket wine sales bill - Friday, February 21, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - A years-long effort to allow wine to be sold outside of Tennessee liquor stores easily cleared what was expected to be its toughest hurdle on Thursday when the state House overwhelmingly approved the measure.
43. Tennessee House passes supermarket wine sales bill - Friday, February 14, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - A years-long effort to allow wine to be sold outside of Tennessee liquor stores easily cleared what was expected to be its toughest hurdle on Thursday when the state House overwhelmingly approved the measure.
44. Guns-in-parks: A local or state issue? - Friday, February 14, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - A measure to do away with local government's power to decide whether to allow firearms in public parks overwhelmingly passed the Senate on Thursday despite concerns expressed by the governor.
45. Bass, Berry & Sims names new leadership - Friday, February 14, 2014
W. Brantley Phillips, Jr. has been elected to serve on the executive committee of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.
Phillips serves as chair of the firm’s Securities & Shareholder Litigation Group, and his practice focuses on class action defense, derivative actions and other complex business litigation. Phillips has, for the past three years, served as chair of the firm’s Marketing & Business Development Committee.
46. Coley becomes national voice in fight against sex trafficking - Friday, February 14, 2014
You may not know it, but human trafficking is a problem in Tennessee. It’s such a problem that Rep. Jim Coley (R-Bartlett), chairmen of the House Civil Justice Subcommittee, has dedicated his career in office to fight against the crime in his home state.
47. Tennessee lawmakers: VW incentives threatened by UAW - Friday, February 07, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican lawmakers in Tennessee on Monday threatened that the state could turn off the spigot of incentives for Volkswagen if workers at the German automaker's plant decide this week to approve union representation.
48. Tennessee Senate passes supermarket wine bill 23-8 - Friday, January 31, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - Voters would decide whether their cities or counties allow wine to be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores, under a bill passed by the state Senate on Thursday.
The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro was approved on a 23-8 vote after the companion bill was revived in the House this week.
49. Tennessee Senate passes supermarket wine bill 23-8 - Friday, January 24, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - Local governments could hold votes on whether to allow wine sales in supermarkets and convenience stores, under a bill the state Senate passed on Thursday.
The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro was approved on a 23-8 vote after the companion bill was revived in the House this week. Five Republicans voted against the measure, along with three Democrats.
50. Wine in supermarkets bill advancing in House - Friday, January 24, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - The House committee that killed last year's version of a bill to allow wine sales in Tennessee grocery stores on Tuesday overwhelmingly voted in favor of giving cities the ability to hold referendums on the proposal.
51. Republicans discuss new voucher bill with governor - Friday, January 24, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican state lawmakers have proposed a school voucher bill they hope will be acceptable to Gov. Bill Haslam, who has repeatedly said he favors a more limited version of the program that gives parents another option for educating their children.
52. Supermarket wine bill up for key votes next week - Friday, January 24, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - The full Senate is scheduled to vote next week on a proposal to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets, while a House committee that derailed last year's version is set to consider reviving the measure.
53. Grocery wine bill negotiations near breakthrough - Friday, January 17, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - After years of bitter legislative fights over efforts to allow Tennessee grocery stores to sell wine, groups representing liquor stores and supermarkets are nearing an agreement that would give the measure its best ever chances of becoming law.
54. Lawmakers reconvene for 108th General Assembly - Friday, January 10, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - State lawmakers on Tuesday reconvened the 108th Tennessee General Assembly in a legislative session that is expected to feature debates over creating a school voucher program and whether to allow supermarkets to sell wine.
55. Haslam to decide on school vouchers next week - Friday, January 10, 2014
NASHVILLE (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam won't announce his decision about whether to support school voucher legislation until next week, when state lawmakers return into session.
The Republican governor last year supported a voucher program limited to students from low-income families attending failing schools. Haslam had that measure withdrawn when Senate Republicans sought to expand to a larger number of children.
56. Top Midstate residential real estate transactions for Nov. 2013 - Friday, December 13, 2013
Top November 2013 residential real estate transactions for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.
57. Top Midstate residential real estate transactions for Sept. 2013 - Friday, October 18, 2013
Top September 2013 residential real estate transactions for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.
58. J. Alexander’s promotes Hagler to AVP, controller - Friday, October 04, 2013
J. Alexander’s LLC, operator of J. Alexander’s restaurants and Stoney River Legendary Steak restaurants, has promoted Jessica Hagler to assistant vice president and controller.
59. Former GOP chairwoman appointed to women's council - Friday, September 13, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - Former state Republican Party chairwoman Robin Smith has been appointed to the Tennessee Economic Council on Women.
60. Tennessee Republican group seeks to put more women in office - Friday, September 06, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - The nation's largest caucus of Republican state leaders plans to spend $6 million to recruit 300 women to run for office in the next election cycle, women GOP leaders said Tuesday.
61. Former Speaker Williams to retire from Tennessee House - Friday, August 30, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - State Rep. Kent Williams, whose 2009 election as House speaker shocked and infuriated fellow Republicans, announced Thursday he won't seek a fifth term to instead run for Carter County mayor next year.
62. House GOP caucus chairman Casada draws opponent - Friday, August 02, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada has drawn his first primary opponent in a decade.
The Tennessean newspaper reports (http://tnne.ws/18WrmOK) that Cherie Hammond, a member of the Williamson County school board, plans to challenge Casada next year.
63. Speakers seek review of no-bid outsourcing deal - Friday, June 14, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — The speakers of the state House and Senate said Thursday that they will seek a review of no-bid elements of an outsourcing deal with a real estate firm that has counted fellow Republican Gov. Bill Haslam as one of its investors.
64. Haslam unswayed by celebrities opposing 'ag-gag' - Friday, April 26, 2013
SMYRNA (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam said Tuesday he was not swayed by celebrities opposing a bill that would make it a crime to video record animal abuse if it isn't turned over to law enforcement authorities within 48 hours.
65. TN GOP says infighting typical of supermajority - Friday, April 26, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — Republicans, positioned to make major changes to state law with the governorship and a supermajority in the General Assembly, ended the session with some high-profile measures derailed by infighting.
66. Top Midstate residential real estate transactions for March 2013 - Friday, April 26, 2013
Top March 2013 residential real estate transactions for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.
67. Casada abandons revival of campaign finance bill - Friday, April 19, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — The sponsor of a bill seeking to boost the amount of money political groups can give to candidates and to do away with reporting requirements for donations by corporations on Thursday dropped an effort to revive the failed measure.
68. Casada faces high hurdle on campaign finance bill - Friday, April 12, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — An effort to revive a failed bill to boost the amount of money political groups can give to candidates and to do away with reporting requirements for donations by corporations faces a high hurdle in the House.
69. Bill increasing campaign contribution limits fails - Friday, April 12, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - A bill that would have done away with the reporting requirements for direct corporate contributions to Tennessee political candidates has failed in the House.
The bill also would have allowed insurance companies to contribute, and it would have raised the cap on the amount of money that party caucuses can donate to candidates. The limit for statewide elections would jump from $374,300 to $500,000. For state Senate candidates, the limit would increase from $59,900 to $150,000. For the state House or other state or local offices it would increase from $30,000 to $75,000.
70. Rep. Lois DeBerry undergoing cancer treatment - Friday, April 05, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — State Rep. Lois DeBerry is undergoing treatment for a recurrence of pancreatic cancer.
The Memphis Democrat was first elected in 1972 and is the longest-serving current member of the House of Representatives and second-longest in the entire Legislature. The 67-year-old is also the first female speaker pro tempore in the House.
71. House panel advances welfare penalty for parents - Friday, April 05, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - A Tennessee House committee on Tuesday recommended passing a bill that would dock the welfare payments of parents of children who fail at a school despite Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's opposition to the measure.
72. Most top issues decided as session hits final lap - Friday, April 05, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — The path may have been rocky at times for the new Republican supermajority in the General Assembly, but leaders are pleased that many of the most contentious issues have been decided as lawmakers enter the final few weeks of the session.
73. House GOP leader against resurrecting wine bill - Friday, March 29, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick says he favors a bill to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores, but would oppose efforts to hold a re-vote in a committee where it narrowly failed.
74. Panel could see bill to change open meetings law - Friday, March 22, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - A Republican lawmaker who last year backed off a bill that would have allowed local officials to hold more closed-door meetings has renewed the effort, saying he's asked county commissioners to bring him a proposal that has a chance of passing a key subcommittee.
75. Harwell doesn't plan to press for new vote on wine - Friday, March 15, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - House Speaker Beth Harwell says she doesn't plan to press fellow Republican Rep. Matthew Hill to call for another vote on bill to hold local referendums on grocery store wine sales.
76. Harwell travels to Pennsylvania for mother's funeral - Friday, March 08, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — Rep. Curtis Johnson is presiding over the Tennesee House while Speaker Beth Harwell is away to attend to her mother's funeral.
77. Supermarket wine bill fails by 1 vote in House - Friday, March 08, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to loosen wine sale laws in Tennessee failed by a single vote in a House committee on Tuesday, though supporters hope they can revive it.
The House Local Government Committee voted 8-7 to reject advancing a measure to allow local referendums to be held on whether grocery stores should be able to sell wine. The proposal is supported by the Republican leaders of both chambers of the General Assembly.
78. Brewers swing support to grocery wine - Friday, March 08, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — The beer industry has swung its support behind a bill to allow Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores to sell wine — provided the measure also allows them to sell strong beer.
79. Renewed bid would dilute Tennessee open meetings law - Friday, March 08, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - A renewed push is under way to get Tennessee lawmakers to allow local official to hold more closed-door meetings.
Williamson County Commissioner Bob Barnwell, who also spearheaded a similar attempt last year, has written to local government colleagues around the state urging them to encourage state lawmakers to pass a bill to allow private meetings among officials as long as a quorum isn't present.
80. Harwell vote rescues grocery store wine bill - Friday, March 01, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - A bid to allow local governments to hold referendums on whether to allow supermarket wine sales survived in a House subcommittee Wednesday thanks to a deciding vote from Speaker Beth Harwell.
81. Supermarket wine opponents contribute heavily - Friday, March 01, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - Contributions totaling more than $364,000 have poured into lawmakers' campaign accounts over the past two years from liquor wholesalers, package stores and the beer industry — three groups that have traditionally opposed changing state law to allow wine to be sold in supermarkets.
82. GOP lawmakers seek to back away from 'fringe' - Friday, March 01, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — Before a House vote to give final approval to a contentious firearms bill last week, Speaker Beth Harwell implored her Republican colleagues to ignore demands from what she deemed "fringe" groups to make major changes to the measure.
83. Haslam 'likely' to sign parking lot guns bill - Friday, March 01, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is likely to sign into law a bill to allow the state's nearly 400,000 handgun carry permit holders to store firearms in their cars no matter where they are parked, a spokesman said Thursday.
84. House sends parking-lot guns bill to governor - Friday, March 01, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — The House on Thursday voted to send to the governor a contentious bill that would allow the state's nearly 400,000 handgun carry permit holders to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked.
85. House sends parking lot guns bill to governor - Friday, February 22, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - The House has voted to send to the governor's desk a bill to allow the state's nearly 400,000 handgun carry permit holders to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked.
86. Supermarket wine bill clears panel by single vote - Friday, February 22, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores scored its first legislative victory on Tuesday after years of frustration.
The Senate State and Local Government Committee voted 5-4 to advance the bill that would allow cities and counties to hold referendums next year to decide whether to expand wine sales beyond the state's nearly 600 licensed liquor stores.
87. Tennessee lawmakers to decide fate of supermarket wine - Friday, February 22, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers are poised to decide this week whether a proposal to allow supermarket wine sales moves ahead or withers on the vine.
The bill to overhaul the current system that prevents shoppers from buying wine alongside groceries faces votes in both House and Senate committees this week, where as little as a single vote could decide the bill's fate after months of lobbying.
88. Analysis: Gun bill is 1 GOP wishes would go away - Friday, February 08, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — The guns bill that Tennessee lawmakers wish would just go away is up for its first floor vote today.
The measure to allow people with state-issued handgun carry permits to store loaded firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked is once again putting the squeeze on Republicans torn between their allegiances to gun advocates and businesses interests.
89. Bass, Berry & Sims names new members - Friday, February 08, 2013
Former associates Wendee M. Hilderbrand, Michael J. Holley and Price W. Wilson have been elected to membership in the firm of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.
90. Top Midstate residential real estate transactions for Jan. 2013 - Friday, February 08, 2013
Top January 2013 residential real estate transactions for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.
91. Parking lot guns bill advances to full Senate vote - Friday, February 01, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — A bill seeking to guarantee people with handgun-carry permits to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked was advanced to a full Senate floor vote Thursday despite reservations voiced by the business community and Republican Gov. Bill Haslam.
92. Haslam would sign supermarket wine bill if passed - Friday, February 01, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam said Thursday that he would sign a bill seeking to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores into law if lawmakers approve it this year.
93. Supporters want voters to decide supermarket wine - Friday, February 01, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - Supporters of a perennial legislative proposal to allow supermarkets and convenience stores to sell wine expressed confidence Thursday that their latest effort could succeed where previous ones failed.
94. Critics: Give stores time to adjust to wine bill - Friday, January 25, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — Skeptics of a proposal to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores say any change in current law should be deferred for several years to give liquor store owners time to adjust to the new competition.
95. Harwell: Expansion of gun rights not a ‘high priority’ - Friday, January 25, 2013
Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell today sits at the pinnacle of legislative power, overseeing a House Republican majority of better than 2-1.
And she knows she has her work cut out for her.
96. Rep. Curry Todd pleads guilty to DUI, gun charges - Friday, January 18, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - State Rep. Curry Todd pleaded guilty Friday to drunken driving and gun charges and was sentenced to 48 hours in jail and the loss of his firearm for a year.
97. Turner calls for investigation of DCS - Friday, January 11, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner is calling for a special meeting to investigate the Department of Children's Services' refusal to release records related to the abuse and death of children under its care.
98. Committee shakeups seen as bad omen for wine-in-groceries proponents - Friday, January 11, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey on Thursday replaced the chairwoman of the powerful judiciary committee with a key ally, while some opponents of a proposal to allow wine sales in grocery stores lauded committee assignments in the lower chamber.
99. House OKs limiting lawmakers to 15 bills a year - Friday, January 04, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) — The House has approved setting a cap on how many bills each lawmaker can file each year.
The chamber on Thursday approved the new 15-bill limit on a voice vote. Previously there were no limits on the number of measures each member could introduce, and Speaker Beth Harwell said the flood of legislation conflicted with Republican ideals of lesser government.
100. Top chairwoman out in Senate committee shakeup - Friday, January 04, 2013
NASHVILLE (AP) - Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey has replaced the chairwoman of the powerful judiciary committee with a key ally, while assignments to House panels have cast doubt on the prospects of the latest effort to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores.