TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Dec 8, 2023

Tennessee House Democrats Wednesday sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting that Attorney General Merrick Garland’s office investigate the 2019 passage of Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher bill. Action News 5 reports there have been allegations of attempted bribery and coercion by then-Speaker Glenn Casada. The letter reads, in part, “Before taking a final tally, Casada held the vote open for 45 minutes, meeting with lawmakers on a balcony behind the speaker’s podium to try and change their mind." They note that "media outlets" have reported that during one of these meetings, Casada unsuccessfully offered former Rep. John Mark Windle, D-Livingston, a promotion from colonel to general in the Tennessee National Guard if he changed his vote, and point out that only the governor would have the power to make that type of promotion.