TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Suzanne Craig Robertson on May 6, 2015

In a series on outside money in Tennessee politics, the Tennessee News Network reports focuses on the Tennessee chapter of Americans for Prosperity. Nearly two years ago the group, associated with conservative billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, planted roots in the Volunteer State and hired what is now a staff of six. While Gov. Haslam says its influence is exaggerated when it comes to Insure Tennessee and other legislation, others, like political consultant Tom Ingram, disagree, and say the threat of such spending is especially problematic for Republican legislators, who dominate the General Assembly. Last year, the group reported spending $1.1 million in "lobby-related" expenses in Tennessee, including money used to try to defeat three state Supreme Court justices, then-Rep. Dennis Roach, R-Rutledge, Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, and Common Core education standards.