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TBA Law Blog

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Tennessee Congressman Supports Restoration of Earmarks

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 16, 2018
News Type: Politics
Since President Donald Trump floated the idea of the return of earmarks to Congress, several lawmakers have spoken out in favor of the move, including Tennessee’s Rep. Scott DesJarlais, Humphrey on the Hill reports. DesJarlais noted that while “we’re spending more money than ever,” without earmarks, those funds don’t necessarily go towards local projects in districts like his. DesJarlais noted an overpass in Rutherford County and the Percy Priest Reservoir in Davidson County as examples of projects that could benefit from what they are calling “congressionally directed spending.”

Diane Black Steps Down as Chair of House Budget Committee

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Dec 27, 2017
News Type: Politics
Just one week after she helped pass the tax bill, U.S. Rep. Diane Black announced today she would step down from her position as chair of the House Budget Committee, the Nashville Post reports. Black is currently running for governor of Tennessee, in which she leads polls for the Republican nomination. Rules require committee chairs running for office to step down, but House Speaker Paul Ryan had granted her a temporary waiver.

Haslam Elected Chair of GOP Governors Association

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Nov 17, 2017
News Type: Politics
The Republican Governors Association announced this week that Gov. Bill Haslam was elected chairman of the organization, taking over for previous chair, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Humphrey on the Hill reports. Walker touted Haslam as a “proven conservative leader.” Haslam will preside over the group during the upcoming election year. ““I look forward to building on the RGA’s success in 2018, which present numerous opportunities to re-elect our incumbents and elect a new class of Republican governors,” Haslam said.

Sen. Tracy Resigns Following Trump Administration Appointment

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Nov 6, 2017
News Type: Politics
Longtime Shelbyville Senator Jim Tracy has been appointed by the Trump Administration to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office, triggering his resignation from the state Senate, The Tennessean reports. Tracy’s resignation means there will be a special election for his empty seat, which Gov. Bill Haslam must order following his issuance of a writ of election, which has not occurred yet.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price Resigns

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Sep 29, 2017
News Type: Politics
President Donald Trump has accepted the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, USA Today reports. Price was under pressure for the use of chartered planes, which racked up approximately $1 million in flight costs at taxpayer expense, and the president publicly expressed his disapproval. “I’m not happy, I can tell you,” Trump said earlier today. “I certainly don’t like the optics.” Don Wright, deputy assistant secretary for Health and Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, will serve as acting HHS secretary.

Blackburn Files Resolution on National Anthem Etiquette

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Sep 26, 2017
News Type: Politics
After the controversy surrounding NFL players protesting the national anthem and the president’s condemnation of the protests, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn filed a resolution yesterday over what constitutes proper etiquette during the playing of the national anthem, The Tennessean reports. Blackburn’s resolution is intended to reinforce federal guidelines over appropriate behavior during the song. “The national anthem is a source of American pride,” Blackburn said. “Our flag is the ultimate symbol of unity – uniting all Americans under one banner as ‘Americans’ – and we should respect it and those who have and continue to defend it.”

Tennessee GOP to Review What Makes a ‘Bona Fide’ Republican

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Sep 25, 2017
News Type: Politics
The Tennessee Republican Party leaders will convene in Knoxville on Oct. 2 to discuss changes to the state party’s bylaws, including what defines a “bona fide” Republican, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. Under the current policy, in order for a candidate to be considered a bona fide Republican, the person must be active in the state or local party. They also must have credentials that can be “vouched for” by an elected Republican or they must have voted in three of the last four statewide Republican primaries. The final part is what the party has changed, as the number previously was two of the last four primaries.

Diane Black Deposed in Campaign Ad Lawsuit

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Sep 20, 2017
News Type: Politics
Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Diane Black faced a deposition yesterday in a lawsuit related to a TV ad that ran during her first campaign for Congress, the Associated Press reports. One of Black’s opponents in the campaign, Lou Ann Zelenik, ran ads critical of state Senate votes Black had cast, which provided $1 million in contracts to Aegis Sciences, a company run by Black’s husband. Aegis sued Zelenik for defamation but the case was dismissed and an appeals court upheld the ruling. Zelenik is now suing for malice and willful intent.

Nashville Auto Dealer Lee Beaman Forms Super PAC to Back Corker Primary Opponent

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Sep 19, 2017
News Type: Politics
Prominent conservative car dealer Lee Beaman announced the creation of a Super PAC to back Andy Ogles, candidate for the U.S. Senate seeking to replace Sen. Bob Corker in a Republican primary, the Times Free Press reports. Beaman, of Nashville, said he plans to raise $4 million to fight for “dependable conservative Senate representation for Tennessee.” Ogles served as the director of the Tennessee chapter of the Koch-brothers’ Americans for Prosperity until last week, when he stepped down to run for Corker's seat. Yesterday, reports surfaced that President Donald Trump was encouraging Corker to run for reelection, but the sitting senator has not yet officially confirmed his reelection bid.

Clean Water Advocate Files to Run for 2nd Congressional District

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Sep 12, 2017
News Type: Politics
Renee Hoyos, the executive director of the Tennessee Clean Water Network, has declared an intent to run for Congress in the 2nd District seat, currently occupied by Rep. John J. “Jimmy” Duncan Jr., the Nashville Post reports. Hoyos is the second Democrat to seek the position, and her entering the race will force a primary with candidate Joshua Williams. The winner will face one of four Republicans vying for the seat: state Rep. Jimmy Matlock (R-Lenoir City), Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, Ken Gross and Brad Fullington.
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