TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

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Sen. Alexander: ‘I Wasn’t Elected to Shut Down the Government’

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 25, 2017
News Type: Politics
After President Donald Trump remarked that he would shut down the federal government unless Congress funded a proposed border wall with Mexico, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander said yesterday that he “wasn’t elected to shut down the government,” the Tennessean reports. “I was elected to make it run for the benefit of taxpayers,” Alexander said. He added that he hoped the president and lawmakers could resolve differences of opinion in a productive way.

Poll: Half of Republicans Would Support Postponing 2020 Election if Trump Proposed It

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 10, 2017
News Type: Politics
In a new poll by The Washington Post, half of Republican respondents said they would support postponing the 2020 presidential election if President Donald Trump proposed it. The survey, conducted June 5 through June 20, found that 52 percent of respondents that identify as Republican would support postponing the election, and 56 percent said they would support it if the president and Congress were behind it. Of those surveyed, 68 percent believe that millions of "illegal immigrants" voted in the last election, and 73 percent believe voter fraud happens somewhat or very often.

Duncan Will Not Seek Re-election

Posted by: Barry Kolar on Jul 31, 2017
News Type: Politics

Rep. John J. Duncan Jr., the longest-serving Tennessean in Congress, will not seek re-election next year, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. The move brings to a close the career of one of the state’s most enduring officeholders and ending a family political dynasty that has occupied the East Tennessee congressional seat for half a century. It also came just a few hours after Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said he would disclose his own political plans at an event on Saturday. Burchett is expected to run for Duncan’s seat.

Senator’s Campaign Account Shows More Money Spent Than Raised

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 19, 2017
News Type: Politics
A recent finance report from Sen. Thelma Harper (D-Nashville) showed that her campaign spent more money than was available in the account, The Tennessean reports. Harper’s campaign shows $8,771 in expenses but only $7,637 in the bank. Such a discrepancy could mean the candidate is spending money the campaign never reported receiving on previous statements, an offense which could result in fines.

Congressman Found to Have Given Hundreds of Thousands in Campaign Funds to Family

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 7, 2017
News Type: Politics
The campaign account of U.S. Rep. John J. “Jimmy” Duncan Jr. has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to Duncan’s family members, the Nashville Post reports. Duncan has paid his two sons, niece, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and sister for campaign work over the past decade. Watchdogs say that the payments appear to be at odds with Federal Election Commission standards.

Senate Health Care Bill Offers $2 Billion to Fight Opioid Crisis

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 22, 2017
News Type: Politics
The U.S. Senate health care bill, revealed today, includes $2 billion to help address the opioid crisis, USA Today reports. The amount would fall short of the $45 billion some Republican senators had sought over 10 years. The funds would go to provide grants to states to support treatment and recovery services for 2018, but does not reference continuing funds beyond.

Republican Kevin Vaughan Wins Tennessee House Special Election

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 16, 2017
News Type: Politics

In the special election to replace Mark Lovell, Republican Kevin Vaughan has beat Democrat Julie Byrd Ashworth to represent State House District  95, The Commercial Appeal reports. Vaughan, a member of the Collierville School Board, received 62 percent of the vote. Only 9.7 percent of the district’s registered voters showed up to cast their ballots.

Haslam Defends Insurance Commissioner’s Association-Related Travel Expenses

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 18, 2017
News Type: Politics
After a media report scrutinized Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie McPeak's taxpayer-funded travel, Gov. Bill Haslam defended her actions, saying he is convinced that McPeak is looking out for what’s best for the state, NewsChannel 5 reports. McPeak was found to have taken more than 120 trips, paid for by her state office, for functions organized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a professional organization of which McPeak is the president-elect.
 

Hawkins County Threatened with State Takeover Without Balanced Budget

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 16, 2017
News Type: Politics
Facing a $1.6 million budget deficit, Hawkins County could be in jeopardy of a state takeover if its county commission cannot balance its budget, the Kingsport Times News reports. Tennessee Comptroller Chief of Staff Jason Mumpower said today that Hawkins County’s budget is the worst in the state. A state takeover would affect funding for fire departments, Hawkins County EMS and the Red Cross.

White House Panel to Investigate Voter Fraud

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 11, 2017
News Type: Politics
President Donald Trump signed an executive order today launching a commission that will review voter fraud, the Washington Post reports. The president’s “Advisory Commission on Election Integrity” would examine allegations of improper voting and fraudulent voter registration. It will be chaired by Vice President Mike Pence. Trump has alleged in the past that 3 to 5 million people voted illegally in the 2016 election. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized the commission, saying it would lead to increased voter suppression into Republican-controlled state governments.  
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