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. Leaders say it was to be expected, and they had been warning of it since winning more than two-thirds of the legislative seats in November.

2. Tennessee GOP: Infighting Typical of Supermajority - Monday, April 29, 2013

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.

3. 108th General Assembly Adjourns for Year - Tuesday, April 23, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The 108th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned on Friday, the first time in 45 years that lawmakers have finished as early as April in the first year of a session.

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey had set an adjournment goal of April 18, but he didn't seem upset finishing a day later.

4. Judicial Redistricting Passes in Senate - Saturday, April 20, 2013

A proposal to redraw Tennessee’s judicial districts for the first time since 1984 has passed the Senate.

The plan from Republican Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey of Blountville was approved 27-4 on Tuesday.

5. Judicial Redistricting Plan Dead This Session - Monday, April 22, 2013

A proposal to redraw Tennessee’s judicial districts for the first time since 1984 has failed this session.

The House voted 66-28 on Friday to defeat the measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Jon Lundberg of Bristol. The companion bill was approved 27-4 earlier this month.

6. Judicial Redistricting Passes in Senate - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

A proposal to redraw Tennessee’s judicial districts for the first time since 1984 has passed the Senate.

The plan from Republican Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey of Blountville was approved 27-4 on Tuesday.

7. Senate Votes to Block Access to Gun Carry Records - Thursday, April 11, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Before last year's elections, the Senate Republican Caucus obtained a copy of the entire database of handgun carry permit holders in Tennessee. On Wednesday, the GOP-controlled chamber voted to block public access to those records.

8. Most Top Issues Decided as Session Hits Final Lap - Tuesday, April 09, 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.

9. Bill Won’t Allow Student IDs for Voting - Friday, April 05, 2013

The senator who sponsored a measure to let people show student IDs to cast ballots realized it didn’t have enough votes to pass, so he instead backed a bill that doesn’t allow them to be used.

10. Wine Bill to Get 2nd Chance in Senate Committee - Thursday, April 04, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Legislation to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores isn't quite dead yet.

A tie vote in the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday morning initially indicated that bill had failed for the year. But a spokesman confirmed later in the day that Democratic Sen. Douglas Henry of Nashville, who abstained on that vote now wants to vote in favor of the measure after receiving assurances that it would no longer include a provision allowing Sunday liquor sales.

11. Democrats Want Out of Bill Changing Senate Nominations - Tuesday, April 02, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Democrats want to opt out of a bill that would give Tennessee lawmakers the power to select nominees to the U.S. Senate.

Under the bill scheduled for a vote in the state Senate on Monday, primary elections would be replaced with caucus votes in the General Assembly.

12. Lawmakers Seek Takeover of US Senate Nominations - Monday, April 01, 2013

An average of about 686,000 people has voted in the last eight U.S. Senate primaries in Tennessee. Under a Republican proposal advancing in the state Legislature, that number would be driven down to 132.

13. Haslam Rejects Medicaid Expansion - Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Tennessee will not accept an expansion of Medicaid funding under the Affordable Care Act, Gov. Bill Haslam announced Wednesday, March 27, to a joint session of the state’s General Assembly.

But Haslam also told legislators he is pursuing a “third option” between acceptance and rejection of the funding that would use the federal funding to allow uninsured Tennesseans eligible for TennCare, the state’s version of Medicaid, to buy private health insurance.

14. Ramsey Named to Executive Committee of RLGA - Monday, March 25, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey is joining the executive committee of the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association.

15. Competing School Voucher Bill Withdrawn - Friday, March 22, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The sponsor of legislation that was competing with Gov. Bill Haslam's to create a school voucher program withdrew her bill on Wednesday after proponents of a broader program decided they want to focus on the governor's plan.

16. Governor Signs Guns in Parking Lots Bill - Monday, March 18, 2013

Gov. Bill Haslam has signed a bill that would allow people with handgun carry permits to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked.

The signing comes despite questions about whether the legislation affects employment law in Tennessee.

17. Ramsey Wants Committee to Clear Supermarket Wine - Friday, March 15, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says he wants to a supermarket wine bill to clear his chamber's committees even though the House version failed this week.

18. House Passes Bill to Close Handgun Carry Records - Wednesday, March 13, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The House has passed a bill that would seal most handgun carry permit records in Tennessee.

The chamber voted 84-10 on Monday in favor of the bill sponsored by Republican Rep. William Lamberth of Gallatin. The bill would block all public access unless a requester presents evidence that permit holders had been charged or convicted of a crime making them ineligible to carry firearms.

19. Judicial Redistricting Plan Leaves Shelby Same - Wednesday, March 13, 2013

About a year after the Tennessee legislature set new district lines for itself and the state’s nine members of Congress, it is about to set the district lines for civil and criminal trial court judges at the state level.

20. Limited Approach Taken to Judicial Redistricting - Tuesday, March 12, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey has unveiled his proposal for redrawing Tennessee's judicial districts for the first time since 1984.

21. 14 Proposals Submitted for Judicial Redistricting - Monday, March 11, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey has received 14 proposals for how to redraw Tennessee's judicial districts.

22. Renewed Bid Would Dilute Tennessee Open Meetings Law - Monday, March 11, 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.

23. Senate Rejects Ban on Feds Enforcing Gun Laws - Thursday, February 28, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – A bill seeking to make it a crime to enforce federal firearms laws in Tennessee has failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Mae Beavers of Mt. Juliet received a 4-4 vote on the panel Wednesday. Bills must earn a majority to advance.

24. Supermarket Wine Bill Advances by 1 Vote in Senate - Tuesday, February 26, 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.

25. Ramsey Against NRA-Backed Sealing of Carry Permits - Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A National Rifle Association-backed effort to block public access to handgun carry permits goes too far for Republican Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, one of the top gun rights advocates in the Tennessee General Assembly.

26. Ramsey Steered to the Right by Harvey, Reagan - Thursday, February 14, 2013

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey has one issue that has drawn little attention that he wants to pass through this session of the legislature: redrawing the state’s judicial districts.

27. Tennessee Judicial System Awaits Changes - Thursday, February 14, 2013

Tennessee’s judicial system is in the midst of a makeover. This week, Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey announced the launch of the state’s first judicial redistricting process in nearly 30 years. It follows the state’s recent legislative redistricting process that occurred a little more than a year ago and was led by the General Assembly’s Republican majority.

28. Ramsey: State Senate Delays Bill to Ban Medicaid Growth - Friday, February 08, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says fellow Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey has agreed to delay consideration of a bill seeking to ban the state from participating in Medicaid expansion under the federal health care overhaul.

29. Henry Focuses on Better State Credit Ratings - Thursday, February 07, 2013

State Sen. Douglas Henry, D-Nashville, the longest-serving member of the General Assembly that recently convened, looks ahead with a simple, focused determination.

30. Parking Lot Guns Bill Sponsor Says He Misspoke - Tuesday, February 05, 2013

The main House sponsor of a bill seeking to guarantee handgun permit holders the right to store firearms in their vehicles says he misspoke when he suggested that he routinely breaks the law.

Republican Rep. Jeremy Faison of Cosby told WPLN-FM that while he’s never obtained a state-issued permit, he’s “carried a gun all (his) life.”

31. Haslam Addresses School Vouchers Issues - Monday, January 21, 2013

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam says the third year of significant education reform legislation in the Tennessee General Assembly will include vouchers but added that “ultimately our efforts in Tennessee are going to be around the vast majority of kids that are in public schools.”

32. Turner Calls for Investigation of Department of Children’s Services - Monday, January 14, 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.

33. Top Chairwoman Out in Senate Committee Shakeup - 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.

34. Back to Work - Friday, January 11, 2013

The Shelby County legislative delegation to Nashville returned to the capital Tuesday, Jan. 8, with three fewer members – one state senator and two state representatives – all Democrats – but with no new faces.

35. Tennessee Lawmakers Convene for 108th General Assembly - Wednesday, January 09, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – State lawmakers convened Tuesday for the 108th Tennessee General Assembly that is expected to take up measures ranging from allowing wine in supermarkets to permitting teachers to be armed in school.

36. Haslam Talks Gun Law Deal - Thursday, December 06, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Haslam says the exclusion of college campuses is key to an agreement on a bill to allow employees to store their firearms in vehicles parked at work.

37. Haslam Making Use of Extra Time on Exchanges - Monday, November 19, 2012

Gov. Bill Haslam says he’s taking advantage of an extended deadline the federal government has given states regarding health insurance exchanges.

States had until Friday to inform the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if they plan to set up their own health insurance markets. But the deadline has been extended to Dec. 14.

38. Ramsey: Keep Options Open on Tennessee Health Exchange - Friday, November 16, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey expects fellow Republican Gov. Bill Haslam to announce by Friday's deadline that Tennessee will move ahead with plans to create a state-run health insurance exchange.

39. Donelson: Tennessee Republicans See Changes in Past 60 Years - Monday, November 12, 2012

As Memphis voters were going to the polls on Election Day last week, attorney Lewis Donelson was talking about the modern day Tennessee Republican Party he was instrumental in forming 60 years ago.

40. Voter ID Law Controversy Could Continue - Monday, October 29, 2012

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. gave a lawyer’s answer when asked what would happen if the Tennessee Legislature might amend the state law requiring a photo voter ID in light of the Thursday, Oct. 25, Tennessee Court of Appeals ruling on the matter.

41. Appeals Court Rules Photo Library Cards Are Voter ID - Friday, October 26, 2012

Photo library cards the city of Memphis began issuing this summer can be used as valid identification for the Nov. 6 elections.

The Tennessee Appeals Court ruled Thursday, Oct. 25, that city of Memphis photo library cards are a valid form of state issued identification for voting under terms of a 2011 Tennessee that requires photo identification in order to vote.

42. Jobs Push Made for State’s Veterans - Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Hundreds of thousands of veterans will be coming home in the near future, as the U.S. downsizes its presence in the Middle East.

Many of those veterans will need jobs. And employers across Tennessee, with help from state government, are going on a major hiring push to put them to work.

43. Ramsey Aide Recommended for GOP Convention Role - Friday, August 24, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – State Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey's top aide has been recommended for an official role at next week's Republican National Convention.

44. Norris, Kyle Talk Changing Legislature - Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Democratic and Republican leaders of the state Senate see the politics of the state continuing to change and with it the nature of being the majority and minority parties in the Tennessee Legislature.

45. Stanley Named to Economic Council on Women - Monday, August 20, 2012

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey has announced the appointment of Kristi Pruitt Stanley to the Tennessee Economic Council on Women.

46. Gibson Guitar Deal a Contrast With Earlier Stance - Wednesday, August 08, 2012

The deal Gibson Guitar Corp. and federal prosecutors said they reached this week to drop a criminal case against the Tennessee-based guitar maker represents a sharp reversal from the combative stance Gibson took publicly last year.

47. Ramsey: State Revenue Surplus Should Stay in Bank - Friday, July 13, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says the state's revenue surplus of more than a half-billion dollars should stay in the bank despite calls from Democrats to use it to offset tuition costs.

48. Talking Tennessee - Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey are among the Tennesseans in recent days who’ve participated in a “Twitter battle” ginned up by the cable business network CNBC as part of the network’s annual study of the country’s top states for business.

49. Utility Regulatory Agency Missing Staff - Friday, July 06, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The state agency responsible for setting rates and service standards for privately-owned utilities is lacking an executive director and board quorum.

Among new laws that took effect July 1 is a statute that revamps the Tennessee Regulatory Authority. Gov. Bill Haslam backed the legislation that created a part-time board and requires a fulltime executive director.

50. Judge Kirby Named to Judicial Conduct Board - Friday, June 29, 2012

Tennessee Appeals Court Judge Holly Kirby of Memphis has been appointed to the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey.

51. Court Upholds Health Care Reform - Friday, June 29, 2012

The Supreme Court has upheld the individual insurance mandate that’s the centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s historic health care overhaul.

Chief Justice John Roberts Thursday, June 28, announced the court’s judgment, which will allow the law to move forward with its aim of covering more than 30 million currently uninsured Americans.

52. AP Interview: Haslam Mulls Expansion of Pre-K - Friday, May 18, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam says he's considering a funding increase for the state's public pre-kindergarten program, a move that would put him at odds with some fellow Republicans in the Legislature.

53. Health Care Compact Falls Short in Tenn. House - Thursday, May 03, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal that would allow Tennessee to join an interstate compact challenging the federal health care law failed in the House on Tuesday after about 28 members were either absent or abstained on the vote.

54. Lawmakers Adjourn Session Without Gun Showdown - Thursday, May 03, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The 107th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned Tuesday without a final showdown over a contentious gun issue and the governor said he will decide in the next couple of days whether to veto a bill targeting Vanderbilt University's policies on religious student groups.

55. Grisham Joins Growing Jackson Lewis Office - Thursday, May 03, 2012

When Greg Grisham joined the Memphis office of workplace law firm Jackson Lewis LLP as a partner a few weeks ago, it marked the fourth new attorney arrival in the firm’s Memphis office since December.

56. Haslam: Parking Lot Guns Bill Likely Dead - Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam said Tuesday that both chambers of the Legislature have taken “significant” steps toward defeating a bill to allow workers to store weapons in cars parked on company lots regardless of their employers’ wishes.

57. The Devolution Of Our Species - Friday, April 20, 2012

LEGISLATURE VOTES TO DEVOLVE. Dateline: Nashville, 2012, 1925 or 1869, your choice.

The Tennessee legislature has officially gone bananas and passed the Monkey Bill, allowing any student who disagrees with the findings of modern science to reject those findings and howl about it from the treetops with impunity. The debate lasted six days, and on the seventh they rested.

58. Haslam Measure on Selecting Judges Awaiting Action - Tuesday, April 03, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – When the top three Republicans in the Statehouse coalesced behind a plan to cement Tennessee's current selection process for Supreme Court justices into the state constitution, there seemed to be a smooth path ahead for getting the measure before voters in 2014.

59. Haslam, Ramsey Wary of Guns in Parking Lots Bill - Tuesday, April 03, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey are among the prominent Republicans trying to put the brakes on a bill seeking to guarantee employees the right to store their firearms in vehicles parked at work.

60. Naifeh to Retire After 38 Years in House - Friday, March 09, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Rep. Jimmy Naifeh announced Thursday that he won't seek re-election after 38 years in the House of Representatives, saying it's time to "pass the torch to the next generation of leaders."

61. NRA Aims to Shoot Down Parking Lot Gun Exceptions - Wednesday, March 07, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The National Rifle Association is pressuring Republican lawmakers to abandon proposed limitations to a measure that would let workers store firearms in vehicles parked on their employers' lots.

62. Ramsey: No Grant Secrecy Without Disclosing Owners - Friday, February 24, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – A full Senate vote was delayed Thursday on Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to close records used to make economic development grant decisions, as some lawmakers questioned why ownership details should be sealed.

63. Bill to Close Grant Records Stalls Again in Tenn. Senate - Friday, February 17, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Ownership records of companies seeking economic development grants should be available to the public, Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey said Thursday.

64. Tenn. Lawmakers Join Opposition to Obama Health Care Bill - Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A group of Tennessee lawmakers are joining their counterparts from around the country in registering with the U.S. Supreme Court their opposition to President Barack Obama’s signature domestic legislation, the health care reform bill.

65. New County Of Them - Friday, February 10, 2012

NEW BILL CREATES EIGHT NEW COUNTIES. Continually annoyed about existing law that gets in his way, Tennessee Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville has introduced a bill in the state house eliminating Memphis and Shelby County and creating eight new counties.

66. Haslam Plan on Judges Survives Early Challenge - Wednesday, February 08, 2012

MOUNT PLEASANT, Tenn. (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam's plan for writing the state's judicial selection system into the Tennessee Constitution survived a challenge Tuesday from a fellow Republican in the state House.

67. Support Builds for Special Session on Health Care - Friday, February 03, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Republican lawmakers are building support for a plan to wait until the end of the year to take action on state requirements set by President Barack Obama's federal health care law.

68. MBA To Spend Year Educating Public on Law - Thursday, February 02, 2012

The Memphis Bar Association is gearing up for a major public outreach program in the form of an educational campaign.

Gary Smith, the 2012 president of the attorneys’ group, along with secretary Tommy Parker and member Porter Feild, have developed a program they’re calling “Law Rules: The Importance of the American Legal System.”

69. Haslam, Speakers Want to Keep Judge Appointments - Thursday, January 26, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The state's top Republicans want to place a ballot measure before Tennessee voters to eliminate any constitutional questions about the current system for appointing judges.

70. Bill to Strip Courts' Power to Block Laws Dropped - Wednesday, January 25, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The sponsor of a proposal to strip state courts of the power to block laws enacted by the Tennessee General Assembly quietly withdrew the bill on Monday after receiving heavy criticism from both sides of the political aisle.

71. GOP Proposals Take Aim at Tennessee Courts - Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Republicans in the Tennessee Legislature are taking a close look at the judiciary branch this year, with several proposals expected to be taken up early in the session.

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey told reporters last week that he plans to get fellow lawmakers to take the first step toward approving a constitutional amendment to resolve legal questions about the way appeals judges are appointed and retained.

72. State Orders 54,600 Copies of Tenn. Blue Book - Monday, January 23, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The latest edition of the Tennessee Blue Book are being delivered being delivered to the state Capitol.

Secretary of State Tre Hargett said Friday that the state has ordered 54,600 copies of the official guide to Tennessee government and history.

73. Harwell Opposes Changes to Tenn. Open Meetings Law - Wednesday, January 18, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – House Speaker Beth Harwell has voiced opposition to efforts to water down Tennessee's open meetings law and has called on a Republican colleague to drop a bill seeking to make changes to the current rules.

74. General Assembly Back in Session - Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Tennessee lawmakers went back to work Tuesday, Jan. 10, opening their session for the second year of 107th General Assembly.

House Speaker Beth Harwell and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey called the two chambers into order shortly after noon.

75. Memphis Democrats Squeezed in State Redistricting Plan - Thursday, January 05, 2012

Tennessee Senate Democratic leader Jim Kyle of Memphis and Republican state Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown are in the same Senate district under a redistricting proposal unveiled by Republican legislative leaders Wednesday, Jan. 4, in Nashville.

76. Memphis Democrats Squeezed in State Redistricting Plan - Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Tennessee Senate Democratic leader Jim Kyle of Memphis and Republican state Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown are in the same Senate district under a redistricting proposal unveiled by Republican legislative leaders Wednesday, Jan. 4, in Nashville.

77. Haslam, Harwell Hesitant on Drug-Testing Proposal - Wednesday, December 28, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says he expects lawmakers will pass a bill requiring drug tests for Tennesseans who get government assistance or workers' compensation. Other high-ranking Republicans aren't so confident.

78. Haslam Wants to Put Off Estate Tax Cut Over Cost - Monday, December 26, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Raising Tennessee's estate tax exemption by $500,000 would cost the state about $23 million in lost revenues, according to projections by Gov. Bill Haslam's administration.

79. Ramsey May Support Sunshine Law Change - Monday, December 19, 2011

Tennessee Senate speaker Ron Ramsey says he may support changes to Tennessee’s open government laws to allow officials more leeway to discuss official business in private.

80. Ramsey Floats Special Session on Health Care Law - Friday, December 16, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey on Thursday floated the idea of holding a special legislative session next winter if it's still necessary for Tennessee to come into line with requirements set by President Barack Obama's health care law.

81. Tenn. GOP Leaders Press for Hall, Estate Tax Cuts - Wednesday, December 14, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Republican leaders in the General Assembly plan to forge ahead with efforts to reduce the state's inheritance and Hall income taxes despite Gov. Bill Haslam's concerns that Tennessee's economic situation isn't healthy enough to make up for the lost revenues.

82. Partisans Debate State Voter ID Law - Wednesday, November 02, 2011

If you voted early or on Election Day in the recent city of Memphis elections, you probably got a piece of paper from election officials about the next elections.

The new state law requiring Tennessee voters to have a valid state or federal government-issued photo ID goes into effect with the 2012 elections starting with the March primaries. And the poll handout was about the new state law and what the new ground rules will be.

83. Judicial Appointments Could Be Big Item for Legislature - Tuesday, November 01, 2011

The battle lines are firming up over an issue the state legislature is liable to spend considerable time and effort debating during its session that begins in January: judicial appointments and elections.

84. Legislators Eye Lower Lottery Prize Money, Easier Ticket Purchases - Tuesday, November 01, 2011

NASHVILLE – Some Tennessee legislators are eying a reduction in prize payouts for Tennessee lottery players while letting them buy tickets with debit or credit cards.

The proposals are among ideas that are being floated as a way to generate more money that can be used for college scholarships.

85. Tenn. Lawmakers' Quarterly Expenses Up 8 Percent - Wednesday, October 19, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Lawmakers' out-of-session expenses increased 8 percent in the third quarter despite the elimination of legislative oversight committees, an Associated Press review has found.

86. Road Trip - Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey is going on a road trip.

The speaker of the state Senate wants to host a series of discussions with business owners from every corner of the state about red tape and any unnecessary obstacles that make life difficult for them.

87. Todd Apologizes for ‘Mistake’ - Tuesday, October 18, 2011

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam said Monday, Oct. 17, that Tenn. Rep. Curry Todd has apologized for a “bad mistake” in being arrested on drunken driving and gun charges last week.

88. Todd Resigns as Chairman of House Firearms Panel - Friday, October 14, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Rep. Curry Todd has resigned as chairman of a Republican firearms task force in the state House following his arrest on drunken driving and gun charges.

House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick said Thursday that he accepted the resignation because Todd "has other things to concentrate on."

89. Striking a Chord - Friday, October 14, 2011

When Texas Gov. and current Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry came to Memphis two weeks ago for a fundraiser at Memphis Botanic Garden, he didn’t immediately head to the microphone after Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey introduced him.

90. Tennessee Gov. Refuses to Disclose Personal Income - Tuesday, October 11, 2011

NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Haslam, who drew sharp criticism from his gubernatorial campaign opponents by releasing only limited information on the amount of his personal income, has decided to release no information whatsoever now that he is in office.

91. Amazon.com Deal Changes Incentives for Company - Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The first tip last week that the latest jobs announcement by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam would be a little different was that he did it in the old Tennessee Supreme Court chambers in Nashville.

The chambers are usually the setting for announcements of statewide importance with a broad political impact and sometimes a new direction for state government.

92. Haslam Cites Fiscal Strength in Tenn. Debt Ratings - Wednesday, October 05, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Rating agencies have decided not to downgrade Tennessee's debt after the state submitted a game plan for how each agency would respond to deep federal spending cuts.

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam on Tuesday cited a "proven history of fiscal responsibility" in announcing that Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings have reissued their top ratings to Tennessee and that the state will remain one notch below Standard and Poor's best grade.

93. Perry Holds Memphis Fundraiser - Friday, September 30, 2011

After he introduced Texas Gov. and current GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry at a fundraiser in Memphis Wednesday, Tenn. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey spoke with The Daily News. He defended the recent controversial remarks and stance of Perry over immigration – specifically, over a Texas law that makes possible a college tuition break to the children of illegal immigrants there.

94. Schools Planning Commission Begins Work - Thursday, September 29, 2011

The 21-member schools consolidation planning commission goes to work Thursday, Sept. 29, in a conference room at the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement in Shelby Farms.

95. Long Wait at Tenn. License Centers Grows Longer - Wednesday, September 21, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – As thousands of older Tennessee residents prepare to visit driver service centers to get the photo IDs required by a new state voting law, they should be ready to stand in line a long time.

96. State Redistricting Info Posted Online - Monday, September 19, 2011

Lt. Gov. and Tennessee Senate speaker Ron Ramsey says the coming redistricting plan to be discussed and approved by the state Senate as well as the state House will include consideration of plans submitted by citizens.

97. Tennessee Officials Meet With Ratings Agencies in NYC - Friday, September 16, 2011

A group of Tennessee officials including Gov. Bill Haslam, finance commissioner Mark Emkes, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and others have wrapped up two days of meetings with the three major credit rating agencies in New York City.

98. Artists, Politicians Weigh in on Gibson Raids - Wednesday, September 14, 2011

British singer-songwriter James Blunt has filmed a brief video of himself praising Gibson Guitar Corp., the embattled guitar maker whose Memphis and Nashville facilities were raided last month by federal agents.

99. Pickler Picks Five for Consolidation Commission - Friday, September 09, 2011

Shelby County Schools Board chairman David Pickler has selected the mayor of Bartlett, a county schools parent, the longtime head of the Shelby County Education Association, a reitred county schools administrator and a former Shelby County commissioner to serve on the schools consolidation planning commission.

100. Elected Bodies Sign Off, Next Up Consolidation - Thursday, September 08, 2011

The next step in the schools consolidation process is the appointment of seven members to the new countywide school board that takes office Oct. 1.

With no debate, Memphis City Council members Tuesday, Sept. 6, gave the final approval necessary for the schools consolidation settlement to become a consent decree.