Local Democrats made it formal Wednesday – taking complaints about the early voting sites and hours to the Shelby County Commission. The result is a special meeting Friday afternoon of the Shelby County Election Commission to talk about this. Meanwhile, the chairman of the local Republican party was just a few feet away from the Wednesday press conference by the Democrats at the county building. He says Democrats have it backwards, that the early voting sites favor Democrats.

2. McCormick: No Evidence of Any Scandal - Thursday, June 28, 2018

Mercurial Republican Rep. Gerald McCormick went from kicking ass to kicking back. Only three days after saying his now-former Democratic opponent, David Jones, would realize how little he has in common with District 26 in Chattanooga “when he gets his ass beat in November,” McCormick abruptly announced he would not seek re-election this year and would be leaving the House effective Oct. 1.

3. Last Word: County Budget Compromise, MEM After 5 Years and Elvis - Tuesday, June 19, 2018

There is nothing like the end of a term for those holding elected office. That’s what gets most of the credit for the Shelby County commission’s smooth ending to its budget season Monday. A final reading of the revised county property tax rate of $4.05 still awaits. But the commission went a long way toward locking that in with the approval of everything else at the Monday session.

4. Tennessee House Speaker Contender Won't Seek Re-Election - Tuesday, June 19, 2018

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A longtime Tennessee lawmaker who had expressed interest in running for House speaker says he won't seek re-election.

Republican Rep. Gerald McCormick of Chattanooga tells the Chattanooga Times Free Press he will withdraw from his House race Monday and will resign Oct. 1 to take a full-time job with Asa Engineering and Consulting in Nashville.

5. East Meets West as 2 Legislators Run Out of Time - Thursday, May 3, 2018

It wasn’t quite a constitutional crisis, but when Reps. Micah Van Huss and Joe Towns start teaming up, something is amiss.

6. GoFundMe Page Seeks to Reimburse Memphis for State Money Withdrawal - Wednesday, April 18, 2018

NASHVILLE – A GoFundMe page has been started on Facebook to raise funds to make up a $250,000 budget cut the Tennessee Legislature levied against the city of Memphis for removing Confederate monuments from two city parks late last year.

7. Sunday Wine, Liquor Sales Passes in Tenn. Senate - Wednesday, April 11, 2018

NASHVILLE – Buoyed by Bible verses and compromise giving liquor stores a head start on Sunday sales, legislation allowing grocery stores to sell wine on Sundays passed the Senate Wednesday on a 17-11 vote.

8. Sunday Liquor Sales Passes in Tennessee House - Wednesday, April 11, 2018

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A bill that would allow liquor sales on Sunday in Tennessee has passed the House after an impassioned debate from lawmakers, several of them citing scripture.

The measure would allow grocery stores to sell wine on Sundays and liquor stores to be open for business that day from the hours of 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

9. Lawmakers See Conspiracy In UT Board Alterations - Thursday, April 5, 2018

It’s not that hard to light a fire under some state lawmakers, but the University of Tennessee FOCUS Act raised blood pressure considerably in the House of Representatives before barely passing with 51 votes.

10. Davy Crockett’s Fine, But Let’s Not Get Carried Away - Thursday, March 29, 2018

The Tennessee General Assembly is making some monumental decisions these days – literally.

Not only is the Legislature prepared to put a statue of Tennessee folk hero Davy Crockett in front of the State Capitol, replacing obscure Nashville politician Edward Carmack, it’s also likely to erect a monument, or memorial, to unborn children in the ongoing battle against abortion.

11. Despite Massive Turnover, GOP Owns Legislature - Thursday, November 16, 2017

2018 will be a year of change for the Tennessee General Assembly, and 2019 will bring even more, especially in leadership – much depending on the popularity of President Donald Trump.

Not only is the Legislature moving to the Cordell Hull Building, vacating the Legislative Plaza after 45 years or so, a number of legislative faces are changing, too, even before next year’s election.

12. Legislature Passes Slate of Bills, Adjourns - Friday, May 12, 2017

NASHVILLE – The Legislature wrapped up its business for the year, adjourning Wednesday after taking up a spate of last-minute bills, including postponing a bill increasing the amount of campaign contributions lawmakers could accept.

13. View From the Hill: Gas Tax Rancor Lingers as Session Coasts to Close - Thursday, May 11, 2017

Remnants of rancor over Republican leadership roiled the House, a reminder of outrage over roguish behavior as representatives reached the finish line.

Alliteration is probably better suited for poetry. But in a case of what could be considered poetic justice, at least for some, this literary device – goofiness maybe – is suitable for legislative action requiring a score card to keep up with the characters and a bit of history to put it all together.

14. Tennessee Legislature Adjourns After Voting on Last-Minute Bills - Wednesday, May 10, 2017

The Legislature wrapped up its business for the year, adjourning Wednesday after taking up a spate of last-minute bills, including postponing a bill increasing the amount of campaign contributions lawmakers could accept.

15. Physical Education Bill Gets Tripped Up in Legislature - Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Legislation requiring one hour of physical education per week for elementary students stumbled and fell Monday, May 8, when it hit a procedural hurdle.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Roger Kane went down in the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee after a recount of sorts, one in which a member didn’t vote and then was allowed to cast a “no” vote killing the bill.

16. Tennessee House Abandons Amendments Before Approving State Budget - Friday, May 5, 2017

Putting a day of acrimony behind it, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $37 billion budget plan on Friday, May 5, stripping away nearly $320 million in amendments placed on it the previous day.

17. Republican In-fighting in Tenn. House Stirs Up Budget Mess - Friday, May 5, 2017

The House of Representatives adjourned in apparent disarray Thursday, May 4, after arguing over amendments to a $37 billion budget plan, some saying discord stemmed from votes on the governor’s IMPROVE Act.

18. $250M K-12 Education Fund Hits Legislative Hurdle - Friday, April 28, 2017

NASHVILLE – Legislation by Tennessee House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh seeking to create a $250 million education fund may have to fit through the eye of a needle to get into Gov. Bill Haslam’s $37 billion budget plan.

19. Proposed $250M K-12 Education Fund Hits Legislative Hurdle - Thursday, April 27, 2017

Legislation by Tennessee House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh seeking to create a $250 million education fund may have to fit through the eye of a needle to get into Gov. Bill Haslam’s $37 billion budget plan.

20. View From the Hill: IMPROVE Act an Insight Into Testy Election Ahead - Thursday, April 27, 2017

In case anyone’s keeping stats, Senate leadership soundly defeated House leadership this session in the gas tax/tax cut battle.

Whether this is a forerunner to a Republican gubernatorial primary remains to be seen as Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris and House Speaker Beth Harwell weigh decisions. It’s not as if they’d be facing off against each other, though, since businessman Bill Lee and former Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd are definitely in the race and not hurting for money.

21. Harwell Cites Need for Alternative Transportation Funding Plan - Thursday, April 13, 2017

House Speaker Beth Harwell says she believes it’s important to have a transportation funding plan counter to Gov. Bill Haslam’s gas tax/tax cut act after House Republican Caucus members voted to oppose the governor’s idea.

22. Norris, Proponents of Current IMPROVE Act Stand Firm as Alternative Bills Are Devised - Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris gets revved up when he talks about the IMPROVE Act as a tax-cutting and bridge-safety measure. It’s a message he’s been sending for weeks, yet other lawmakers aren’t catching on.

23. IMPROVE Act Proponents Stand Firm as Alternative Bills Are Devised - Monday, April 10, 2017

Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris gets revved up when he talks about the IMPROVE Act as a tax-cutting and bridge-safety measure. It’s a message he’s been sending for weeks, yet other lawmakers aren’t catching on.

24. IMPROVE Act Could be Renamed; Alternative Plan in the Works - Friday, April 7, 2017

Legislation containing a gas-tax increase moved out of a key committee Wednesday, April 5, with proponents saying it could be called the IMPROVE Act or the 2017 Tax Cut Act because of several tax reductions designed to make it easier for Tennesseans to swallow.

25. Tempers Flare in Tennessee House Over Gas Tax Proposal - Friday, March 31, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tempers are flaring in the Tennessee House over Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to boost transportation funding through the state's first fuel tax hike in decades.

An emotional debate erupted over an unrelated bill on the House floor on Thursday that would redirect sales taxes collected at a proposed Major League Soccer stadium in Nashville to be directed to city's sports authority.

26. Limits on Tennessee Campaign Investments Headed to Governor - Wednesday, March 29, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A bill to prevent campaign funds from being invested in private companies is headed for Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's desk.

The legislation was introduced following reports that expelled Rep. Jeremy Durham heavily invested campaign funds in a company owned by prominent GOP donor Andy Miller Jr.

27. Senate Passes Bill Limiting Tennessee Campaign Investments - Wednesday, March 1, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The state Senate has passed a bill seeking to prevent campaign funds from being invested in private companies.

The legislation follows the release of a Tennessee Registry of Campaign Fiance audit that found that former Rep. Jeremy Durham loaned $120,000 to a company run by prominent GOP donor Andrew Miller Jr.

28. Some in GOP Chafe at New Building Named After Cordell Hull - Friday, February 24, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee lawmakers are nearing a move into freshly overhauled offices at the state Capitol complex, but some Republicans are chafing at the building being named after Democrat Cordell Hull.

29. Haslam to Unveil Tennessee Transportation Plan Wednesday - Wednesday, January 18, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is scheduled to unveil his top legislative priority on Wednesday as state lawmakers await details on his plan to boost transportation funding in Tennessee.

30. New Tennessee House Rule Requires Lawmaker Travel Disclosure - Monday, January 16, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The state House has adopted a new ethics rule that requires lawmakers to disclose any expense-paid travel out of the state that is valued at more than $100.

The Tennessee General Assembly has long posted the costs of state-paid travel on its website. But trips paid for by private parties did not have to be publicly disclosed.

31. New Year, New Resolutions for Legislators - Thursday, December 29, 2016

Some Tennesseans recall the days when the state Legislature met every other year and wonder if it should revert to that schedule. Considering the General Assembly pushes most of its work into 3 1/2 months, it might be worth a try.

32. McCormick Won't Seek 4th Term as House Majority Leader - Wednesday, September 21, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Gerald McCormick, the fiery majority leader of the Tennessee House, says he won't seek another term as the chamber's No. 2 Republican.

33. Matlock the ‘Truth,’ ‘Justice’ Candidate For Tennessee House Speaker - Thursday, August 18, 2016

Republican state Rep. Jimmy Matlock insists his quest for the House Speaker’s post is not a challenge of Beth Harwell’s leadership.

But it’s clear he sees a need for change.

34. What Would It Take for Trump to Lose Tennessee Voters? - Thursday, August 11, 2016

Murfreesboro Realtor Larry Sims almost closes his ears when Donald Trump speaks.

“He gets out of bounds. Of course, the press, they love it because they get to exploit his sayings and doings,” says Sims, who traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, as a Trump delegate for the Republican National Convention. 

35. Haslam Drops $150K Into PAC for Tennessee Legislative Races - Monday, August 1, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has opened his wallet for state legislative campaigns throughout the state.

According to the final campaign finance reports to be filed before the Aug. 4 primary, Haslam gave $150,000 to his political action committee, Jobs4TN. The committee then contributed all but $4,000 of that amount to the campaigns of 44 lawmakers.

36. Legislative Losers: All Who Disagree With Legislators - Thursday, May 5, 2016

The 109th General Assembly is done – almost – for the year. Here’s a look at the winners and losers.

Winner: State budget

Buoyed by $400 million in surplus revenue from fiscal 2015 and $450 million in projected surpluses for the coming fiscal year, Gov. Bill Haslam spread the wealth in a $34.9 billion budget. 

37. Last Word: Budget Basics, A Peak At Greensward Mediation and Elvis & Nixon - Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Spurs 94 – Grizzlies 68 in game 2 of the NBA playoffs. The TNT post-game show just showed the highlights of the game while Shaq and Charles Barkley talked about how big the women are in San Antonio. I’m not making this up. They didn’t even try to talk about the game. This is just grim.

38. Legislature Passes Online Voter Registration Bill - Wednesday, April 20, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The General Assembly passed legislation Tuesday that would allow Tennesseans to register to vote online.

The House unanimously passed a bill that the Senate had earlier approved. The measure allows Tennesseans to go online to register to vote or update their registration records. Applicants would be directed to apply on paper if their name, date of birth or other identifying information could not be confirmed with the Department of Safety.

39. Tennessee GOP Leader Vows Retribution for Transgender 'Blackmail' - Wednesday, April 20, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – House Republican leader Gerald McCormick on Tuesday vowed retribution for companies that spoke out against a transgender bathroom bill in Tennessee.

40. Bill Seeks to Halt Gun Carry Permits for Ex-Police With DUIs - Wednesday, April 13, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – State Rep. Curry Todd, a retired Memphis police officer who has pleaded guilty to drunken driving and gun charges, is speaking out against Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to keep retired law enforcement officers with DUI convictions from being able to carry firearms in public.

41. Bill to Cap Liquor Store Ownership Headed to Haslam's Desk - Wednesday, March 30, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The House passed a bill Monday to impose a cap on liquor store ownership in Tennessee, sending the measure that some Republicans derided as contrary to free market principles to Gov. Bill Haslam's desk.

42. House Passes Haslam's Shakeup of Tennessee College Boards - Friday, March 25, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to remove four-year public universities from the Board of Regents system and give them their own boards won approval Thursday in the Tennessee House.

43. ‘Fearless’ Stewart Embraces Battles With Supermajority - Saturday, March 12, 2016

Democratic state Rep. Mike Stewart lives on the front lines of the Tennessee General Assembly. As chairman of the House Democratic Caucus with 26 members, Stewart could employ a bunker mentality, but instead has chosen to take the fight to the other side of the aisle.

44. Haslam's On-Again, Off-Again Gas Tax Could Return This Year - Thursday, March 10, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's on-again, off-again gas tax hike could return this year. Maybe.

The governor spent much of last fall traveling across the state to draw attention to the state's transportation funding needs, but said at the start of this year's legislative session that he didn't think there was enough support to take up the matter this year.

45. House Panel Reverses Course on Tennessee Liquor Store Cap - Thursday, March 10, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A House committee that two weeks ago voted to reject a proposed cap on liquor store ownership in Tennessee reversed course on Tuesday and placed the limits back into the bill headed for a floor vote.

46. School Voucher Bill Stalls in House Amid Flagging Support - Friday, February 12, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A proposal to create a school voucher program stalled in the House on Thursday despite efforts to drum up support among wary rural lawmakers by limiting the areas of Tennessee where parents could receive state money to pay for private school tuition.

47. Only So Much Durham Could Blame on Media - Thursday, February 4, 2016

It’s little wonder state Rep. Jeremy Durham had to take a two-week break from the General Assembly.

48. Durham Removes Self From House GOP Caucus Amid Investigation - Thursday, January 28, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — State Rep. Jeremy Durham on Wednesday withdrew from the Tennessee House Republican Caucus amid an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.

49. Dem Chair: State House GOP Leaders Should Resign Over Durham - Tuesday, January 26, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The chairwoman of the Tennessee Democratic Party is calling on House Republican leaders to resign over their handling of Rep. Jeremy Durham and sexual harassment at the Tennessee General Assembly.

50. Judge Praises Durham for 'Moral Courage' - Thursday, December 17, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — While many GOP leaders in the Tennessee Legislature have distanced themselves from state Rep. Jeremy Durham for writing a character reference letter on behalf of a former youth minister who pleaded guilty to child porn possession, a judge in the Franklin Republican's home county is praising what he calls the lawmaker's "moral courage."

51. Kasich Makes Fundraising Stops in Tennessee - Thursday, December 3, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate John Kasich said Tuesday that his visit to Tennessee is aimed at avoiding having to scramble for support in the state's March 1 primary if he emerges as a strong contender from the earliest contests.

52. 8 Tennessee Lawmakers Sign on as Marco Rubio Delegates - Wednesday, December 2, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio's list of Tennessee delegates includes former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, state House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick and state Sens. Brian Kelsey and Jack Johnson.

53. Haslam Opens Door to Gas Tax Delay but Warns of Backlog - Tuesday, September 29, 2015

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is opening the door to putting off a gas tax increase in an election year, but warns that officials need to stop "kidding ourselves" about Tennessee's growing list of unfunded road projects.

54. Raise Gas Tax or Borrow? How to Fund Road Projects - Thursday, August 13, 2015

Tennessee has an $8 billion backlog of transportation projects and not enough funds to pay for them, largely because the state gas tax, which funds those projects, hasn’t been increased in 26 years.

55. With No Real Rival, Tennessee Republicans Attack Their Own - Thursday, July 23, 2015

Republicans are sitting in Tennessee’s political catbird seat, but that doesn’t keep them from flying off in different directions.

Elected political leaders of the same stripe found themselves at odds this year over the Bible as a state book, Common Core education standards and Insure Tennessee, Republican Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan to catch 280,000 people in a medical coverage gap.

56. Tennessee Lawmaker Slows Effort to Remove Forrest Bust - Tuesday, July 7, 2015

A Tennessee lawmaker says he plans to slow the effort to remove a bust of a Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader from the halls of the Tennessee Capitol.

House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick told The Chattanooga Times Free Press that he thinks a calmer discussion is needed before a final decision is made. He said there has been a wave of “hysteria” over Confederate symbols since the recent massacre of nine people at a black church in South Carolina.

57. Southern Heritage Defined Differently Across Tennessee - Thursday, July 2, 2015

Tennessee’s loyalty was divided in the Civil War, and 150 years later, little is changed as the debate over Confederate symbols arises in the wake of the racist-fueled South Carolina church massacre.

58. Capitol Commission to Review Which Historical Figures Should Be Honored - Saturday, June 27, 2015

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and House Speaker Beth Harwell are encouraging the Tennessee Capitol Commission to evaluate the characteristics of Tennesseans honored in the Capitol Complex.

59. Will Tennessee Republicans Ever Be Truly Happy? - Thursday, April 30, 2015

Why aren’t Tennessee Republicans happier?

With the GOP so dominate in the Tennessee General Assembly and losses so rare – on the Hill or in elections – the party’s lawmakers should be jubilant with this year’s session. But it’s never enough.

60. Roundup: Defeat of Insure Tennessee Proposal Set Tone in 2015 Session - Friday, April 24, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The defeat of Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to extend health coverage to 280,000 low-income Tennesseans set the tone for the 2015 session of the state Legislature.

61. Tenn. House Member Seeks Protection Against Haslam Vetoes - Wednesday, April 22, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A state House member is seeking to delay votes on Gov. Bill Haslam's legislative proposals to insure against vetoes of embattled measures such as allowing people with handgun carry permits to be armed in city parks.

62. Tennessee House Votes to Name Bible as Official Book - Wednesday, April 15, 2015