If Clint Eastwood were to make to a sequel of “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” state Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver could play Granny Hawkins because of her penchant for blunt language.

2. Schools’ Success Too Dependent on Weak Vendor - Thursday, April 26, 2018

The “debacle” called TNReady, a standardized test ruling the lives of students, teachers and administrators, is the predictable result of brain drain – not by students but by Tennessee’s leaders.

3. Legislature’s End Game on Guns: No Rules at All? - Thursday, July 20, 2017

If you think the state Legislature is full of gun nuts, Rep. Micah Van Huss begs to differ.

“No, not at all,” Van Huss says when asked if the General Assembly is too pro-gun. “I don’t think they’re pro-gun enough. In fact, … I think our laws in Tennessee infringe on our constitutional rights. There are now 16 states – we’ve added two or three this year – that allow constitutional carry. So, we’re falling behind.”

4. House Approves Education Fund Concept, But Senate Action Put on Hold - Thursday, May 11, 2017

House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh pushed his K-12 education fund to passage Tuesday, May 9, but the possibility of funding and Senate approval will have to wait until 2018.

Dubbed the “K-12 Block Grant Act,” the measure calls for setting aside $250 million in excess state revenue for interest-generating investment to provide grant money for school systems statewide. Each system could use the funds for state-approved programs such as reading coaches or dual enrollment, items not funded through Tennessee’s Basic Education Program.

5. 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.

6. House Concurs on Gas Tax Senate Version, Sends to Haslam For Signature - Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Wrapping up wide-ranging legislation that dominated the opening year of the 110th General Assembly, the House concurred Monday with the Senate’s IMPROVE Act, inserting a $7 million measure to increase property tax breaks for veterans.

7. Mistreated GOP Legislators Only Want to Be Heard - Thursday, April 13, 2017

Word has it extra tissue will be placed on the desks of some House members in the coming weeks so they can dry their tears of pain.

It seems a faction of the Republican supermajority just hasn’t gotten a fair hearing – from their own party – on opposition to Gov. Bill Haslam’s IMPROVE Act, which contains a dreaded gas and diesel tax increase to rebuild the state’s roads and bridges. It’s the gas tax versus the surplus, which is pretty big at $1 billion in one-time money and another billion in extra recurring money.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Tennessee Sues Federal Government Over Refugee Program - Tuesday, March 14, 2017

NASHVILLE – The state of Tennessee, spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, filed suit against the federal government Monday, March 13, challenging the constitutionality of the Refugee Resettlement Program.

11. Tennessee Sues Federal Government Over Refugee Program - Tuesday, March 14, 2017

NASHVILLE – The state of Tennessee, spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, filed suit against the federal government Monday, March 13, challenging the constitutionality of the Refugee Resettlement Program.

12. Bills Aimed at Raising Permanent Funding For Road Projects Collide Again This Week - Wednesday, March 1, 2017

NASHVILLE – The chairwoman of the House Transportation Subcommittee is defiant in her handling of legislation that could have derailed Gov. Bill Haslam’s fuel-tax plan, a high-profile measure on the panel’s calendar again Wednesday, March 1.

13. Bills Aimed at Raising Road Project Funding Collide Again This Week - Tuesday, February 28, 2017

NASHVILLE – The chairwoman of the House Transportation Subcommittee is defiant in her handling of legislation that could have derailed Gov. Bill Haslam’s fuel-tax plan, a high-profile measure on the panel’s calendar again Wednesday, March 1.

14. House Subcommittee Adjourns to Assess Road Bills - Friday, February 24, 2017

NASHVILLE – An effort to take money from the sales tax to fund transportation projects statewide – in contrast to the governor’s plan – ran off the rails Wednesday, Feb. 22.

15. View From the Hill: ‘Moral Mondays’ Draw Crowds, But Are Lawmakers Listening? - Thursday, February 23, 2017

Johnny and Julie Erwin don’t look like typical protesters, but the senior couple joined the “moral Mondays” ruckus recently at the State Capitol, Johnny wearing his Air Force cap and Julie holding a list of social legislation they oppose.

16. Artificial Insemination Parenting Bill Draws LGBT Criticism - Tuesday, February 14, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Gay rights advocates are raising the alarm about a Tennessee bill they say could make it impossible for same-sex couples to be recognized as the legal parents of children.

17. Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Lobbying Against ‘Extreme’ Abortion Bill - Wednesday, February 1, 2017

NASHVILLE – Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis is calling The Heartbeat Bill an “extreme” piece of legislation designed to outlaw abortion and potentially distract state lawmakers from other attempts to restrict the procedure.

18. Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Lobbying Against 'Extreme' Abortion Bill - Tuesday, January 31, 2017

NASHVILLE – Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis is calling The Heartbeat Bill an “extreme” piece of legislation designed to outlaw abortion and potentially distract state lawmakers from other attempts to restrict the procedure.

19. House Passes Resolution Directing State to Sue Over Refugees - Wednesday, April 20, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A resolution that would order Tennessee to sue the federal government over its refugee resettlement program passed Monday in the state House. Senate counterparts previously approved the resolution and would only have to agree to a change that would allow a private law firm to sue on behalf of the state before the measure becomes law.

20. Doctors Applaud End of Tennessee's Fetal Assault Law - Monday, April 4, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Brittany Hudson was pregnant, addicted to painkillers and afraid of a Tennessee law that calls for the arrest of mothers of drug-dependent babies. She eventually gave birth without medical help, on the side of a road in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

21. Bill to Ban Cameras in Polling Places Withdrawn - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – A bill seeking to ban cameras in polling places has died for the year amid concerns that voters wouldn't be able to document problems.

Republican Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver of Lancaster withdrew the bill Tuesday after lengthy debate spanning several meetings of the House State Government Committee.

22. House Committee Delays Vote on School ID Bill - Thursday, April 7, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – The House State and Local Government Committee has delayed for a week a vote on a bill that attempts to identify the number of illegal immigrant children in the state's public schools.

23. Tennessee House passes the 'Health Freedom Act' - Wednesday, March 9, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal that would allow Tennesseans to opt out of the federal health care law is headed to the governor for his consideration after passing the Republican-controlled House 70-27 Monday on a party-line vote.

24. Tenn. House Speaker Collapses at Session - Friday, May 14, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams said his collapse during the session on Thursday was a result of low blood sugar.

25. Archived Article: Real Focus (hbg) - Tuesday, May 30, 2000
Hnedak Bobo creates master plan for firms future Hnedak Bobo creates blueprint for firms future By LAURIE JOHNSON The Daily News In an effort to ensure its success into the 21st century and beyond, Memphis architecture firm Hnedak Bobo Group has exp...