Handguns Records Debate Headed to House Floor April 28, 2009

Another gun bill is headed to the House floor.  This one would close handgun permit applications, which are currently public records.  This whole debate started after the Tennessean (and more recently, the Memphis Commercial-Appeal) posted a database of those with handgun carry permits online.  That infuriated private citizens who own guns.  Those who would like [...]

Is the Lottery Enough? April 22, 2009

     A new estimate from the Fiscal Review office now shows that there will be a $1.16 million shortfall in lottery funds in the 09-10 fiscal year.  State lawmakers were taken by surprise by these estimates, and are concerned it’s going to get even worse. 
    Here are the numbers FY09-10 net lottery proceeds are expected [...]

Guns in Restaurants April 16, 2009

     The Senate is tackling the guns in restaurants that serve alcohol bill.  The big question right now is whether or not the Senate will keep the curfew on the bill.  You may remember the House passed an amendment that would prohibit carry permit holders from bringing their guns in after 11:00pm until 5:00am.    The [...]

What Did He Say? April 16, 2009

        The Tennessee politics blogosphere is all abuzz with what Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, may have said during last week’s highly contentious slavery debate.  The two phrases at issue: use of the non-word “Hispaniel” and a reference to “the yellow man”.  There is an ongoing debate about whether he actually said “Hispaniel” or “Espanol”.  As [...]

Maybe Next Year April 15, 2009

   Those who were hoping to see wine in supermarkets around the state are no doubt sorely disappointed.  This morning, Rep. David Shepard, D-Dickson, took the bill off notice in a House Subcommittee.  He said that there was not enough legislative support for the issue. In addition, he felt like some kind of compromise could [...]

SJR 127 Clears Committee April 7, 2009

      SJR 127 bypassed the subcommittee and went straight to a full House Committee today.  The hearing just happened to coincide with Pro-Life Women’s Day on the Hill, so it was a completely packed room.  In fact, the Seargent-at-Arms had to shoo people out of the committee room at least two times. 
     There wasn’t a [...]

Slavery Debate Gets Ugly April 7, 2009

   Wow.  After SJR 127 passed, I decided to stick around to hear the House State and Local Government Committee debate the resolution expressing a regret for slavery.  I am glad I did.  Be sure to watch at six, because I don’t think I can adequately describe in this blog what happened.  Let me give [...]

What They Said About Guns Tonight April 7, 2009

     If you are an avid blog reader, then you probably already know that a bill to allow guns in places that serve alcohol passed the House 70-26.  The 11pm-5am curfew stayed on this version of the bill, although there is talk the Senate will strip it out of their version.  So, the fun in [...]

Paper or Machines? April 1, 2009

    Last year, the state legislature passed a bill that would mandate optical-scan paper ballots at all Tennessee precincts by the 2010 gubernatorial race.  The tab for buying the new machines was supposed to be picked up by the federal government via the “Help America Vote Act” funds designated for the state.  About two months ago, [...]

Guns on Campuses April 1, 2009

    Rep. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, is presenting a bill that would allow staff and faculty to pack heat on college campuses if they have the proper permits and training.  It failed for lack of second.