September 12, 2016 •
Tennessee Governor Calls Special Legislative Session
The Tennessee General Assembly convened a special session today, September 12. State lawmakers have been tasked with fixing the state’s drunken driving law to prevent a loss in federal highway funding. The U.S. Department of Transportation will withhold funds if […]
The Tennessee General Assembly convened a special session today, September 12. State lawmakers have been tasked with fixing the state’s drunken driving law to prevent a loss in federal highway funding. The U.S. Department of Transportation will withhold funds if the state does not change the maximum allowable blood alcohol content for drivers under 21 in order to comply with federal rules.
Gov. Bill Haslam expects the session to last up to three days.
Photo of the Tennessee House Chamber floor by Ichabod on Wikimedia Commons.
April 23, 2016 •
Tennessee Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The 109th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned sine die on Friday, April 22, 2016. The legislature approved a $34.9 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year and passed the governor’s proposal increasing school funding. Just prior to adjournment, lawmakers were able […]
The 109th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned sine die on Friday, April 22, 2016. The legislature approved a $34.9 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year and passed the governor’s proposal increasing school funding.
Just prior to adjournment, lawmakers were able to strip funding for the University of Tennessee’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion but failed to override Gov. Haslam’s veto of a bill declaring the Bible the official state book.
Photo of the Tennessee state capitol house floor by Ichabod on Wikimedia Commons.
August 10, 2015 •
Nashville’s Seven-Way Race for Mayor Results in Runoff Election
A runoff election for mayor will be held next month due to such close voting results in the August 6 Nashville municipal election. Megan Barry and David Fox came in first and second, respectively, in a field of seven candidates. […]
A runoff election for mayor will be held next month due to such close voting results in the August 6 Nashville municipal election.
Megan Barry and David Fox came in first and second, respectively, in a field of seven candidates. Barry, an at-large member of Metro Council, earned about 1,500 more votes than Fox, former chair of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Board.
The runoff election will be held on September 10.
April 24, 2015 •
Tennessee General Assembly Adjourns 2015 Session
Both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly adjourned the 2015 session on Wednesday, April 22. The session was highlighted by the passage of legislation allowing handgun-carry permit holders to be armed in any state park and a failed attempt to […]
Both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly adjourned the 2015 session on Wednesday, April 22.
The session was highlighted by the passage of legislation allowing handgun-carry permit holders to be armed in any state park and a failed attempt to make the Bible the official state book. Lawmakers also approved the annual budget after rejecting a renewed attempt to authorize Medicaid expansion.
The 2016 session of the 109th General Assembly will convene at noon on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.
Photo of the Tennessee state capitol house floor by Ichabod on Wikimedia Commons.
August 15, 2013 •
Tennessee Governor Announces Special Election Dates
Voters to choose representative for vacant House District 91
Gov. Bill Haslam has finally decided when voters in the state’s 91st House District will head to the polls to replace their state representative. In July, Lois DeBerry passed away after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Haslam announced the primary election to replace with DeBerry will occur on October 8 and the general election will take place on November 21. No candidates have announced their intention to run for the vacant seat, but they have until August 29 to file petitions to run in the primary.
Photo of Gov. Bill Haslam courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
April 22, 2013 •
Tennessee General Assembly Adjourns
Session ends well before projected adjournment date
The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned for the year on Friday night after completing its shortest session in more than three decades. The General Assembly only met for 37 days this session, but that 37th day was one filled with controversy and a possible scandal.
The General Assembly did not bring a charter schools bill to vote, which was a favorite of the house speaker and the governor. Many members are already looking at next session for the charter schools bill.
Governor Bill Haslam said, “I certainly don’t think it’s dead. We plan to come back with that same bill next year.”
Speaking of the governor, his family has been in the state and national headlines recently. Haslam is a part owner of Pilot Flying J with his brother Jimmy Haslam, who is the new owner of the Cleveland Browns. The company’s headquarters was raided by the FBI last week in an investigation into whether the company engaged in a scam to defraud truckers and trucking companies.
Governor Haslam has not been implicated in the scheme, but it is sure to stay in the headlines while the FBI’s investigation continues.
April 18, 2013 •
Tennessee House Strikes Down Campaign Finance Bill
Bill would have allowed insurance companies to make contributions
The Tennessee House of Representatives struck down a bill removing the prohibition on contributions from insurance companies and raising the contribution limits for party caucuses. House Bill 643 came up just two votes shy, collecting only 48 of the needed 50 votes to pass. The bill did however receive a majority of the votes, 48-41, so the bill is not technically dead.
Currently, Tennessee law prohibits insurance companies from making a contribution for political purposes. Under the bill, insurance companies would have had the ability to make contributions and would have had the same contribution limits as multicandidate political campaign committees.
The bill also would have allowed party caucuses to contribute $500,000 for statewide races, instead of the current limit of $374,300. It also would have doubled the amount the caucuses could contribute to senate and house candidates.
The bill was not defeated on a strict party line vote, as 13 Republicans voted against and another nine Republicans did not cast votes on the bill. It remains to be seen whether the House will bring the bill up for a second vote.
Photo of the Tennessee State Capitol House Chamber by Ichabod on Wikipedia.
May 14, 2012 •
iProcurement Comes to Nashville and Davidson County
New online procurement system
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County rolled out a new online procurement system today. The system, iProcurement, was developed by Oracle Procurement Software.
Vendors and suppliers, as well as all subcontractors, wishing to do business with the Metro Government will have to register with the new system. The new system can be accessed through the Metro Government’s Procurement Division website.
March 5, 2012 •
Tennessee Legislators Introduce Bills to Remove Limitations on PAC Contributions
Bills Relax Reporting Requirements and Allow Contributions by Insurance Companies
Legislators have introduced bills to remove limitations on the amount of money they can accept from PACs. Senate Bill 3645 and companion House Bill 3281, remove the aggregate limitations on PAC donations to candidates. The bills also remove the reporting requirements for large contributions made within 10 days of an election and remove an existing prohibition on insurance companies making campaign contributions.
Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Bo Watson, who introduced the senate bill, has stated the bill is a logical follow through to Senate Bill 1915 enacted last year that authorized direct corporate contributions to state candidates and treats corporations as if they were PACs for reporting purposes.
January 31, 2012 •
Tennessee Bill Broadens Lobbyist Entertainment Exception
Bill Introduced to General Assembly
Representative Philip Johnson has introduced House Bill 3025, which would allow employers of lobbyists to host receptions for standing committees in either chamber of the general assembly.
Tennessee law prohibits lobbyist employers from holding receptions, unless all state legislators are invited.
The current prohibition was part of ethics reforms enacted after the Tennessee waltz scandal.
Photo of the Tennessee House Chamber by Ichabod on Wikipedia.
December 2, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications Heading to COGEL 2011
The event will be held in Nashville, Tennessee.
State and Federal Communications President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz and seven of the company’s staff will be attending the Council on Government Ethics Laws (COGEL) 2011 Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
We are looking forward to COGEL 2011, which will run from December 4 – 7.
If you are planning to attend, be sure to say hello!
September 30, 2011 •
Government Tech and Social Media
This week’s news in Gov 2.0
More about U.S. Congress and Twitter from techPresident: “New Survey Finds Republicans Tweet More Often, But to Whom?”
Definitely worth a look: Campaigns and Elections magazine is hosting the 2011 CampaignTech Conference November 10-11 in Washington D.C. “Explore the craft of digital politics and advocacy in the changing landscape of the political online world.” The conference boasts an impressive speaker list. Here is the registration information and their blog. (Thank you, George Ticoras for pointing this one out to me.)
From Luke Fretwell on govfresh: “NAGW honors top government websites.” Here is the National Association of Government Webmasters 2011 Pinnacle Award site. I am excited to say an Ohio city received an award – the City of Montgomery, Ohio won in the “population less than 50,000” category!
You can now see all of the Tennessee governor’s proclamations on the Secretary of State’s website. Here is an article from the Tennessean about the news.
From Federal News Radio: The article “GSA launches YouTube-inspired contest for how-to videos” offers exciting news. It says, “The General Services Administration is giving away $5,000 dollars to social media mavens, who create videos to help people understand federal benefits and services.”
August 1, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 1, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Crossroads GPS, Priorities USA Violate Tax Laws, Reform Groups Allege in IRS Petition
Oregon Congressman, Named in Sex Case, to Resign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Bob Riley’s PAC Admits Taking PAC-to-PAC Donation in Violation of Law Riley Pushed
California
Judge Ready to Strike down San Jose Law Barring Last-Minute Campaign Contributions
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Member Thomas to Repay D.C. $300,000
Florida
Judge Hears Challenge to Florida Campaign Law
Florida
Press Group in Talks to Take Over State Lobbyist Registration
Georgia
Ethics Commission Could See Major Reorganization
Illinois
Emanuel Ethics Reforms Back on Track at City Council
Massachusetts
GOP’s Winslow Uses On-line Coupon to Promote Fundraiser
New York
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz Fined $20,000 for Taking Free Foreign Trips for His Wife
Rhode Island
Twenty Politicians Owe $800,000 in Election Fines
Tennessee
Some Advocacy Avoids Tennessee Lobbying Label
Virginia
For Virginia Companies, Campaign Donations to Lawmakers Just another Cost of Doing Business
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
July 18, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 18, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
State Legislative Bills Raise Conservative Group’s Profile
Federal:
Key Senator Urges Federal Investigation of Murdoch Media Company
The Influence Industry: Coming soon to a screen near you – a lobbying campaign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Legislature’s Ethics Chairs Say Referral Fees Are ‘Unquestionably Illegal’
Arizona
Arizona Lawmaker Says Pointing Gun at Reporter Wasn’t Deliberate
California
Gays Gaining Ground in State Political District Boundary Talks
Connecticut
Agency Head: Malloy’s undermining watchdogs’ fiscal autonomy
Idaho
Watchdog Group Says Idaho Should Have Stricter Lobbyist Reporting
Indiana
City Ponders Campaign-Gift Curbs
Minnesota
Full Eighth Circuit to Hear Minnesota Disclosure Law Case
Montana
High Court Sets Oral Arguments in Campaign Lawsuit
South Carolina
Campaign Reports, Fines Dog Son of Late S.C. Gov. Campbell
Tennessee
Haslam’s Office Cuts Off Hundreds from Clip Service
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.