Posted by Dylan Bradley · March 12, 2020 3:50 PM
Gov. Bill Lee Issues Executive Order Declaring State of Emergency in Response to COVID-19
Order will free up funds, resources to help combat coronavirus spread
Contact: Gillum Ferguson (615) 253-4516 or email: [email protected]
For Immediate Release: March 12, 2020
NASHVILLE – Today, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order No. 14 declaring a state of emergency in Tennessee to facilitate the treatment and containment of COVID-19.
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Posted by Dylan Bradley · March 12, 2020 12:29 PM
Senate Judiciary Committee passes major criminal justice reform legislation
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: [email protected]
For Immediate Release: March 12, 2020
NASHVILLE – The Senate Judiciary Committee passed major criminal justice reform legislation this week with approval of two key bills in Governor Bill Lee’s legislative package. This includes legislation streamlining and appropriately leveraging alternatives to incarceration, namely Recovery Courts and felony probation. The bill is sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Ken Yager (R-Kingston), and Senator Steven Dickerson (R-Nashville).
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Posted by Kerry Roberts · March 09, 2020 3:30 PM
Lawmakers work to provide resources to tornado victims
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: [email protected]
For Immediate Release: March 5, 2020
NASHVILLE -- Passage of key legislation in the Senate Judiciary Committee, including comprehensive pro-life legislation to prohibit abortion when a fetal heartbeat exists, topped a busy week on Capitol Hill. Senate committees also heard updates from various officials of state government regarding the emergency response to help victims of the devastating tornadoes and storms that ripped through Tennessee in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
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Posted by Dylan Bradley · February 27, 2020 12:15 PM
Lawmakers join Governor Lee to Introduce Constitutional Carry Legislation
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: [email protected]
For Immediate Release: February 27, 2020
NASHVILLE -- Members of the General Assembly joined Governor Bill Lee at a press conference on Thursday to announce major legislation cracking down on criminals who steal guns or possess them illegally, while allowing law-abiding citizens to exercise their constitutional right to carry firearms without a permit. The move would make Tennessee the 17th state in the nation to pass a “constitutional carry” law.
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Posted by Dylan Bradley · February 20, 2020 1:06 PM
Senate Judiciary Committee approves legislation strengthening penalties against child sex offenders
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: [email protected]
For Immediate Release: February 20, 2020
NASHVILLE -- It was a short, but busy week on Capitol Hill as lawmakers returned from observing the President’s Day holiday to act on a wide variety of bills. This includes legislation sponsored by Senator Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro) strengthening Tennessee’s laws against the “worst of the worst” child sex offenders. Under current law, sex offenders can be charged with aggravated rape of a child if their victim is zero to three years old. Senate Bill 1800 raises that age range to zero to eight years old.
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Posted by Dylan Bradley · February 13, 2020 2:31 PM
Legislation stiffens penalties for those convicted of drug-facilitated sexual assault
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: [email protected]
For Immediate Release: February 13, 2020
NASHVILLE -- Senate Committees worked at full steam this week as state senators examined the budgets of 16 agencies and departments of state government and approved a number of important bills. The budget hearings, which will continue through March 11, are part of the process of reviewing how taxpayer dollars are spent to determine if the money is being used efficiently and effectively to meet the state's goals. They also provide lawmakers with an opportunity to talk with state officials about a wide variety of important state issues.
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Posted by Dylan Bradley · February 06, 2020 11:18 AM
Education remains top priority as Governor Lee unveils his 2020 legislative vision in State of the State
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: [email protected]
For Immediate Release: February 6, 2020
NASHVILLE -- This week’s action on Capitol Hill was highlighted by Governor Bill Lee’s second State of the State Address on Monday evening where he presented his budget for the upcoming fiscal year and outlined his 2020 legislative vision for Tennessee. Improving K-12 education emerged as the top item from the night, as Governor Lee proposed a record $600 million in new funds for a series of initiatives to help students learn and reach their maximum potential.
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Posted by Dylan Bradley · January 30, 2020 11:35 AM
Budget moves front and center as General Assembly prepares to meet for State of the State Address on Monday
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: [email protected]
For Immediate Release: January 30, 2020
NASHVILLE -- The pace quickened on Capitol Hill this week as lawmakers put the finishing touches on legislative proposals before next Thursday’s bill filing deadline and prepare to receive Governor Bill Lee’s budget proposal on Monday night. Senate committees also heard testimony this week regarding several important issues before the General Assembly, including Tennessee’s health status and progress being made to ensure mental health parity. In other action, state senators advanced a Right to Work Constitutional Amendment resolution, legislation to help Middle College Scholarship recipients and first-time homeowners, and a proposal to officially recognize Tennessee’s long-held nickname as the Volunteer State.
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Posted by Dylan Bradley · January 23, 2020 12:03 PM
Lawmakers stand with Governor Lee in support of comprehensive pro-life legislation
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: [email protected]
For Immediate Release: January 23, 2020
NASHVILLE -- Republican lawmakers from across Tennessee joined Governor Bill Lee at a press conference this week to show their support for comprehensive pro-life legislation he will introduce in the General Assembly this year. The proposal, which includes the prohibition of an abortion where a fetal heartbeat exists, would make Tennessee one of the most pro-life states in the country.
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Posted by Kerry Roberts · December 02, 2019 4:45 PM
Calls for quick federal action to approve request
For Immediate Release
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336
NASHVILLE (December 2, 2019) – State Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) said today he is very pleased that Governor Bill Lee has submitted a Federal Disaster Declaration asking for help for Humphreys County and nine other Tennessee counties which were damaged by straight line winds on October 26th due to the remains of Tropical Storm Olga.
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