Happy Passover! I hope those of you affected by the flooding are safe and receiving all the assistance that you require from our city and state. If you need anything, please call on me. My colleagues and I in the Davidson County delegation are encouraging the governor to provide all state support possible.
Sunday night, as our interfaith family gathered around the table for a seder – first via Zoom with my out-of-town in-laws and again in-person with Tamara and our boys – I sat mostly silent. I must admit that this was not wholly unusual for me. During our brief annual readings from the Haggadah, my mind has been known to wander off at times, if only momentarily, generally to matzah ball soup and brisket. However, this year’s dinner felt altogether different. The contemporary relevance of the holiday gripped me.
When teaching children a story that is inherently about social justice and freedom, I found it impossible not to get lost in my own mind thinking about the events and many challenges of the past year and how we frustratingly continue to struggle, as a society, to make social progress. These days it really seems that we are going backward rather than forward. Just last week, the Tennessee House passed HB3, yet another bill seeking to solve a problem that does not exist. Rather, its sole intent is to stigmatize and discriminate against vulnerable children. Another similarly hateful bill is also working its way through the legislature, and these are only the latest iterations of hate in our state. They, of course, come on the heels of recent bills to criminalize voting registration efforts and peaceful protests. Also last week, Georgia passed substantive legislation to limit voting, effectively thumbing its nose at democracy. Not to be outdone, our supermajority is methodically killing any legislation designed to increase voter participation and working to further restrict voting rights. This morning, as I sat down to type this newsletter after dropping the boys off at school, I turned on CNN only to witness the video of George Floyd’s last breaths.
Yesterday, after dropping the boys off at school, I turned on CNN only to witness the courtroom video of George Floyd’s last breaths. Then last night the supermajority rammed Gov. Bill Lee's permitless handgun carry bill through the Tennessee House without even the faintest hint of concern about our family's safety.
The state legislature is often a challenging environment, but at times like this, it's almost overwhelming. Almost. What ultimately gives me hope and keeps me going is a faith that we all share, regardless of religious or political persuasion. It’s our faith in each other and the knowledge that we are all working, organizing, and fighting with our mutual values in mind and towards the same end. Thank you to each and every one of you for all that you do.
TENNCARE EXPANSION
Thanks to President Biden and congressional Democrats, almost every argument state Republican leadership and Gov. Bill Lee have given while refusing to expand TennCare is now off the table. The American Recovery Plan provides our state even more financial incentives and protections if we choose to expand TennCare. Last week, Sen. Yarbro and I held a press conference to effectively shift the burden back to Gov. Lee and the supermajority. While Lt. Gov. McNally appears to be reconsidering, Speaker Sexton seems to be unwilling to budge. Regardless, as we have since the day we took office, we will continue to fight for health coverage for Tennessee families.
March 23rd – Tennessean, by Brett Kelman, Natalie Allison – Tennessee Republicans open to Medicaid expansion talks as Biden sweetens deal
March 24th - Tennessee Lookout, by Sam Stockard – Lieutenant Governor willing to consider Biden’s Medicaid expansion
March 25th - Tennessee Lookout, by Sam Stockard - McNally, Sexton part ways on Medicaid expansion
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
I apologize that it has been a few weeks since my last e-newsletter. This session has been quite a ride. As usual, I have unfortunately spent more time fighting against bad legislation than fighting for good policy. The following is a quick rundown of high-profile legislation:
I was proud to help defeat Rep. Tim Rudd’s HR23, a resolution to remove Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle, in the House Civil Justice subcommittee.
Though we defeated Rudd’s resolution, which Rep. Johnny Garrett refused to vote against, Garrett introduced HB1196. This bill would allow cases of the type ruled on by Chancellor Lyle to be filed in any of the other 94 other counties, thus removing Davidson County’s exclusive jurisdiction over certain state-related causes, and mandates that similar actions filed by out-of-state plaintiffs be filed in Sumner County (Garrett’s home county). I fear more efforts to remove locally elected officials working in our justice system are in the works.
Gov. Bill Lee’s permitless carry bill, HB573, passed on the House floor last night. I strongly opposed this bill and voted NO.
Last night, the House passed Rep. Jerry Sexton's HJR150, a resolution designating the Bible as the state book. I voted NO.
A slew of anti-vaccination bills are moving through the committee process at this time, and I have been working with pediatricians from across the state on this issue.
JRC LEGISLATION
You can read and get updates on my entire legislative package online. Some of my bills are being moved to next year’s committee calendars, a few have been stuck behind the budget, and I am still working on a few others this year. HB212, our “Stop The Bleed” bill, will be heard in Finance Ways and Means Committee this afternoon. For those who were supportive and interested in my sustainable agriculture bills, I had some productive talks with the Department of Agriculture and hope to work with them on their “new farmer initiative.”
IN THE NEWS
March 4th – Daily Memphian, by Ian Round – Proposal would let voters choose Secretary of State
March 23rd – WSMV - Transgender student-athlete bill passes TN House, heads to Gov. Lee for signature
March 22nd – AP, by Kimberlee Kruesi - Tennessee bill to ban transgender athletes heads to governor
STAYING IN TOUCH
Please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay informed about my activity in the state legislature. Also, be sure and check out my informal weekly roundup video, “The State of Things,” on Instagram that I post every Thursday right after I leave the House floor. And remember, if your group is hosting a virtual meeting, please be sure and let me know so I can listen in or attend to provide information.
STAY SAFE
Please remember to wear your face coverings when in public and get vaccinated when able.
Happy Easter!
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