Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio)

TN Senate Compromises On Arming Teachers

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:46:19 +0000

The Tennessee Senate has signed off on a compromise plan to allow teachers with a law enforcement background to carry a gun to class. But several Republican lawmakers objected, calling the proposal “neutered.”

Bills that would have broadly allowed teachers to go armed failed to get support.

TN Gov. Bill Haslam Says He Was As Surprised As Anyone That FBI And Internal Revenue Service Agents

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:21:42 +0000

Governor Bill Haslam says he was as surprised as anyone that FBI and Internal Revenue Service agents locked down the headquarters of his family’s company Monday.

“They came in looking for certain records, and that’s all I know,” Haslam told reporters at the state capitol.

The governor remains a primary shareholder in Pilot Flying J, which produces $20 billion in annual revenue. He stepped down as president of the company in 1998 to pursue another business venture and eventually enter politics.

Tennessee Animal Cruelty Bill May Not Be What It Seems

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:36:08 +0000

The Tennessee legislature is wrapping up its session. Most of the high-profile issues have been settled for the year, but minor skirmishes remain -- one dealing with animal cruelty.

A bill would require that activists go to the police immediately if they uncover evidence of abuse. But those activists say it’s a sham.

Nashville Clergy Ask Lawmakers WWJD on Medicaid Expansion

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:16:34 +0000

Would Jesus expand Tennessee’s Medicaid program? That’s the question a left-leaning clergy group is asking the General Assembly, and they believe the answer is yes.

Pastors and priests delivered baskets of bread loaves and paper fish to each legislator. The attempted biblical parallel is to the miracle of feeding the 5,000.

Some Tennessee Teachers Could Go Armed Under Advancing Bill

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:30:20 +0000

A proposal meant to put more armed guards in Tennessee schools has begun moving forward in the General Assembly. It offers money for schools to hire retired police officers and allows teachers with law enforcement backgrounds to carry a gun to class.

Whether a retired officer hired part-time as a security guard or a teacher already on the payroll, both would have to go through at least 40 hours of special training.

Haslam Sacrifices Tennessee School Vouchers

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:25:40 +0000

Republican lawmakers who’ve tried for years to divert public education money to pay private school tuition say they won’t give up. Wednesday Gov. Bill Haslam yanked his proposal from consideration because legislators wanted to expand it.

The governor’s bill would have started small, limiting school vouchers to poor students in failing schools. Others have been looking at something many times larger for middle class families. Sen. Brian Kelsey has led the voucher push.

“This was definitely a minor set back and disappointing that the governor pulled his support, but I am fully committed to helping these low income children get the quality education that they deserve. There are other vehicles out there that are available,” he said.

NIMBY Complaints Cured with Narrower TN State Charter Authorizer

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:36:37 +0000

A proposed TN state panel for approving charter schools initially rejected by local boards is again limited to just a handful of districts. The charter authorizer was going nowhere when it applied statewide.

Republican lawmakers were pulling their support when there was a possibility state-approved charters could pop up in their backyard.

TN House Keeps Primary Picks in Hands of Voters

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:49:51 +0000

While the state Senate flirted with the idea of giving itself authority to pick nominees for U.S. Senate, the House has dumped the plan. A bill that would end primary elections made it to the floor of the state senate this week. But it was scuttled by the House before it even came to a committee vote.

Haslam Changing Tune On Expanding Medicaid

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:04:09 +0000

Governor Bill Haslam is saying there’s still a chance to expand TennCare and cover more of the state’s uninsured. Last week, Haslam effectively turned down billions of dollars in federal money to expand Tennessee’s Medicaid program. But after talking with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius over the weekend, he says the federal agency is sounding more receptive to his demands.

Tennessee Dems Want No Part of Ending US Senate Primaries

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:49:52 +0000

The Tennessee General Assembly has delayed consideration of ending primary elections for the U.S. Senate. Several lawmakers say voters need time to weigh-in on possibly losing their power to pick party nominees.

A few top-ranking Republicans have gotten on board with Frank Niceley’s proposal for the state legislature to again pick Senate candidates. Niceley said Tennessee should lead what he calls a band of “small red states” to help send more conservative lawmakers to Washington and “save America.”