Tagged: tennessee

When the top three Republicans in the Tennessee statehouse coalesced behind a plan to cement the state's current selection process for Supreme Court justices into the state constitution, there seemed to be a smooth path ahead for getting the measure before voters in 2014.  Two months later, their proposal has made little progress as some Republican lawmakers have embraced a rival proposal, while others want to allow contested elections to take place.  A proposal is advancing in the Legislature to impose a federal-style system of having the governor make nominations to the high court's bench

A measure that would prohibit Tennessee students from dressing indecently in school is scheduled to be heard on the floor of the House and Senate this evening.  The bill seeks to prohibit students from exposing "underwear or body parts in an indecent manner that disrupts the learning environment."  A stricter version of the proposal failed to pass the Legislature three years ago.

Tennessee's state budget could cut all funding to The Paris Special School District Family Enrichment Center. Director Donna Vaughn says half of its funding comes from the state and if the budget passes, the center would likely have to close this summer.

“We do not have the excess funds in our budget to absorb it at this time. So we really don’t want to look down that road, but it doesn’t look good for us if that happens.”

NPR reports the Supreme Court  begins the first of three days of oral arguments on President Obama's health care law today. The court has boiled the arguments down to four key questions. First up: Does the court even have to hear this case right now?

Three years ago, Rep. Joe Towns failed to make Tennessee the first state to fine teenagers for wearing saggy britches. Now the Memphis Democrat has a more comprehensive measure to prohibit "risque dressing" in schools - and its chances of passage are looking good.  The proposal is headed for a House floor vote and is moving steadily in the Senate.