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Tennessee Legislature

All articles tagged with #tennessee legislature

education1 year ago

"Tennessee State University Board Overhaul Sparks Outcry from HBCU Community"

Tennessee lawmakers, led by Gov. Bill Lee, have signed into law a bill that dismantles the board of trustees at historically Black Tennessee State University, sparking outrage among students, alumni, and lawmakers. The move follows concerns raised in audit reports about financial mismanagement, housing, and scholarships. Critics argue that the decision leaves the university vulnerable and disrupts its governance, especially as the search for a new president is underway. Additionally, the funding disparity between historically Black land-grant institutions and predominantly white universities has come under scrutiny, with Tennessee State University owed $544 million in land-grant funding over five decades.

politics1 year ago

"Legislature Advances Bills to Reform Bail Decisions"

Bills that would change bail decisions in Tennessee, making financial status a non-factor, have passed their first hurdle in the legislature. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow judges to deny bail for more crimes, while the second bill aims to remove the consideration of the defendant's ability to pay. This comes amid a crime crisis in Memphis, with a recent carjacking leading to tragic consequences. Critics argue that the proposed changes could disproportionately harm Black individuals, while proponents emphasize the need for careful consideration when taking away someone's liberty.

politics2 years ago

Tennessee Legislature Faces Backlash Over Attempts to Undermine Local Governance.

The Tennessee Legislature is considering a bill that would dissolve community-led police oversight boards in Nashville and Memphis and replace them with advisory groups with little power to investigate citizen complaints. The proposed seven-member “police advisory and review committees” would be selected solely by a city’s mayor and would lack investigatory powers. The committees would exist only in cities that opt to establish them. The bill is one of several this year pitting members of the GOP-controlled state Legislature against the state’s biggest and largely Democratic cities, particularly Nashville.