All articles tagged with #governor bill lee
Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport announced plans to rename BNA in Dolly Parton’s honor. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority will review the naming policy at its Sept. 17 meeting, while Parton’s team says they’re open to a lasting tribute as a petition boasting about 79,000 signatures continues to grow.
Tennessee has proclaimed January 19 as Dolly Parton Day to celebrate the country icon’s 80th birthday. Gov. Bill Lee signed the proclamation praising Parton’s career and philanthropy through the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, and inviting Tennesseans to honor her legacy. Parton also released a new rendition of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” with guests including Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, Lainey Wilson, and Reba McEntire, with net proceeds benefiting pediatric cancer research at Vanderbilt’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital.
Federal forces, including over a dozen agencies and the National Guard, are set to arrive in Memphis next week to support local law enforcement as part of a broader federal crackdown on crime, authorized by President Trump and led by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
Tennessee lawmakers are at odds over a school voucher bill, with the House and Senate proposing different versions of the legislation. Governor Bill Lee is aiming for a compromise before the end of the legislative session. The House version costs $500 million and includes provisions to strengthen K-12 public schools, while the Senate version is half the cost and focuses on establishing the Education Freedom Scholarship Act and inter-county school enrollment. Lawmakers are divided on the bill's provisions, with the Senate prioritizing families and the House emphasizing fiscal management.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill repealing police traffic stop reforms in Memphis following the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by officers in January 2023, despite pleas from Nichols' parents and Democratic lawmakers. The repeal nullifies some of Memphis' ordinances, including one that outlawed pretextual traffic stops. The move has sparked outrage and calls for reforms, with critics arguing that it undermines efforts to hold law enforcement accountable and address racially discriminatory policing.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill repealing police traffic stop reforms in Memphis following the death of Tyre Nichols, despite pleas from Nichols' parents and ongoing federal investigations into policing and race in Memphis. The repeal nullifies ordinances that banned pretextual traffic stops, sparking outrage from Democratic lawmakers and advocates who see it as a setback for police reform in the majority-Black city. Nichols' parents felt marginalized and discouraged after their attempts to find middle ground with bill sponsors failed, and they urged Gov. Lee to veto the bill.
Tennessee National Guard soldiers are deploying to the U.S. Southern border to provide critical support in addressing rising crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. Governor Bill Lee visited the soldiers ahead of their deployment to Texas and committed to deploying two waves of state active-duty soldiers to assist in securing the border, citing the unprecedented border crisis. The soldiers are volunteering for this mission as the federal government fails to act, with other state officials offering their support.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee granted pardons to four individuals, including DeAndre Brown, the executive director of Shelby County's Office of Reentry. Brown, who founded the nonprofit LifeLine to Success, helps former inmates reintegrate into society. The governor reviewed each case in consultation with the Tennessee Board of Parole and granted two types of clemency: pardons and commutations to parole eligibility. The pardons signify forgiveness for completed prison sentences, while commutations expedite parole eligibility. The remaining applicants will remain eligible for future clemency.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee's proposed gun reform legislation, which allows law enforcement to temporarily take guns from people who pose a danger to themselves or others if a judge agrees, is facing opposition from Republicans who are calling it a "non-starter" and a "tough ask". The proposed legislation currently has no sponsors, no bill number, and no clear path to passage. Democrats are applauding the governor for putting out a bill, but they say it's a "watered-down" version of the type of law they would like to see.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has called for lawmakers to pass a bill to keep guns away from dangerous people, but it is unclear who is working to write that legislation. When asked, no Republican lawmaker said they were working on it. With the legislative session expected to conclude in a matter of weeks, people who have been marching and protesting in favor of gun reform are worried if the clock keeps ticking, lawmakers won’t act. Some GOP leaders left room for lawmakers to take on gun reform next session.
Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee addressed the state in a pre-recorded message about The Covenant School shooting, expressing condolences for the victims and their families. He called for prayer and unity in the face of tragedy, and acknowledged the bravery of the police officers who responded to the shooting. While he did not directly address firearms, he acknowledged the need to strengthen school safety and prevent future acts of violence. More than 50 bills related to firearms and ammunition have been filed in the current legislative session.