No Cameras? What Are Casada & The GOP Hiding?

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Today we learned from the Tennessean that Glen Casada and the TN House GOP are changing the rules in House committee meetings – and the House floor itself – to ban cameras and live-streaming in the gallery, and by representatives.

This attack on transparency should be upsetting to everyone.

Their defense will be that the House itself will post streams of the meetings after the fact, but we’re told that will give them ample time to edit them before the streams go up, which means not hearing some of the most important “Oh no he didn’t” moments this house has to offer.

Which is exactly the point.

This session promises to be extremely controversial, and they know it, which is why they’re turning out the lights on democracy. Regardless of party, you should be up in arms about this. Contact Glen Casada, or your reps, and tell them to turn the lights back on.

Yet Another Rural Hospital Closes – Clay County

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As Tennessee continues to reject billions each year, yet another rural hospital shuts its doors, this time in the Clay County/Celina area.

“the closing will cost 146 full & part-time employees their positions”‬

‪Not expanding Medicaid for political reasons is an absolute shame. ‬Hope Governor Bill Lee and the state legislature see the light before more unnecessary damage is done.

Read the article from NewsTalk941.com Here.

Homelessness in Williamson County – Does Anyone Care?

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Today Amelia Knisey of The Tennessean has an important story about homelessness in Williamson County.

Homelessness is on the rise in the richest county in the state, and the people and local officials have yet to make it a priority, leaving it to pastors like Pastor Kevin Riggs and local nonprofits like Gracepointe Church to deal with.

But as the cost of living continues to increase in areas like Franklin and Brentwood, more and more long time residents will feel the squeeze.

Lots of lip service is paid to issues like this around here, but what will residents and local government officials actually be willing to do about it?

Follow Amelia Here.

ADL: Extreme Right-Wingers Do The Killing Here

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The latest Report from the Anti-Defamation league tells us that “In 2018, domestic extremists killed at least 50 people in the U.S., a sharp increase… and EVERY ONE had ties to a right-wing extremist movement. The majority were white supremacists, which is typically the case.”

We hear an awful lot about the terrorists streaming across our borders, which we’re told is why we desperately need an end-to-end wall, but in reality almost all of the extremists who actually do the killing are already right here at home.

Seems like we probably won’t be hearing a lot about that from the president, so we thought you should know.

PASTOR: Just Say NO To Vouchers

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Governor Bill Lee is getting ready to make vouchers a priority. Everyone is buckling down for the fight, which is why Wilson County just passed a referendum making it clear they’re against vouchers, and why Reverend David Kidd of Pastors for Tennessee Children just made it clear in The Tennessean out why Tennessee should reject vouchers.

Pastor Kidd says it will hurt public schools, particularly in our rural communities. (Spoiler: he’s right.)

Pastor Kidd:

From 2011 through the 2016-2017 school year, the voucher program cost Indiana taxpayers $516.5 million. 

This kind of school “choice” (so called) will lead to devastating cuts for rural schools. One hears, ”the money follows the child…” That may be true, but when a child leaves a public school, the school building still has to be maintained, the heat has to stay on, the teachers have to be paid, janitors, kitchen workers, and crossing guards have to be paid – but the money has followed the child out the door.

Reach out to Governor Lee HERE to let him know how you feel.

TENNESSEAN: Racist Williamson GOP Email is Racist

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The Williamson County GOP recently sent out a racist email to their people, demeaning Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Mexicans at the same time. When the backlash inevitably came, instead of doing the adult thing and apologizing the Williamson GOP, led by Deb Deavers, doubled down, using their handy publicity tool the Tennessee Star to proclaim that the fault lies not with them, but with the Tennessean for “stoking liberal bias”.

Now David Plazas of the Tennessean has answered calling for the Williamson GOP to grow up and see this for the teachable moment it could be, if only the Williamson GOP were able to do some introspecting. We won’t hold our breath, and neither should you David.

Rev. Barber Welcomes Lee To Office

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On MLK Day, Governor Lee decided to pay his respects by going to Tennessee State and sharing the stage with Reverend Barber.

Now we’re guessing he probably wishes he hadn’t.

Lee was the first Tennessee Governor to show up at the event in 30 years, and it seems that was no coincidence. Barber made the most of the occasion, making it clear that politicians who claim to love MLK but fight against what he actually stood for will no longer get a free pass on his watch.

Check out the amazingness in a glorious thread here.

 

Casada Makes Pedophile Head of Ed Subcommittee #StopByrd

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Rep. David Byrd has admitted on tape to Sexual misconduct with the basketball players he coached. Speaker Harwell, from Byrd’s own Republican Party, asked him to step down, but he refused, and promptly ran for re-election, where he won with nearly 80% of the vote.

As if all that wasn’t bad enough, now Speaker Casada has appointed Byrd head of the Education Subcommittee, a slap in the face to moms and daughters and survivors everywhere.

Had enough? Contact Enough Is Enough and join the fight to get right of Rep. Byrd, and the men who protect him.

Mackler Back In Senate Race

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After clearing the deck for Bredesen last time around, Iraq War veteran/attorney James Mackler is back in the senate race – this time running for Lamar Alexander’s soon-to-be-open seat. James deserves a lot of credit for putting the country first and getting out when he did last time around, and this early entry should give him a boost by the time 2020 rolls around.

Check out Mackler’s new video below, and go to his site to learn more.

Giles County Mourns the Passing of D Ray Cobb

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D Ray Cobb, father of former state rep and current Columbia police chief Ty Cobb, passed suddenly this week. Giles County and the surrounding areas mourn his passing.

Ty recently wrote a touching tribute to his “awesome dad”, who many of us knew from his outspoken advocacy and unabashed support.

From Ty:

“Natalie, David and I were able to share 40 years of life with our dad. That’s over half of his life of 73 years.

We will not be selfish! Yes, we wanted more time, but you never get enough. But with faith, family, friends, and the great memories of our Dad, his will carry us through for all the years to come.

And with that … We are forever thankful. We love you, Dad!”

D Ray was always the first to speak up to right a wrong, and we will miss him dearly.