ANONYMOUS ETHICS SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBER CASTS DOUBT ON SPEAKER’S CLAIM

Within hours of the Phil Williams report about TN House GOP caucus vice chair Scotty Campbell’s alleged sexual harassment of legislative interns, Campbell had resigned. Even Phil was blown away by how quickly it happened, basically saying he had never seen anything like it in his storied career.

But despite the speed of Campbell’s demise, many questions remained. Why did it take Phil’s report to trigger any consequences? Who knew about the details of the investigation? What was Speaker Sexton’s role in this ugly ordeal?

Sexton was quick to deny any knowledge of the details of the investigation, and majority leader William Lamberth was right there at a press conference to back him up, pointing to the policy governing harassment allegations and saying it protected the victim by keeping the details quiet even from the speaker.

But who is really being protected? Obviously the victim’s confidentiality is paramount, but more and more it’s seeming like what’s really being protected is the speaker from any culpability for his handling – or mishandling – of the situation, and the lack of consequences Campbell faced until the situation became public.

The policy governing harassment complaints itself makes it clear all complaints are to go right to the speaker. And since that initial report we now know more about what went on in the wake of the complaint – including approved expenses taxpayers covered that were shelled out to the tune of nearly $10,000, including almost $1000 in CASH.

Even the intern herself said “it felt like they were trying to buy my silence.”

So who signed the checks? Who approved the expenses, including the cash handout?

Speaker Sexton has pointed the finger at the 4 members of the ethics subcommittee: Rep. Bill Beck (D), Rep, Karen Camper (D), Rep. Pat Marsh (R), and Rep. Sam Whitson (R).

Sexton very clearly is trying to shield himself from blame by using the ethics subcommittee as cover, despite the fact that we know FOR SURE Sexton knew about the Campbell findings as early as March 29th, yet Campbell was met with no consequences until voluntarily resigning 3 weeks later – even as he voted to expel the Tennessee Three for speaking up for common sense gun laws.

We have reached out to each of the 4 subcommittee members to confirm Sexton’s story about them approving the expenses.

2 ignored us entirely.

1 is staying quiet, pointing to the policies governing their committee as the reason they “Can’t talk about that.”

The 4th was not willing to answer anything specifically about the expenses concerning this particular situation, but was willing to answer a more general question: “Does the subcommittee have the power to approve expenses when it comes to sexual harassment allegations?”

The answer from the 4th subcommittee member: “TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NO.”

If that’s true, that means the subcommittee clearly didn’t have a hand in approving those expenses. Which means Speaker Sexton is lying to Phil Williams, and to the public.

What the member is saying makes sense. Everyone we have spoken to at the legislature says they can’t even buy a lamp in that building without the speaker’s sign-off, so it defies logic that $10,000 in taxpayer funds would be spent without his approval, particularly the nearly $1000 in cash.

And again, if Sexton did approve those expenses, and he did know about the Campbell details long before Campbell’s departure, then Speaker Sexton is lying, and the people of Tennessee deserve to know.

Sexton was clearly counting on the subcommittee to maintain their silence to keep folks believing it. An ethics subcommittee allowing itself to be used as cover in that way would seem to be downright unethical – but 3 of the 4 appear to be willing to let that happen.

As for why this 4th member feels the need to remain anonymous when answering a basic procedural question, that seems to speak to a culture of fear and intimidation that permeates the entire capitol under the Sexton regime – one that was apparent in the leaked audio from the GOP caucus meeting we posted a few weeks back regarding the Tennessee Three expulsions, which were in themselves a silencing of dissent and intimidation of a jaw-dropping, undemocratic scale.

The silence of the ethics subcommittee members also begs the question: What does Sexton have on them that they would be willing to provide cover for his lies? Especially when the lies are concerning such an important issue – the sexual harassment of young interns by men in power, one would think they would feel the need to speak up.

Serving on an ethics subcommittee should have 1 requirement: A commitment to the truth. Allowing the speaker to use them as a smoke screen to lie and cover-up his own failures would be the opposite of ethical. And if speaking about who covered the expenses is a policy violation, Sexton already violated the policy by pointing the finger at them.

We asked TN House Dems caucus chair Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) for comment. His response:

“Having never participated in or served on this “double-secret” subcommittee, I cannot speak from personal knowledge about how it operates or what power it wields. However, I know of no rule or authority that would allow a four member group of legislators to unilaterally, secretly appropriate taxpayer funds for any purpose. 
Also, it is my understanding that practically every decision made in the House goes through the Speaker’s office. The Speaker’s office controls everything from assigning legislators’ desks on the floor, committees and specific parking spots to approving staff and office furniture. Now, if someone offered or made a cash payment, as was reported, that is a whole other issue. Such a payment would circumvent all formal channels of normal expenditures or be pulled out of a “petty cash” drawer somewhere in this building that most of us don’t know about.”

AGAIN, the anonymous Ethics Subcommittee member’s response when we asked if the subcommittee has the power to approve expenses in sexual harassment (cover-up?) situations: “TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NO.”

So if the ethics subcommittee didn’t approve the expenses, Sexton must have, which means he knew about the Campbell harassment issue all along and did nothing.

And had Phil’s report not come out, Campbell would likely still be in his seat, and still be vice chair of the Republican caucus.

Between questions concerning his his residency, his inflated self-approved per diem which some want criminally investigated, and now the deception swirling around these very serious sexual harassment allegations, the already loud calls for Sexton’s resignation are sure to grow even louder now.

TODAY’S HOLLER: TN Republicans Vote to Force Raped Kids to Give Birth

“2ND CLASS CITIZENS”
TN Republicans Vote to Force Raped Children to Carry to Term

On Monday a “watered down” version of a bill originally intended to add real exceptions to Tennessee’s draconian NO EXCEPTIONS abortion ban passed the house. It had bipartisan support, but doctors and some Democratic legislators opposed it because it had been so narrowed by Tennessee Right to Life that many say it does not actually provide real exceptions for doctors to save mothers in danger.

As Rep Gloria Johnson put it: “This language is murky. Doctors and women are still at risk.”

Instead, the bill now forces doctors to wait until women are at death’s door, a sickening situation that will cause doctors to intentionally let women and girls suffer to protect themselves from prosecution.

The senate version has not yet been diluted in this way, but likely will be.

As the bill passed the house, Democrats offered amendments to make it a better bill. Gloria Johnson had an amendment to create an exception for pregnant children who were victims of rape (which all pregnant children are by definition). It would seem to be a no-brainer to create this exception for abortion care, especially since most of Tennessee wants it.

Alas, no. Radical Republicans killed the amendment.

WATCH it happen: “Imagine your child or grandchild is raped tomorrow.” – Gloria’s pleas fell on deaf ears.

AGAIN: Tennessee Republicans voted to keep FORCING RAPED LITTLE GIRLS TO CARRY TO TERM😳#ForcedBirthState

We had a chance to ask TN RIGHT TO LIFE about it yesterday: “Do you think raped little girls should be forced to carry to term, Will?” WILL BREWER of Tennessee Right to Life is who Speaker Cameron Sexton says “intimidated” legislators into not supporting real life of the mom exceptions to TN’s strict abortion ban.

We tried to talk. He ran.🏃🏻

We also asked Susan Lynn, the original sponsor of the trigger ban, why she lied and said the bill did have exceptions when it didn’t: “Were you lying when you said your NO EXCEPTIONS Abortion ban had exceptions? Or just wrong?”

Rep. Lynn (R-Q ANON) babbles about Biden to deflect whenever we ask her. 🤡 #ForcedBirthState

On another of Gloria’s amendments Gloria reacted to Rep. Andrew Farmer saying Republicans want to protect fetuses no matter what, and clearly treated girls/women as an afterthought. 😳 #ForcedBirthState
“Talk about feeling like a 2nd class citizen… it seems no one cares about the women & young girls.” 

The GUARDIAN is asking the right question: “How close to death must a woman be to get an abortion in Tennessee?” 😳

It’s sickening that this is the question that needs to be asked. But it does.

The cruelty seems to be the point.

We will continue to holler the truth about it. Please consider chipping in monthly  to support what we do. (or on SQUARE)

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TODAY’S HOLLER:

WATCH: Drag Queens Get OVATION Walking Into #LoveRising in Nashville 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🔥❤️ – Congrats
Gov. Lee & TN GOP — you’ve turned drag queens into rock star celebrity revolutionaries with your hate. The more you crack down, the more powerful they get.

LOVE RISING: 🎶 “I want a house with a crowded table… and a place by the fire for everyone…” 🎶 Awesome big number with Maren Morris, Allison Russell and friends bringing drag queens on stage at #LoveRising NASHVILLE. Thousands in attendance, hundreds of thousands raised. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈❤️ #LoveWins

🔥 WATCH: “And yes, I introduced my son to some drag queens today, so Tennessee — FUCKING ARREST ME.” Maren Morris at the #LoveRising benefit concert in NASHVILLE last night, opposing the TN GOP’s #SlateOfHate🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️❤️

WATCH: “We’re out here to keep Tennessee safe for everyone… there’s power in numbers.” The star-studded #LoveRising concert in NASHVILLE at Bridgestone Arena was a huge success. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️❤️

WATCH: Sen. Hensley & Rep. Clay Doggett’s other Drag Criminalization Bill Dies a Humiliating, Glorious Death 🎉 – We’re told the humiliating #RandyRandy McNally scandal is why TN Republicans didn’t give Hensley a second on it, which warms our hearts. Keep hollering.

In honor of Rep. Clay Doggett’s other drag show criminalization bill dying in the senate, here’s a pic of him in a hula skirt and some sort of bra in high school in Giles County someone sent us…

REPUBLICANS PROTECT… GAS STOVES?: Congrats to Gov Lee & the TN GOP for passing another pandering solution in search of a problem — meanwhile we’re at the bottom in poverty, violent crime, infant & maternal mortality, Ed funding, medical bankruptcies, etc… But, y’know, protect gas stoves! 😵‍💫The Government Overreach Party at work.

TAKING THE BURDEN OFF TEACHERS:  “This eliminates the burden on classroom teachers to catalogue all their books.” Yarbro’s bill to tweak the GOP’s book banning law to clarify teachers were not meant to take on that burden passes the senate. The law is still in place, parents can still challenge, etc.

RANDY RANDY WINS CAUCUS SUPPORT: TN Senate Republicans voted 19-7 to keep #RandyRandy Lt. Gov. McNally in leadership, a walking monument to their hateful hypocrisy. 🏳️‍🌈

👂LISTEN: “I’ve been made aware of 2 other situations where inappropriate relationships took place.”
Rep Todd Warner, the 1 TN Republican to call for McNally to step down, tells The Tennessee Star there’s (allegedly) more to the #RandyRandy story.

ICYMI: “Republicans love to accuse LGBTQ+ people of “grooming” children, but in Tennessee, it sounds like the call is coming from inside the house. The statehouse, that is… Rep. Todd Warner released a statement accusing fellow Republican McNally…”

Seems right-wing TN Stands is not on board for Senator Jack Johnson replacing #RandyRandy  👀

TRAVELING OUT OF STATE: “Doctors told a mom in Tennessee that her desperately ill baby would most likely die in utero, or shortly after birth. CNN followed her 900-mile journey for an abortion, a procedure she can’t access in her home state.” #ForcedBirthState 😳

ICYMI: Phil Williams reported Ogles raised $25,000 for a “child burial garden” — used a photo of a stillborn child for the GoFundMe promising a place for burial of babies with benches and a statue of Jesus… then kept the money.😳 #AndyFauxgles

TENNESSEAN: After Phil Williams raised questions about what Andy Ogles did with money raised for a burial for children he claimed to be building – “Rep. Andy Ogles’ spokesperson did not immediately respond when asked if financial docs would be released showing the payouts helping families or if they could connect The Tennessean with a family who benefitted from the fundraiser.”


🤔 “(Former) Tennessee state senator Brian Kelsey accused of violating federal campaign finance laws is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea, arguing that he initially did so with ‘unsure heart and confused mind.’”🙄
LOL ok Brian

BOMB THREAT: As Trump attacks Letitia James… BOMB THREAT at the courthouse… the judge can’t be thrilled about this one.

ARMING TEACHERS: “So it wouldn’t even be mandatory that the school district know who is carrying a gun in their schools?” Rep. Parkinson left speechless at the Ryan Williams bill to arm teachers — Heading to civil justice next ([email protected]).

OUT OF CONTROL: Tennessee Republican Senator John Stevens has a bill to eliminate the right of private businesses to prohibit firearms.🤔 The TN GOP finds new ways to endanger us all daily.

🔥MUST-WATCH: “It’s immoral that we subsidize giant corporations as they pay starvation wages.”
Justin Jones schools Republicans on rampant inequality as they shill for corporations and defend wild CEO-worker pay ratios. Justin gives a master class on economic inequality and had them going hard in the paint for the rights of multinational corps to pay starvation wages. They all came at him. They all missed.

WATCH: “I’m gonna let you feel powerful today, but this is WRONG.” Jones calls out Mark White for treating him differently than other reps, cutting off his Q’s of a witness on a bill to make it so parents OPT-IN before students can do/learn just about anything.

KIDS STILL NOT RETURNED: After a Black family from Georgia’s 5 kids were taken by TN DCS over a small amount of marijuana, the kids have still not been returned over a month later. “The children are not being returned today. The mother will have to submit to a hair follicle test.” Outrageous.

SENATOR LAMAR TO TN DCS: “GIVE THIS FAMILY THEIR CHILDREN BACK.” – Senator Lamar demands DCS release 5 (Black) kids after a month in state custody after THP charged the father for simple marijuana possession during a traffic stop.

SOME GOOD NEWS: “Senator Jack Johnson backed off his bill to kill the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth…” 🎉 — Good hollering, y’all. Gov Lee’s retaliation for their report on our disastrous foster care system is dead. (For now) #TNDCSCrisis

GROWING PAINS: “HENDERSONVILLE mayor links LIBRARY BOMB THREAT to Fox coverage of Kirk Cameron’s story hour… multiple threats… says library being unfairly vilified… asks lawyer to tell Cameron to cease & desist incitement before someone gets hurt…” – and now the library director was fired.

HEARTBREAKING images from SYLVAN PARK this weekend, where a young Nashvillian joined neighbors in cleaning the hate off of his house. ❤️


GRIFT ALERT: Carol Swain  is charging $400 to “train” school boards on concepts Tennessee has banned, and it turns out the state now REQUIRES 7 hours of training per year for EVERY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER — and she promotes hers “state-approved”… That’s some scheme💰!

🤦🏻SUMNER COUNTY commissioner Matthew Shoaf introduced a resolution declaring Sumner won’t recognize an indictment by a NY grand jury (not named but implied: OF TRUMP) as Trump says he’ll be arrested tomorrow. Again: MAGA Republicans do not care about the Rule of Law

WATCH: “FRANKLIN’s visitors guide says ‘FREEDOM, LIBERTY, and EQUALITY’ —I assume that’s for everyone.” Outrageously, FRANKLIN is considering not renewing Franklin Pride’s permit this year. The founder Robert McNamara and others are fighting back.😳🏳️‍🌈 #SaveFranklinPride

INBOX: Franklin Alderman Gabrielle Hanson (jack johnson’s political coordinator, opposes Lynching markers because “Marxism”🙄) replies to a voter “a significant # of gay people” want Franklin to DENY Franklin Pride’s permit.🤔 We asked her who they are. No names yet. #SaveFranklinPride

WATCH: Alderman “All Lives Matters” Lynching Markers 😳 Hanson also opposes LYNCHING MARKERS in Franklin, blaming “social Justice” and “Marxism” and saying it’s a pathway to “reparations” 🤔

SEXTON’S RACIST APPOINTMENT:  “Is it true Mr. Saltsman passed out CD’s with the song ‘BARACK THE MAGIC NEGRO’?”😳 TN Republicans just confirmed Speaker Sexton appointee Chip Saltsman despite London Lamar warning them about his deeply racist past. When they tell you who they are, believe them.

WATCH: “The charter school commission is the epitome of STATE OVERREACH & BIG GOVERNMENT… they override your local elected officials’ decisions.” Dems rip Gov. Lee’s tool to fill TN with (privately run) charters as Republicans extend it.

😳🏳️‍🌈 OFF THE LIST: “Students switch up college plans as states pass anti-LGBTQ laws… choosing not to attend colleges in states targeting their rights…” Tennessee is mentioned. Sad & embarrassing.

FOX 17: “A new Tennessee bill would allow law enforcement officers to use mechanical restraints, such as belts and handcuffs, on students with disabilities….”😳 Here’s where we asked TN House Rep. Greg Martin (R-Chattanooga) about it — 🏃🏻 he ran.

🔥👀 Go off, TN Historical Society!

POWDERPUFF GUV’S BILLBOARD IS UP: NASHVILLE: We came down for a quick visit to #PowderpuffGuv Gov Bill Lees new Broadway billboard. Nice stems, Guv! #TNDCSCrisis

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OPINION: PEOPLE ARE CRAZY AND TIMES ARE STRANGE (AKA PLEASE VOTE!)

“People are Crazy and Times are Strange” – Bob Dylan

Never did those lyrics strike closer to home than here in Tennessee where recent FBI data now ranks this state as having the 3rd highest rate of violent crime, robbery, aggravated assaults and homicides. Fortunately, the November 8th election provides Tennessee voters an opportunity to change those frightening statistics by electing a new governor together with state and federal legislators.

Around the country other states will be doing the same, the results of which will decide which political party has majority control over the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. This election will be definitive in determining the values, direction, and type of government American voters wish to have and which political party they feel best serves those interests. It’s not mere hyperbole to state that now more than ever, democracy is on the ballot.

However, equally notable is Tennessee’s poor record for voter participation – 46th worst in 2020 – as highlighted by an abysmal 17% voter turnout in the August mid-term elections. Such voter apathy may well come back to haunt Tennesseans since according to analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice, it
can be expected that should MAGA-Republicans maintain legislative control in Southern states, particularly those with diverse racial populations, more restrictive voting laws will be enacted in an effort to decrease voter turnout among those most likely to vote for Democrats.

With that in mind, it’s important to note that despite the fact that 62% of Americans remain in favor of abortion, Republican lawmakers, beholden to their far-right religious base and emboldened by their success in outlawing abortion in half the country, have now set their sights on making criminalization of abortion the law of the land. Therefore, the outcome of November’s election will be critical to protecting the lives and well-being of millions of Americans, men and women alike since passage of the legislation needed to restore reproductive privacy and freedom of choice hinges on the election of a Democratic congressional majority.

So what can we expect should a Republican majority take control of both houses of Congress? Undoubtedly in typical fashion they will continue obstructing whatever bills Democrats might propose, regardless the benefits to the American public. Additionally, we shall see ongoing attempts to “stack” the judicial system and the Supreme Court with unqualified, but like-minded conservative judges.
However, their first order of business will likely be the disbanding of the January 6th Committee and the dismissal of further investigations, accountability and/or prosecution for those responsible in attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

There is also a cockamamie scheme to impeach President Biden for unspecified “high crimes and misdemeanors.” More disturbing are Republican threats to cut the programs at the heart of our social welfare system: Social Security and Medicare. Republicans have also said they would pass a law to make the 2017
Trump tax cuts for the wealthy and corporate entities permanent, which economists say would further exacerbate inflation.

Then there are ongoing threats to refuse to raise the debt ceiling serving as a cudgel to enable the “reform” of Social Security and Medicare including raising the age of eligibility. And should they achieve a legislative majority, Republicans are also signaling withdrawal of support for Ukraine.

It should also be remembered that this GOP, nationally and locally, aided by Fox News, continues to cast aspersions on the sanctity of our electoral process by clinging to and promulgating the Big Lie that Joe Biden stole the 2020 presidential election, despite widespread and definitive evidence to the contrary.

Reflective of an increasing atmosphere of social and political intolerance are legislative attacks on Tennessee’s LGBQT community by extremist Republican legislators which helps to foment and encourage anger and hate-mongering as seen by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s recent report ranking Tennessee 2nd highest nationally for number of hate groups.

All of which increases the importance of who will be Tennessee’s next governor. Governor Bill Lee is campaigning for reelection on the basis that he has helped Tennessee families. Sadly, that seems remarkably disingenuous when one considers that Tennessee’s lack of gun safety laws have resulted in a firearm mortality rate which is 10th highest nationally. Indeed, Everytown reports that guns and gun violence are the leading cause of death for Tennessee children and teens. Lacking sensible gun control, those numbers continue to climb.

Under this administration, aided by an extreme ultra-conservative legislature, the well-being of Tennessee families has garnered scant attention since NoKidHungryTN reports that more than 19% of children in Tennessee live in “food insecure” homes.

World Population Review figures for 2022 rank Tennessee as having the 10th highest rate of poverty and the 2nd highest number of minimum-wage workers laboring for $7.25 an hour. Certainly not figures to be proud of.

Also alarming is the fact that while Tennessee families struggle to feed, house and educate their children as a means to escape a life of poverty, this governor is committed to creating a religious autocracy which includes siphoning off tax-payer dollars from our public schools to for-profit charter schools which emphasize a conservative “Christian”curriculum.

These are just a few of reasons why it’s critical for Tennesseans to vote in this
election. Early voting runs from October 19 through November 3rd. Election Day is November 8th.

Voter information can be obtained at GoVoteTN.com and at the League of Women Voters’ nonpartisan website VOTE411.org.

Vote as if your life depended on it. It very well may.

Chloe Cerutti lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

WELCOME TO FORCED BIRTH TENNESSEE

WELCOME TO FORCED BIRTH TENNESSEE

Yesterday the Trigger Ban triggered. Now any doctor performing an abortion in Tennessee can be charged with a FELONY, WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

You heard us right. There are no exceptions.

Not for rape. Not for incest. Not to save a mother’s life. Nothing.

Republicans like Governor Lee continue to say there are exceptions, but they are either lying, or they haven’t read their own bill. The bill says doctors can claim they were saving the mother’s life as an “AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE”, but that means the doctor will be on trial, charged, having been arrested, and the burden will be on THEM to prove the mother was at risk as opposed to on the state.

This means doctors will have to take that into consideration when deciding to perform life-saving health care. Which means women will die. Period. We’re already seeing examples of care being withheld throughout the country.

As a TN DOCTOR said yesterday at the “Healthcare in Handcuffs” rally in NASHVILLE: “Sadly, termination of the pregnancy will put me at risk of being charged with a felony… despite misinformation, THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS… this law is dangerous to the women of Tennessee.”

During the rally one young anti-abortion loudmouth was heckling the doctors, cheering for the idea of them going to prison, so we eventually confronted him.
WATCH: “YOU’RE NOT ACTUALLY ‘PRO-LIFE’ — YOU’RE FORCED BIRTH.”

Holler founder Kanew’s confrontation with the heckler continued after it was over, driving home the point that opposing Medicaid expansion & universal health care is not “pro-life”. The heckler was 20 years old and proudly “saving himself for marriage” as he seeks to stop everyone from having sex by telling women to “close their legs” (maybe the virgin thing isn’t voluntary with that kind of talk buddy) and dismissing the Old Testament as irrelevant because numbers 5:11-30 hurts the argument he’s making since God instructs a priest to have a woman drink something  which would make her miscarry if she was unfaithful, which sounds pretty abortion-y to us.🤔

The Heckler did, however, eventually concede there should be exceptions for life of the mom.

READ THE BILL. THERE ARE NONE. If you don’t believe us, believe the Tennessean👇🏽😳 

As Rep. Gloria Johnson points out, Republicans need to fix this NO EXCEPTIONS mess by calling a special session by calling a special session: “There are 0 exceptions… that Republicans don’t understand their bill should terrify everyone. CALL A SPECIAL SESSION AND FIX THIS MESS YOU MADE THAT WILL KILL PEOPLE.”

It’s a frightening, dangerous, deadly situation that Republicans have put us in. It’s hard to know if they did it knowingly and lied about it, or if they didn’t understand the bill they passed. Neither is good. Call your reps and tell them it must be fixed.

We’ll keep yelling the truth about all this. Please consider chipping in monthly if you can. We depend on your support.

– The Holler
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Please consider chipping in even just $5 or $10 monthly to help us continue this work.

Set your clocks back…

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TODAY’S HOLLER:
WE SEE YOU CHATTANOOGA: “We’re standing up for our rights, and our bodies, and autonomy.” Nooga also rallied for women’s rights yesterday as the draconian No-exception TN GOP trigger ban went into effect. #BansOffOurBodies

JASON MARTIN: This bill is radical. There are no exceptions, even for rape or life of the mother… Governor Lee is lying or he doesn’t know what bill he signed. Either is disqualifying.” Governor candidate Dr. Jason Martin was in Nashville for the rally against the TN GOP trigger ban. He also CHALLENGED HIM TO A DEBATE.

WATCH: “That weighs on me. I voted for that bill. These are affecting people. That whole week I didn’t sleep.” S. Carolina Republican Neal Collins regrets his abortion ban vote now that life-saving care is (PREDICTABLY) being denied. #BandOffOurBodies #RoeRoeRoeYourVote

FLASHBACK: “This is gonna let a violent rapist choose the mother of his child, but not let a victim of rape to determine if she’s going to carry that child?” Rep. Lynn told Rep. Gloria Johnson the truth — that THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS in the TN GOP abortion ban… then walked it back👇🏽🤥

Kaiser Health News reporter Brett Kelman says the TN GOP abortion ban has his family thinking about leaving 👇🏽 Really sad what this radical extremist supermajority is doing to our state. 😳

🔥ODESSA KELLY: “This is white supremacy. Class warfare. State-sanctioned violence… Republicans have given us a moment in time to say we defeated FASCISM.”
TN-7 candidate Odessa Kelly didn’t hold back today. Tennessee becomes a forced birth state TOMORROW. #BansOffOurBodies

As Tennessee becomes a FORCED BIRTH STATE under this Republican supermajority we just got more evidence that treating women as 2nd class citizens will getcha beat. #BansOffOurBodies

😳FRANKLIN, TN: “Teens teach themselves sex Ed BECAUSE THE ADULTS WON’T” TN Republicans (JACK JOHNSON) banned anything but abstinence-only education (which doesn’t work) — so now in Jack Johnson & Governor Lee’s home county teens try to protect themselves.

FLASHBACK: “FOX 17 investigation found 17 TENNESSEE REPUBLICAN lawmakers who supported unemployment cuts accepted PPP loans for their businesses — a combined $12.4 MILLION.” So spare us the student loan crocodile tears. 🐊

😂 #studentdebtrelief

The White House is bringing the thunder on these Republican student debt PPP loan hypocrites 🔥 👀

“271,000+ TENNESSEANS WILL HAVE THEIR STUDENT LOANS CANCELED UNDER BIDEN’S PLAN…” No wonder Republicans are so upset.

TRAE CROWDER: 🔥 “I’d like to think experiencing a form of suffering would make you sympathetic to those in a similar plight, as opposed to resenting them when they’re relieved of it… but what do I know? I never read the Bible or nothin’.”

Williamson County pastor 👇🏽

SSSSSHAPIRO: We’re honored to be included in this article about tweets ripping Ben Shapiro’s loan forgiveness hypocrisy.


REMINDER: The same Republicans complaining about student debt cancellation cheered as Trump let them write off 100% OF THEIR PRIVATE JETS. (while slashing trillions in taxes for the wealthy)

PRESIDENT BIDEN: “I will never apologize for helping working Americans & the middle class — especially not to the same folks who voted for a $2 trillion tax cut that mainly benefited the wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations.” #CancelStudentDebt

Biden’s plan to forgive student loan debt — $10,000 for anyone making under $125,000 a year, $20,000 if you went to school on Pell Grants.

REPORTER: “Is this fair to people who didn’t take out student loans?” — 🔥BIDEN MIC DROP: “Was it fair to people who didn’t own multi-million dollar businesses to watch those guys get huge tax cuts?” 👀 🎯 *moonwalks away*

The NY TIMES picks up the story of disgraced ex-speaker Glen Casada and his chief of staff Cade Cothren getting arrested by the FBI and facing 20 counts.

CASADA LEAVING THE COURTHOUSE: “Glen, do you owe Tennesseans an apology? Do you feel bad? Should the Governor be worried?” Disgraced ex-speaker Casada leaving the federal courthouse after pleading not guilty to all 20 counts… they face many years and fines, 20 count indictment includes bribery, laundering, conspiracy, kickback…

CADE COTHREN SPEAKS ON HIS WAY OUT THE COURTHOUSE AFTER PLEADING NOT GUILTY TO 20 COUNTS: “The truth will come out, Phil.” —- Or maybe it already did, Cade? 🤔

🤣 CASADA IN CUFFS REACTION: GOV. LEE – who hands out no-bid contracts like candy, didn’t remove an admitted sexual abuser, maybe offered a military promotion to pass his vouchers, betrayed teachers, etc… now has “no tolerance” for lack of integrity? LOL. 🤷🏻‍♂️ #CasadaInCuffs

😳MUST-WATCH SUPERCUT: FOX TRASHING TEACHERS.  Again — it isn’t just HILLSDALE & @GovBillLee. The war on our teachers & schools is the right-wing’s core agenda.

CHATTANOOGA: Republican school board member RHONDA THURMAN (a regular focus for us) complains “Hispanic students who speak little or no English are overwhelming Hamilton County schools” calls them a “mind-boggling burden” on schools 🤔😳

⚾️ NOLENSVILLE advances to the 🇺🇸 Little League World Series championship to face HONOLULU Saturday (winner faces the winner of Chinese Taipei vs. Curaçao)

WATCH: “Elections are about choices. There has never been a clearer difference between 2 candidates.” TN-5 congress candidate senator Senator Heidi Campbell says she’s trying to unite while far-right extremist Mayor Andy Ogles tries to divide, and says a new internal poll has her ahead.

Priorities. 🇺🇸 #CancelStudentDebt

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SEN. CAMPELL: IRA’S HISTORIC CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENT WILL PAY OFF BIG FOR TN

Sen. Campbell: Inflation Reduction Act’s historic clean energy investment will pay off big for Tennessee

Legislation would lower costs, cut prescription drug prices and boost manufacturing jobs in Tennessee

NASHVILLE — Clean energy incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act will pay off big for Tennessee workers and the state economy, says state Sen. Heidi Campbell.

Campbell, a candidate for Congress in the state’s Fifth District, says the U.S. House should send the bill to the president’s desk.

“This is the boldest climate package in U.S. history and the clean energy incentives are a perfect match for the investments we’ve made in the electric vehicle industry,” Sen. Campbell said. “This legislation will lower costs for families, cut prescription drug prices and create thousands of good-paying jobs in Tennessee — all without raising taxes on working people.”

The Inflation Reduction Act passed the U.S. Senate 51–50 on Sunday with both Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Sen. Bill Hagerty voting against it. The measure heads to the U.S. House this week.

The bill allows roughly $374 billion in climate and energy spending, including an extension and improvement of the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit. Under the act, the tax credit is renewed for a decade starting in 2023 and, for the first time, all EV manufacturers will have access to unlimited credits — but the vehicles have to be made in North America.

“No state economy is better positioned to benefit from the electric vehicle incentives than Tennessee,” Sen. Campbell said. “We’re going to build a stronger middle class with American manufacturing jobs and our working families are going to build the world’s clean energy future right here in the Volunteer State.”

Tennessee is already the top state in the Southeast for electric vehicle jobs and investment with General Motors, Nissan and Volkswagen all producing electric vehicles here, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

Additionally, Ford Motor Company has begun work in West Tennessee on its $5.6 billion BlueOval City project, a partnership with SK Innovation that will produce the next generation of F-Series electric trucks and electric vehicle batteries.

Also, Tritium DCFC Limited, an international manufacturer of electric vehicle charging stations, announced in February it will establish a U.S. manufacturing base in Lebanon, Tenn.

The Inflation Reduction Act’s incentives for electric vehicles complement Tennessee’s plan to deploy electric vehicle infrastructure announced in February.

Inflation Reduction Act, Beyond EV

As important as the electric vehicle incentives are in Tennessee, the Inflation Reduction Act does a lot more for working families. This economic plan would lower costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, bring down health insurance premiums on HealthCare.gov, and make investments in clean energy, like wind and solar power.

The legislation, which will also reduce the federal deficit by $300 billion, is funded by creating a minimum 15 percent tax on the corporate profits of giant companies and by cracking down on tax cheats.

“Americans deserve solutions from Congress and the Inflation Reduction Act delivers by putting freedom for families first,” said Sen. Campbell.

Campbell, a results-driven mom, former mayor and Tennessee senator representing parts of Davidson County, faces Republican Andy Ogles in the General Election for Congressional District 5 on Nov. 8.

Tennessee’s 5th Congressional is now the most closely watched race in the state.

This is Sen. Campbell’s fifth race in a purple area of Tennessee. She’s undefeated and headed into the General Election in a position of strength having raised about $430,000.

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(THIS WAS A STATEMENT SENT OUT BY THE CAMPBELL CAMPAIGN)

TN DEMS VOW TO STAND UP TO DRACONIAN REPUBLICAN ABORTION BAN

This week Tennessee Dems held a press conference vowing to push back on the Republican abortion ban, and the brutality it entails. Below are some clips.

 

WATCH: “IT’S LEGISLATIVE VIOLENCE—women are not equal if we don’t have control over our own health decisions.” At a presser on the TN GOP extreme abortion ban Rep. Gloria Johnson says more women will die, Tennessee’s economy will get hurt as events & businesses choose other states.

TN-5 CANDIDATE SENATOR HEIDI CAMPBELL: “We’re here with you… we’re not backing down. Our Tennessee daughters deserve to grow up with the same rights & freedoms as our sons.”🎯 #BansOffOurBodies – TN Dems vowed to carry bills pushing back on the draconian, violent abortion ban.

SEN. LAMAR: “I’m devastated. I’m angry. It’s an ABOMINATION —- they never take a stand on ‘life’ outside the womb.” Senator London Lamar says the extremist TN GOP abortion ban will force rape & trafficking victims to carry to term, and Black women will be impacted most. #BansOffOurBodies

SEN. YARBRO TO TENNESSEE: “It’s time to WAKE UP.”🔥 – Yarbro rightly says TN is 1 of the most dangerous places in the developed world to get pregnant because of a brutal TN GOP supermajority, calls out Jack Johnson for minimizing rape pregnancies. (especially for young girls)

REP. CLEMMONS: “Make no mistake, they’re not going to stop here.” – John Ray Clemmons says the TN GOP will keep taking away rights until voters stand up to them, calls on men to stop hiding behind party and stick up for their families, thanks his female colleagues for their leadership.

YES, THEY WANT TO FORCE LITTLE GIRLS TO CARRY BABIES: Jim Bopp of National Right to Life – who has been to Tennessee to testify for Republicans – says YES, THE 10 YEAR OLD RAPE VICTIM SHOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED TO GIVE BIRTH. Monstrous.

PSA…

RALLIES ACROSS TENNESSEE #BansOffOurBodies

This weekend Tennesseans all over marched in support of women’s rights. It was a beautiful sight to see.

Here were some of the best moments and signs we saw.

LIVE: BUSTING REPUBLICAN ABORTION MYTHS (with Francie Hunt)

Francie Hunt of TN Advocates Planned Parenthood joined us to walk through a Republican talking points memo on abortion and set some things straight.

PODCAST HERE.

FREEMAN’S VICTIM-ADVOCATE PROTECTION BILL KILLED BY GRIFFEY & THE GOP

VICIOUSLY BIGOTED BUTT OFFICIALLY IN FOR MAURY MAYOR

As the Maury County Holler reported this week, rumor at Mulefest on Saturday was Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles would NOT be running for both re-election and the open TN-5 congressional seat, but would instead be relinquishing his hold on the mayor’s office to focus on the crowded circus of a TN-5 primary.

Word was the Maury GOP would then throw their weight behind former TN House GOP Rep Sheila Butt for mayor.

Well, the Maury Holler appears to have been correct. Butt has just posted a picture of herself dropping off her petition to run for Maury mayor.

This is noteworthy because even in a party that has come to stand for anti-LGBT hate, anti-Muslim hate, and, yes, racism, Sheila stands out from the crowd.

Butt’s anti-LGBT hate is blatant and right out in the open. Would you like some examples, with receipts? That’s what we’re here for. Let’s begin…

She has said homosexuality is a “slippery slope” to pedophilia and a “godless” “horrific” “immoral” culture:

She told Maury County residents to steer clear of downtown Columbia because of a PRIDE block party:

She even put her name on whatever the hell this is:

BUTTT it isn’t just about her hatred for our LGBTQ brothers & sisters.

She is also deeply anti-Muslim, and once even called for Christian and WHITE organizations to form in opposition to CAIR.

She’s also as anti-reproductive freedom as they come, advocating for the ban of all abortions without exceptions for rape, and even going as far as to say most instances of rape are “not verifiable” – a comment for which she was admonished by one of her Democratic House colleagues:

And if all that wasn’t enough, Butt once openly disparaged the idea of interracial marriage in her book, saying women who date outside of their race are often less desirable to those of their own races afterwards:

And these are just a few of her greatest hits. There is undoubtedly plenty more.

In today’s GOP, does harboring racist, homophobic, Islamophobic, anti-woman views count as baggage? Or is that, in fact, her qualifying resume?

Judging by the word that the party is already in the tank for her, we probably have her answer.

How can LGBT people, Muslims, People of Color, women – or anyone really – feel safe in the community knowing Butt is their mayor? Is being this hateful what Maury County is looking for in a mayor? We hope it isn’t. We fear it is.

Ogles was hateful. Butt may somehow be worse. We have to be better than this.

And we truly hope other members of the media, particularly in Maury County, will remind people what Butt is really all about.