United States Supreme Court Incorporates Eighth Amendment to the States in Civil Forfeiture Case
Property rights advocates have watched the Timbs v. Indiana case with great interest because it promises to have nationwide implications on excessive fines and property forfeitures. Today, the United States Supreme Court rendered its unanimous decision in Timbs. Writing for the majority, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg states that “Indiana argues that the Excessive Fines Clause […]
Suspect Shoots Wife, Then Takes Own Life
Jefferson County, TN Sheriff’s Department – Investigators with the Criminal Investigation Division have finished the preliminary investigation into the events that occurred at 1893 Oak Grove Rd on February 19, 2019. The investigation revealed that Juan Lopez Pineda age 46 was the male subject observed at the front door upon deputies arrival who also stated […]
Tennessee Issues First Maternal Mortality Report
The Tennessee Department of Health today issued the first Maternal Mortality Review report, Tennessee Maternal Mortality Review of 2017 Maternal Deaths. This report describes the state of maternal mortality in Tennessee based on a comprehensive review of deaths of women who died while pregnant or within one year of pregnancy. The goal of this effort by […]
Gov. Bill Lee to Repeal the Gym Tax in the Upcoming Budget
Tuesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced his plans to repeal the amusement tax on gym memberships in his upcoming budget. “I’m pleased to be able to include a tax cut in my first budget,” said Lee. “Repealing the gym tax is an important step in reducing the burdens on small businesses in our state.” The […]
Local Church Has New Feature, Thanks to Eagle Scout.
Benjamin Bolinsky, who recently earned the title of Eagle Scout, wanted to do a community service project that would be useful for many years and would be beneficial to as many people possible. The choice seemed to be easy for him, though, as an active member of French Broad Baptist Church, as he chose to […]
Happy President’s Day
Today, February 18, 2019, is Presidents’ Day, a holiday centered around the birthdays of two former presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Officially, “Presidents’ Day” is a misnomer, as the holiday originated in 1879 as remembrance of George Washington’s birthday. The date for the holiday was reset by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971, […]
Park Announces Paving Project on Little River Road
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that a pavement preservation project will begin Tuesday, February 19 on Little River Road. A thin pavement overlay will be applied to the entire length of the 16.5-mile roadway between Sugarlands Visitor Center to the Townsend Wye along with associated pull-offs and parking lots and the 1.5-mile Elkmont […]
Tennessee General Assembly Tackles Civil Forfeiture…Again
Civil asset forfeiture is once again under consideration by the Tennessee General Assembly. Forfeiture of assets became a means of confiscating property used in the commission of a crime in the early 1980’s when federal authorities set out to interrupt illicit drug cartels operating in the United States. The practice has strayed widely from its […]
Tennessee Needs at Least $49.8 Billion of Public Infrastructure Improvements
Tennessee needs at least $49.8 billion of public infrastructure improvements during the five-year period of July 2017 to June 2022—a $5 billion (11.1%) increase from the year before—according to a new report by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR). Improvements needed for Transportation and Utilities, Education, and Health, Safety, and Welfare infrastructure continue […]
Join Efforts to Prevent Teen Dating Violence in Tennessee
Love shouldn’t hurt. Healthy relationships consist of trust, honesty, respect, equality and compromise. It’s important to help young people learn how to build and recognize healthy relationships to support their development and keep them safe. The Tennessee Department of Health is taking part in Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month to help prevent dating violence among Tennessee teens. […]
House Passes Bipartisan Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act of 2019
Friday, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 840, the bipartisan Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act of 2019: “I have always been an advocate for reducing barriers to care for our veterans, as it is imperative that they […]
SFMO Reminds Tennesseans to “Candle with Care” ahead of Valentine’s Day
Along with chocolates and flowers, decorative candles are often given by sweethearts at Valentine’s Day (Thursday, Feb. 14). While candles are fragrant home décor, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds consumers that candles must be used properly to avoid the potential loss of life, injury, and property damage from an accidental fire. Though […]
TDCI: ‘Sweetheart’ Scammers Will Break Your Heart and Empty Your Wallet
With Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14, 2019) quickly approaching, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs reminds Tennesseans to be wary of ‘sweetheart’ scammers who claim to love you but, in reality, are only after your money. “Valentine’s Day is a time to show your loved ones how much you care, […]
Committee Conversations: House Transportation Committee Discusses REAL ID Act Of 2005
This week, members of the House Transportation Committee met with the Department of Safety to discuss changes to Tennessee driver’s licenses under the REAL ID Act of 2005. The federal measure was created in 2005 and was designed to increase security following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our nation. Its goal is to […]
House Republicans Introduce Legislation To Create Balance Within Community Oversight Boards
This week in Nashville, House Republicans introduced legislation aimed at creating balance within community oversight boards across Tennessee. Backed by Republican leadership, this legislation balances both the interests of our citizens to voice their opinion while also protecting the fundamental rights of officers and their families from malicious or politically focused persecution. Community oversight boards […]
Over 56,000 Tennessee Promise Applicants Submit FAFSA
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission announced today that over 56,000 Tennessee Promise applicants submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the Feb. 1 deadline. “We are proud to report that more students have taken their first step toward college with the Tennessee Promise program than at any point since its inception,” said THEC/TSAC Executive […]
