Archive for March 2019
Unequal: Bill makes prejudice against LGBTQ legal for adoption agencies
Bill moves to calendar committee, full House of Representatives Two days after dozens of religious leaders publicly opposed a bill that would promote discrimination against LGBTQ Tennesseans, Republican lawmakers moved the bill closer to law. Under House Bill 836, private child-placing agencies could deny any person seeking to foster or adopt a child if the placement…
Read MoreGov. Lee’s proposal to new create charter school agency passes education committee
Gov. Bill Lee’s proposal to create a new state agency to oversee charter schools Tennessee passed the House Education Committee March 20 on a 13-9 vote. House Bill 940, as amended by the committee, would create a new charter school commission within the state education department and take over duties relating to charter schools currently…
Read MoreBad day for working women
Republican lawmakers block four proposals that would help and protect working women, new families Republican lawmakers on the House Employee Affairs Subcommittee rejected four bills that would improve working conditions for women and families in Tennessee—all in less than an hour. Equal pay for equal workThe Tennessee Pay Equality Act, House Bill 216 sponsored by Rep.…
Read MoreGovernor’s private school voucher bill advances
Despite a wide variety of concerns and scant details, lawmakers voted to advance Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher bill to the full House Education Committee for consideration. House Bill 939, Lee’s proposal to provide tax dollars directly to parents on a debit card called an education savings account, is sponsored by Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville, District…
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