Bill to override school boards on new charter school applications advances

Legislation allowing charter school operators to set up in any Tennessee county without local school board approval advanced through a House subcommittee Wednesday, March 13. The proposal, House Bill 940 sponsored by Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, District 83, would create a new state-run charter school commission with the authority to skip any approval from local…

Read More

Ban on abortion after six weeks passes House, focus moves to Tenn. Senate

The Tennessee House of Representatives approved a ban on abortion after a heart beat can be detected — roughly six weeks of pregnancy. The legislation still must be heard by the full Tennessee Senate. The legislation, HB0077, sponsored by Rep. James “Micah” Van Huss, R-Gray, District 6, is one of Republican’s most aggressive attempts to restrict…

Read More

Republicans Advance Ban on First Trimester Abortions

A Republican-led state House subcommittee of all men voted 5-1 Wednesday, Feb. 20 to advance legislation HB0077 that would ban first trimester abortions after six weeks. The bill sponsor Rep. Micah Van Huss (R-Jonesborough), who is a web programmer, told the committee this legislation would prohibit abortion procedures after a heart beat can be detected…

Read More