Posts Tagged ‘Sam Whitson’
Death row fast track: Conservatives eliminate criminal appeals court in death penalty cases
Bill heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for final approval Conservatives in the Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill to eliminate the court of criminal appeals in death penalty cases. The bill sponsor, Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, said the purpose of the bill was to expedite the death penalty. Opponents said removing the criminal court…
Read MoreHouse approves bill to eliminate subpoena power from police community oversight boards
Debate moves to the full Tennessee Senate A proposal to eliminate subpoena power from police community oversights boards passed the Tennessee House on a 66-26 vote. A police community oversight board has operated — with subpoena power — in Knoxville, Tenn. for two decades with no interference from the state legislature. State lawmakers only seem to…
Read MoreBan 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 MoreKnoxville, Be Damned: Rep. Daniel Helping GOP Cripple Community Oversight Boards in Tenn.
Despite nearly unified support from Knox County officials, state Rep. Martin Daniel, R-Knoxville, District 18, voted Feb. 27 with the majority party in committee to strip state-based community oversight boards of their subpoena power. The city of Knoxville has successfully operated a police community oversight board for 20 years under both Democratic and Republican mayors.…
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