thetennesseestar--2020-09-03--Governor DeWine’s Tuesday Press Briefing Addresses Labor Day Weekend Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic,

Governor DeWine’s Tuesday Press Briefing Addresses Labor Day Weekend Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic, High-Speed Internet Grants for Students

Governor Mike DeWine ’ s recent press conference touched on several issues facing Ohio and possible fixes .
In the Tuesday briefing , DeWine reminded citizens to take the proper safety precautions for Labor Day weekend .
DeWine reported Ohio had the “ highest number of new cases since the end of July , ” which he called a “ stark reminder that this virus has not gone away and it continues to spread in our communities.
” DeWine called on citizens to continue hand washing , social distancing , and to remember the mask mandate is active in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day weekend , the governor announced three new safety efforts to curb fatalities on Ohio ’ s roads , and give young drivers the tools to drive safely .
The efforts include a new traffic safety council led by the Department of Public Safety , an initiative to utilize air enforcement around the Department of Transportation ’ s construction areas , and a grant to juvenile courts to fund more advanced driver training to young adults .
The new efforts come after Ohio reported 154 traffic fatalities in July , the highest number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to DeWine ’ s press release .
DeWine also encouraged drivers to watch their speed , as roads emptied by the pandemic have caused the remaining drivers to speed .
The Ohio Highway Patrol has issued more than 2,200 citations for speeders driving at speeds of above 100 miles an hour just this year , the governor ’ s press release said .
Labor Day also marks the traditional end of summer and normally , the beginning of the school year .
In light of the general school closure due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the press conference that over 900 grants have been approved to help a reported 121,000 Ohioan students gain high-speed internet in their homes .
The grant comes as a need for high-speed internet increases as more and more schools turn to hybrid or online-only options to help deal with the pandemic .
As many as 645,000 Ohio students are in schools that are increasing their online workload .
Husted also unveiled a public service announcement featuring 99-year-old Jim “ Pee Wee ” Martin , a WWII Paratrooper who jumped into France before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohioans to “ mask-up.
” Currently , the Ohio Department of Health data shows Ohio has 124,610 confirmed or probable cases of the virus , and 4,165 confirmed or probable deaths .
A total of 13,479 people have been hospitalized , 2,975 of which have been sent to an intensive care unit .
Ben Kolodny is a reporter at The Ohio Star and the Star News Network .
You can follow Ben on Twitter .
Tips can be sent to [ email protected ] Photo “ Mike DeWine ” by The Ohio Channel @

Governor Mike DeWine’s recent press conference touched on several issues facing Ohio and possible fixes.
In the Tuesday briefing, DeWine reminded citizens to take the proper safety precautions for Labor Day weekend. DeWine reported Ohio had the “highest number of new cases since the end of July,” which he called a “stark reminder that this virus has not gone away and it continues to spread in our communities.”
DeWine called on citizens to continue hand washing, social distancing, and to remember the mask mandate is active in all 88 counties.
In anticipation of Labor Day weekend, the governor announced three new safety efforts to curb fatalities on Ohio’s roads, and give young drivers the tools to drive safely. The efforts include a new traffic safety council led by the Department of Public Safety, an initiative to utilize air enforcement around the Department of Transportation’s construction areas, and a grant to juvenile courts to fund more advanced driver training to young adults. The new efforts come after Ohio reported 154 traffic fatalities in July, the highest number in a single month since 2007, according to DeWine’s press release.
DeWine also encouraged drivers to watch their speed, as roads emptied by the pandemic have caused the remaining drivers to speed. The Ohio Highway Patrol has issued more than 2,200 citations for speeders driving at speeds of above 100 miles an hour just this year, the governor’s press release said.
Labor Day also marks the traditional end of summer and normally, the beginning of the school year. In light of the general school closure due to the pandemic, Lt. Governor Husted announced at the press conference that over 900 grants have been approved to help a reported 121,000 Ohioan students gain high-speed internet in their homes. The grant comes as a need for high-speed internet increases as more and more schools turn to hybrid or online-only options to help deal with the pandemic. As many as 645,000 Ohio students are in schools that are increasing their online workload.
Husted also unveiled a public service announcement featuring 99-year-old Jim “Pee Wee” Martin, a WWII Paratrooper who jumped into France before the D-Day invasion. Martin called on Ohioans to “mask-up.”
Currently, the Ohio Department of Health data shows Ohio has 124,610 confirmed or probable cases of the virus, and 4,165 confirmed or probable deaths. A total of 13,479 people have been hospitalized, 2,975 of which have been sent to an intensive care unit.
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Ben Kolodny is a reporter at The Ohio Star and the Star News Network. You can follow Ben on Twitter. Tips can be sent to [email protected]
Photo “Mike DeWine” by The Ohio Channel.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-03--Michigan to Publish Which Schools Have Coronavirus Outbreaks

Michigan will begin identifying K-12 schools that have coronavirus outbreaks beginning on September 14 , a state spokesperson told BridgeMI on Tuesday .
Up to this point , the state has been confirming the regions in which the outbreaks are occurring , but have not provided more specific information , such as the specific school districts in which the outbreaks are located .
The new information will include the name , location , and number of confirmed cases at the school , BridgeMI reported .
There are currently 14 different outbreaks in Michigan connected to K-12 schools , colleges or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded information will be updated weekly , most likely on Monday , and will be found among the state ’ s wider coronavirus data information breakdown , Lynn Sutfin , spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services , told BridgeMI .
Stufin has previously said that an outbreak is defined as two or more cases “ with a link by place and time indicating a shared exposure outside of a household , ” according to BridgeMI .
She warned on Tuesday that an outbreak at a school does not necessarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The presence of cases at a school does not indicate that they are not following proper procedures , ” she said Reporting an outbreak at a school to a local health official is merely “ strongly recommended , ” according to the state ’ s Return to School Roadmap , although collecting the contact information of those who may have been in close contact with an infected student is required .
More than 30 Michigan news and government transparency agencies have called on Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer to urge rapid release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BridgeMI said .
This is not the first time the state has hesitated to publish information on coronavirus outbreaks .
Michigan was previously heavily criticized for failing to publish detailed information about coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities .
Until mid-June , Michigan was just one of three states not publishing information about coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes , according to information from the AARP .
Ninety-eight percent of nursing facilities in Michigan reported the number of confirmed cases in their facilities to the state during June 3 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the information for the first time shortly thereafter .
That information is now available on the state ’ s coronavirus website and is frequently updated .
Michigan ’ s decision to publish school-related coronavirus outbreak information follows both state and county health departments saying they would not automatically release identifying information about schools with outbreaks so as to avoid privacy issues and rumors about schools , as well as to offset the narrow focus of public health investigations , according to BridgeMI .
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun , the state ’ s chief medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late August that the state ’ s computer system would need to be updated first , but did not provide a timeline at the time .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter at The Michigan Star and Star News Digital Media .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]

Michigan will begin identifying K-12 schools that have coronavirus outbreaks beginning on September 14, a state spokesperson told BridgeMI on Tuesday.
Up to this point, the state has been confirming the regions in which the outbreaks are occurring, but have not provided more specific information, such as the specific school districts in which the outbreaks are located.
The new information will include the name, location, and number of confirmed cases at the school, BridgeMI reported. There are currently 14 different outbreaks in Michigan connected to K-12 schools, colleges or universities, the outlet said.
The expanded information will be updated weekly, most likely on Monday, and will be found among the state’s wider coronavirus data information breakdown, Lynn Sutfin, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, told BridgeMI.
Stufin has previously said that an outbreak is defined as two or more cases “with a link by place and time indicating a shared exposure outside of a household,” according to BridgeMI. She warned on Tuesday that an outbreak at a school does not necessarily reflect on that school’s precautions.
“The presence of cases at a school does not indicate that they are not following proper procedures,” she said
Reporting an outbreak at a school to a local health official is merely “strongly recommended,” according to the state’s Return to School Roadmap, although collecting the contact information of those who may have been in close contact with an infected student is required. More than 30 Michigan news and government transparency agencies have called on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to urge rapid release of information about school-linked coronavirus outbreaks, BridgeMI said.
This is not the first time the state has hesitated to publish information on coronavirus outbreaks. Michigan was previously heavily criticized for failing to publish detailed information about coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
Until mid-June, Michigan was just one of three states not publishing information about coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes, according to information from the AARP. Ninety-eight percent of nursing facilities in Michigan reported the number of confirmed cases in their facilities to the state during June 3 and June 10, with the state publishing the information for the first time shortly thereafter.
That information is now available on the state’s coronavirus website and is frequently updated.
Michigan’s decision to publish school-related coronavirus outbreak information follows both state and county health departments saying they would not automatically release identifying information about schools with outbreaks so as to avoid privacy issues and rumors about schools, as well as to offset the narrow focus of public health investigations, according to BridgeMI. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive, also told the outlet in late August that the state’s computer system would need to be updated first, but did not provide a timeline at the time.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter at The Michigan Star and Star News Digital Media. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-03--JMU Temporarily Moves Classes Online, Sends Students Home Due to COVID-19 Concerns

James Madison University ( JMU ) is temporarily moving classes online and sending students back home because of a rise in COVID-19 cases and a lack of room for positive students to quarantine , JMU President Jonathan Alger announced Tuesday .
The announcement from Alger to the JMU community comes less than a week after in-person classes had resumed .
“ After consultation with the Virginia Department of Health , James Madison University will transition to primarily online learning through the month of September , ” Alger said in the announcement .
“ Additionally , in an effort to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents will be asked to return home by September 7th.
” The recent uptick in COVID-19 cases on campus and the capacity of the quarantine and isolation spaces the university can provide students were primary factors in the decision , according to Alger .
Below is all relevant JMU COVID-19 information according to the university ’ s COVID-19 dashboard : Since July 1 , the JMU health center has performed 1,236 tests on students , faculty and staff with 208 cumulative positives tests , representing a positivity rate of 16.84 percent .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 recovered cases in that time .
Since August 17 , 415 students and 4 faculty and staff have self-reported positive cases .
On Tuesday , the university health center conducted 98 tests with 56 being positive .
Additionally , 54 quarantine/isolation beds are available out of the 143 total allocated .
Harrisonburg had 77 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday , up from 61 cases on Monday .
Meanwhile , Rockingham County only had 11 cases Tuesday and eight cases Monday , according to the Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 daily dashboard .
Brenham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student told the Daily News Record he does not think the school ’ s decision will be temporary and finds it funny that JMU is using that term .
During September , when less students are on the Harrisonburg campus , JMU officials will keep a close watch on the current health trends in Virginia and will contact faculty , staff and students by September 25 about resuming in-person classes on or after October 5 , according to the announcement .
The school will remain open during that time span and provide certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Alger .
Students that are currently in quarantine or isolation should complete the required time before leaving campus .
The school also suggests that students should self-quarantine when they arrive home or to their destination , according to the announcement .
In his announcement , Alger said a decision regarding refunds has not been made yet , but that the school will contact students and their parents as soon as possible to speak on the topic .
Alger did not specify that the refunds referred to .
“ We do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after all of the efforts on the part of so many people to make the campus environment safe for the return of in-person classes , ” Alger said .
“ All along , we understood that we might need to transition to online learning at any moment if circumstances required .
Accordingly , our faculty used the summer months to prepare for various contingencies , and they are ready to deploy interactive , engaging and high-quality instruction in the virtual space.
” Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ James Madison University Campus ” by Ben Schumin .
CC BY-SA 2.5 .

James Madison University (JMU) is temporarily moving classes online and sending students back home because of a rise in COVID-19 cases and a lack of room for positive students to quarantine, JMU President Jonathan Alger announced Tuesday.
The announcement from Alger to the JMU community comes less than a week after in-person classes had resumed.
“After consultation with the Virginia Department of Health, James Madison University will transition to primarily online learning through the month of September,” Alger said in the announcement. “Additionally, in an effort to reduce the number of people on campus, residents will be asked to return home by September 7th.”
The recent uptick in COVID-19 cases on campus and the capacity of the quarantine and isolation spaces the university can provide students were primary factors in the decision, according to Alger.
Below is all relevant JMU COVID-19 information according to the university’s COVID-19 dashboard:
Since July 1, the JMU health center has performed 1,236 tests on students, faculty and staff with 208 cumulative positives tests, representing a positivity rate of 16.84 percent. There have also been 601 active cases and 26 recovered cases in that time.
Since August 17, 415 students and 4 faculty and staff have self-reported positive cases. On Tuesday, the university health center conducted 98 tests with 56 being positive.
Additionally, 54 quarantine/isolation beds are available out of the 143 total allocated.
Harrisonburg had 77 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, up from 61 cases on Monday. Meanwhile, Rockingham County only had 11 cases Tuesday and eight cases Monday, according to the Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 daily dashboard.
Brenham Howard, 20, a junior biology student told the Daily News Record he does not think the school’s decision will be temporary and finds it funny that JMU is using that term.
During September, when less students are on the Harrisonburg campus, JMU officials will keep a close watch on the current health trends in Virginia and will contact faculty, staff and students by September 25 about resuming in-person classes on or after October 5, according to the announcement.
The school will remain open during that time span and provide certain on-campus amenities such as dining and wellness, according to Alger.
Students that are currently in quarantine or isolation should complete the required time before leaving campus. The school also suggests that students should self-quarantine when they arrive home or to their destination, according to the announcement.
In his announcement, Alger said a decision regarding refunds has not been made yet, but that the school will contact students and their parents as soon as possible to speak on the topic. Alger did not specify that the refunds referred to.
“We do not make this decision lightly, especially after all of the efforts on the part of so many people to make the campus environment safe for the return of in-person classes,” Alger said. “All along, we understood that we might need to transition to online learning at any moment if circumstances required. Accordingly, our faculty used the summer months to prepare for various contingencies, and they are ready to deploy interactive, engaging and high-quality instruction in the virtual space.”
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Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “James Madison University Campus” by Ben Schumin. CC BY-SA 2.5.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-03--Freitas and Good Will Appear on Ballots After Lawsuit Challenging Paperwork Filing Extensions Dismis

Freitas and Good Will Appear on Ballots After Lawsuit Challenging Paperwork Filing Extensions Dismissed

Delegate Nick Freitas ( R-Culpepper ) and Bob Good ( R ) will appear on ballots this November after a circuit court judge dismissed a lawsuit that tried to block the candidates from the election .
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ( DCCC ) filed the lawsuit challenging the State Board of Elections ’ ( BOE ) authority to grant filing extensions to the candidates .
Freitas is running for Virginia ’ s 7th Congressional District .
Good is running for Virginia ’ s 5th Congressional District .
Richmond City Circuit Court Judge Joi Jeter-Taylor said the extension was valid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that state code was clear in giving the BOE authority to be lenient .
BOE Vice-Chair John O ’ Bannon ( R ) told The Virginia Star that the board often extends leniency to both Republican and Democratic candidates .
“ There ’ s actually a history that supports allowing some of these late filings … some of it is precedent , some of it is [ making sure ] the political parties have access to the ballots , the candidates have access to consideration for access to the ballots , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated that the BOE extended the deadline by 38 days .
O ’ Bannon said there was extended discussion and public input around the decision .
Ultimately BOE Chair Bob Brink ( D ) voted with O ’ Bannon to approve the decision in a 2-1 vote .
Freitas and Good were late to file their Certificates of Candidate Qualifications , which require candidates to swear that they meet legal requirements to run for office .
According to O ’ Bannon , last year , Freitas was also late to file another essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to certify their candidates .
The BOE is much stricter about the second form , and Freitas was forced to win in 2019 as a write-in .
O ’ Bannon said COVID-19 might have contributed to the number of late filings this year — besides Freitas and Good , the BOE granted leniency to four other candidates , including Nicholas Betts ( D ) , who is running for Virginia ’ s 6th Congressional District .
O ’ Bannon added , “ Some of it is just candidates not really knowing all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , after missing the filing deadline for the second year in a row , Freitas explained the mistake on The John Fredericks Show .
Fredericks challenged Freitas , “ Some of your supporters , like me , are shaken by this.
” Fredericks said repeatedly missing filing deadlines suggested serious problems in the Freitas campaign .
“ It ’ s frustrating , I understand why supporters would be upset by this , ” Freitas said .
He said the lawyer who failed to file the paperwork resigned .
“ I take personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking personal responsibility is making the necessary corrections and so that ’ s what we ’ re doing , ” Freitas added .
The BOE may not always extend filing deadlines .
“ There have been so many problems , so much leeway [ given ] that I think the three of us that are on the board are concerned by that and we may go back and revisit that decision next process , ” O ’ Bannon said .
“ I think the lesson is that if you ’ re interested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get your ducks in a row and make sure you get your paperwork in on time , because we may go back and change those decisions.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Nick Freitas ” by Nick Freitas .
Photo “ Bob Good ” by Bob Good .
Background Photo “ Virginia Capitol ” by Anderskev .
CC BY 3.0 .

Delegate Nick Freitas (R-Culpepper) and Bob Good (R) will appear on ballots this November after a circuit court judge dismissed a lawsuit that tried to block the candidates from the election. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) filed the lawsuit challenging the State Board of Elections’ (BOE) authority to grant filing extensions to the candidates. Freitas is running for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. Good is running for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District.
Richmond City Circuit Court Judge Joi Jeter-Taylor said the extension was valid, The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. Taylor said that state code was clear in giving the BOE authority to be lenient. BOE Vice-Chair John O’Bannon (R) told The Virginia Star that the board often extends leniency to both Republican and Democratic candidates.
“There’s actually a history that supports allowing some of these late filings … some of it is precedent, some of it is [making sure] the political parties have access to the ballots, the candidates have access to consideration for access to the ballots,” O’Bannon said.
The lawsuit stated that the BOE extended the deadline by 38 days. O’Bannon said there was extended discussion and public input around the decision. Ultimately BOE Chair Bob Brink (D) voted with O’Bannon to approve the decision in a 2-1 vote. Freitas and Good were late to file their Certificates of Candidate Qualifications, which require candidates to swear that they meet legal requirements to run for office. According to O’Bannon, last year, Freitas was also late to file another essential form, used by a political party to certify their candidates. The BOE is much stricter about the second form, and Freitas was forced to win in 2019 as a write-in.
O’Bannon said COVID-19 might have contributed to the number of late filings this year — besides Freitas and Good, the BOE granted leniency to four other candidates, including Nicholas Betts (D), who is running for Virginia’s 6th Congressional District. O’Bannon added, “Some of it is just candidates not really knowing all the rules when they start out.”
In June, after missing the filing deadline for the second year in a row, Freitas explained the mistake on The John Fredericks Show. Fredericks challenged Freitas, “Some of your supporters, like me, are shaken by this.” Fredericks said repeatedly missing filing deadlines suggested serious problems in the Freitas campaign.
“It’s frustrating, I understand why supporters would be upset by this,” Freitas said. He said the lawyer who failed to file the paperwork resigned. “I take personal responsibility for it. But part of taking personal responsibility is making the necessary corrections and so that’s what we’re doing,” Freitas added.
The BOE may not always extend filing deadlines.
“There have been so many problems, so much leeway [given] that I think the three of us that are on the board are concerned by that and we may go back and revisit that decision next process,” O’Bannon said. “I think the lesson is that if you’re interested in running for office, you should really get your ducks in a row and make sure you get your paperwork in on time, because we may go back and change those decisions.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Nick Freitas” by Nick Freitas. Photo “Bob Good” by Bob Good. Background Photo “Virginia Capitol” by Anderskev. CC BY 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-03--After Five More Charged in Connection with June 10 Protests, Leading Virginia Democrats Appear at Ra

After Five More Charged in Connection with June 10 Protests, Leading Virginia Democrats Appear at Rally Supporting Senator Lucas

Senator Louise Lucas ( D-Portsmouth ) appeared alongside former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe ( D ) , Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax ( D ) , and U.S .
Congressman Bobby Scott ( D-Newport News ) at a rally of over 100 people outside a Portsmouth church on Tuesday , according to reporting by The Associated Press .
The rally came after police charged five more people in relation to a June 10 protest .
That protest initially lead to 14 people , including Lucas , have been charged with felonies for damage done to a Confederate monument .
In his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am here for the Portsmouth 19 , I think it ’ s an outrage what has happened to these 19 individuals , and I pray to God that they drop the charges… you think this is helpful to your community , to have this message all across the globe at time [ when ] we ’ re in a COVID crisis ?
… Who wants to come to Portsmouth now with this type of racial division that we have today ?
” “ This extraordinary group of people right now are a symbol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fairfax said in reporting by The Virginian-Pilot .
“ But because of the fight that we are going to have together , we are going to turn them into a symbol of justice.
” Scott said the people of Portsmouth have the power to change the situation , according to The Virginian-Pilot .
Scott said , “ Elections have consequences , and we need to make sure that in Portsmouth , we have the right people making the right decisions.
” The rally was held a few hours after Governor Ralph Northam ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits on gatherings larger than 50 people in Eastern Virginia .
Delegate Glenn Davis ( R-Virginia Beach ) tweeted , “ Governor this week REFUSED TO REMOVE REGULATIONS on Hampton Roads and continued gathering limits to 50 PEOPLE .
I must have missed the part where he EXEMPTED DEMOCRAT RALLIES.
” Delegate Don Scott ( D-Norfolk ) , who is legally representing Lucas , replied to Davis , “ Man , [ y ] ou gangsta .
I thought we were friends.
” Davis replied , “ We are .
I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You didn ’ t create the regulations .
If it was up to me , I ’ d allow more safe social distancing events to occur.
” Lucas and the 13 who were charged with her are expected to appear in court on September 4 .
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Background Photo “ Portsmouth Confederate Monument ” by Doug Kerr .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

Senator Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) appeared alongside former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe (D), Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax (D), and U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Newport News) at a rally of over 100 people outside a Portsmouth church on Tuesday, according to reporting by The Associated Press. The rally came after police charged five more people in relation to a June 10 protest. That protest initially lead to 14 people, including Lucas, have been charged with felonies for damage done to a Confederate monument.
In his speech, McAuliffe said, “I am here for the Portsmouth 19, I think it’s an outrage what has happened to these 19 individuals, and I pray to God that they drop the charges… you think this is helpful to your community, to have this message all across the globe at time [when] we’re in a COVID crisis? … Who wants to come to Portsmouth now with this type of racial division that we have today?”
“This extraordinary group of people right now are a symbol of injustice in this nation, ” Fairfax said in reporting by The Virginian-Pilot. “But because of the fight that we are going to have together, we are going to turn them into a symbol of justice.”
Scott said the people of Portsmouth have the power to change the situation, according to The Virginian-Pilot. Scott said, “Elections have consequences, and we need to make sure that in Portsmouth, we have the right people making the right decisions.”
The rally was held a few hours after Governor Ralph Northam (D) said he would not retract limits on gatherings larger than 50 people in Eastern Virginia. Delegate Glenn Davis (R-Virginia Beach) tweeted, “Governor this week REFUSED TO REMOVE REGULATIONS on Hampton Roads and continued gathering limits to 50 PEOPLE. I must have missed the part where he EXEMPTED DEMOCRAT RALLIES.”
Delegate Don Scott (D-Norfolk), who is legally representing Lucas, replied to Davis, “Man, [y]ou gangsta. I thought we were friends.”
Davis replied, “We are. I’ve got no problem with your event. You didn’t create the regulations. If it was up to me, I’d allow more safe social distancing events to occur.”
Lucas and the 13 who were charged with her are expected to appear in court on September 4.
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Background Photo “Portsmouth Confederate Monument” by Doug Kerr. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-03--Senate Advances Bipartisan Bill to Establish Commission on Civil Rights and Policing, Among Others

RICHMOND , Virginia – In the first fully in-person session of the week , the Senate advanced a bill that would establish a civil rights and policing commission on Wednesday .
The commission ’ s purpose is to review civil liberties , civil justice and policing in Virginia , and to make policy recommendations to the General Assembly .
Sen. Richard Stuart ( R-Prince William county ) , who introduced the bill , spoke with The Virginia Star about why the commission is necessary .
“ I ’ ve practiced law for 30 years now and in that 30 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , ” Stuart said .
“ I still believe we have the best system in the world , but I think it is important for all of us to recognize the inequities be it because of race , poverty or simply because we have given too many of our civil liberties away in order to police , and we ’ ve got to try to fix those things so this system is fair for everybody and that is my goal with this commission .
“ [ The commission ] directly goes after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not saying that the police are bad .
There are bad apples in the bunch , just like there are bad apples in [ among ] lawyers , doctors , teachers , everybody .
We ’ ve got to weed out the bad apples.
” Before Senate Bill 5003 was engrossed by the Senate and advanced to its third and final reading , three floor amendments were adopted into the bill .
The first two amendments adopted decreased the number of senators and delegates allowed on the commission from four to three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendment added representatives of at least two other minority groups to the commission , one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and the other appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules .
Incorporating the aforementioned amendments , the 22 member , bipartisan commission would feature a wide array of members .
The commission would include three members from the House and Senate , four chiefs of police or sheriffs , three attorneys for Virginia , one representative from the Virginia African American Advisory Board , the current president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Safety as well as three citizens with civil justice expertise .
All non-assembly members would be appointed by a mix of Governor Northam , House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn ( D-Fairfax County ) and the Senate Rules Committee .
Stuart is confident the bill will pass the Senate during Thursday ’ s session because of bipartisan support for the legislation , but does not share the same confidence when it comes to the House .
“ My concern is more with the House of Delegates than the Senate , ” Stuart said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House is just refusing to pass any bill that is being sponsored by a Republican .
Of course , this [ bill ] is co-sponsored by myself and [ Democratic ] Senator [ Mamie ] Locke , we ’ re the two co-patrons , but I ’ ve just heard rumors that the House is not interested in passing any bills with Republicans on it , I hope that is not true.
” Locke also thinks the bill will pass the Senate and said that the commission will allow Virginia to be proactive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two other bills advanced to their third reading by the Senate were House Bill ( HB ) 5109 and HB 5031 .
HB 5109 calls for the Health Commissioner to ensure that employees and residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities receive first priority for COVID-19 testing , and HB 5031 recognizes June 19 , otherwise known as Juneteenth , as a legal holiday in Virginia to celebrate the abolition of slavery in Texas , the last Confederate state to abolish the practice .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

RICHMOND, Virginia – In the first fully in-person session of the week, the Senate advanced a bill that would establish a civil rights and policing commission on Wednesday.
The commission’s purpose is to review civil liberties, civil justice and policing in Virginia, and to make policy recommendations to the General Assembly.
Sen. Richard Stuart (R-Prince William county), who introduced the bill, spoke with The Virginia Star about why the commission is necessary.
“I’ve practiced law for 30 years now and in that 30 years I have seen the inequities in our system,” Stuart said. “I still believe we have the best system in the world, but I think it is important for all of us to recognize the inequities be it because of race, poverty or simply because we have given too many of our civil liberties away in order to police, and we’ve got to try to fix those things so this system is fair for everybody and that is my goal with this commission.
“[The commission] directly goes after policing and civil liberties and I’m not saying that the police are bad. There are bad apples in the bunch, just like there are bad apples in [among] lawyers, doctors, teachers, everybody. We’ve got to weed out the bad apples.”
Before Senate Bill 5003 was engrossed by the Senate and advanced to its third and final reading, three floor amendments were adopted into the bill.
The first two amendments adopted decreased the number of senators and delegates allowed on the commission from four to three from each legislative body.
The final amendment added representatives of at least two other minority groups to the commission, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and the other appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.
Incorporating the aforementioned amendments, the 22 member, bipartisan commission would feature a wide array of members.
The commission would include three members from the House and Senate, four chiefs of police or sheriffs, three attorneys for Virginia, one representative from the Virginia African American Advisory Board, the current president of the Virginia NAACP, the secretary of Public Safety as well as three citizens with civil justice expertise.
All non-assembly members would be appointed by a mix of Governor Northam, House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax County) and the Senate Rules Committee.
Stuart is confident the bill will pass the Senate during Thursday’s session because of bipartisan support for the legislation, but does not share the same confidence when it comes to the House.
“My concern is more with the House of Delegates than the Senate,” Stuart said. “I’ve heard rumors that the House is just refusing to pass any bill that is being sponsored by a Republican. Of course, this [bill] is co-sponsored by myself and [Democratic] Senator [Mamie] Locke, we’re the two co-patrons, but I’ve just heard rumors that the House is not interested in passing any bills with Republicans on it, I hope that is not true.”
Locke also thinks the bill will pass the Senate and said that the commission will allow Virginia to be proactive to current issues instead of reactive.
Two other bills advanced to their third reading by the Senate were House Bill (HB) 5109 and HB 5031.
HB 5109 calls for the Health Commissioner to ensure that employees and residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities receive first priority for COVID-19 testing, and HB 5031 recognizes June 19, otherwise known as Juneteenth, as a legal holiday in Virginia to celebrate the abolition of slavery in Texas, the last Confederate state to abolish the practice.
– – –
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-03--Biden Meets Jacob Blake’s Family to Start Wisconsin Trip

by Bill Barrow and Will Weissert MILWAUKEE , Wisconsin ( AP ) — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden began a visit to the battleground state of Wisconsin on Thursday by meeting with the family of Jacob Blake , the Black man whose shooting by a white police officer sparked days of sometimes violent and destructive protests .
Biden ’ s trip to Kenosha , the first of his general election campaign against President Donald Trump , is testing his pitch that he ’ s a unifying figure , able to lead the country through a national reckoning with systemic racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fallout .
Traveling two days after Trump visited Kenosha , Biden is expected to follow his private meeting with a public discussion later Thursday with community representatives in a city still reeling from Blake ’ s shooting and the protests that followed .
Biden did not take questions as he left his plane after arriving in Milwaukee , but he has said that the trip is an effort to help Wisconsin and the nation heal .
“ This is about making sure that we move forward , ” Biden told reporters Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to tell Kenosha what they have to do ” but instead encourage a community to “ talk about what has to be done.
” Among those in Thursday ’ s meeting with Biden were Blake ’ s father , Jacob Blake Sr. , his siblings , and one of his attorneys , B ’ Ivory LaMarr .
Blake ’ s mother Julia Jackson and another attorney , Ben Crump , joined by phone .
Blake remains hospitalized after being shot seven times in the back by a white Kenosha police officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the past , Blake Sr. has posted many anti-semantic and racist messaging on his social media accounts , according to Breitbart .
Some of Blake Sr. ’ s comments have included the phrase “ cracker jew ” and calling Black Trump supporters “ young black coons.
” Furthermore , his social media show that he is a supporter of Louis Farrakhan .
Two months before Election Day , the trip presents Biden both opportunity and risks , testing his longstanding promise that he can “ unify the country ” and find consensus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent .
The approach is an intentional contrast with Trump , who thrives on conflict .
The distinction has sharpened over a summer of nationwide protests .
Most have been peaceful , but some of them , as in Kenosha , turned violent and destructive .
Biden is a white man propelled to the Democratic nomination by Black voters .
Since the May 25 death of George Floyd , a Black man killed by a white Minneapolis police officer , Biden has called for an overhaul of U.S. policing and embraced a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment was a factor in Biden selecting California Sen. Kamala Harris as the first Black woman to join a major party presidential ticket .
Trump , meanwhile , has countered with sweeping condemnations of protesters , an absolute defense of law enforcement and denials that Americans with black and brown skin face barriers that whites do not — moves aimed at his overwhelmingly white political base .
The president pressed his “ law and order ” mantra during his own Kenosha trip Tuesday .
He toured damaged buildings and discussed ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump was greeted by supporters who occasionally mixed with — and yelled at — Black Lives Matter organizers .
“ These are not acts of peaceful protest but , really , domestic terror , ” Trump said .
Despite repeated questions from reporters , the president refused to address racism in the country or its police departments .
Instead , he asserted anew that a Biden presidency would bring riots and destruction to American cities .
Trump falsely claims that Biden backs violent protests and activists ’ calls to “ defund the police.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign manager , said Biden ’ s visit to Kenosha was inappropriate .
“ The president was there earlier in the week as the president of the United States .
Vice President Biden is there today as a candidate , as a political candidate , ” Stepien told “ Fox & Friends ” on Thursday “ This is not the time to be injecting politics into a really serious situation that president helped solve .
I think it very very clearly points out the contrast between the president ’ s leadership and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party who are encouraging violence in the streets.
” In fact , Biden has repeatedly denounced violence , from a June 2 speech after Floyd ’ s death up to a Monday address that his campaign quickly turned into a one-minute digital and television ad .
The campaign has spent $ 45 million for the spot , which has English and Spanish language versions , to circulate on national cable networks and in local markets across Arizona , Florida , Michigan , Minnesota , Nevada , North Carolina , Ohio , Pennsylvania and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessity highlights Biden ’ s tightrope as he discusses the complexities of the moment while running against a president whose brief political career — and his business career before that — has been defined by loud absolutes .
Biden on Wednesday repeated that “ to engage in violence — burning , looting , the rest — in the name of protesting is wrong .
And that person should be held accountable for their actions.
” But he stood by First Amendment guarantees that “ protest is a right.
” He also praised law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police officers are good , decent honorable women and men .
They put on that shield every morning .
They have a right to go home that night safely — the vast majority.
” Good officers , Biden said , “ want to get rid of the bad cops more than anybody else does , because it reflects on them.
” He stands by his proposals to overhaul policing — not to “ defund the police ” — but to require local forces to agree to certain best practices to get federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as mental health counseling , intended to ease social problems that fall to police to handle , sometimes with violent consequences .
Biden noted that he ’ s “ gotten overwhelming support from law enforcement my whole career , ” alluding to endorsements from police unions as a U.S. senator and as vice president .
But it was Trump who featured police union leaders and the relatives of fallen officers at his presidential nominating convention .
And it was Biden on Wednesday calling for a “ full investigation ” into police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blake should be charged with a crime .
To a large degree , Biden has asked for the difficulty of campaigning on nuance , if not defined his candidacy that way .
He ’ s the center-left establishment figure who is too conservative on universal health , college tuition assistance , climate action and taxation for his party ’ s ascendant — and loud — left flank .
But he ’ s moved far enough to the left that many Republicans still hammer him as a radical .
He ’ s the old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter movement , the septuagenarian white man leading a racially diverse party that gets most of its votes from women .
Biden previewed Wednesday how he believes he can make that work in Kenosha and , if he defeats Trump , in the White House .
“ There ’ s been so many fissures exposed as a consequence of what ’ s happened that people are now realizing , ‘ My Lord , I didn ’ t know people in that circumstance didn ’ t have that kind of help .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ What an enormous opportunity to bring the country together.
” Bill Barrow and Will Weissert are reporters for The Associated Press .
Barrow reported from Atlanta .
AP writer Deb Riechmann contributed from Washington .
Star News Digital Editor Zachery Schmidt contributed to this story .
About the Headline Photo : Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden , speaks in Wilmington , Del.
, Wednesday , Sept. 2 , 2020 , about school reopenings .
( AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster )

by Bill Barrow and Will Weissert
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (AP) — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden began a visit to the battleground state of Wisconsin on Thursday by meeting with the family of Jacob Blake, the Black man whose shooting by a white police officer sparked days of sometimes violent and destructive protests.
Biden’s trip to Kenosha, the first of his general election campaign against President Donald Trump, is testing his pitch that he’s a unifying figure, able to lead the country through a national reckoning with systemic racism along with the pandemic and its economic fallout.
Traveling two days after Trump visited Kenosha, Biden is expected to follow his private meeting with a public discussion later Thursday with community representatives in a city still reeling from Blake’s shooting and the protests that followed.
Biden did not take questions as he left his plane after arriving in Milwaukee, but he has said that the trip is an effort to help Wisconsin and the nation heal.
“This is about making sure that we move forward,” Biden told reporters Wednesday. He added that he’s “not going to tell Kenosha what they have to do” but instead encourage a community to “talk about what has to be done.” Among those in Thursday’s meeting with Biden were Blake’s father, Jacob Blake Sr., his siblings, and one of his attorneys, B’Ivory LaMarr. Blake’s mother Julia Jackson and another attorney, Ben Crump, joined by phone. Blake remains hospitalized after being shot seven times in the back by a white Kenosha police officer as authorities tried to arrest him.
In the past, Blake Sr. has posted many anti-semantic and racist messaging on his social media accounts, according to Breitbart. Some of Blake Sr.’s comments have included the phrase “cracker jew” and calling Black Trump supporters “young black coons.” Furthermore, his social media show that he is a supporter of Louis Farrakhan.
Two months before Election Day, the trip presents Biden both opportunity and risks, testing his longstanding promise that he can “unify the country” and find consensus even where it’s not readily apparent. The approach is an intentional contrast with Trump, who thrives on conflict. The distinction has sharpened over a summer of nationwide protests. Most have been peaceful, but some of them, as in Kenosha, turned violent and destructive.
Biden is a white man propelled to the Democratic nomination by Black voters. Since the May 25 death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a white Minneapolis police officer, Biden has called for an overhaul of U.S. policing and embraced a national conversation on racism. The significance of the moment was a factor in Biden selecting California Sen. Kamala Harris as the first Black woman to join a major party presidential ticket.
Trump, meanwhile, has countered with sweeping condemnations of protesters, an absolute defense of law enforcement and denials that Americans with black and brown skin face barriers that whites do not — moves aimed at his overwhelmingly white political base.
The president pressed his “law and order” mantra during his own Kenosha trip Tuesday. He toured damaged buildings and discussed ways to quell unrest with law enforcement officials. Trump was greeted by supporters who occasionally mixed with — and yelled at — Black Lives Matter organizers.
“These are not acts of peaceful protest but, really, domestic terror,” Trump said.
Despite repeated questions from reporters, the president refused to address racism in the country or its police departments. Instead, he asserted anew that a Biden presidency would bring riots and destruction to American cities. Trump falsely claims that Biden backs violent protests and activists’ calls to “defund the police.”
Bill Stepien, Trump’s campaign manager, said Biden’s visit to Kenosha was inappropriate.
“The president was there earlier in the week as the president of the United States. Vice President Biden is there today as a candidate, as a political candidate,” Stepien told “Fox & Friends” on Thursday “This is not the time to be injecting politics into a really serious situation that president helped solve. I think it very very clearly points out the contrast between the president’s leadership and the people in Vice President Biden’s party who are encouraging violence in the streets.”
In fact, Biden has repeatedly denounced violence, from a June 2 speech after Floyd’s death up to a Monday address that his campaign quickly turned into a one-minute digital and television ad. The campaign has spent $45 million for the spot, which has English and Spanish language versions, to circulate on national cable networks and in local markets across Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Yet the ad’s necessity highlights Biden’s tightrope as he discusses the complexities of the moment while running against a president whose brief political career — and his business career before that — has been defined by loud absolutes.
Biden on Wednesday repeated that “to engage in violence — burning, looting, the rest — in the name of protesting is wrong. And that person should be held accountable for their actions.” But he stood by First Amendment guarantees that “protest is a right.”
He also praised law enforcement, saying “the vast majority of police officers are good, decent honorable women and men. They put on that shield every morning. They have a right to go home that night safely — the vast majority.”
Good officers, Biden said, “want to get rid of the bad cops more than anybody else does, because it reflects on them.”
He stands by his proposals to overhaul policing — not to “defund the police”— but to require local forces to agree to certain best practices to get federal funding and to invest more in services, such as mental health counseling, intended to ease social problems that fall to police to handle, sometimes with violent consequences.
Biden noted that he’s “gotten overwhelming support from law enforcement my whole career,” alluding to endorsements from police unions as a U.S. senator and as vice president. But it was Trump who featured police union leaders and the relatives of fallen officers at his presidential nominating convention. And it was Biden on Wednesday calling for a “full investigation” into police shootings and saying the officers who shot Blake should be charged with a crime.
To a large degree, Biden has asked for the difficulty of campaigning on nuance, if not defined his candidacy that way.
He’s the center-left establishment figure who is too conservative on universal health, college tuition assistance, climate action and taxation for his party’s ascendant — and loud — left flank. But he’s moved far enough to the left that many Republicans still hammer him as a radical. He’s the old police union ally now embracing the Black Lives Matter movement, the septuagenarian white man leading a racially diverse party that gets most of its votes from women.
Biden previewed Wednesday how he believes he can make that work in Kenosha and, if he defeats Trump, in the White House.
“There’s been so many fissures exposed as a consequence of what’s happened that people are now realizing, ‘My Lord, I didn’t know people in that circumstance didn’t have that kind of help. I didn’t know,’” he said. “What an enormous opportunity to bring the country together.”
– – –
Bill Barrow and Will Weissert are reporters for The Associated Press. Barrow reported from Atlanta. AP writer Deb Riechmann contributed from Washington. Star News Digital Editor Zachery Schmidt contributed to this story.
About the Headline Photo: Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, speaks in Wilmington, Del., Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, about school reopenings. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)


thetennesseestar--2020-09-03--New Jobless Claims Fall Below One Million, Beat Wall Street Expectations

The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims decreased to 881,000 last week as the economy continues to suffer the effects of the coronavirus pandemic , according to the Department of Labor .
The Department of Labor figure released Thursday represented a decrease of new jobless claims compared to the week ending on Aug. 22 , in which there were 1,006,000 new jobless claims reported .
Economists expected Thursday ’ s number to come in at 950,000 , according to CNBC .
New jobless claims fell below 1 million in the first week of August , marking the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March .
“ The declines that we ’ re seeing are positive , ” said Ernie Tedeschi , managing director and policy economist for investment banking advisory firm Evercore ISI , The New York Times reported .
“ But they point to a long , drawn out recovery.
” “ We ’ re chipping away at the losses in terms of the number of jobs and some of the weaknesses there , but there ’ s still a long ways to go , ” Sarah House , a Wells Fargo Securities senior economist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
Jobless claims hovered around 200,000 per week before the pandemic , according to WSJ .
President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in March as coronavirus spread rapidly around the world .
Thursday ’ s jobless claims report comes as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics prepares to release August unemployment figures .
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .

by Thomas Catenacci
The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims decreased to 881,000 last week as the economy continues to suffer the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Department of Labor.
The Department of Labor figure released Thursday represented a decrease of new jobless claims compared to the week ending on Aug. 22, in which there were 1,006,000 new jobless claims reported.
Economists expected Thursday’s number to come in at 950,000, according to CNBC. New jobless claims fell below 1 million in the first week of August, marking the first time the number was under 1 million since March.
“The declines that we’re seeing are positive,” said Ernie Tedeschi, managing director and policy economist for investment banking advisory firm Evercore ISI, The New York Times reported. “But they point to a long, drawn out recovery.”
“We’re chipping away at the losses in terms of the number of jobs and some of the weaknesses there, but there’s still a long ways to go,” Sarah House, a Wells Fargo Securities senior economist, told The Wall Street Journal last week.
Jobless claims hovered around 200,000 per week before the pandemic, according to WSJ. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in March as coronavirus spread rapidly around the world.
Thursday’s jobless claims report comes as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics prepares to release August unemployment figures.
– – –
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-03--Questions About Absentee Applications Light up Facebook, Secretary of State’s Office

Facebook buzzed on September 1 as many Ohioans received absentee ballot applications – the state ’ s primary step in equipping voters who want to vote absentee with the needed paperwork .
• “ This was done in 2016 for sure .
See article .
• “ We ’ ve never gotten them b4 this year & we ’ ve received 3 each , my husband and I .
Plus we received ballot applications for 3 of the previous owners.
” • “ Pretty scary though when I get one for a person that does not live at my house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my house .
So I could vote for both of us maybe ?
?
Scary stuff if that is the case.
” • “ I received one yesterday .
I do not recall getting one in the past , but honestly I probably never paid attention since I always vote in person.
” In an email exchange with The Ohio Star , Maggie Sheehan , the press secretary for Secretary of State Frank LaRose , said “ absentee ballot request forms have been sent in every even-year Ohio general election since 2012 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the design is more user-friendly .
Click here to see a copy of the design.
” When asked how many Ohioans traditionally vote absentee , LaRose ’ s spokesperson said “ [ i ] n presidential election years , traditionally 20-25 percent of Ohioans vote absentee by mail .
The Secretary has told county boards to prepare for that number to double.
” In an August 12 press conference Secretary of State LaRose said in-person voting would occur and mail-in voting would be safe .
Just six days later LaRose seemed to add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said “ [ j ] ust want to make sure that the message goes out loud and clear that masks are required at Ohio voting locations .
They ’ re required for both our elections officials and they ’ re required for the voters who come.
” That second statement on August 18 and a subsequent story seemed to indicate that voting in-person would happen if only a voter chose to wear a mask .
Ohioans immediately speculated whether that statement – if true – would be a voter right violation if a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not wearing a mask .
Secretary LaRose immediately took to Facebook to clear the air .
The Star asked this question to Sheehan : Sheehan replied : “ In the scenario you describe , yes that individual would be able to cast their ballot inside .
You can see Secretary LaRose ’ s statement on the use of masks while voting below.
” “ Whether you ’ re voting on election day , early in-person , or taking advantage of the absentee request form arriving this week in your mailbox , Ohioans should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ohio , ” wrote LaRose in a September 1 press release .
“ With the convenience of voting from home comes a responsibility – don ’ t wait to make your voice heard .
Get your ballot request form in the mail as soon as you can.
” From the White House to the Ohio Statehouse leaders sounded the alarm about the risk of fraud for mail-in and widely used absentee methods .
Research suggests that in-person voting may be safer than previously believed amidst the COVID epidemic .
During the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailed-in absentee ballots and 41 % voted early .
A study suggests the fraud risk for mail-in voting is slightly larger than in-person manipulation .
In a tight election in which every vote can swing the result , even a slight advantage can change the outcome – especially if the mail-in volume is twice previous levels .
This may be a moot point to the 21,000 Ohioans who lost their vote just a few months ago in the primary election .
Yet despite that , perhaps the greater risk regarding election manipulation doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it does influence .
If statements made to the Senate Judiciary Committee ’ s Subcommittee on the Constitution by Dr. Robert Epstein are correct , ballots pale in comparison to big technology influence – Google and Facebook .
As reported yesterday in The Star , Big Tech manipulation , according to Epstein , tilted 2.6 to 10.4 million votes to Hillary Clinton .
In the September 1 press release , LaRose addressed the concern about absentee voting by saying , “ [ A ] bsentee voting in Ohio is time-tested and has strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utilized absentee voting for nearly two decades , and that has allowed Ohio to put in place both the laws and processes necessary to make absentee voting secure against fraud .
• Voter identification and signature are checked TWICE during the process • Ballot harvesting is against the law in Ohio • Voters are able to track their ballot here .
These requirements and processes , as well as strict laws against voter fraud , have made absentee voting secure in Ohio and instances of voter fraud exceedingly rare.
” The United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jack Windsor is Managing Editor and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Frank LaRose ” by Frank LaRose .

Facebook buzzed on September 1 as many Ohioans received absentee ballot applications – the state’s primary step in equipping voters who want to vote absentee with the needed paperwork.
The post received 230 comments. A few:
“This was done in 2016 for sure. See article.
“We’ve never gotten them b4 this year & we’ve received 3 each, my husband and I. Plus we received ballot applications for 3 of the previous owners.”
“Pretty scary though when I get one for a person that does not live at my house yet her name and address is to my house. So I could vote for both of us maybe?? Scary stuff if that is the case.”
“I received one yesterday. I do not recall getting one in the past, but honestly I probably never paid attention since I always vote in person.”
“True.”
In an email exchange with The Ohio Star, Maggie Sheehan, the press secretary for Secretary of State Frank LaRose, said “absentee ballot request forms have been sent in every even-year Ohio general election since 2012.
The only thing different this year is the design is more user-friendly. Click here to see a copy of the design.”
When asked how many Ohioans traditionally vote absentee, LaRose’s spokesperson said “[i]n presidential election years, traditionally 20-25 percent of Ohioans vote absentee by mail. The Secretary has told county boards to prepare for that number to double.”
In an August 12 press conference Secretary of State LaRose said in-person voting would occur and mail-in voting would be safe.
Just six days later LaRose seemed to add a stipulation to his remarks when he said “[j]ust want to make sure that the message goes out loud and clear that masks are required at Ohio voting locations. They’re required for both our elections officials and they’re required for the voters who come.”
That second statement on August 18 and a subsequent story seemed to indicate that voting in-person would happen if only a voter chose to wear a mask.
Ohioans immediately speculated whether that statement – if true – would be a voter right violation if a voter ended up being turned away for not wearing a mask.
Secretary LaRose immediately took to Facebook to clear the air.
The Star asked this question to Sheehan:
“Regarding in-person voting: if a voter arrives without a mask, refuses the offered mask and refuses to vote curbside – is the person allowed to vote in the booth or would s/he be denied?”
Sheehan replied: “In the scenario you describe, yes that individual would be able to cast their ballot inside. You can see Secretary LaRose’s statement on the use of masks while voting below.”
There appears to be some misinformation out there regarding the governor’s mask mandate and how it relates to voting this fall. As I’ve said all along, this is what voters should expect… pic.twitter.com/PpYSU6AnPd — Frank LaRose (@FrankLaRose) August 18, 2020
“Whether you’re voting on election day, early in-person, or taking advantage of the absentee request form arriving this week in your mailbox, Ohioans should know voting will be safe and secure in Ohio,” wrote LaRose in a September 1 press release. “With the convenience of voting from home comes a responsibility – don’t wait to make your voice heard. Get your ballot request form in the mail as soon as you can.”
From the White House to the Ohio Statehouse leaders sounded the alarm about the risk of fraud for mail-in and widely used absentee methods.
Research suggests that in-person voting may be safer than previously believed amidst the COVID epidemic.
During the 2016 presidential election, almost one-fourth of voters mailed-in absentee ballots and 41% voted early. A study suggests the fraud risk for mail-in voting is slightly larger than in-person manipulation.
In a tight election in which every vote can swing the result, even a slight advantage can change the outcome – especially if the mail-in volume is twice previous levels.
This may be a moot point to the 21,000 Ohioans who lost their vote just a few months ago in the primary election.
Yet despite that, perhaps the greater risk regarding election manipulation doesn’t involve ballots as much as it does influence.
If statements made to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution by Dr. Robert Epstein are correct, ballots pale in comparison to big technology influence – Google and Facebook.
As reported yesterday in The Star, Big Tech manipulation, according to Epstein, tilted 2.6 to 10.4 million votes to Hillary Clinton.
In the September 1 press release, LaRose addressed the concern about absentee voting by saying, “[A]bsentee voting in Ohio is time-tested and has strong security checks in place.
Ohioans have utilized absentee voting for nearly two decades, and that has allowed Ohio to put in place both the laws and processes necessary to make absentee voting secure against fraud.
Voter identification and signature are checked TWICE during the process
Voter list maintenance allows for accurate voter rolls
Ballot harvesting is against the law in Ohio
Voters are able to track their ballot here.
These requirements and processes, as well as strict laws against voter fraud, have made absentee voting secure in Ohio and instances of voter fraud exceedingly rare.”
The United States presidential election is 61 days away.
– – –
Jack Windsor is Managing Editor and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star. Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV. Follow Jack on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Frank LaRose” by Frank LaRose.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-04--Constitutional Experts to Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Emergency Powers: The Legislature is the Check o

Constitutional Experts to Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Emergency Powers: The Legislature is the Check on Executive Powers

NASHVILLE , Tennessee – In Thursday ’ s meeting of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee to Study Emergency Powers , two experts on constitutional law said , that with the deference the courts afford the executive branch , it is up to the Tennessee General Assembly to put checks on the broad powers of the governor during an emergency .
In the second of three meetings , committee members heard testimony from seven individuals : Glenn Reynolds , Professor of Law , University of Tennessee ; Larry L. Crain , Crain Law Group ; Herbert H. Slatery III , Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick Sheehan , Director TEMA ; Dr. Lisa Piercey , Commissioner , Tennessee Department of Health ; Clark Milner , Deputy Counsel to Governor Bill Lee ; Brent Easley , Legislative Director to Governor Bill Lee .
In opening the meeting , House co-chair Rep. Jason Zachary ( R-Knoxville ) reminded committee members by reading the committee ’ s charge : Study the current authority granted to the executive branch of government with regard to declaring a state of emergency and powers granted to the executive branch and judicial branch during a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the 112th General Assembly .
Senate co-chair Sen. Ferrell Haile ( R-Gallatin ) recognized that there is concern within the committee about the constitutionality of the statutes .
Haile ’ s opinion is , however , that the committee needs to “ move forward with our charge working under the assumption that the laws currently in place are , in fact , constitutional.
” With members of the governor ’ s staff set to appear before the committee , Haile also cautioned about questions and discussions that would undermine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reynolds , in keeping with the committee ’ s charge , did not speak about the existing law or its constitutionality , but considerations for the new law .
Before doing so , Reynolds made general points , the first of which was the leniency of courts with regard to remedies for public health emergencies , especially in the beginning when less is known and as long as the efforts appear to be made in good faith .
As Reynolds put it , there has to be a rational relationship to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic is obviously a legitimate one – and what the government does in response , or the courts will block it for inadequate support or contradictions to known facts or what government has said before .
Acts trenching on fundamental rights , Reynolds said , get “ strict scrutiny , ” meaning that government has to use the least restrictive means to achieve a compelling interest .
Reynolds said that Tennessee ’ s constitution is , in fact , somewhat more aggressive in protecting individual liberty .
Elaborating further on that point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court has pointed out more than once , it is the only one that points out explicitly , right upfront , that there is a right to revolution against a government that is arbitrary or oppressive.
” While Tennessee ’ s constitution in Article I , Section 1 and 2 on the Separation of Powers reads very strict , Reynolds says the courts have been quite lenient when it comes to those sections .
In terms of “ remedial legislation , ” Reynolds talked to the committee about the legislature ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own oath to the constitution , and you are entitled to form your own judgement about this sort of thing , and if in your opinion if some of the things that go on constitute a constitutional violation , you ’ re entirely free to legislate to keep that from happening , regardless of what the courts say.
” The governor is the executive , but fundamentally what the governor is supposed to do is execute , primarily exercising powers that the legislature has delegated to him .
Reynolds also said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which comes up a lot during a crisis because of the speed and flexibility that the governor can act .
One provision that Reynolds wanted to call attention to is Article 11 , Section 16 , which he says the courts haven ’ t done very much with : “ The declaration of rights hereto prefixed is declared to be a part of the Constitution of the state , and shall never be violated on any pretense whatever .
And to guard against transgression of the high powers we have delegated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rights contained , is excepted out of the general powers of the government , and shall forever remain inviolate.
” As Reynolds explained , “ If they are excepted out of the general power of government , that means neither the governor , nor the legislature nor for that matter the courts have the power to act against any of those rights guaranteed in the declaration of rights.
” This takes away the balance of an interest against a right , says Reynolds , when infringing a right is not even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deference of the courts , Reynolds said the committee should consider being guided by the notion that the Tennessee constitution is especially protective of liberty .
Reynolds offered a few additional points of guidance for the committee : • Don ’ t fight the last war .
This is a pandemic .
Who knows what the next disaster will be .
• Honesty is most important .
The single best thing that government brings to the table in a crisis is public trust and that ’ s very easy to lose if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them or manipulating them .
• Set time limits for executive actions , which is the rule in a number of states .
• The state may not be as well governed in the next crisis .
• Trust the people to do the right thing , if treated fairly , honestly and they know what ’ s going on .
Crain testified that he watched the video of the opening session of the committee on August 20 and “ the excellent remarks given by both Dean Koch and Dean Gonzales.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deans , Crain qualified , “ [ t ] he questions presented here are not merely academic discussions reserved for law school debate – they pose real consequences for the lives , the freedoms and the safety and well-being of Tennesseans , in this generation and in generations to come.
” He also pointed out that the issues before the committee “ cut to the very core of the system of checks and balances that exist between the Legislative and Executive branches of government which were instilled in our State Constitution on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states have some sort of legislative grant of emergency powers , according to Crain , most provide a mechanism for legislative oversight when governors overreach their grant of authority .
Common to the emergency powers provisions of all 50 states , which Crain has reviewed , there are constitutional considerations common to all of them : 1 .
Vest the ultimate authority in the legislative branch to nullify the grant of power to the executive branch , most often accomplished by a simple joint resolution of both houses .
3 .
A mechanism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedure for terminating the governor ’ s exercise of emergency powers at any time both chambers agree by joint resolution .
Crain referred to the previous testimony of Koch that the legislature has written the governor a “ blank check.
” Even though , constitutionally the legislature has the inherent authority to do so , Crain pointed out there is no provision for legislative accountability or express authority to rein in the governor ’ s exercise of his powers .
Crain referred to the gubernatorial power established in T.C.A .
58-2-107 as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , critical of Governor Lee who has acted , in his opinion , “ well within the scope of authority delegated to him by this body.
” Crain concluded with some strong words for the committee .
Slatery III told the committee that , in light of pending lawsuits , his testimony was necessarily constrained and restricted to not prejudice the defense of state officials .
However , he did ask rhetorically four questions : Does the governor have the authority to issue executive orders that he has ?
Is T.C.A .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ defensible ?
Do the governor ’ s emergency powers and executive orders pre-empt conflicting actions by local governments ?
Slatery III responded “ yes ” to all four of the questions .
In closing , Slatery III said , “ These are very difficult times for all branches of government .
The executive branch has worked very hard .
I ’ ve been the recipient of early 3 a.m. emails and weekend night calls and I think Governor Lee and his team have done an exemplary job trying to lead our state.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reviewed their roles and that of their respective departments and agencies , before engaging with the committee members for a polite question and answer period .
Easley discussed the governor ’ s emergency authority and the importance of it to address a time-sensitive crisis to address response and some of the actions taken by the governor during the pandemic as well as natural disasters .
Milner provided a brief summary of the legal authority for executive action in response to an emergency .
He relayed that Lee ’ s firmly held view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for authority to deal with emergencies should not be substantially or meaningfully disturbed , because it provides for the immediate and decisive action , flexibility and adaptability essential to combatting emergencies.
” Upon questioning by Zachary , Milner could not name any restrictions on the governor ’ s powers in the time of a declared emergency , other than that related to firearms and ammunition .
Easley received high marks from several of the committee members for his responsiveness during the time of the declared emergency .
In closing the meeting , Haile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for Thursday , September 14 at 10 a.m .
Between now and that meeting , suggestions and recommendations should be submitted to the co-chair of the appropriate chamber by Monday , September 14 , which will be analyzed and grouped together .
To provide structure for the next meeting , a document including all of the recommendations will be prepared for the committee ’ s discussion and subsequent vote on each individual recommendation .
Haile also said that the September 17 meeting is not the final meeting , but wraps up their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean that six months down the road we won ’ t go back and re-look at those recommendations that we voted on and may want to tweak those to bring before members of the General Assembly for legislation.
” Haile alluded to the first meeting of the ad hoc committee when he said that they would have a better picture 18 months from now .
“ As I said previously , I believe the farther we get down the road , the better our legislation will be.
” “ That ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want something coming out of these three meetings positive , but we don ’ t want to close the door and say we ’ ve got it all figured out .
We want to have the opportunity to come back and re-examine that.
” “ Your chairman will have a bill that can be amended for these recommendations and then sometime in the middle of March , we ’ ll come back as a committee and review this and then we ’ ll go forward from that point in time.
” Zachary said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be deliberative in their process and to reconvene even during session when there is a clearer picture .
For the House members and Tennesseans watching , Zachary said , though , he plans on bringing legislation in January to address some of the challenges they feel they will see if there is another type of pandemic or health crisis .
While Zachary said he is all for being deliberative , he was also more committal and set the expectation that from the House perspective , legislation will be brought forward in January .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be read here .
The video of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Emergency Powers can be watched here .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – In Thursday’s meeting of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee to Study Emergency Powers, two experts on constitutional law said, that with the deference the courts afford the executive branch, it is up to the Tennessee General Assembly to put checks on the broad powers of the governor during an emergency.
In the second of three meetings, committee members heard testimony from seven individuals: Glenn Reynolds, Professor of Law, University of Tennessee; Larry L. Crain, Crain Law Group; Herbert H. Slatery III, Attorney General of the State of Tennessee; Patrick Sheehan, Director TEMA; Dr. Lisa Piercey, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Health; Clark Milner, Deputy Counsel to Governor Bill Lee; Brent Easley, Legislative Director to Governor Bill Lee.
In opening the meeting, House co-chair Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) reminded committee members by reading the committee’s charge: Study the current authority granted to the executive branch of government with regard to declaring a state of emergency and powers granted to the executive branch and judicial branch during a state of emergency and report back prior to the start of the 112th General Assembly.
Senate co-chair Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) recognized that there is concern within the committee about the constitutionality of the statutes. Haile’s opinion is, however, that the committee needs to “move forward with our charge working under the assumption that the laws currently in place are, in fact, constitutional.”
With members of the governor’s staff set to appear before the committee, Haile also cautioned about questions and discussions that would undermine the confidentiality between the governor and his advisors.
Reynolds, in keeping with the committee’s charge, did not speak about the existing law or its constitutionality, but considerations for the new law.
Before doing so, Reynolds made general points, the first of which was the leniency of courts with regard to remedies for public health emergencies, especially in the beginning when less is known and as long as the efforts appear to be made in good faith.
As Reynolds put it, there has to be a rational relationship to a legitimate governmental purpose – of which controlling a pandemic is obviously a legitimate one – and what the government does in response, or the courts will block it for inadequate support or contradictions to known facts or what government has said before.
Acts trenching on fundamental rights, Reynolds said, get “strict scrutiny,” meaning that government has to use the least restrictive means to achieve a compelling interest.
Reynolds said that Tennessee’s constitution is, in fact, somewhat more aggressive in protecting individual liberty.
Elaborating further on that point, Reynolds said, “As the Supreme Court has pointed out more than once, it is the only one that points out explicitly, right upfront, that there is a right to revolution against a government that is arbitrary or oppressive.”
While Tennessee’s constitution in Article I, Section 1 and 2 on the Separation of Powers reads very strict, Reynolds says the courts have been quite lenient when it comes to those sections.
In terms of “remedial legislation,” Reynolds talked to the committee about the legislature’s role.
“You all take your own oath to the constitution, and you are entitled to form your own judgement about this sort of thing, and if in your opinion if some of the things that go on constitute a constitutional violation, you’re entirely free to legislate to keep that from happening, regardless of what the courts say.”
The governor is the executive, but fundamentally what the governor is supposed to do is execute, primarily exercising powers that the legislature has delegated to him.
Reynolds also said that the governor has a lot of executive power, which comes up a lot during a crisis because of the speed and flexibility that the governor can act.
One provision that Reynolds wanted to call attention to is Article 11, Section 16, which he says the courts haven’t done very much with:
“The declaration of rights hereto prefixed is declared to be a part of the Constitution of the state, and shall never be violated on any pretense whatever. And to guard against transgression of the high powers we have delegated, we declare that everything in the bill of rights contained, is excepted out of the general powers of the government, and shall forever remain inviolate.”
As Reynolds explained, “If they are excepted out of the general power of government, that means neither the governor, nor the legislature nor for that matter the courts have the power to act against any of those rights guaranteed in the declaration of rights.”
This takes away the balance of an interest against a right, says Reynolds, when infringing a right is not even a governmental power at all.
Due to the deference of the courts, Reynolds said the committee should consider being guided by the notion that the Tennessee constitution is especially protective of liberty.
Reynolds offered a few additional points of guidance for the committee:
Don’t fight the last war. This is a pandemic. Who knows what the next disaster will be.
They can require transparency.
Honesty is most important. The single best thing that government brings to the table in a crisis is public trust and that’s very easy to lose if the public thinks you’re lying to them or manipulating them.
Set time limits for executive actions, which is the rule in a number of states.
The state may not be as well governed in the next crisis.
Trust the people to do the right thing, if treated fairly, honestly and they know what’s going on.
Crain testified that he watched the video of the opening session of the committee on August 20 and “the excellent remarks given by both Dean Koch and Dean Gonzales.”
After expressing his tremendous respect for both deans, Crain qualified, “[t]he questions presented here are not merely academic discussions reserved for law school debate – they pose real consequences for the lives, the freedoms and the safety and well-being of Tennesseans, in this generation and in generations to come.”
He also pointed out that the issues before the committee “cut to the very core of the system of checks and balances that exist between the Legislative and Executive branches of government which were instilled in our State Constitution on June 1st of 1796.”
While all 50 states have some sort of legislative grant of emergency powers, according to Crain, most provide a mechanism for legislative oversight when governors overreach their grant of authority.
Common to the emergency powers provisions of all 50 states, which Crain has reviewed, there are constitutional considerations common to all of them:
1. Vest the ultimate authority in the legislative branch to nullify the grant of power to the executive branch, most often accomplished by a simple joint resolution of both houses.
2. A time limit.
3. A mechanism that vests in the legislature a simple procedure for terminating the governor’s exercise of emergency powers at any time both chambers agree by joint resolution.
Crain referred to the previous testimony of Koch that the legislature has written the governor a “blank check.”
Even though, constitutionally the legislature has the inherent authority to do so, Crain pointed out there is no provision for legislative accountability or express authority to rein in the governor’s exercise of his powers.
Crain referred to the gubernatorial power established in T.C.A. 58-2-107 as “virtually unchecked.” He was not, however, critical of Governor Lee who has acted, in his opinion, “well within the scope of authority delegated to him by this body.”
Crain concluded with some strong words for the committee.
I submit to you the Constitution of the State of Tennessee vests in this General Assembly a solemn duty and obligation to serve as a check on the ability of either branch – whether executive or judicial – to usurp its constitutional authority. To prevent future governors from trampling civil liberties of the citizens of this great state during emergencies, some checks on their power are essential. If our courts will not intervene when governors abuse their discretion, even to the point of infringement of religious liberty, then our citizens must look to you – the legislature – to champion freedom and protect us from tyranny. I respectfully urge this committee to explore alternatives that restore a system which assures accountability and serves as a check on the broad, unlimited powers conferred on our executive branch in Tennessee in times of emergency.
Slatery III told the committee that, in light of pending lawsuits, his testimony was necessarily constrained and restricted to not prejudice the defense of state officials.
However, he did ask rhetorically four questions: Does the governor have the authority to issue executive orders that he has? Is T.C.A. 58-2-107 constitutional? Are mask mandates constitutionally defensible? Do the governor’s emergency powers and executive orders pre-empt conflicting actions by local governments?
Slatery III responded “yes” to all four of the questions.
In closing, Slatery III said, “These are very difficult times for all branches of government. The executive branch has worked very hard. I’ve been the recipient of early 3 a.m. emails and weekend night calls and I think Governor Lee and his team have done an exemplary job trying to lead our state.”
Sheehan and Piercey gave brief opening remarks that reviewed their roles and that of their respective departments and agencies, before engaging with the committee members for a polite question and answer period.
Easley discussed the governor’s emergency authority and the importance of it to address a time-sensitive crisis to address response and some of the actions taken by the governor during the pandemic as well as natural disasters.
Milner provided a brief summary of the legal authority for executive action in response to an emergency.
He relayed that Lee’s firmly held view is that “the current statutory framework for authority to deal with emergencies should not be substantially or meaningfully disturbed, because it provides for the immediate and decisive action, flexibility and adaptability essential to combatting emergencies.”
Upon questioning by Zachary, Milner could not name any restrictions on the governor’s powers in the time of a declared emergency, other than that related to firearms and ammunition.
Easley received high marks from several of the committee members for his responsiveness during the time of the declared emergency.
In closing the meeting, Haile announced the plan for the next meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 14 at 10 a.m.
Between now and that meeting, suggestions and recommendations should be submitted to the co-chair of the appropriate chamber by Monday, September 14, which will be analyzed and grouped together. To provide structure for the next meeting, a document including all of the recommendations will be prepared for the committee’s discussion and subsequent vote on each individual recommendation.
Haile also said that the September 17 meeting is not the final meeting, but wraps up their charge.
“That doesn’t mean that six months down the road we won’t go back and re-look at those recommendations that we voted on and may want to tweak those to bring before members of the General Assembly for legislation.”
Haile alluded to the first meeting of the ad hoc committee when he said that they would have a better picture 18 months from now.
“As I said previously, I believe the farther we get down the road, the better our legislation will be.”
“That’s the point of this is, that we want something coming out of these three meetings positive, but we don’t want to close the door and say we’ve got it all figured out. We want to have the opportunity to come back and re-examine that.”
“Your chairman will have a bill that can be amended for these recommendations and then sometime in the middle of March, we’ll come back as a committee and review this and then we’ll go forward from that point in time.”
Zachary said he agrees that it is important to be deliberative in their process and to reconvene even during session when there is a clearer picture.
For the House members and Tennesseans watching, Zachary said, though, he plans on bringing legislation in January to address some of the challenges they feel they will see if there is another type of pandemic or health crisis.
While Zachary said he is all for being deliberative, he was also more committal and set the expectation that from the House perspective, legislation will be brought forward in January.
Larry Crain’s full testimony can be read here.
The video of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Emergency Powers can be watched here.
– – –
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star.