thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Kanye West Might Appear on Tennessee Presidential Ballot

Rapper Kanye West wants Tennessee officials to place him on the ballot for the 2020 presidential election .
An unidentified person representing West arrived at the Tennessee Division of Elections office Friday .
That person picked up a petition that would allow West to run in the Volunteer State , said Tennessee Secretary of State spokeswoman Julia Bruck .
“ A candidate must obtain the signatures and addresses of at least two hundred seventy-five ( 275 ) voters registered anywhere within the State of Tennessee , ” Bruck told The Tennessee Star in an email Friday .
“ The qualifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Candidate for President is 12:00 noon on August 20 , 2020.
” Bruck did not say who else , if anybody , has asked that office for the same petition .
As reported this month , West officially filed to appear on Ohio ballots for the 2020 presidential election .
West announced he would run for the presidency on July 4 .
West also filed to appear on ballots in Wisconsin and Colorado .
West has already filed in Arkansas , Illinois , Missouri , Oklahoma , Vermont , and West Virginia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle Tidball as his vice presidential candidate .
Tidball is a self-proclaimed “ life and spiritual coach ” who owns and operates Yarash , a Christian life coaching ministry designed for “ service to others who desire to be free from life ’ s entanglements and walk upon the earth with full understanding of who we [ sic ] are.
” Tidball previously worked with Bright Futures Mentoring as an executive director .
West and Tidball will run as independent candidates .
In July , West filed with the Federal Election Commission under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party .
The first mention of the Birthday Party came from West ’ s July 8 interview with Forbes , where the rapper declared that “ when we win , it ’ s everybody ’ s birthday.
” While West ’ s platform consists of some unorthodox political beliefs , such as basing the framework of his administration upon the country of Wakanda from Marvel Comics , the star has stated support for more traditional policies .
Some of these include stimulus payments to citizens and tax breaks for businesses .
Chris Butler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Kanye West ” by David Shankbone .
CC BY 3.0 .

A new bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour is emerging in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Representative Patty Kim (D-Harrisburg), the bill as described in a memorandum appears similar to legislation Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) is spearheading in his chamber. It contrasts with a more radical measure authored by Representative Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) that would hike the wage floor to $16.50 in July 2025 and gradually increase it to $21 by mid-2028. The Rabb bill would also apply the state minimum wage to prisoners, vastly boosting their pay.
In her memo pushing for a $15 hourly floor, Kim (pictured above) lamented that the commonwealth last hiked its minimum wage to $7.25 in 2009. She cited data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicating that 30 states, including all of those that neighbor Pennsylvania, mandate higher wage minimums. Her $15 rate would take effect in January 2024 and would tie future minimum-wage rises to inflation.
“Too many people have worked too hard for too long to not be able to pay their bills,” Kim said at a House Majority Policy Committee hearing on the issue in late March. “We want to tag a cost-of-living adjustment on this, so we never have to wait years and years – or wait for a once-in-a-century pandemic – for this issue to have a bright light shined on it.”
While free-market advocates generally oppose minimum wage increases, some in Harrisburg expect Republicans like Laughlin who now champion a hike will insist that such a policy come as part of a broader deal that will include regulatory reform. Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has urged enactment of a new $15 floor and many Republicans have sensed an opportunity for dealmaking, particularly insofar as they control the state Senate.
Advocates of an increase often cite a Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Advisory Board report indicating that 63,800 individuals — less than two percent of the state’s workforce — earned $7.25 per hour or less in 2021. Nonetheless, wages have risen markedly over the last two years and many who continue to make so little are teenagers working one of their first jobs.
After House Democrats began clamoring for new pay mandates, the Harrisburg-based Commonwealth Foundation (CF) issued a backgrounder in March opposing the idea. CF cited calculations from the nonpartisan Independent Fiscal Office suggesting that even raising the floor to $12 per hour would kill 5,000 jobs.
And the think tank fears the proposal could disadvantage even workers who keep their jobs insofar as employers may compensate for the new mandate by cutting worker hours and benefits. An example of this was observed nationally in 2018 after Amazon set its own low-end hourly wage to $15 but nevertheless suspended workers’ monthly bonuses and stock options.
Instead of raising the minimum wage, CF suggested, the commonwealth should focus on lowering impediments to employment by reforming licensing and permitting processes as well as improving public-assistance programs so they reward those who secure employment.
– – –
Bradley Vasoli is managing editor of The Pennsylvania Daily Star. Follow Brad on Twitter at @BVasoli. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Patty Kim” by Rep. Patty Kim. Background Photo “Pennsylvania Capitol” by Ad Meskens. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Commentary: Fully Woke Joe

Commentary: Fully Woke Joe

On the identity politics that used to be known as “ civil rights ” Sleepy Joe is fully woke .
Just as he prioritized sex and race identity for his vice presidential pick , Joe Biden would racialize his monetary policy by remaking the Federal Reserve banking system .
Biden is thereby the most identity-focused candidate in American history since the 19th century .
And with the force of the Democratic Party behind him , he lacks any guard rails .
Anyone troubled by arbitrary presidential power should beware of Biden ’ s ambitious plan to remake the Federal Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fed even more independently powerful , but now on racial issues , and would compound the problems with both the Fed and the growth of racialized politics .
Already suspect because of its “ independence ” from politics—which means freedom from the fundamental principle of the consent of the governed—the Federal Reserve raises suspicions of favoring this or that special interest no matter what it does or fails to do .
Trump is not the first president to heap criticism on even his own appointee as chairman .
Biden ’ s radical change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the Fed ’ s mission of sober policymaking on interest rates and other concerns of a central bank .
Biden has proposed that Congress amend the Federal Reserve Act to “ add to that responsibility and aggressively target persistent racial gaps in jobs , wages , and wealth.
” To achieve this revolution , he would prioritize “ diverse nominees for the Board of Governors and the regional Federal Reserve Banks.
” The economics of the Fed would become chiefly political .
Its board of governors would no longer set interest rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factions in public life .
The Biden proposal is a prime example of how a faction gets a hold of part of the government and bends its purpose to its own narrow good .
There will be no Madisonian compromises of groups toward a common good .
The radicalism of Biden ’ s proposal becomes clear from Senator Elizabeth Warren ’ s bill , introduced days after his speech .
The ultra-progressive Massachusetts senator ’ s Federal Reserve Racial and Economic Equity Act , cosponsored by the likes of Senators Bernie Sanders ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and , in the House , Maxine Waters ( D-Calif. ) , Al Green ( D-Texas ) , Chuy Garcia ( D-Ill. ) , and Ayanna Pressley ( D-Mass. )
.
This is predictable since Warren , as a Harvard Law professor , was the prime-mover the legislation establishing the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) , which supposedly protects the little people from avaricious banks , but which has grander ambitions about putting the economy under bureaucratic control .
The latest Fauxcahontas-Biden bill includes three parts : first , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ functions in a way that “ minimizes and eliminates racial disparities in employment , wages , wealth , and access to affordable credit ” ; second , a requirement that the Federal Reserve chairman identify in his reports before Congress “ disparities in employment , income and wealth across racial and ethnic groups ” ; third , a requirement that the Fed and the Open Market Committee work to foster “ elimination of disparities across racial and ethnic groups with respect to employment , income , wealth , and access to affordable credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bank regulation , and financial institutions .
This may sound like mere reporting of data but note the “ shalls ” and the requirements .
This is a setup for mandated policy conclusions that dwarf affirmative action , quotas , and other old standbys .
As Rush Limbaugh put it , “ the Federal Reserve would be transformed into an all-powerful social-justice enforcement agency .
Using racial fairness as a cover , Democrats want to give the Fed a new mission : force banks and financial markets to adopt the radical Left ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Left will benefit themselves while professing to do good for others : co-sponsor Maxine Waters , Jacob Heilbrunn reminds us , was named “ one of the most corrupt members of Congress , ” for violating House conflict of interest rules concerning a bank in which she had a financial stake .
It should come as no surprise that Warren was the genius behind the agency this new one would imitate .
Finally , the fiendishness of using the Fed for anti-democratic purposes becomes clearer in light of a Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Law LLC v. Consumer Finance Protection Bureau .
The 5-4 decision permitted the Trump Administration to fire the acting head of the agency but declined to declare the oddly constructed board to be unconstitutional .
The law establishing it ( known as Dodd-Frank , the Dodd being former Senator Christopher Dodd , who headed Biden ’ s vice-presidential selection committee ) made the bureau so independent of political pressure that even its funding , from the Fed itself , could not be controlled by Congress .
Justice Clarence Thomas , in his partial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unfortunately , Chief Justice Roberts would not join the conservatives in finding the CFPB unconstitutional .
In it Congress has created an uncontrollable monster , wielding unchallengeable powers with funding that it can not alter .
This is the ultimate progressive government dream , a putatively reform-minded agency beyond all political pressures .
Ultimately , Warren would create an entity similar to CFPB that would , unabated by political pressure ( that is , by elected officials ) bring about a world of economic equality for all .
Thus the last few weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleepy ” at all , this most “ woke ” of candidates is in a vanguard ahead of Elizabeth Warren ’ s radical ideas and Kamala Harris ’ s opportunistic rhetoric .
He would distort the heart of American finance and transform the nation ’ s basic economic structure using the mantra of “ civil rights ” and equality .
This is socialism camouflaged in bureaucratic garb .
Ken Masugi , Ph.D. , is a senior fellow of the Claremont Institute .
He has been a speechwriter for two cabinet members , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission .
Masugi is co-author , editor , or co-editor of seven books on American politics .
He has taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy , where he was Olin Distinguished Visiting Professor ; James Madison College of Michigan State University ; the Ashbrook Center of Ashland University ; and Princeton University .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Commentary: The Sneaky Trick a Public Health Official Used to Make Mask Mandates Look Super Effectiv

Commentary: The Sneaky Trick a Public Health Official Used to Make Mask Mandates Look Super Effective

As of early August , 34 US states mandate the use of masks in public to limit the spread of COVID-19 .
The efficacy of face masks has been a subject of debate in the health community during the pandemic .
Because health experts disagree on their effectiveness , countries and health agencies around the world , including the World Health Organization and the CDC , have done a reversal on their mask recommendations during the pandemic .
Reasonable and persuasive cases can be made both for and against the use of masks in the general population .
Unfortunately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becoming less clear because of the politicized nature of the debate .
A case in point is the Kansas public health official who made news last week after he was accused of using a deceptive chart to make it appear counties with mask mandates had lower COVID-19 case rates than they actually did .
At a press conference , Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman credited face masks with positive statewide COVID-19 trends showing a general decline in deaths , hospitalizations , and new cases .
Norman pointed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depicted two lines tracking cases per 100,000 people between July 12 and August 3 .
The red line begins higher than the blue line but then falls precipitously as it travels down the X-axis , ending below a blue line .
Norman explains that the red line represented the 15 counties with mask mandates , which account for two thirds of the state ’ s population .
The flat blue line represented the remaining 90 counties , which had no mask mandates in place .
“ All of the improvement in case development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Norman said .
The results are clear , Norman claimed .
The red line shows reduction .
The blue line is flat .
Kansas ’ s real-life experiment showed that masks work .
It didn ’ t take long for people to realize something wasn ’ t quite right , however .
The blue line and the red line were not on the same axis .
This gave the impression that counties with mask mandates in place had fewer daily cases than counties without mask mandates .
This is not the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with masks mandates have far higher daily COVID-19 cases than counties without mask mandates .
If the trends are depicted on the same axis , the blue and red lines look like this .
Many Kansans were not pleased with the trickery .
Kansas Policy Institute expert Michael Austin told local media that the chart clearly gives a false impression .
“ It has nothing to do about whether masks are effective or not .
[ It ’ s about ] making sure Kansans can make sound conclusions from accurate information , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chart that was shown prior in the week strongly suggested that counties that had followed Dr. Norman ’ s mask order outperformed counties that did not , and that was most certainly not true.
” Worse , Norman also failed to note that the lines were on different axes until a reporter asked if the blue line “ would get below the red line ” if those counties passed mask mandates , which prompted Norman to mumble about different metrics and then admit that counties without mask mandates have lower case rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I really want to focus on , ” Norman said .
The deception prompted a non-apology from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment : “ Yes , the axes are labelled differently … we recognize that it was a complex graph and may not have easily been understood and easily misinterpreted.
” Dr. Norman , meanwhile , vowed to do better next time .
“ I ’ ll learn from that and try to [ be ] clearer next time , ” he said following criticism from lawmakers .
The episode is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and erodes trust in the medical experts individuals rely on to make informed decisions .
It ’ s also ironic , because the controversy overshadowed the state ’ s positive data , which suggests masks may be working in Kansas .
The chart may have been deceptive , but the data is correct and shows a 34 percent drop in COVID cases in counties with mandates in place .
It ’ s quite possible that drop is linked to county orders mandating the use of masks .
Then again , the order may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Correlation , we know , doesn ’ t equal causation .
If it did , the surge in COVID-19 cases in California following its mask order would be “ proof ” that masks increase transmission rates .
But science doesn ’ t work that way ( at least it shouldn ’ t ) , and Dr. Norman knows this .
Maybe masks are an effective way to curb transmission of the coronavirus , or maybe it ’ s largely ineffective or even harmful , like the Surgeon General stated back in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t yet know .
What ’ s clear , as I noted last week , is that the top physicians and public health experts on the planet can ’ t decide if face coverings help reduce the spread of COVID-19 .
In light of this , it seems both reasonable and prudent that public health officials should focus less on forcing people to “ mask-up ” and more on developing clear and compelling research which will allow individuals to make informed and free decisions .
This , after all , is the traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and let them choose .
Allowing individuals to choose instead of collective bodies is the proper and more effective approach , because , as the great economist Ludwig von Mises reminded us , individuals are the source of all rational decision-making .
“ All rational action is in the first place individual action , ” Mises wrote in Socialism : An Economic and Sociological Analysis .
“ Only the individual thinks .
Only the individual reasons .
Only the individual acts.
” Mask orders aren ’ t just about public health .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at work in our society : who gets to plan our lives , individuals or the collective ?
Despite what many today seem to believe , society is best served by allowing individuals to plan and control their own lives .
But individuals benefit from sound and reliable information .
Sadly , that is something public health officials increasingly appear incapable or unwilling to offer .
Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org .
His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in TIME magazine , The Wall Street Journal , CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Star Tribune .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Remote Learning Is Leaving Working Parents with Few Options, Big Bills

Many public school districts across the country have shifted from offering some in-person learning options for students to offering only remote learning at the start of the school year .
The change in plans sent many working parents rushing to find either a place for their kids to go while they work or to find a caregiver they could pay to supervise remote learning at home .
Either option could end up costing parents thousands of dollars .
A new study released Thursday from BankRate found 3 out of 5 parents nationwide said remote learning will negatively impact their finances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would have to either reduce their hours at work or quit altogether .
“ These findings suggest the economic recovery will continue to be slow , ” said Ted Rossman , industry analyst at Bankrate .
“ Most students will be learning remotely this fall , and that alone will strain more than half of their parents ’ household budgets.
” Some private schools are offering in-person instruction this fall , but the rush to secure spots and the cost of private school put that option out of reach for many families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Christy McGlothlin , founder of Home Rule Inc. , a home child care company that recently expanded to offer services nationwide amidst the pandemic .
“ They ’ re having to limit their working hours .
They ’ re having to call out of work .
There are parents that are losing their jobs.
” McGlothlin said her service offers competitive prices to other childcare companies but still admits an entire year of in-home childcare can cost thousands of dollars .
In Illinois , nearly 1 million students will be learning remotely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an Illinois State Board of Education survey .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has offered guidance for schools to provide in-person learning .
Many rural and some suburban districts plan to do so , but many other schools , including Chicago Public Schools and districts in the collar counties , announced they would not be offering any type of in-person option for the start of the school year .
The Chicago Teachers ’ Union opposed in-person learning for safety reasons and threatened to strike over the decision to provide some sort of in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not mandate any in-person learning because some schools would not be able to offer it .
In Arizona , Gov .
Doug Ducey ordered schools to provide an in-person model upon request , which brought criticism from teachers and unions .
In California , strict requirements from Gov .
Gavin Newsom have forced parents to form “ pandemic pods , ” or groups of families that split the cost of private in-person education .
According to a CNBC report , some estimates of expenses for in-person teaching in California average $ 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Florida teachers ’ unions are suing local districts to keep them from offering in-person learning .
Cole Lauterbach reports on Illinois and Arizona government and statewide issues for The Center Square .
He has produced radio shows for stations in Central Illinois and created award-winning programs for Comcast SportsNet Chicago .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Ex-FBI Lawyer to Plead Guilty in Durham Probe of Russia Investigation’s Origins

A former FBI attorney will plead guilty to making false statements in documents used to obtain a surveillance warrant against former Trump aide Carter Page , his lawyer told the Associated Press Friday .
The guilty plea from Kevin Clinesmith is the first legal action taken in an investigation led by John Durham , a U.S. attorney looking into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe and other intelligence-gathering activities related to the Trump campaign .
Clinesmith ’ s lawyer , Justin Shur , told the Associated Press that his client will plead guilty to a single false statements charge as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
The New York Times first reported that Clinesmith was entering the plea deal and would be charged in federal court .
Attorney General William Barr hinted Thursday that the indictment was coming in the Durham probe , though he said it was not “ earth-shattering.
” He told Fox News ’ Sean Hannity that other “ significant ” developments will happen in the Durham probe closer to the election .
A Justice Department inspector general ’ s report said that an FBI attorney identified as Clinesmith altered an email in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship with the CIA .
Page had served as an “ operational contact ” for the spy agency through at least 2013 , but Clinesmith altered an email to say that he was “ not a source ” for the spy agency .
Clinesmith took part in other aspects of Crossfire Hurricane , and later joined the special counsel ’ s team .
He took part in the decision to send an FBI special agent into a counterintelligence briefing with Donald Trump and Michael Flynn in August 2016 .
The agent , Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Flynn to use as part of Crossfire Hurricane .
Clinesmith also exchanged anti-Trump text messages with another FBI lawyer after the November 2016 election , according to a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report released on June 14 , 2018 .
Clinesmith also sent text messages expressing concern over his role in investigating the Trump campaign , the inspector general ’ s report said .
“ I am so stressed about what I could have done differently , ” Clinesmith wrote .
“ Plus , my god damned name is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Clinesmith was one of the FBI lawyers who took part in interviews with George Papadopoulos in February 2017 .
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles Blasts Department of Education’s ‘Child Wellbeing’ Checkup Program, Sa

Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles Blasts Department of Education’s ‘Child Wellbeing’ Checkup Program, Says It’s Time for Penny Schwinn to Go

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles to the newsmakers line .
During the second hour , Ogles weighed in on the recent press release by the Tennessee Department of Education that will be creating a new state program with “ wellness liaisons ” to visit kids at their schools , or in the case of homeschoolers at their homes to check up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in line with Tennessean ’ s conservative values and that he will not comply suggesting it ’ s time for Penny Schwinn to go .
Leahy : We are joined now by our good friend Andy Ogles .
He is the mayor of Maury County .
Welcome , Andy .
Ogles : Well , good morning my friend .
How has your day been so far ?
Leahy : It ’ s been great .
I just have to say something .
You have been a good friend for a long time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the most effective and most popular county mayor in the state of Tennessee .
I see you communicating on Facebook and radio programs down there all the time in Columbia and the surrounding areas .
So congratulations on doing a great job as a county mayor .
Ogles : Well I appreciate that .
It ’ s one of those things when you run for an office like this pandemic and big brother style government checks aren ’ t in the job description .
But I guess I should have read the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But here we are .
Leahy : Here we are .
Ogles : Having to fight the state on going to people ’ s homes .
And again I think the intent here was good .
But wow .
How did we get here Michael ?
Leahy : So let me set the stage on this .
I ’ m so glad you jumped on this and found out the details of it .
Tuesday afternoon we get a press release from the Tennessee Department of Education .
And here ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re busy .
So I get this press release that says Tennessee Department of Education Releases Toolkit on Child Well Being Checks .
And I look at the headline and I say , that ’ s weird .
What ’ s that about ?
And then meanwhile we got the work of the day and we get caught up and I ’ m not paying any attention to it .
But you my friend have paid attention to it .
Tell us what this is about .
Ogles : Again I think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intentions .
And that ’ s what this is .
We all have a desire to make sure the children across the state of Tennessee that none of them slip through the cracks and are fed , are clothed and getting an education .
That they have housing .
that they ’ re getting an education .
But Penny Schwinn has proposed this program that either expands an existing agency or creates a new one .
They are creating these “ wellness liaisons.
” I ’ ve never seen a problem that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : So Penny Schwinn is the commissioner of education and came from Texas appointed by Governor Lee .
Wellness liaisons ?
Oh my goodness .
Are we in 1984 with George Orwell ?
Ogles : Yes .
It ’ s very Orwellian .
This is one of those things that ’ s supposed to be , and again it comes at you like a Trojan Horse .
It ’ s very harmless at first .
It ’ s voluntary .
One of the things they are talking about doing is giving school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opt-in .
If the school system opts-in that opts in parents .
That opts-in private schools .
That opts-in homeschoolers .
I ’ m going to say that again .
Homeschoolers .
They may and probably preferably will talk to these kids at school .
Or if they need to they ’ ll talk to these children in your home .
And if you are homeschooler they will talk to these children in your home .
Whatever is discovered in these meetings is confidential unless the “ wellness liaisons ” determines it shouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list tracking kids that have been visited but keep in mind it ’ s supposed to be voluntary .
They also have a separate list and will track the children that aren ’ t visited .
Leahy : So this “ wellness liaisons ” that may or may not have any qualifications has the legal authority to come into your house .
Go through a list of things about your children and tell you whether you are doing it right or wrong .
If they determine you are doing it wrong what happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nerd .
For better or worse .
If you go to page 11 at the action plan .
It says this wellness liaison will periodically monitor the data .
They will determine children who have not received a check and may benefit from a frequent check .
So again it ’ s supposed to be voluntary .
But if this individual , determines that this child needs a check and not just a check but multiple checks then it ’ s up to that individual to opt that kid in .
It starts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the government is not supposed to be .
And like I said in my daily update .
I do one every day at 2:15 and I will not comply as a mayor and I will not comply as a father .
Leahy : So why does Governor Lee think this is a good idea ?
Ogles : Bill Lee , I know Bill Lee .
He is a good man with a big heart .
I think when he heard and I ’ m just guessing because I ’ ve reached out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my call or text .
Because he heard this is a way to take care of kids .
And that appealed to that kind nature that he has without thinking through that next step of , what is the mechanism by which this is enforced ?
And 15 years from now , what does this agency become ?
As country mayor , I deal with TDOC and TDEC .
Those are big agencies .
But keep in mind , those agencies set their own rules .
They enforce their own rules .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have that power such as this “ wellness agency ” now they ’ re making up the rules .
What happens if these rules change ?
Leahy : What if there is a different governor ?
Or what if there is somebody that loves The Project 1619 America is terrible curriculum that ’ s being spread out there .
Leahy : What if they decide that your white privilege is hurting the well being of your child ?
Ogles : On page seven it talks about how they are looking for job security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are going to gauge whether or not your child is stressed .
Now , this may sound silly but what if the individual , this “ wellness liaison ” likes Biden and they come into my home and I have a picture of Trump on the wall and they determine that my child is stressed because I ’ m a fan of Trump ?
That may seem silly but this is so broad and it ’ s so vague and when you have an agency that can make and enforce its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evolves into .
I can tell you from dealing with TDOC and TDEC and we have a lot of great people in those agencies that they get so big and so powerful that they become bigger than the original vision .
That ’ s the problem with this .
Leahy : Why did the Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn recommend this to Governor Bill Lee ?
Ogles : Here ’ s my problem .
I ’ ve spent a lot of yesterday and today talking to legislators across the state .
This program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of day .
I think what it tells us and the problem that we see now is that her values and I ’ m sure she ’ s a nice person , her values and vision for education in Tennessee does not align with Tennesseans .
And I ’ m sorry but she ’ s got to go .
We need a conservative commissioner .
We need someone who ’ s looking out for kids the Tennessee way .
Not the big government California , Washington , Oregon way .
I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t want you in my country .
Leahy : Yeah .
None of your business , Commissioner Schwinn .
That would be my view on it .
I ’ m going to raise my children .
Not you .
Ogles : I had a lady who literally called me yesterday at the office she has two kids that one is married and the other one is about to get married .
She has a 16-year-old .
She says I have three grandchildren , and you are going to have some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and just graduated come into my house and tell me how to raise my 16-year-old and or my grandchildren ?
And she just chuckled .
She said it ’ s not happening in this country .
My office is in the courthouse and we have deputies there because its a functioning court and stepped outside because I needed a breath of fresh air and showed this to the deputies .
And one of them asks , what governor in what state is doing something so ridiculous .
And I showed it to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where there is a flag of Tennessee .
His mouth just about hit the floor .
Because again this is something that you would expect to read of that happening in Oregon .
Being driven by Bill Gates and the state of Washington coming out of Seattle but not in Nashville , Tennessee .
Not in the great state , the free state , and one of the most conservative states in the country .
And you know I think this commissioner might be a great person but her values certainly don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Andy Ogles ” by Andy Ogles .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Attorney Jim Roberts: The Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act is Like a ‘Help Nashville From Going Ban

Attorney Jim Roberts: The Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act is Like a ‘Help Nashville From Going Bankrupt Act’

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Nashville attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Roberts updated The Tennessee Star Report with the number of petitions received and still to go for next week ’ s submission to the Metro Clerk ’ s office .
He was confident that they would reach their goal amount of 20,000 signatures by next Thursday .
Leahy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
And on the line our good friend attorney Jim Roberts who ’ s going to tell us the latest on the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act .
Good morning Jim .
Roberts : Good morning sir .
How are you doing this beautiful day ?
Leahy : We ’ re doing as well as can be expected given the fact that 2020 is a crazy year .
But you Jim are doing something to bring sanity into this crazy world .
Tell us about the Nashville Taxpayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a certain number of signatures so that you can get this charter amendment up for a vote .
Where are we ?
Roberts : We are doing great actually .
We are at a little over 16,000 signatures for the moment .
And we only need about 11,000 to get on the ballot .
But you want to have an extra margin in case they start to nitpick the signatures and not everybody signs exactly like they are supposed to .
We are going to wait till we have about 20,000 signatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then we ’ ll turn them in and get this on the ballot .
Carmichael : The voters should weigh in on this question .
And Jim what you are doing is great great work ; it ’ s what America is all bout .
It ’ s what our Democratic process is all about .
Leahy : Describe if you will what your proposal is and what will happen in the timeline here .
Roberts : It is actually called the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act and it does a couple of things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does is it repeals the 34 percent property tax increase and limits the amount they can raise it each year without going to the people .
The idea is that people should decide whether there should be a big tax increase like this .
It does some other things like limit the use of bond funding .
Limit the ability of Metro to give away land to billionaires and developers at the expense of taxpayers .
It ’ s to really reign in some of Nashville ’ s fiscal irresponsibility that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 years .
We ’ re trying to stop Nashville from going bankrupt .
Carmichael : Is it one question with kind of these multiple parts all of one so if you vote ‘ yes ’ then it does all of those things ?
Roberts : Yes it does .
We decided to do this as a slate basically .
These are just what I call good government ideas .
Carmichael : I just am trying to picture what it will look like on the ballot .
So what you are saying is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three or four parts all of which makes sense .
As you said , you could call keeping “ Nashville from Going Bankrupt Act.
” ( Laughter ) Roberts : The Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act was hard enough to say .
I didn ’ t want to make it more difficult .
( Leahy laughs ) Carmichael : I ’ m with you .
So it ’ s one question that has like three parts all of which are very similar in nature .
So if that ’ s on the ballot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 34 percent is repealed and these other things all kick in ?
Roberts : That ’ s right .
It also strengthens the Open Records Act so people can keep a closer eye on what Metro is doing .
It ’ s not particularly controversial .
It ’ s not a liberal idea or a conservative idea .
It ’ s really just sort of a good government idea .
Carmichael : I don ’ t know if you were listening earlier but a lady named Paula called in and she was talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this new edict or whatever you want to call it that the governor is putting in that we ’ re hoping he thinks about that and decides not to do it .
But this gets to what you are talking about .
There are a lot of good city employees .
A lot of good city employees .
But the hierarchy at the very top does not make good long term decisions .
You are trying to put institutional constraints in place against bad government decision making .
That ’ s what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t tell you how much I appreciate it .
And I think they ’ ll be a significant turnout .
I haven ’ t talked to a single person who thinks that a 34 percent tax increase is good for the city .
Not one .
Leahy : Obviously you aren ’ t talking to the progressive members of the city council .
( Laughs ) Carmichael : And they may be alone .
( Roberts chuckles ) They may be alone in their position .
Because I think there are a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County that do not want to see that kind of property tax increase .
And also who understand that all it does is make the government of Nashville bigger .
Carmichael : And bigger is frankly in government bigger is typically bad .
Leahy : Jim , for our listeners , let ’ s walk them through what they need to do .
They can go to your website at… Roberts : There are two websites .
4goodgovernment.com and there is thenashvilletaxpayerprotectionact.com will get you there .
Leahy : Let ’ s say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do then ?
Roberts : They have an option to download the petition on one side or two sides .
I suggest you print it out and get your friends to sign it and mail it back to us .
Leahy : And you ’ ve got the mailing address on the website and on the petition ?
Roberts : We do .
We do .
It ’ s written on the petition itself .
You can fold it over and mail it .
Carmichael : It ’ s very very important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign it that they pull out their voter registration card and sign it just like that and that the address is the same address on the voter registration card .
Leahy : Isn ’ t that what determines whether or not it ’ s a valid signature ?
Roberts : The Metro Clerks ’ job is to confirm those signatures .
Leahy : You have in your possession now petitions with 16,000 signatures .
You said you need more than 11,000 signatures confirmed .
Tell us where that 11,000 number comes from .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s August 6 election .
The number of signatures you have to get is 10 percent of the number of people who voted in the last election .
The numbers aren ’ t final yet .
It ’ s somewhere between 90,000 and 110,000 .
I ’ ve heard some different numbers .
So I ’ m going with 11,000 to be conservative .
I actually have another 500 petitions sitting on my desk that I haven ’ t even counted yet .
So we may be over 17,000 after today .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16,000 to 17,000 in just 15 minutes .
We are really doing a good job here .
( Roberts chuckles ) Carmichael : 20,000 is a good goal .
But the more people who sign petitions and send them in that shows your base of support is broad .
Carmichael : I hope you get way over 20,000 .
Leahy : Let ’ s say you get to 20,000 next week , do you have a target date of when you are going to turn these in ?
Roberts : We were thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just to get it going .
This is the fun part .
Gathering signatures and interacting with people but the truth is we need to get it on the ballot and we need to educate people to come out and vote on this .
Leahy : Let ’ s walk through this .
Let ’ s say it ’ s Friday and when you are next week Friday at 7:15 a.m. you ’ ll tell us .
Which I think you are on track to do .
If you submit these petitions where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do you turn them in downtown ?
Roberts : I actually go to the Metro Clerk at the courthouse and when they do that they send it over to the election commission .
Leahy : How many boxes are you bringing with these petitions ?
Roberts : If you stacked them in it would be about four or five feet high .
Leahy : Can you alert us so we can send our photographer and reporter down to capture this moment ?
Roberts : I ’ d be happy too .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a lot of petitions and I think they are going to be really impressed when we turn them in .
Leahy : So they get it next Friday the 21st ?
Roberts : That ’ s what we are shooting for .
Leahy : If they get it , what happens next ?
Roberts : Well they ’ ve got to count the signatures .
So we hope when we give them 20,000 signatures they are going to know you have it so they aren ’ t going to nitpick every single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have it by then .
It goes to the election commission and they certify it to be on the ballot .
And it gets put on the ballot and they begin to do the things they do to create an election .
Leahy : And when would that election be ?
Roberts : It ’ s going to be December 5 which is a Saturday believe it or not .
We want the maximum amount of people to vote .
So we did it on a Saturday .
Leahy : Smart .
Very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Jim Roberts ?
Carmichael : I think this is great .
In a country that says it ’ s free , the people ought to have the right frankly especially at the local should have the right to vote on something of this magnitude .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Background Photo “ Nashville City Hall ” by @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Trump Taps Lee for Council of Governors

Trump Taps Lee for Council of Governors

President Donald Trump will nominate Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee to the Council of Governors .
The president announced a @ @ @ @ @ positions in his administration this week .
The Council of Governors consists of 10 governors @ @ @ @ @ political party , appointed by the president .
“ I ’ m very honored to @ @ @ @ @ to be on the Council of Governors , ” Lee said Thursday afternoon during a @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a small group of governors who advise on policy at a national level @ @ @ @ @ very honored to have been nominated , and I look forward to the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ of Governors was established in 2010 as a mechanism of collaboration between governors and federal @ @ @ @ @ the National Guard and homeland defense .
Vivian Jones reports on Tennessee and South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ Her writing has appeared in the Detroit News , The Hill , and publications of @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Hillary Clinton Won’t Rule Out Serving in Biden Administration

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won ’ t rule out serving in presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s administration if he wins the November election , Clinton revealed in an article published Thursday .
Clinton , the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee , said that she will fundraise for the Biden-Harris campaign while advocating for organizations she thinks could enhance voter turnout and infrastructure , The 19th , a nonprofit news outlet , reported Thursday .
“ I ’ m ready to help in any way I can because I think this will be a moment where every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what party you are , I don ’ t care what age , race , gender , I don ’ t care — every American should want to fix our country , ” Clinton said , according to the outlet .
“ So if you ’ re asked to serve , you should certainly consider that , ” Clinton reportedly added .
Clinton said she is optimistic about Biden ’ s chances and asserted that a higher voter turnout will decrease the chances of President Donald Trump sabotaging the outcome , The 19th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe that Trump is not going to go silently into the night if he loses , ” Clinton said , according to the outlet .
“ He ’ s going to try to confuse us .
He ’ s going to try to bring all kinds of lawsuits.
” Clinton reminded people to check their registrations and to document their ballots to record the vote , though states have different regulations allowing cameras into the polling place , the outlet reported .
Kaylee Greenlee is a reporter for the Daily Caller News @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Californians Are Violating Worship Restrictions to Stand up for Their Liberty, Pastor Says

California Pastor Rob McCoy says the thousands of people who attend services at his church in violation of California coronavirus restrictions are not only coming to worship — they are coming to exercise their liberties .
The pastor discussed action that authorities have taken against him and Godspeak Calvary Chapel in a Thursday interview with the Daily Caller News Foundation .
The conversation came after the County of Ventura sought an additional restraining order after Godspeak Calvary Chapel continued to hold worship services despite an initial emergency restraining order issued August 7 .
“ They ’ re just upset that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” McCoy told the DCNF .
“ All of us are sick of it in the community , ” he added .
“ We ’ ve lost our businesses.
” McCoy formerly served as a city councilman in Thousand Oaks , but resigned when Governor Gavin Newsom made clear that he was not backing down on the determination that churches were nonessential .
“ As an elected official I am in conflict and thus must tender my resignation from the council , ” the pastor wrote in a letter obtained by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no desire to put our community at risk and will not .
… However this is portrayed , please know I am obligated to do this.
” On April 4 , Palm Sunday , McCoy said Godspeak Calvary Chapel held services that observed social distancing .
“ We hosted communion in the sanctuary that holds 400 people , ” he said .
“ We were the cleanest place in all of California .
The night before we cleaned the whole place down , and the media descended on us , like we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Newsom issued new guidelines in late May allowing houses of worship to open if these institutions limited attendance to 25 % capacity or to 100 attendees .
But the California governor walked back these re-opening plans in July with an order mandating that restaurants , bars , churches , fitness centers , hair salons , and barber shops must be closed in 30 of the hardest hit counties in California .
The California Department of Health clarified to the DCNF at the time that indoor religious services in the state have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCoy told the DCNF that his church has continued to hold church services and stopped social distancing and wearing masks when they perceived that Newsom was allowing protests to go on while banning religious services .
The pastor ’ s decision to carry on with worship came despite California ’ s coronavirus restrictions — and despite an emergency temporary restraining order issued against McCoy Friday by Ventura County .
A court hearing for the restraining order is currently scheduled for Aug. 31 , according to CBS News .
Ventura County Superior Court Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which requires the church to cease holding indoor services , to move services outside , to wear masks , and to socially distance , CBS News reports .
The county also sought an additional restraining order against the church after Godspeak Calvary Chapel continued worship services Sunday , a request which the judge denied .
This additional restraining order attempted to authorize the Sheriff of Ventura County to take any reasonable action to shut down the church , according to a press release from the church ’ s legal representation .
After the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCoy posted an update noting that the church would continue to hold services but warning that those who attended the services might be cited by authorities , CBS reports .
Godspeak Calvary Chapel held its services Sunday , and no arrests were made though police were present at the scene , according to the publication .
The church ’ s website currently says that three services will be held on Sunday .
McCoy told the DCNF that the services have been attended by thousands , many of whom do not normally go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their liberties .
“ On Sunday when we opened the doors of the church , a very large segment of the attendees were people who never go to church , ” McCoy told the DCNF .
“ They had come to this place because their Liberty had dried up and they went further upstream to find its source .
And they realized that God is the author of Liberty and they want it back.
” “ Instead , they came to church , ” he continued .
“ It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skaters and surfers because they had lost their beaches and their skate parks have been filled with sand.
” Both McCoy and the chapel are represented by the nonprofit legal organization Tyler & Bursch , LLP and Advocates for Faith & Freedom .
“ I never thought I would see the day where local officials give testimony in the American court system that has the ring of a communist inquisition more than a fair judicial process where the defendant is allowed to prepare and present his evidence , ” Attorney Robert Tyler said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that basic principles of due process requires a trial on evidence before a single Governor can suspend constitutional liberties for such an extended period of time.
” Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Comer Barn: Sumner County’s ‘Gift’ from Rogers Group Inc.

The Comer Barn was a “ gift ” to Sumner County from Rogers Group Inc. by way of a deed that had no funds involved , County Executive Anthony Holt announced to Sumner County Board of Commission members at several committee meetings in April 2016 .
The old and picturesque stone horse barn , considered by many as a historic structure , is located on Highway 31 between Gallatin and Hendersonville on the property of one of Rogers Group ’ s quarries .
Rogers Group is a road paver and builder , asphalt supplier and the largest privately-owned crushed stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S .
Through an agreement executed in 2014 , Sumner County leased the adjacent Comer House and 17.4 acres of land from Rogers Group for $ 100 per year until September 30 , 2027 .
The Comer House , sublet to the Sumner County Convention and Visitors Bureau , is used as a tourist and welcome center .
Holt had been wanting to renovate the deteriorated barn for some time and use it as an event center , but without owning the barn , Sumner County would not be able to access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took issue with Holt ’ s Comer Barn deal with Rogers Group , Gallatin News reported .
“ Basically what this deed does is…gives us the obligation to make repairs on this property within five years , and if we don ’ t , ( Rogers Group ) can take the property back , ” Vaughn told Gallatin News .
“ But we own a landlocked barn…there ’ s no easements.
” The issue then went quiet for a couple of years .
When it came up again , a Comer Barn Ad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting in April 2019 and a follow-up meeting in May .
After several attempts to get some funding to repair the barn , a staggering $ 3.5 million was snuck into the 2019-2020 Sumner County budget .
The fact that the appropriation was not publicized was evident by the reaction of several of the county commissioners in a video clip from the June 2019 meeting .
Several citizens spoke against using taxpayer dollars for the barn , given the conditions and reversion clause within the deed as well as developing into a government-funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privately-owned businesses .
The $ 3.5 million in the 2019-2020 budget for the Comer Barn was particularly egregious when the county commission passed a 17 percent property tax increase on top of the 20 percent property tax increase they passed in 2014 .
Initiated through a motion by Commissioner Moe Taylor , the $ 3.5 million appropriations to the Comer Barn went on to be removed from the 2019-2020 budget .
Another Comer Barn Ad Hoc Committee meeting was held in July 2019 , but none have been held since .
Then in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the state ’ s Department of Finance and Administration that it had been appropriated a grant in the amount of $ 250,000 for Comer Barn improvements , which must be used as one-to-one matching with county funding .
In a letter addressed to the commission , State Senator Ferrell Haile , who represents Sumner County , said he helped obtain the $ 250,000 one-time grant .
In January 2020 , the $ 250,000 in county funding was put up for a vote to go along with the $ 250,000 state grant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create a plan to preserve the Comer Barn .
In what appeared to be a cart-before-the-horse scenario , the intent was to present a finalized plan to Rogers Group in order to get the deed restrictions removed before the project proceeded .
At the motion of Commissioner Larry Hinton that garnered a unanimous 23-0 vote , the commission sent the issue back to the Budget Committee to resolve three items : set the parameters and publish procedures for the solicitation of private funds ; clarification of the intended use of the Comer Barn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , the Rogers Group put in writing what it is willing to do and present the documents to the public in their entirety .
One curious side note from that meeting came out of the questioning by Commissioner Moe Taylor of Holt about naming rights for the Comer Barn in exchange for a $ 40,000 donation .
Holt confirmed that local bank CapStar had expressed an interest in the naming rights .
While taxpayers could be on the hook for $ 3.5 million or more for the renovation of the Comer Barn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advertising rights for a one-time nominal fee of $ 40,000 .
Since January , the Comer Barn has appeared on several of the Budget Committee agendas , reportedly as a placeholder , but it has not been taken up or advanced to the full commission .
That is , until the August 10 , 2020 , Budget Committee meeting and the upcoming full commission meeting on August 17 .
This while the three items detailed in the January 2020 commission meeting have yet to be made publicly available .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would authorize a plan for the Comer Barn preservation and appropriate $ 250,000 in county funds to match the state grant of $ 250,000 to address a prioritized list of action items until the $ 500,000 is exhausted .
The resolution also states “ civic fundraising is being organized and grants are being pursued to minimize use of any additional funding from county tourism hotel/motel tax income to preserve this unique landmark.
” The problem with the plan to use tourism-based income is that when the hotel/motel tax revenues are down , Sumner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the funding .
As it is , Sumner County Tourism Director Barry Young estimated that $ 300,000 in tourism was lost due to COVID-19 in the one month period between March 8 and an April 8 report by Gallatin News .
In addition to the resolution , a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU ) between Rogers Group and Sumner County has been prepared for consideration at Monday ’ s commission meeting .
The intention of the MOU is to be a basis for completion of final documentation , apparently to address the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been repeatedly brought up over the course of more than four years .
Not only does the MOU not address all of the issues , it actually states that it “ may not contain all of the terms that would be included in the final documents proposed herein.
” To complicate the already controversial proposal of a taxpayer-funded overhaul of a dilapidated and privately-owned structure in a time of revenue shortages that may also compete with local businesses that have already fallen on hard times , there is the tangled web of who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Comer Barn MOU with Sumner County is signed on behalf of Rogers Group by Bryan Ledford .
Ledford sits on the Board of Directors of Forward Sumner , the taxpayer-funded “ economic and workforce development office ” of Sumner County .
Forward Sumner ’ s President and CEO is Jimmy Johnston of Brentwood .
Along with Ledford on Forward Sumner ’ s 21-person board is County Mayor Holt and another Rogers Group representative , Rick Turner .
Rogers Group ’ s political action committee ( PAC ) notably contributed $ 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was the single largest contribution to Holt ’ s campaign that year .
In 2018 , Rogers Group PAC again gave Holt his single largest campaign contribution that year of $ 7,500 .
Turner also sits on the Sumner County Advisory Board of the previously mentioned CapStar Bank .
CapStar ’ s 13-member Sumner County Advisory Board also includes L.A. Green , partner in the Gallatin-based Green & Little real estate investment and development company .
Green owns the property behind the County Administration on Tulip Poplar Drive and adjacent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Holt pushed through an approval by the commission for the purchase of a 3-acre parcel of Green ’ s land for $ 460,000 .
Then , without discussion or explanation , a $ 1.1 million expenditure was included in the Sumner County Schools 2019-2020 budget to purchase the adjoining 7 acres of Green ’ s land on Tulip Poplar Drive .
While the approvals took place more than a year ago , there has been no evidence that either of the land deals has been finalized .
Another member of the CapStar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roney .
In Roney ’ s bio on the board ’ s webpage , it stated in part as far back as at least January 2020 , “ he ’ s very excited about CapStar ’ s partnership with the Event Center at the Comer Barn , ” even though the Comer Barn project has yet to be officially approved by the Sumner County Commission .
Meanwhile , County Commissioner Deanne DeWitt has organized a “ Save the Comer Barn ” GoFundMe account .
After seven days and 40 donors , $ 2,945 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal .
Due to restrictions by the Rogers Group on the Comer House and Comer Barn documents , the buildings are prohibited from being designated as “ historic.
” That restriction may prevent access to funding for the preservation and restoration of the Comer Barn .
The Sumner County Board of Commissioners will meet at 7 p.m. on August 17 at the County Administration Building on Belvedere Drive in Gallatin .
The agenda for the meeting , which includes another controversial issue of annexation to Gallatin of “ The Meadows ” 1,115-unit multi-use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Steve Bannon Presents: Alliance of Liberty India Independence Day Special

An all new LIVE STREAM of War Room : Pandemic starts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Saturday .
Former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon began the daily War Room : Pandemic radio show and podcast on January 25 , when news of the virus was just beginning to leak out of China around the Lunar New Year .
Bannon and co-hosts bring listeners exclusive analysis and breaking updates from top medical , public health , economic , national security , supply chain and geopolitical experts weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ET .
The show ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voice News , the John Fredericks Radio Network , Salem Media Group , and Newsmax TV and the podcast is available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , SoundCloud , and Google Play .
You can watch past episodes here .
Previously , Bannon hosted a series of three , two-hour long special programs entitled Descent into Hell : The Chinese People Confront the CCP .
The groundbreaking specials aired live on the John Fredericks Radio Network , America ’ s Voice Network , Dish TV Channel 219 , The Epoch Times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mandarin .
For more information , visit www.pandemic.warroom.org and @ WarRoomPandemic .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Crom Carmichael Talks About Joe Biden’s Disdain for Mask Mandates and Taking Credit for Trump’s Midd

Crom Carmichael Talks About Joe Biden’s Disdain for Mask Mandates and Taking Credit for Trump’s Middle East Peace Deal

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
At the top of the third hour , Carmichael commented on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris non-mask wearing hug proving their blatant disdain for public health policies related to COVID .
He added that Biden had always been on the wrong side of foreign policy decisions during the Obama presidency and found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit for the recent Middle East peace deal orchestrated by President Trump .
Leahy : Crom Carmichael , I have a question for you here .
That question is what should be done Crom if someone has said everyone must wear masks then what should be done to two people who don ’ t wear masks at an event and hug ?
Carmichael : That ’ s a great question .
And a serious question Michael .
Because that could be a hotspot .
That could end up being a COVID hot spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : It could all start because COVID we know Michael that COVID is transmitted from one person to another person .
And if two people just ignore , ignore public health standards and not only do not wear a mask but also hug thereby giving the greatest opportunity to transmit the disease from one person to another .
And then go out into the community and transmit it to millions more and killing millions of people .
They should both go to prison for life .
Leahy : They are not very patriotic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
Oh , wait !
Hold it , Michael !
I ’ m looking at a picture .
Leahy : Who is in the picture Crom ?
Leahy : What are they doing .
Carmichael : Neither is wearing a mask .
Neither is wearing a mask .
Prison is their next stop .
And by the way , separate prisons quarantined for 14 years .
Carmichael : Not 14 days .
14 years .
Because this is yet another example of Democrats and Biden where he doesn ’ t really care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see where he is trying to take credit for the great Middle East peace that Trump has engineered ?
Did you see where Biden is actually trying to take credit for that ?
Leahy : So there ’ s a deal cut between a peace treaty between Emirates and Israel .
Carmichael : Well , there ’ s more than just that .
It ’ s a big deal .
It ’ s five countries .
Leahy : Who are the other countries ?
Carmichael : I can ’ t remember all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carmichael : It ’ s the first Middle East peace treaty in 25 years .
Leahy : Engineered by Donald Trump .
Now let me get this right .
So Joe Biden has not been in office since January of 2016 .
( Cell phone rings ) That ’ s the president calling you for advice .
Carmichael : That ’ s the president .
I ’ m sorry Mr. President I ’ m on the radio right now .
( Laughter ) Leahy : It was Attorney General Bill Barr .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we had this quote from Bill Barr .
I ’ ve got to hit this .
This is a quote from Bill Barr .
“ Our public education system is a ‘ racist system ’ maintained by the Democratic party and the teacher ’ s unions . '
” He said that on Hannity last night .
But Crom you ’ ve been saying that on this program .
Those exact words .
Leahy : Since November .
So obviously Attorney General Bill Barr , before he starts his day he listens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know he does .
Sources tell us .
Sources Crom .
Sources .
( Laughs ) Carmichael : What do they call that ?
Not just a high source but one you have confidence in ?
Carmichael : Reliable source .
Which could be anybody .
Leahy : Could be anybody .
( Carmichael laughs ) Carmichael : Where were we ?
We were talking about Biden and the Middle East .
Obama did more along with Biden ’ s help and I ’ m sure strong advice .
He did more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president in my lifetime .
Carmichael : Oh yes !
You had not just Libya but you had the Arab Spring .
Carmichael : You had Biden ’ s support of the Muslim Brotherhood taking over in Egypt .
Carmichael : You had Biden against the military overthrowing the Muslim Brotherhood for breaking their word and trying to do what Erdogan has done to Turkey and that is to become a dictator .
Every single foreign policy question in 40 years Biden ’ s been on the wrong side .
His judgment is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know all of Kamala Harris ’ positions in world policy .
But the ones that I do know she ’ s on the wrong side of those too .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ” by Joe Biden .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Trump Says He’ll Accept the GOP Nomination at the White House

President Donald Trump said during a Thursday interview with the New York Post that he intends to accept the Republican presidential nomination on the White House lawn .
“ I ’ ll probably be giving my speech at the White House because it is a great place .
It ’ s a place that makes me feel good , it makes the country feel good , ” Trump told the Post .
“ We ’ d probably do it outside on one of the lawns , we have various lawns , so we could have it outside in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite a group of people .
It ’ s very big , a very big lawn , ” he added .
He confirmed his intention to choose the White House Lawn after previously considering it along with other locations such as Gettysburg , the Post reported .
The location has drawn criticism from some in Washington , including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who said on MSNBC last Wednesday that Trump ’ s consideration of the White House lawn was “ very wrong.
” “ Whether it ’ s legally wrong or ethically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have even been something that was expressed , ” the California Democrat said .
The decision comes after the Republican National Committee ( RNC ) canceled their scaled-back convention in Jacksonville , Florida , due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The RNC had already moved their convention out of Charlotte , North Carolina when Gov .
Roy Cooper refused to let the event proceed without social-distancing restrictions in place .
Trump is set to deliver his speech on the last night of the convention , which spans from Aug. 24-27 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Democratic National Convention ( DNC ) , which was originally planned to occur in Milwaukee but is now mostly virtual , begins Monday , Aug. 17 , according to the DNC ’ s website .
Andrew Trunsky is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--President Trump to Speak in Minnesota on Monday

President Trump is scheduled to visit Minnesota on Monday , the first stop in a three-part campaigning tour including Wisconsin and Arizona .
Each speech will address “ Joe Biden ’ s failures on jobs and the economy.
” Ken Farnaso , the deputy press secretary for the Trump campaign , confirmed Trump ’ s visits in a tweet Friday morning .
Several polls last month found that the presumptive Democratic candidate Joe Biden led the president in Minnesota by as much as ten to thirteen points .
However , a poll released this week indicates that Minnesota is more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden by only three points in the traditionally-blue state .
In response to Trump ’ s speaking event , Minnesota ’ s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party ( DFL ) issued a press release Wednesday from Chairman Ken Martin : “ Donald Trump ’ s presidency has been a complete disaster for Minnesota families – from his attacks on Social Security , his harmful trade policies and his attempts to roll back the ACA and key protections for our air and water .
On top of it all , his failed response to the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over 60,000 Minnesotans have been infected by the virus , and tens of thousands more are out of work .
His visit to our state is nothing more than a desperate publicity stunt and a distraction .
If Trump wants to understand why voters in Minnesota will be voting for Vice President Biden , Senator Harris and DFLers at every level , he should watch our Convention .
The voices of ordinary Americans he ’ s hurt from communities across the country will be front and center.
” Although the Republican Party of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their website or social media pages , Chairman Jennifer Carnahan tweeted that the speaking event would be a time to “ celebrate the wonderful accomplishments for America under his leadership.
” Trump is scheduled to speak in Mankato , Minnesota on August 17 at 2 p.m. Central Standard Time .
Later that same afternoon , Trump will speak in Oshkosh , Wisconsin .
The third and final speaking event in Yuma , Arizona will take place the following afternoon .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Minnesota Sun and the Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--State Announces Plans for Detroit to Ann Arbor Self-Driving Vehicle Corridor

The state of Michigan Thursday announced a plan to explore the viability of developing a 40-mile corridor for connected and autonomous vehicles between Downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor .
The state selected Cavnue , a subsidiary of Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners ( SIP ) that partners with Alphabet , Google ’ s parent company , to develop the project .
“ The action we ’ re taking today is good for our families , our businesses , and our economy as a whole .
Here in Michigan , the state that put the world on wheels , we are taking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help us test and deploy the cars of the future , ” Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement .
“ As we rebuild our roads to ensure every Michigander can drive to work and drop their kids at school safely , we will also continue working to build smart infrastructure to help prepare us for the roads of tomorrow .
In Michigan , where the health of our workers and our economy are directly tied to the health of our auto industry , we will continue this innovative work to secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automotive capital of the world.
” Cavnue will work with various government agencies throughout an expected 24-month-long Phase One .
Construction would be determined after Phase One , with goals to connect Detroit and Ann Arbor to destinations along Interstate 94 in Wayne and Washtenaw County in a corridor allowing a combination of connected and autonomous vehicles , traditional transit vehicles , shared mobility , and freight and personal vehicles .
The project aims to link the University of Michigan , Detroit Metropolitan Airport , and Michigan Central Station , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on the future of infrastructure , we are thrilled to launch Cavnue to build the future of roads , and partner with Michigan and the communities along the corridor on a first-of-its-kind CAV corridor , ” SIP co-founder and co-CEO Jonathan Winer said in a statement .
Initial project partners include Ford Motor Company , the University of Michigan , Transportation Research Institute , and the American Center for Mobility .
“ This project , and the decision by Cavnue and Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners to invest here , continues to reinforce that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and built in Detroit and Southeast Michigan , ” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement .
Another goal is to reduce the number of fatal automobile crashes in Michigan , which have numbered more than 10,000 since 2008 , and many of which are attributed to human error .
“ My vision for Michigan Central is to create an open mobility innovation district that solves tomorrow ’ s transportation challenges and improves mobility access for everyone , ” Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a leader in creating a more connected , autonomous and electrified future .
We thank the state for recognizing the community and economic benefits and the importance of creating smart infrastructure across southeast Michigan.
” One glaring unanswered question remains : state officials haven ’ t responded to inquiries about the project ’ s cost .
Michigan Budget Director Chris Kolb has projected a $ 3 billion budget shortfall for fiscal year 2021 , which will be better clarified after an August 24 revenue estimating conference .
Scott McClallen is a staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Michigan, Ford, FEMA to Donate 4 Million Masks to Vulnerable State Residents

The state of Michigan , Ford Motor Company and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be partnering to provide four million free masks to Michigan residents who are vulnerable to COVID-19 , Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer announced on Friday .
Masks will be given to low-income residents , seniors , schools and homeless shelters through the MI Mask Aid program , which is part of the Mask Up Michigan campaign .
The program aims to get masks to vulnerable populations , including minority residents who have been adversely impacted by the pandemic as a result of racism , the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to continue to ‘ mask up ’ to protect us all from COVID-19 , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
“ Vulnerable populations may have difficulties buying masks and our schools need face coverings to keep students , staff and community members safe .
I am thrilled that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services , Ford and FEMA are working together to help control the spread of the coronavirus.
” Masks and other facial coverings have been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
FEMA has already sent 1.5 million masks to local community action agencies , MDHHS offices , homeless shelters , area agencies of aging and Native American tribes .
Another one million masks from FEMA and 1.5 million from Ford will be donated to low-income schools , the City of Detroit , federally qualified health centers and a select number of COVID-19 testing sites .
“ The irony of this pandemic that requires physical distancing is that it reveals how connected we truly are — how much we rely on one another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garlin Gilchrist II said in a statement .
“ …By delivering four million masks at no cost to Michiganders , we can provide a proven , lifesaving device to countless residents as they go back to work , school , and define new way of living during this pandemic.
” Those interested in obtaining a free masks can find a distribution location by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136 or by looking up their local community action agency online .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter at The Michigan Star and Star News Digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Additional Funding Aims to Reduce Infant Mortality in Ohio

The state is increasing funding to programs to address infant mortality as well as improve mothers ’ and children ’ s health across Ohio .
But there is no clear solution to eliminating infant mortality .
House Bill 11 expands access to tobacco cessation programs and increases education programs related to lead-based paints and appropriates $ 5 million from the General Revenue Fund ( GRF ) for the 2021 fiscal year for a group-based prenatal health care grant program , which the Ohio Department of Health ( ODH ) will administer .
It also increases appropriations for the Ohio Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 fiscal year to reflect the temporary federal medical assistance percentage ( FMAP ) increase in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act .
“ This is a first step in reducing infant mortality across our state , it ’ s an issue that we should continue working on for mothers and their babies , ” state Rep. Gayle Manning , R-North Ridgeville , told The Center Square .
“ To help reduce infant mortality , you have to make an investment if you want positive results – and that goes for several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in schools , infrastructures , or health care , ” Manning continued .
“ This is a problem Ohioans want to see solved , that was made quite clear from the unanimous votes the bill received within all of its committee hearings , additionally , when it passed unanimously both in the House and Senate , ” added Manning , who jointly sponsored the bill with state Rep. Stephanie Howse , D-Cleveland .
In 2018 , there were 938 infant deaths in Ohio , down from 983 in 2017 and 1,023 in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
The Buckeye State had the sixth-highest number of infant deaths in the country and the 10th highest infant mortality rate .
Lisa Holloway , director of maternal infant health for the March of Dimes Ohio , said group-based prenatal health care is essential to helping pregnant mothers .
“ We ’ ve been very careful in the amount of money that we give folks that start the program and implement the program because we don ’ t want them to become dependent on it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want it to be very focused on the training and the startup , then we want to be sustainable .
That sustainability of something that you know works is a key piece.
” Unlike other states , Ohio has a Fetal Infant Mortality Review ( FIMR ) Board that reviews infant deaths .
As part of their work , the multidisciplinary boards make recommendations to local communities .
“ What we ’ re really trying to understand are the factors that are beyond the medical , ” Holloway said .
“ What contributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before her pregnancy that is a factor that we need to consider addressing if we want to reduce infant mortality.
” Todd Defeo is a contributor to The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-15--Rutherford County Schools Tell Parents Not to Monitor Their Child’s Virtual Classrooms

Parents of students who attend Rutherford County Schools ( RCS ) must agree not to monitor their child ’ s online classroom sessions .
Officials at all county schools are asking parents to sign forms agreeing not to watch these virtual classes .
The Tennessee Star received a copy of such a form this week .
“ RCS strives to present these opportunities in a secure format that protects student privacy to the greatest extent possible , however because these meetings will occur virtually RCS is limited in its ability to fully control certain factors such as non-student observers that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a student participating in the virtual meeting , ” according to the form .
“ RCS strongly discourages non student observation of online meetings due to the potential of confidential information about a student being revealed.
” The form asks parents for their signature and warns that “ violation of this agreement may result in RCS removing my child from the virtual meeting.
” RCS spokesman James Evans addressed the matter in an email to The Star this week .
“ We are aware of the concern that has been raised about this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The intent was not to prevent parents from being involved with their children during distance learning , but it was intended to protect the academic privacy of other students in the classroom who are visible during certain virtual class sessions , ” Evans said .
“ We have issued new guidance to principals that parents can assist their children during virtual group lessons with permission of the instructor but should refrain from sharing or recording any information about other students in the classroom.
” As reported Friday , 50 miles away , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NO !
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” to Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s Big Brother-style child wellbeing program that plans to send government officials to families ’ homes to do welfare checks of children .
The Tennessee Department of Education says it released a toolkit on child wellbeing checks to ensure the needs of children are being met during and after extended periods away from school .
It is promoted as protecting children .
The department earmarked $ 1 million in COVID-19 funds to set up regional overseers to work with districts , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will give funding for eight regional staff members to work across the state .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]