thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Sen. Rand Paul Says Sen. Marsha Blackburn ‘Must be Confused’ About Ad He Cut for Manny Sethi

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) said Monday that U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) misunderstood him when he faulted Republicans who represent Tennessee in one or both houses of Congress and said they vote like Democrats .
Paul suggested to The Tennessee Star Monday that he had criticized another prominent Tennessee Republican —not Blackburn .
Paul , in a new ad for U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi , said “ Tennessee is too conservative of a state to keep sending Democrats in Republican clothing to represent Tennessee.
” Blackburn took offense , as Breitbart.com reported last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against one another to replace U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) , who is retiring .
Tennessee officials have scheduled the GOP primary election for Thursday .
“ I will tell you it may be an ad that ends up helping Bill Hagerty because what Rand did was he ended up saying he doesn ’ t think Tennesseans can pick candidates , ” Blackburn told Breitbart.com about the message Paul recorded for Sethi .
“ He kind of insulted every Republican voter in the state .
I don ’ t know if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was funny or what .
What he did was say they continue to send Democrats dressed like Republicans to Washington.
” “ Senator Blackburn must be confused , ” Paul said in an email .
“ I was referring to Republicans who voted to keep Obamacare under President Trump after voting to repeal Obamacare under President Obama.
” Blackburn , Tennessee ’ s junior senator , said on her website , that she remains committed to repealing the law and “ returning health care to a patient-centered system where families and doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee ’ s senior senator , said on his website that he has fought Obamacare since Democrats proposed it in 2009 .
But as NBC News reported in 2017 , Alexander , who chairs the Senate Health Committee , joined Democrats and four other Republicans and voted against repealing that law .
“ I don ’ t think Tennesseans would be comfortable canceling insurance for 22 million Americans , and trusting Congress to find a replacement in two years , ” Alexander said in a statement at the time .
“ Pilots like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to land when they take off , and we should too.
” As The Star reported in May , Alexander seemed to say he wasn ’ t on board with President Donald Trump ’ s most recent efforts to repeal Obamacare — at least not with the reasoning .
Alexander has not endorsed a candidate .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said Monday that U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) misunderstood him when he faulted Republicans who represent Tennessee in one or both houses of Congress and said they vote like Democrats.
Paul suggested to The Tennessee Star Monday that he had criticized another prominent Tennessee Republican —not Blackburn.
Paul, in a new ad for U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi, said “Tennessee is too conservative of a state to keep sending Democrats in Republican clothing to represent Tennessee.”
Blackburn took offense, as Breitbart.com reported last week.
Sethi and Bill Hagerty are competing against one another to replace U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), who is retiring. Tennessee officials have scheduled the GOP primary election for Thursday.
“I will tell you it may be an ad that ends up helping Bill Hagerty because what Rand did was he ended up saying he doesn’t think Tennesseans can pick candidates,” Blackburn told Breitbart.com about the message Paul recorded for Sethi.
“He kind of insulted every Republican voter in the state. I don’t know if he meant to do it or thought it was funny or what. What he did was say they continue to send Democrats dressed like Republicans to Washington.”
The Star contacted Paul’s office for comment Monday.
“Senator Blackburn must be confused,” Paul said in an email.
“I was referring to Republicans who voted to keep Obamacare under President Trump after voting to repeal Obamacare under President Obama.”
Paul did not elaborate.
Blackburn, Tennessee’s junior senator, said on her website, that she remains committed to repealing the law and “returning health care to a patient-centered system where families and doctors can make their decisions.”
Alexander, Tennessee’s senior senator, said on his website that he has fought Obamacare since Democrats proposed it in 2009.
But as NBC News reported in 2017, Alexander, who chairs the Senate Health Committee, joined Democrats and four other Republicans and voted against repealing that law.
“I don’t think Tennesseans would be comfortable canceling insurance for 22 million Americans, and trusting Congress to find a replacement in two years,” Alexander said in a statement at the time.
“Pilots like to know where they’re going to land when they take off, and we should too.”
As The Star reported in May, Alexander seemed to say he wasn’t on board with President Donald Trump’s most recent efforts to repeal Obamacare — at least not with the reasoning.
Paul endorsed Sethi last month.
Blackburn endorsed Haggerty.
Alexander has not endorsed a candidate.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Trump’s Campaign Manager Says Debates Should Happen Before Early Voting Begins: ‘We Want Them Sooner

Trump’s Campaign Manager Says Debates Should Happen Before Early Voting Begins: ‘We Want Them Sooner’

President Donald Trump ’ s campaign manager called Monday for more presidential debates , saying that they should begin earlier than planned .
During an interview with “ Fox & Friends ” Monday morning , Bill Stepien ( pictured above ) said that the current debate schedule , which is set to begin Sept. 29 , will prevent voters in early-voting states from seeing the two candidates go head-to-head before casting their ballots .
“ We want more debates , we want debates starting sooner , ” Stepien , who took over as Trump ’ s campaign manager last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for Sept. 29 , by that time 16 states already will have voted .
That ’ s a concern to me .
I want to see President Trump on the debate stage against Joe Biden.
” The Commission on Presidential Debates currently has four scheduled debates : three between Trump and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , and one between Vice President Mike Pence and Biden ’ s undetermined running mate .
The Trump campaign has previously pushed for additional debates , believing that Trump will be able to capitalize on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve his standing in the polls , The Hill reported .
Michigan , Pennsylvania , North Carolina and Florida , four of the most competitive states this election , are all set to begin mailing absentee ballots before the end of September .
Biden has held a consistent lead over Trump in each , polls show .
Due to the coronavirus pandemic , more voters are expected to vote by mail than ever before , meaning that millions of voters in swing states may cast their ballot before the first debate occurs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit the number of debates to avoid putting Biden on camera .
“ We ’ re already seeing the liberal left , the liberal media trying to create trap doors for Joe Biden to escape his commitment and obligations to debate Donald Trump on a debate stage in front of the American people.
” Though some have encouraged Biden not to engage with Trump on stage , Biden has committed to three debates , with his campaign manager , Jen O ’ Malley Dillon , saying that he “ looks forward to facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American people have come to expect from their leaders.
” “ We hope that President Trump would not break that tradition or make excuses for a refusal to participate , ” she said .

by Andrew Trunsky
President Donald Trump’s campaign manager called Monday for more presidential debates, saying that they should begin earlier than planned.
During an interview with “Fox & Friends” Monday morning, Bill Stepien (pictured above) said that the current debate schedule, which is set to begin Sept. 29, will prevent voters in early-voting states from seeing the two candidates go head-to-head before casting their ballots.
“We want more debates, we want debates starting sooner,” Stepien, who took over as Trump’s campaign manager last month, said.
“First debate is scheduled for Sept. 29, by that time 16 states already will have voted. That’s a concern to me. I want to see President Trump on the debate stage against Joe Biden.”
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
The Commission on Presidential Debates currently has four scheduled debates: three between Trump and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, and one between Vice President Mike Pence and Biden’s undetermined running mate.
The Trump campaign has previously pushed for additional debates, believing that Trump will be able to capitalize on Biden’s proneness to gaffes and improve his standing in the polls, The Hill reported.
Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida, four of the most competitive states this election, are all set to begin mailing absentee ballots before the end of September. Biden has held a consistent lead over Trump in each, polls show.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, more voters are expected to vote by mail than ever before, meaning that millions of voters in swing states may cast their ballot before the first debate occurs.
Stepien also accused Democrats of attempting to limit the number of debates to avoid putting Biden on camera.
“We’re already seeing the liberal left, the liberal media trying to create trap doors for Joe Biden to escape his commitment and obligations to debate Donald Trump on a debate stage in front of the American people.”
Though some have encouraged Biden not to engage with Trump on stage, Biden has committed to three debates, with his campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon, saying that he “looks forward to facing Donald Trump in a multi-debate series that the American people have come to expect from their leaders.”
“We hope that President Trump would not break that tradition or make excuses for a refusal to participate,” she said.
– – –
Andrew Trunsky is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Virginia Judge Bars Lee Statue Removal for 90 Days

RICHMOND , Virginia ( AP ) — A judge dissolved one injunction preventing Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s administration from removing an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond Monday , but immediately instituted a new one in a different lawsuit .
The new 90-day injunction issued by Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant bars the statue ’ s removal while the claims in a lawsuit filed by a group of Richmond property owners are litigated .
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has filed a motion to dismiss the property owners ’ case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the judge , according to Herring ’ s spokeswoman .
Marchant on Monday also dismissed a lawsuit filed by a descendant of signatories to an 1890 deed that transferred the statue to the state , and he dissolved the injunction associated with that case .
Plaintiff William C. Gregory had argued the state agreed to “ faithfully guard ” and “ affectionately protect ” the towering statue on historic Monument Avenue .
The Associated Press sent an inquiry to his attorney seeking comment .
Northam announced plans to remove the statue in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
The governor appreciates the dismissal of the Gregory case and “ looks forward to another victory in court as soon as possible , ” his spokeswoman , Alena Yarmosky , said in a statement .
“ This statue will come down – and Virginia will be better for it , ” she said .
Should a court eventually clear the way , it won ’ t be a simple task to remove the 21-foot-high ( 6.4-meter-high ) equestrian statue , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tons ( 11 metric tonnes ) .
A state board has approved a plan for removal that calls for cutting the statue into three sections for eventual reassembly elsewhere .
Sarah Rankin is a reporter with The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this July 31 , 2017 file photo , the sun sets behind the statue of confederate General Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue in Richmond , Va .
Attorneys will be back in court Thursday , July 23 , 2020 , for a hearing in a lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s plan to remove a giant Confederate statue in Virginia ’ s capital city .
( AP Photo/Steve Helber )

by Sarah Rankin
RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) — A judge dissolved one injunction preventing Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration from removing an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond Monday, but immediately instituted a new one in a different lawsuit.
The new 90-day injunction issued by Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant bars the statue’s removal while the claims in a lawsuit filed by a group of Richmond property owners are litigated.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has filed a motion to dismiss the property owners’ case, which has not yet been acted on by the judge, according to Herring’s spokeswoman.
Marchant on Monday also dismissed a lawsuit filed by a descendant of signatories to an 1890 deed that transferred the statue to the state, and he dissolved the injunction associated with that case.
Plaintiff William C. Gregory had argued the state agreed to “faithfully guard” and “affectionately protect” the towering statue on historic Monument Avenue. The Associated Press sent an inquiry to his attorney seeking comment.
Northam announced plans to remove the statue in early June, citing the pain felt across the country about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The governor appreciates the dismissal of the Gregory case and “looks forward to another victory in court as soon as possible,” his spokeswoman, Alena Yarmosky, said in a statement.
“This statue will come down – and Virginia will be better for it,” she said.
Should a court eventually clear the way, it won’t be a simple task to remove the 21-foot-high (6.4-meter-high) equestrian statue, which the state has said weighs about 12 tons (11 metric tonnes).
A state board has approved a plan for removal that calls for cutting the statue into three sections for eventual reassembly elsewhere.
– – –
Sarah Rankin is a reporter with The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: In this July 31, 2017 file photo, the sun sets behind the statue of confederate General Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Va. Attorneys will be back in court Thursday, July 23, 2020, for a hearing in a lawsuit challenging Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s plan to remove a giant Confederate statue in Virginia’s capital city.(AP Photo/Steve Helber)


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Local Activist Wendi Mahoney Talks About Her New Fundraiser Lunches For Law Enforcement Officers

Live from Music Row Monday 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. – guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed founder of Lunches for Law Enforcement Officers initiative Wendi Mahoney to the newsmakers line .
At the top of the second hour , Mahoney described her fundraiser Lunches for Law Enforcement Officers that provides free lunches to policemen by partnering with local businesses that are suffering from the coronavirus shutdowns .
She explained her motivation for the project as being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrespect she heard channeled through the media for police .
Cunningham : Do we have an activist here in town that has just done an extraordinary thing .
She has put together a project .
Wendi Mahoney is on the line with us .
Wendi good morning .
Mahoney : Hi there Ben .
How are you ?
Cunningham : Thank you so much for getting up so early and calling in .
Believe me , I ’ ve been here for an hour or so .
I know how early it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
I don ’ t .
But I do appreciate your calling in this morning .
You have a project where you make lunches or you have lunches for Metro policemen .
Tell us first off , what motivated you to do this ?
Mahoney : Frankly at the time I still had my cable and I did cut my cable because of the bias in the media and kind of got sick of it .
But also I was getting a lot of emails and saw a lot on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
And just complaining about things in general .
And I just got sick of seeing complaining and people not doing much about it .
Mahoney : And feeling very hopeless .
That I guess was the catalyst for it .
Cunningham : And that is something I get messages about it every day .
What can I do ?
What can I do ?
People seem really really frustrated with the political landscape but they don ’ t really know what to do .
And you have found an outlet where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can make a contribution on Facebook .
It is just extraordinarily important that we support these institutions and the police .
The rule of law is so important to our basic and fundamentals values .
And we ’ ve got to do that .
Wendi tell us what do you do ?
When do you provide meals and where ?
And kind of just the logistics of what you are doing .
Mahoney : Back in mid-June when all of this was kind of starting and heating up .
It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down as you well know .
And I just felt terrible for both business owners , restaurant owners and the service industry , and the police .
So that ’ s actually why I don ’ t make the meals .
I choose a business that I feel is struggling or has indicated that they are struggling .
A local business .
A local restaurants .
Mahoney : I partner with them .
It ’ s kind of funny when I called them they were like are we providing the whole thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this mission is to help you too .
They do usually end up donating something .
Drinks or paper goods .
Whatever .
And so mid-June my daughter Genevieve and I delivered 60 meals to the central precinct on my dime .
It was just incredible .
I can ’ t even begin to describe it .
After that , I decided why don ’ t I just put up a fundraiser .
I ’ ve never done that on Facebook before .
I just started to get money .
I set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I reached that goal .
Mahoney : And my goal was to get meals delivered , now 80 meals to the police at the central precinct .
And the reason I ’ m doing that is because when I asked them what would be most helpful they said most of their people are coming through that precinct because of the issues , the riots , and all of the nonsense that ’ s going on downtown a lot of the people come through there .
Cunningham : Where is the central precinct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landmark so people know where .
Mahoney : Right across from the Music City Center and that hotel .
Mahoney : It ’ s right after the circle .
You just take a right on Korean Vets and it ’ s right there on the right-hand side .
So my daughter and I decided to do every other week , every other Friday through Labor Day .
So we ’ ve chosen a business .
We ’ ve done four so far .
And as I started to get money and of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So my goal now is to do it through election day .
And I think I ’ m going to be able to do that .
I ’ ve delivered Zoes .
I ’ ve delivered from Clean Plate Club .
Local catering businesses that have really suffered .
I ’ ve delivered from Nectar Urban Cantina .
And then my last one was from on Rippy ’ s on Broadway .
They ’ ve just been slammed .
And just fines.And so many shenanigans with their business .
I feel so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been incredibly dear .
Just the stories of about how they leave their homes every day to serve the community and these people don ’ t know whether they are going to come home that night .
And it ’ s just so incredibly awful to put them in the place of being a demon in this situation .
I just quite honestly don ’ t understand the thinking .
Cunningham : I don ’ t either .
Of course , there are bad policemen .
We all know that in any group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have some bad apples .
But these guys are trained well .
My interactions with the police have just been very very good every time .
Tell us how people can contribute on Facebook .
What do they need to look for on Facebook ?
Mahoney : It ’ s called Lunches for Law Enforcement Officers .
It might be hard to find .
I don ’ t know if you can provide a link on a website or something like that just because Facebook can be dicey if you are not my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it a public fundraiser .
But it ’ s under my name Wendi Strauch Mahoney .
Cunningham : Give us the full title again .
Listen to 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 “ Lunches for Law Enforcement ” by Wendi Mahoney .
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report , guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed local Nashville activist Wendi Mahoney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new fundraiser Lunches for Law Enforcement .

Live from Music Row Monday 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. – guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed founder of Lunches for Law Enforcement Officers initiative Wendi Mahoney to the newsmakers line.
At the top of the second hour, Mahoney described her fundraiser Lunches for Law Enforcement Officers that provides free lunches to policemen by partnering with local businesses that are suffering from the coronavirus shutdowns. She explained her motivation for the project as being one born out of frustration for the disrespect she heard channeled through the media for police.
Cunningham: Do we have an activist here in town that has just done an extraordinary thing. She has put together a project. Wendi Mahoney is on the line with us. Wendi good morning.
Mahoney: Hi there Ben. How are you?
Cunningham: Thank you so much for getting up so early and calling in. Believe me, I’ve been here for an hour or so. I know how early it is.
Mahoney: Jeeez.
Cunningham: Michael gets used to this. I don’t. But I do appreciate your calling in this morning. You have a project where you make lunches or you have lunches for Metro policemen. Tell us first off, what motivated you to do this?
Mahoney: Frankly at the time I still had my cable and I did cut my cable because of the bias in the media and kind of got sick of it. But also I was getting a lot of emails and saw a lot on social media with people really complaining a lot about it. And just complaining about things in general. And I just got sick of seeing complaining and people not doing much about it.
Cunningham: Right.
Mahoney: And feeling very hopeless. That I guess was the catalyst for it.
Cunningham: And that is something I get messages about it every day. What can I do? What can I do? People seem really really frustrated with the political landscape but they don’t really know what to do. And you have found an outlet where people can actually get involved.
They can make a contribution on Facebook. It is just extraordinarily important that we support these institutions and the police. The rule of law is so important to our basic and fundamentals values. And we’ve got to do that. Wendi tell us what do you do? When do you provide meals and where? And kind of just the logistics of what you are doing.
Mahoney: Back in mid-June when all of this was kind of starting and heating up. It’s a two-prong thing. The economy has been shut down as you well know. And I just felt terrible for both business owners, restaurant owners and the service industry, and the police. So that’s actually why I don’t make the meals. I choose a business that I feel is struggling or has indicated that they are struggling. A local business. A local restaurants.
Cunningham: That is a great idea.
Mahoney: I partner with them. It’s kind of funny when I called them they were like are we providing the whole thing? And I said no. Part of this mission is to help you too. They do usually end up donating something. Drinks or paper goods. Whatever.
And so mid-June my daughter Genevieve and I delivered 60 meals to the central precinct on my dime. It was just incredible. I can’t even begin to describe it. After that, I decided why don’t I just put up a fundraiser. I’ve never done that on Facebook before. I just started to get money. I set an original goal of $1,000. And I reached that goal.
Cunningham: Wow!
Mahoney: And my goal was to get meals delivered, now 80 meals to the police at the central precinct. And the reason I’m doing that is because when I asked them what would be most helpful they said most of their people are coming through that precinct because of the issues, the riots, and all of the nonsense that’s going on downtown a lot of the people come through there.
Cunningham: Where is the central precinct building?
Mahoney: It’s on the Korean Veterans Blvd.
Cunningham: Give us a landmark so people know where.
Mahoney: Right across from the Music City Center and that hotel.
Cunningham: Gotcha.
Mahoney: It’s right after the circle. You just take a right on Korean Vets and it’s right there on the right-hand side. So my daughter and I decided to do every other week, every other Friday through Labor Day. So we’ve chosen a business. We’ve done four so far.
And as I started to get money and of course I kick in about half every time. So my goal now is to do it through election day. And I think I’m going to be able to do that. I’ve delivered Zoes. I’ve delivered from Clean Plate Club.
Local catering businesses that have really suffered. I’ve delivered from Nectar Urban Cantina. And then my last one was from on Rippy’s on Broadway. They’ve just been slammed. And just fines.And so many shenanigans with their business. I feel so terrible. But the police have just been incredibly dear.
Just the stories of about how they leave their homes every day to serve the community and these people don’t know whether they are going to come home that night. And it’s just so incredibly awful to put them in the place of being a demon in this situation. I just quite honestly don’t understand the thinking.
Cunningham: I don’t either. Of course, there are bad policemen. We all know that in any group of human beings you are going to have some bad apples. But these guys are trained well. My interactions with the police have just been very very good every time. Tell us how people can contribute on Facebook. What do they need to look for on Facebook?
Mahoney: It’s called Lunches for Law Enforcement Officers. It might be hard to find. I don’t know if you can provide a link on a website or something like that just because Facebook can be dicey if you are not my friend. I do try to make it a public fundraiser. But it’s under my name Wendi Strauch Mahoney.
Cunningham: Give us the full title again.
Mahoney: It’s called Lunches For Law Enforcement Officers.
Listen to 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 “Lunches for Law Enforcement” by Wendi Mahoney.
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed local Nashville activist Wendi Mahoney to the newsmakers line to discuss her new fundraiser Lunches for Law Enforcement.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Ohio Elections Chief Frank LaRose Seeks Openness for ‘Dark Money’ Groups

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) — The source of money contributed to so-called “ dark money ” groups operating in Ohio and trying to influence the political process should be disclosed , with possible penalties for violating this requirement including a low-level felony and a substantial fine , Ohio ’ s Republican elections chief said Monday .
The Secretary of State should also have subpoena power for campaign-finance related records and groups trying to block the gathering of ballot initiative signatures should be required to register with the state , said Secretary of State Frank LaRose .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deserve to know , who ’ s spending money to influence the politics of our state , ” LaRose said .
“ Dark Money ” is a relatively new term to describe groups that do not require their donors to be listed publicly .
Two examples of such groups are the 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) group , Democratic Socialists of America and the 501 ( c ) ( 6 ) group , the US Chamber of Commerce .
LaRose ’ s comments follow the indictment of the former speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a $ 60 million federal bribery probe .
Ex-Speaker Larry Householder , a Republican , is accused of shepherding energy company money for personal and political use in exchange for passing a legislative bailout of two aging nuclear plants and then derailing an attempt to place a rejection of the bailout on the ballot .
Federal prosecutors say the energy company money was funneled through Generation Now , a group created to promote “ social welfare ” under a provision of federal tax law that shields its funding source or spending .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved bribing or otherwise discouraging signature gatherers from doing their job .
Householder hasn ’ t entered a plea to a criminal charge and his attorney has declined comment .
An arraignment is scheduled for Thursday .
LaRose is backing a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Gayle Manning , a Republican from North Ridgeville in suburban Cleveland , and Rep. Jessica Miranda , a Democrat from Forest Park in suburban Cincinnati .
The bill is similar to a campaign finance measure that died in the House last year after passing the Senate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wake of the bribery probe .
LaRose said he ’ s generally not a fan of felony charges for non-violent crimes but they might be justified in this case , along with a “ really stiff ” financial penalty .
Andrew Welsh-Huggins is a reporter with The Associated Press .

by Andrew Welsh-Huggins
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The source of money contributed to so-called “dark money” groups operating in Ohio and trying to influence the political process should be disclosed, with possible penalties for violating this requirement including a low-level felony and a substantial fine, Ohio’s Republican elections chief said Monday.
The Secretary of State should also have subpoena power for campaign-finance related records and groups trying to block the gathering of ballot initiative signatures should be required to register with the state, said Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
“The people of Ohio want to know, and deserve to know, who’s spending money to influence the politics of our state,” LaRose said.
“Dark Money” is a relatively new term to describe groups that do not require their donors to be listed publicly. Two examples of such groups are the 501 (c) (4) group, Democratic Socialists of America and the 501 (c) (6) group, the US Chamber of Commerce.
LaRose’s comments follow the indictment of the former speaker of the Ohio House and four others in a $60 million federal bribery probe.
Ex-Speaker Larry Householder, a Republican, is accused of shepherding energy company money for personal and political use in exchange for passing a legislative bailout of two aging nuclear plants and then derailing an attempt to place a rejection of the bailout on the ballot.
Federal prosecutors say the energy company money was funneled through Generation Now, a group created to promote “social welfare” under a provision of federal tax law that shields its funding source or spending. The government says part of the scheme involved bribing or otherwise discouraging signature gatherers from doing their job.
Householder hasn’t entered a plea to a criminal charge and his attorney has declined comment. An arraignment is scheduled for Thursday.
LaRose is backing a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Gayle Manning, a Republican from North Ridgeville in suburban Cleveland, and Rep. Jessica Miranda, a Democrat from Forest Park in suburban Cincinnati.
The bill is similar to a campaign finance measure that died in the House last year after passing the Senate. The lawmakers introduced the new bill in the wake of the bribery probe.
LaRose said he’s generally not a fan of felony charges for non-violent crimes but they might be justified in this case, along with a “really stiff” financial penalty.
– – –
Andrew Welsh-Huggins is a reporter with The Associated Press.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Governor Lee Signs Executive Order Allowing Contact Sports, Extending Local Authority to Mandate Mas

Governor Lee Signs Executive Order Allowing Contact Sports, Extending Local Authority to Mandate Masks

Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee has signed an executive order that permits contact and noncontact sports in the state , extends the authority of local governments to mandate face coverings , and extends liability protections for health care providers .
No sports are now prohibited in Tennessee , as long as participants follow safety guidelines from their governing bodies or Tennessee Pledge COVID-19 safety guidelines .
“ Athletics is an important part of our way of life and provides many benefits for our student-athletes , but common-sense precautions must be taken to combat COVID-19 , ” Lee said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly with the [ Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association ] to coordinate a framework so that football season and soccer seasons can begin while keeping student-athletes , staff , and fans safe.
” A previous executive order that allowed local governments to mandate masks would have expired Monday .
The new order extends that power through Aug. 29 .
“ This order will also continue to give local governments the authority to determine mask requirements for their respective constituencies , ” Lee said .
“ Adopting mask requirements at the local level has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adopt a new habit to protect lives and livelihoods.
” The order also strongly encourages schools in Tennessee to require staff and students to wear face coverings .
Liability protections granted for health care providers in a previous executive order are also extended through the end of the month .
Vivian Jones reports on Tennessee and South Carolina for The Center Square .
Her writing has appeared in the Detroit News , The Hill , and publications of The Heartland Institute .

by Vivian Jones
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed an executive order that permits contact and noncontact sports in the state, extends the authority of local governments to mandate face coverings, and extends liability protections for health care providers.
No sports are now prohibited in Tennessee, as long as participants follow safety guidelines from their governing bodies or Tennessee Pledge COVID-19 safety guidelines.
“Athletics is an important part of our way of life and provides many benefits for our student-athletes, but common-sense precautions must be taken to combat COVID-19,” Lee said in a statement Friday. “We have worked directly with the [Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association] to coordinate a framework so that football season and soccer seasons can begin while keeping student-athletes, staff, and fans safe.”
A previous executive order that allowed local governments to mandate masks would have expired Monday. The new order extends that power through Aug. 29.
“This order will also continue to give local governments the authority to determine mask requirements for their respective constituencies,” Lee said. “Adopting mask requirements at the local level has helped achieve greater community buy-in as Tennesseans adopt a new habit to protect lives and livelihoods.”
The order also strongly encourages schools in Tennessee to require staff and students to wear face coverings.
Liability protections granted for health care providers in a previous executive order are also extended through the end of the month.
– – –
Vivian Jones reports on Tennessee and South Carolina for The Center Square. Her writing has appeared in the Detroit News, The Hill, and publications of The Heartland Institute.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Crom Carmichael Weighs in on New Stimulus Negotiations and Joe Biden’s Dwindling Pool of Vice Presid

Crom Carmichael Weighs in on New Stimulus Negotiations and Joe Biden’s Dwindling Pool of Vice President Picks

Live from Music Row Monday 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. – guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
During the second hour , Carmichael discussed the unreasonable stimulus requests of Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic party citing Republican disagreement .
He later touched on Joe Biden ’ s problem of pledging that a woman of color will be on the VP ticket that restricts his choices .
Cunningham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DC this morning about the relief package and whether or not they are going to do $ 600 .
a month and continue that .
Crom Carmichael is here as usual on a Monday .
I ’ m sitting in for Michael Patrick Leahy who is out expanding his media empire somewhere in the country .
So much to talk about .
The Senate race .
The negotiations in Washington .
Crom , how is this going to play out in DC ?
Obviously I would guess they are both under tremendous pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the next week or 10 days .
What do you think is going to happen ?
Carmichael : Pelosi is asking for a whole bunch of other things that are not being reported in the media that are going to be non-starters .
And she thinks she ’ s got Trump over a barrel .
The Republicans have said that we should not be giving people unemployment benefits that were greater than what they were earning at work .
And that ’ s common sense .
Cunningham : Yes .
Seems like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The $ 600 .
a week that people were getting before was put together very quickly to hit a midpoint so we could get through what they thought was about a three-month period .
And that $ 600 .
works out to over a little over $ 31,000 .
a year tax-free .
Then you had your tax unemployment benefits which were also tax-free .
Cunningham : On top of that .
Carmichael : On top of that .
So that worked out to $ 35,000.- $ 50,000 .
a year in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two people who were both laid off or furloughed that ’ s $ 100,000 .
tax-free .
Cunningham : Food stamps you could get those also ?
Carmichael : Well , I don ’ t know .
That ’ s a good question .
Remember , you are not on welfare you are on unemployment .
I don ’ t think just because you go on unemployment you necessarily qualify .
But the point is that Republicans have come back and said we need to eliminate the amount .
They ’ ve said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus the state unemployment is a reasonable amount considering where we are now with the economy opening up and people are going back to work .
The problem the Democrats have is , Nancy Pelosi except during times of elections has an iron fist that she can pound on her Democrat House members because she controls the government employee unions ’ funding and where it goes .
But now you ’ ve got about 40 Democrats in the House who are in competitive races with Republicans and so those House members are having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people in their districts or $ 200 .
a week .
Because Republicans are not going to agree to $ 600 .
and Pelosi left town .
So she shut down the House and left town .
( Cunningham chuckles ) Carmichael : And the media is complaining that Trump is playing golf instead of negotiating .
Well , who is he supposed to negotiate with if Pelosi shut down the House and left town ?
This is where we are now in politics .
I did notice that over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes .
And so she popped up on the various talk programs over the weekend .
Cunningham : Is she the one that supports Cuba ?
Carmichael : Yes .
She is the one that supports Cuba .
And here ’ s what she said with Chris Wallace .
She says , ‘ I know an awful lot more now about Castro ’ s brutality.
’ Now here ’ s the problem .
Cunningham : I wonder when she got enlightened ?
( Chuckles ) Carmichael : Here is the problem with Karen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the truth and is one of the most naive people on the planet and completely unfit for the VP .
Or she ’ s just a dishonest political left-wing hack who is trying to lie her way on to the ticket .
So there are your choices .
If I ’ m a Democrat I ’ m scratching my head wondering why I would want either of those choices to be on the ticket ?
And the problem that Biden has done is he ’ s pledged that a woman of color will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now , let ’ s consider what he has done by doing that .
First of all , he has eliminated all men as a possibility .
So that ’ s approximately 50 percent of the population .
Then he has eliminated all white women .
And I would say that probably includes Elizabeth Warren .
Carmichael : Right .
Probably includes Elizabeth Warren .
In fact , if she were picked and the whole question of person of color came up again it would be hilarious .
( Laughter ) So they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women .
So now you are down to 40 percent of half .
OK ?
So you continue to shrink the number of people and then as they vet each one .
Kamala Harris and Biden can not stand each other .
Now if I ’ m Joe Biden and I think I might win the presidency which I question personally .
But he thinks he ’ s going to win .
And I think he probably thinks he ought to serve some period of time .
Cunningham : A week or two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some period of time .
Yes .
But he doesn ’ t ’ want to be impeached immediately .
Kamala Harris will be planning to take over the day she is picked as the VP .
( Laughs ) Not sworn in .
Not elected .
She will be planning from the day she is picked .
In fact , Susan Rice , the same thing .
Susan Rice is mean as a snake .
Mean as a snake .
And not a personable person .
She has many many enemies .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate for Secretary of State .
She ’ s a mean mean person .
And so when you go down the list of people all of them have so much baggage that they could open up their own Louis Vuitton store .
Cunningham : There are videos out there that they could play endlessly or Kamala Harris with her debate performance on Biden when she told him he wasn ’ t for the busing .
Carmichael : That he is the reason .
He is the reason that she went to lousy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You have Kamala Harris .
You have Bass .
You have the lady from Orlando , I believe her name is Demming .
Carmichael : Yes .
Yes .
But she ’ s been a police officer for 20 years and was chief of police .
So the Bernie bros who hate the police and the left who hate the police… Cunningham : Not going to be a good fit .
Carmichael : She would be a difficult fit because they ’ d have to be fighting .
Either that or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disavowing her career .
Cunningham : Legal insurrection William Jacobson .
I don ’ t know if you ’ ve followed that .
He really did a good article and there really is not a good choice .
It is slim pickings .
Carmichael : Now the mayor of Washington , D.C .
I thought this was a Saturday Night Live story or The Onion story .
But it ’ s not .
It ’ s a true story .
( Chuckles ) The mayor of Washington , D.C. has imposed a brutal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask order for her city but it exempts lawmakers , judges , and federal employees in Washington , D.C. ( Cunningham laughs ) Cunningham : Oh , man .
Rules for thee but not for me .
Carmichael : If you ’ re in the private sector you ’ re in trouble .
Or you could just say , I ’ m a federal employee or a judge .
It ’ s just hysterical what some of these people are doing .
And the mayor of Atlanta was on the list for while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the riots and whatnot .
Atlanta is only a city of 600,000 people .
It ’ s a huge metropolitan area .
But she ’ s been mayor of a pretty small city .
Education is terrible .
There is not much that she can point to as the mayor of Atlanta that would encourage people to say boy this is a person who has presidential timber .
By confining himself to women and then confining himself to women of color .
On the debate stage , Donald Trump could look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are you white but you are pasty white .
And according to the left , I am a person of color .
Orange .
( Laughter ) But anyway , I think the VP pick , he wanted to make it this past weekend .
Cunningham : He delayed it and apparently Kamala Harris there was some dissension internally about that .
Carmichael : And let me say this .
Whoever he picks as VP in the unlikely event that Biden becomes president his attorney general pick will be incredibly important for Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ones that appoint the special counsel and Hunter would go to jail .
Listen to the 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 .
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report , guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio to discuss new stimulus package negotiations and Joe Biden ’ s VP pool of contenders .

Live from Music Row Monday 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. – guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio.
During the second hour, Carmichael discussed the unreasonable stimulus requests of Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic party citing Republican disagreement. He later touched on Joe Biden’s problem of pledging that a woman of color will be on the VP ticket that restricts his choices.
(Mark Meadows clip plays)
Cunningham: All the negotiations going on in DC this morning about the relief package and whether or not they are going to do $600. a month and continue that. Crom Carmichael is here as usual on a Monday. I’m sitting in for Michael Patrick Leahy who is out expanding his media empire somewhere in the country. So much to talk about.
The Senate race. The negotiations in Washington. Crom, how is this going to play out in DC? Obviously I would guess they are both under tremendous pressure to get some kind of deal done in the next week or 10 days. What do you think is going to happen?
Carmichael: Pelosi is asking for a whole bunch of other things that are not being reported in the media that are going to be non-starters. And she thinks she’s got Trump over a barrel. The Republicans have said that we should not be giving people unemployment benefits that were greater than what they were earning at work. And that’s common sense.
Cunningham: Yes. Seems like reasonable economics.
Carmichael: Very reasonable. The $600. a week that people were getting before was put together very quickly to hit a midpoint so we could get through what they thought was about a three-month period. And that $600. works out to over a little over $31,000. a year tax-free. Then you had your tax unemployment benefits which were also tax-free.
Cunningham: On top of that.
Carmichael: On top of that. So that worked out to $35,000.-$50,000. a year in some states. So if you had two people who were both laid off or furloughed that’s $100,000. tax-free.
Cunningham: Food stamps you could get those also?
Carmichael: Well, I don’t know. That’s a good question. Remember, you are not on welfare you are on unemployment. I don’t think just because you go on unemployment you necessarily qualify. But the point is that Republicans have come back and said we need to eliminate the amount.
They’ve said $200. from the federal government plus the state unemployment is a reasonable amount considering where we are now with the economy opening up and people are going back to work. The problem the Democrats have is, Nancy Pelosi except during times of elections has an iron fist that she can pound on her Democrat House members because she controls the government employee unions’ funding and where it goes.
But now you’ve got about 40 Democrats in the House who are in competitive races with Republicans and so those House members are having to now choose between getting nothing for the people in their districts or $200. a week. Because Republicans are not going to agree to $600. and Pelosi left town. So she shut down the House and left town. (Cunningham chuckles)
Cunningham: Quite a negotiating ploy.
Carmichael: And the media is complaining that Trump is playing golf instead of negotiating. Well, who is he supposed to negotiate with if Pelosi shut down the House and left town? This is where we are now in politics. I did notice that over the weekend that Karen Bass the congresswoman…
Cunningham: The VP possible choice.
Carmichael: Yes. And so she popped up on the various talk programs over the weekend.
Cunningham: Is she the one that supports Cuba?
Carmichael: Yes. She is the one that supports Cuba. And here’s what she said with Chris Wallace. She says, ‘I know an awful lot more now about Castro’s brutality.’ Now here’s the problem.
Cunningham: I wonder when she got enlightened? (Chuckles)
Carmichael: Here is the problem with Karen Bass. Either she’s telling the truth and is one of the most naive people on the planet and completely unfit for the VP. Or she’s just a dishonest political left-wing hack who is trying to lie her way on to the ticket. So there are your choices. If I’m a Democrat I’m scratching my head wondering why I would want either of those choices to be on the ticket?
And the problem that Biden has done is he’s pledged that a woman of color will be on the ticket. OK? Now, let’s consider what he has done by doing that. First of all, he has eliminated all men as a possibility. So that’s approximately 50 percent of the population. Then he has eliminated all white women. And I would say that probably includes Elizabeth Warren.
Cunningham: Yes. I agree.
Carmichael: Right. Probably includes Elizabeth Warren. In fact, if she were picked and the whole question of person of color came up again it would be hilarious. (Laughter) So they’ve eliminated 60 percent of the women. So now you are down to 40 percent of half. OK?
So you continue to shrink the number of people and then as they vet each one. Kamala Harris and Biden cannot stand each other. Now if I’m Joe Biden and I think I might win the presidency which I question personally. But he thinks he’s going to win. And I think he probably thinks he ought to serve some period of time.
Cunningham: A week or two anyway. (Chuckles)
Carmichael: Some period of time. Yes. But he doesn’t’ want to be impeached immediately. Kamala Harris will be planning to take over the day she is picked as the VP. (Laughs) Not sworn in. Not elected. She will be planning from the day she is picked. In fact, Susan Rice, the same thing. Susan Rice is mean as a snake.
Mean as a snake. And not a personable person. She has many many enemies. And she wouldn’t have gotten passed the Senate for Secretary of State. She’s a mean mean person. And so when you go down the list of people all of them have so much baggage that they could open up their own Louis Vuitton store.
Cunningham: There are videos out there that they could play endlessly or Kamala Harris with her debate performance on Biden when she told him he wasn’t for the busing.
Carmichael: That he is the reason. He is the reason that she went to lousy schools.
Cunningham: Right.
Carmichael: At any rate. You have Kamala Harris. You have Bass. You have the lady from Orlando, I believe her name is Demming.
Cunningham: Val?
Carmichael: Yes. Yes. But she’s been a police officer for 20 years and was chief of police. So the Bernie bros who hate the police and the left who hate the police…
Cunningham: Not going to be a good fit.
Carmichael: She would be a difficult fit because they’d have to be fighting. Either that or the congresswoman from Orlando would have to be disavowing her career.
Cunningham: Legal insurrection William Jacobson. I don’t know if you’ve followed that. He really did a good article and there really is not a good choice. It is slim pickings.
Carmichael: Now the mayor of Washington, D.C. I thought this was a Saturday Night Live story or The Onion story. But it’s not. It’s a true story. (Chuckles) The mayor of Washington, D.C. has imposed a brutal mask-wearing, it’s a universal mask order for her city but it exempts lawmakers, judges, and federal employees in Washington, D.C. (Cunningham laughs)
Cunningham: Oh, man. Rules for thee but not for me.
Carmichael: If you’re in the private sector you’re in trouble. Or you could just say, I’m a federal employee or a judge. It’s just hysterical what some of these people are doing. And the mayor of Atlanta was on the list for while. But Atlanta had so many problems with the riots and whatnot.
Atlanta is only a city of 600,000 people. It’s a huge metropolitan area. But she’s been mayor of a pretty small city. Education is terrible. There is not much that she can point to as the mayor of Atlanta that would encourage people to say boy this is a person who has presidential timber. By confining himself to women and then confining himself to women of color.
On the debate stage, Donald Trump could look at Joe Biden and say, not only are you white but you are pasty white. And according to the left, I am a person of color. Orange. (Laughter) But anyway, I think the VP pick, he wanted to make it this past weekend.
Cunningham: He delayed it and apparently Kamala Harris there was some dissension internally about that.
Carmichael: And let me say this. Whoever he picks as VP in the unlikely event that Biden becomes president his attorney general pick will be incredibly important for Biden personally.
Cunningham: Yes.
Carmichael: Because they are the ones that appoint the special counsel and Hunter would go to jail.
Listen to the 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. Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio to discuss new stimulus package negotiations and Joe Biden’s VP pool of contenders.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--U.S. House Passes ‘Minibus’ Appropriations Bill that Includes Billions for Ohio and the Great Lakes

U.S. House Passes ‘Minibus’ Appropriations Bill that Includes Billions for Ohio and the Great Lakes Region

A massive appropriations bill the U.S. House passed includes billions in federal spending proponents say will benefit Ohio and the Great Lakes region .
H.R .
7617 , a $ 1.3 trillion “ minibus ” package , contains six appropriations measures for various federal agencies — including the defense , justice , transportation and energy departments — for the 2021 fiscal year .
The House passed the bill by a vote of 217-197 .
The Energy and Water Development portion of the bill , which includes funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , includes $ 49.6 billion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to Rep. Marcy Kaptur ( D-Ohio-09 ) .
Kaptur said the bill “ captures the American spirit of ingenuity and independence ” and will “ propel real economic growth.
” “ It provides the foundation of critical investments to combat climate change and is poised to be the most important climate change bill Congress passes this year , ” she said .
“ It will upgrade and strengthen our nation ’ s energy and water infrastructure , and it responsibly funds our nation ’ s nuclear deterrent while rejecting the Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explosive testing.
” The bill , which faces an uncertain future in the GOP-controlled Senate , includes $ 123.2 million for the Soo Locks project , which is $ 47.9 million above the 2020 fiscal year budget .
It also includes $ 59.2 million for new navigation projects on the inland waterways system , which is $ 9.2 million more than the previous year .
On the energy front , the measure includes $ 100 million for hydrogen/nuclear demonstration projects .
Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station in Oak Harbor currently receives funds under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds .
It also includes $ 120 million for the Portsmouth Cleanup Site .
However , a provision aimed at police reform is drawing the ire of Republicans .
According to Rep. Marcia L. Fudge ( D-Ohio-11 ) the bill implements components of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and conditions federal grant funding for state and local law enforcement agencies on “ significant improvements to police practices.
” President Donald Trump has threatened to veto the bill , Politico reported .
“ The bills in the package passed today are particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voices that want to defund the police , encourage illegal immigration , and reverse pro-life policies , ” U.S. Rep. Kay Granger ( R-Texas-12 ) said in a statement .
“ These bills jeopardize our nation ’ s safety and security , and they trample upon the rights and freedoms of the American people .
“ While these bills support many important programs , there were too many fatal flaws that made them unacceptable , ” Granger added .
“ These provisions must be reversed when these bills are finalized .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to produce bipartisan bills that the President can and will sign into law.
” Todd DeFeo is a contributor to The Center Square .

by Todd DeFeo
A massive appropriations bill the U.S. House passed includes billions in federal spending proponents say will benefit Ohio and the Great Lakes region.
H.R. 7617, a $1.3 trillion “minibus” package, contains six appropriations measures for various federal agencies — including the defense, justice, transportation and energy departments — for the 2021 fiscal year. The House passed the bill by a vote of 217-197.
The Energy and Water Development portion of the bill, which includes funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, includes $49.6 billion for “energy and water development programs,” according to Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio-09). Kaptur said the bill “captures the American spirit of ingenuity and independence” and will “propel real economic growth.”
“It provides the foundation of critical investments to combat climate change and is poised to be the most important climate change bill Congress passes this year,” she said. “It will upgrade and strengthen our nation’s energy and water infrastructure, and it responsibly funds our nation’s nuclear deterrent while rejecting the Administration’s dangerous plan to restart nuclear explosive testing.”
The bill, which faces an uncertain future in the GOP-controlled Senate, includes $123.2 million for the Soo Locks project, which is $47.9 million above the 2020 fiscal year budget. It also includes $59.2 million for new navigation projects on the inland waterways system, which is $9.2 million more than the previous year.
On the energy front, the measure includes $100 million for hydrogen/nuclear demonstration projects. Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station in Oak Harbor currently receives funds under the current partnership and can compete for future funds.
It also includes $120 million for the Portsmouth Cleanup Site.
However, a provision aimed at police reform is drawing the ire of Republicans. According to Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-Ohio-11) the bill implements components of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and conditions federal grant funding for state and local law enforcement agencies on “significant improvements to police practices.”
President Donald Trump has threatened to veto the bill, Politico reported.
“The bills in the package passed today are particularly disappointing because they give in to the voices that want to defund the police, encourage illegal immigration, and reverse pro-life policies,” U.S. Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas-12) said in a statement. “These bills jeopardize our nation’s safety and security, and they trample upon the rights and freedoms of the American people.
“While these bills support many important programs, there were too many fatal flaws that made them unacceptable,” Granger added. “These provisions must be reversed when these bills are finalized. That is the only way we will be able to produce bipartisan bills that the President can and will sign into law.”
– – –
Todd DeFeo is a contributor to The Center Square.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Police Tell Minnesota Citizens to ‘Be Prepared’ as Two Prisons Close

Citing financial woes The Minnesota Department of Corrections ( MNDOC ) will be closing two prisons .
Prisoners from the Togo and Willow River prisons will be transferred to other facilities and 100 employees will be laid off as a result of the move .
These cuts come only a few weeks after 48 Department of Corrections Employees were let go in response to budget concerns resulting from the coronavirus .
The cuts are concerning in a state where unemployment is at nearly 9 % .
The Department of Corrections employs around 4,300 permanent employees and is the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to state lawmakers , who were unable to pass a supplemental budget proposal in time to save the facilities .
The multi-year bonding bill was the third proposal of it ’ s kind to fail since May , as legislators have struggled to compromise .
The bill would have included $ 13,000,000 in supplemental funds for the MNDOC as well as money for numerous construction and public works programs .
House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt ( R-Crown ) called attempts by the legislature to pass the bill a “ dog and pony show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from negotiations on the subject .
Daudt went on to say , “ Instead of restoring the Legislature ’ s role as a co-equal branch and crafting a bonding bill that can earn support from House Republicans , Democrats continue to push a bill that includes several poison pills that they know are non-starters for our caucus.
” The failure of the bill is another blow to the state ’ s law enforcement and corrections programs as the Minneapolis City Council unanimously voted to defund the city ’ s police department .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robbery prevention tips ” guide urging citizens to “ Be prepared to give up your cell phone , ” and “ Do as they say ” should you be accosted .
The guidance comes as crime continues to soar in the city .
Minneapolis ’ 3rd Precinct Police department reported over 100 robberies and 20 carjackings in July alone .
– – – Ben Kolodny is a reporter for The Ohio Star and the Star News Network .
You can follow Ben on Twitter .
Tips can be sent to [ email protected @

Citing financial woes The Minnesota Department of Corrections (MNDOC) will be closing two prisons.
Prisoners from the Togo and Willow River prisons will be transferred to other facilities and 100 employees will be laid off as a result of the move. These cuts come only a few weeks after 48 Department of Corrections Employees were let go in response to budget concerns resulting from the coronavirus.
The cuts are concerning in a state where unemployment is at nearly 9%. The Department of Corrections employs around 4,300 permanent employees and is the state’s third-largest employer.
The MNDOC appealed to state lawmakers, who were unable to pass a supplemental budget proposal in time to save the facilities. The multi-year bonding bill was the third proposal of it’s kind to fail since May, as legislators have struggled to compromise. The bill would have included $13,000,000 in supplemental funds for the MNDOC as well as money for numerous construction and public works programs.
House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) called attempts by the legislature to pass the bill a “dog and pony show” alleging his caucus had been excluded from negotiations on the subject.
Daudt went on to say, “Instead of restoring the Legislature’s role as a co-equal branch and crafting a bonding bill that can earn support from House Republicans, Democrats continue to push a bill that includes several poison pills that they know are non-starters for our caucus.”
The failure of the bill is another blow to the state’s law enforcement and corrections programs as the Minneapolis City Council unanimously voted to defund the city’s police department. The Minneapolis Police Department recently published a “robbery prevention tips” guide urging citizens to “Be prepared to give up your cell phone,” and “Do as they say” should you be accosted.
The guidance comes as crime continues to soar in the city. Minneapolis’ 3rd Precinct Police department reported over 100 robberies and 20 carjackings in July alone.
– – –
Ben Kolodny is a reporter for The Ohio Star and the Star News Network. You can follow Ben on Twitter. Tips can be sent to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Whitmer Closes Bars Statewide, Restricts Indoor Gatherings to 10 People

Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday suspended indoor bar services statewide and limited indoor gatherings to 10 people , citing “ super-spreading ” events in Lansing , Saline and the Torch Lake area .
“ After seeing a resurgence in cases connected to social gatherings across the state , we must further limit gatherings for the health of our community and economy , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
“ By taking these strong actions , we will be better positioned to get our children back into classrooms and avoid a potentially devastating second wave.
” Whitmer originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prohibiting groups larger than 250 from gathering .
She also announced school closures starting on March 16 and put a stay-at-home order in place on March 24 .
The stay-at-home order was rescinded on June 1 and allowed restaurants , bars and retail to reopen .
Michigan residents are currently required to wear a mask when in any indoor space or when they are outdoors and unable to socially distance , according to an executive order enacted on July 10 .
Whitmer originally re-closed bars on July 1 , but exempted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the order .
Her most recent order closes bars statewide .
Her order also limits outdoor gatherings to 100 people , although they will be limited to 250 people in Regions 6 and 8 , which includes the Upper Peninsula and the north part of the Lower Peninsula .
Whitmer cited several outbreaks across the state as the reason for her order , including 187 infections linked to a Lansing bar , more than 50 cases linked to a Saline house party and 43 confirmed cases linked to a sandbar party at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Michigan currently has more than 83,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus , according the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
The death toll is 6,212 .
There are currently 727 hospitalizations as a result of the coronavirus , according to data from The Covid Tracking Project .
That is up from a low of 471 hospitalizations on July 1 , but down from the recent spike of 751 hospitalizations on July 25 .
Michigan also saw seven new deaths on August 1 , but also saw recent spikes of 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 11 and 21 deaths on July 30 , according to The Covid Tracking Project .
There are more than 60,000 considered recovered from the virus in Michigan , according to MDHHS .
“ As we see COVID-19 cases continue to rise , Michiganders can not afford to drop our guard .
We must take every step possible to save lives , protect the brave men and women on the front lines , and avoid overwhelming our healthcare system while we continue to combat COVID-19 , ” Whitmer said .
Jordyn Pair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday suspended indoor bar services statewide and limited indoor gatherings to 10 people, citing “super-spreading” events in Lansing, Saline and the Torch Lake area.
“After seeing a resurgence in cases connected to social gatherings across the state, we must further limit gatherings for the health of our community and economy,” Whitmer said in a statement. “By taking these strong actions, we will be better positioned to get our children back into classrooms and avoid a potentially devastating second wave.”
Whitmer originally placed restrictions on gatherings on March 13, prohibiting groups larger than 250 from gathering. She also announced school closures starting on March 16 and put a stay-at-home order in place on March 24. The stay-at-home order was rescinded on June 1 and allowed restaurants, bars and retail to reopen.
Michigan residents are currently required to wear a mask when in any indoor space or when they are outdoors and unable to socially distance, according to an executive order enacted on July 10.
Whitmer originally re-closed bars on July 1, but exempted the Upper Peninsula and parts of northern Michigan from the order. Her most recent order closes bars statewide.
Her order also limits outdoor gatherings to 100 people, although they will be limited to 250 people in Regions 6 and 8, which includes the Upper Peninsula and the north part of the Lower Peninsula.
Whitmer cited several outbreaks across the state as the reason for her order, including 187 infections linked to a Lansing bar, more than 50 cases linked to a Saline house party and 43 confirmed cases linked to a sandbar party at Torch lake over the July 4 weekend.
Michigan currently has more than 83,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The death toll is 6,212.
There are currently 727 hospitalizations as a result of the coronavirus, according to data from The Covid Tracking Project. That is up from a low of 471 hospitalizations on July 1, but down from the recent spike of 751 hospitalizations on July 25.
Michigan also saw seven new deaths on August 1, but also saw recent spikes of 30 deaths on July 7, 28 deaths on July 11 and 21 deaths on July 30, according to The Covid Tracking Project.
There are more than 60,000 considered recovered from the virus in Michigan, according to MDHHS.
“As we see COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Michiganders cannot afford to drop our guard. We must take every step possible to save lives, protect the brave men and women on the front lines, and avoid overwhelming our healthcare system while we continue to combat COVID-19,” Whitmer said.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Commentary: Your Family Won’t Be Safe in Joe Biden’s America

America stands at a great crossroads , resting between two divulging paths in its journey .
One of these pathways leads toward lawlessness , the path ’ s air filled with the smell of fire and sight of ash – the guaranteed end of this path is the destruction of not only America ’ s heritage , but also her prosperous future .
There is a second path , a road which has always guided America : the pathway of law and order .
Joe Biden would lead our great nation down the path of destruction .
Biden refuses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation ’ s cities , destroying the neighborhoods of some the poorest among us , torn down statues of American heroes , men who answered their nation ’ s call and defended her against those who sought her destruction , and those who have set ablaze the businesses of thousands of hard working Americans .
We have seen this horrific violence play out across our nation first hand , most recently in the past days and weeks in Portland , Oregon .
While the President has continually condemned these violent acts and sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden refuses to condemn the widespread and rampant destruction in Portland .
If Biden ’ s refusal to disavow criminal activities wasn ’ t enough , Biden chose to go even further , offering his support for policies which would defund our nation ’ s law enforcement agencies , stripping them of critical resources , and abandoning Americans of all walks to the hands of merciless mobs and criminals .
Such policies will only bring about widespread suffering , injury , and harm to millions of Americans .
If the radical left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement agencies and institutes a 17 % cut in funding for Michigan ’ s law enforcement by following the footsteps of New York City , it will be Michiganders who will bear the real world consequences .
Across our proud state we will see the loss of thousands of officers , an average increase of over 7,600 violent crimes , and the wait time for first responders extended .
These are the disastrous consequences that diligent , honest , and proud Michiganders can not afford and do not deserve .
In contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the preservation of America and the rule of law and order ; refusing to give into the demands of violent far-left mobs and career criminals .
President Trump is determined to ensure America ’ s commitment as a nation to law and order .
Criminals and vandals will never run rampant nor be free to commit criminal acts at will against innocent Americans under the leadership of President Trump .
Meanwhile , Joe Biden continues to pander to and support the radical left and members of the socialist squad in their quest to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as far as stating the police have “ become the enemy.
” Unlike Biden who insults our brave law enforcement officers , President Trump knows that “ without police , there is chaos .
Without law , there is anarchy .
Without safety , there is catastrophe.
” President Trump indeed does not stop short at only words , in June he signed an executive order ensuring our police receive priority training and funding , helping strengthen community bonds between Americans and the police officers who serve them .
The pathway ahead is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain a nation governed by law and order and reject the calls by Joe Biden and the Democrats to defund the police .
President Trump is the only candidate who consistently remains steadfast toward preserving the American spirit of law and order , and we must re-elect him in November to preserve our republic .
Mike Murphy is the Sheriff of Livingston County , Michigan .
Photo “ Sheriff Mike Murphy ” by Sheriff Mike Murphy .

by Sheriff Mike Murphy
America stands at a great crossroads, resting between two divulging paths in its journey. One of these pathways leads toward lawlessness, the path’s air filled with the smell of fire and sight of ash – the guaranteed end of this path is the destruction of not only America’s heritage, but also her prosperous future. There is a second path, a road which has always guided America: the pathway of law and order.
Joe Biden would lead our great nation down the path of destruction. Biden refuses to disavow far-left mobs who have burned our nation’s cities, destroying the neighborhoods of some the poorest among us, torn down statues of American heroes, men who answered their nation’s call and defended her against those who sought her destruction, and those who have set ablaze the businesses of thousands of hard working Americans.
We have seen this horrific violence play out across our nation first hand, most recently in the past days and weeks in Portland, Oregon. While the President has continually condemned these violent acts and sent federal resources to quell the violence, Joe Biden refuses to condemn the widespread and rampant destruction in Portland.
If Biden’s refusal to disavow criminal activities wasn’t enough, Biden chose to go even further, offering his support for policies which would defund our nation’s law enforcement agencies, stripping them of critical resources, and abandoning Americans of all walks to the hands of merciless mobs and criminals.
Such policies will only bring about widespread suffering, injury, and harm to millions of Americans.
If the radical left in Michigan has its way with our law enforcement agencies and institutes a 17% cut in funding for Michigan’s law enforcement by following the footsteps of New York City, it will be Michiganders who will bear the real world consequences. Across our proud state we will see the loss of thousands of officers, an average increase of over 7,600 violent crimes, and the wait time for first responders extended. These are the disastrous consequences that diligent, honest, and proud Michiganders cannot afford and do not deserve.
In contrast, President Trump offers a path ensuring the preservation of America and the rule of law and order; refusing to give into the demands of violent far-left mobs and career criminals. President Trump is determined to ensure America’s commitment as a nation to law and order. Criminals and vandals will never run rampant nor be free to commit criminal acts at will against innocent Americans under the leadership of President Trump.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden continues to pander to and support the radical left and members of the socialist squad in their quest to defund the police, and has gone as far as stating the police have “become the enemy.” Unlike Biden who insults our brave law enforcement officers, President Trump knows that “without police, there is chaos. Without law, there is anarchy. Without safety, there is catastrophe.”
President Trump indeed does not stop short at only words, in June he signed an executive order ensuring our police receive priority training and funding, helping strengthen community bonds between Americans and the police officers who serve them.
The pathway ahead is clear: This November America must choose to remain a nation governed by law and order and reject the calls by Joe Biden and the Democrats to defund the police. President Trump is the only candidate who consistently remains steadfast toward preserving the American spirit of law and order, and we must re-elect him in November to preserve our republic.
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Mike Murphy is the Sheriff of Livingston County, Michigan.
Photo “Sheriff Mike Murphy” by Sheriff Mike Murphy.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Minneapolis City Planning Commission Votes to Add Commemorative Sign for George Floyd

The Minneapolis City Planning Commission voted unanimously Monday evening to add a commemorative sign reading “ George Perry Floyd Jr. Place ” , dedicating two blocks of Chicago Avenue to memorialize the May 25th killing .
If fully approved by the city council , the sign will be placed between 37th Street East and 39th Street East .
Along with the recent grant to preserve current George Floyd memorials throughout metro , many other memorial measures are occurring throughout the nation .
Guest speaker Matt Hanan with Minneapolis Public Works Transportation Engineering and Design introduced the proposal , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director Robin Hutcheson .
Despite some news coverage that the two blocks along Chicago Avenue would be renamed “ George Perry Floyd Jr. Place ” , the application only proposes to add a secondary , distinctive sign for Floyd alongside the current street signage .
As for the 38th Street intersection where George Floyd died , Hanan said that the city will not take short-term action to plan a bigger memorial at this time .
He added that the city does have $ 100,000 dedicated to “ long-term engagement memorial ” that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is one step in the future of really trying to making amends for some of the challenges that our community has faced in the past , ” said City Council member Andrea Jenkins ( Ward 8 ) , who sat in on the commission meeting ( pictured above ) .
It is dubious whether a memorial sign will quell the community : the 38th Street intersection and surrounding areas where Floyd died remains in constant turmoil .
Even though the site is barricaded to preserve the area as an open street with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dare to walk the streets during the day .
“ What people aren ’ t recognizing is that people who live there are having a very , very challenging time from the unlawfulness that is occurring after the sun goes down , ” said Jenkins this past weekend .
“ There are constant gunshots every night .
Emergency vehicles can ’ t get in .
Disabled people are not able to access their medications , their appointments , their food deliveries , et cetera.
” There isn ’ t much more that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the number of available police have dropped by around 100 officers – about 10 percent of the force .
In an interview with KSTP News , the Minneapolis Police Department ( MPD ) told victims to simply give in to criminal demands to better their chance of survival .
Minneapolis ’ s crime rates are surpassing or nearing last year ’ s counts : so far , 300 people have been shot and 41 have been killed , surpassing the total shot and nearing the 48 homicides for all of 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and following protests is happening in other cities , too .
Chicago has 573 more shootings and 760 more victims than last year – a 51 percent increase in murders and 47 percent increase in shootings .
Last month , New York City reported a 23 percent increase in murder and more than double the amount of shooting incidents and burglaries .
Even with this data before them , council member Jenkins seemed hopeful about the prospective impact of a commemorative sign .
“ It feels like the city is responding to community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established for reopening the barricaded streets , as are any celebratory measures to accompany the commemorative sign .
The Bid Committee is scheduled to address this proposal on September 8th , with the potential to go before the full council on September 18th .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Minnesota Sun and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .

The Minneapolis City Planning Commission voted unanimously Monday evening to add a commemorative sign reading “George Perry Floyd Jr. Place”, dedicating two blocks of Chicago Avenue to memorialize the May 25th killing. If fully approved by the city council, the sign will be placed between 37th Street East and 39th Street East. Along with the recent grant to preserve current George Floyd memorials throughout metro, many other memorial measures are occurring throughout the nation.
Guest speaker Matt Hanan with Minneapolis Public Works Transportation Engineering and Design introduced the proposal, along with its original applicant: Public Works’ Director Robin Hutcheson. Despite some news coverage that the two blocks along Chicago Avenue would be renamed “George Perry Floyd Jr. Place”, the application only proposes to add a secondary, distinctive sign for Floyd alongside the current street signage.
As for the 38th Street intersection where George Floyd died, Hanan said that the city will not take short-term action to plan a bigger memorial at this time. He added that the city does have $100,000 dedicated to “long-term engagement memorial” that will factor community input.
“I think this is one step in the future of really trying to making amends for some of the challenges that our community has faced in the past,” said City Council member Andrea Jenkins (Ward 8), who sat in on the commission meeting (pictured above).
It is dubious whether a memorial sign will quell the community: the 38th Street intersection and surrounding areas where Floyd died remains in constant turmoil. Even though the site is barricaded to preserve the area as an open street with public right of way, pedestrians only dare to walk the streets during the day.
“What people aren’t recognizing is that people who live there are having a very, very challenging time from the unlawfulness that is occurring after the sun goes down,” said Jenkins this past weekend. “There are constant gunshots every night. Emergency vehicles can’t get in. Disabled people are not able to access their medications, their appointments, their food deliveries, et cetera.”
There isn’t much more that can be done to protect Minneapolis residents, since the number of available police have dropped by around 100 officers – about 10 percent of the force. In an interview with KSTP News, the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) told victims to simply give in to criminal demands to better their chance of survival.
Minneapolis’s crime rates are surpassing or nearing last year’s counts: so far, 300 people have been shot and 41 have been killed, surpassing the total shot and nearing the 48 homicides for all of 2019.
The sharp uptick in crime rates during and following protests is happening in other cities, too. Chicago has 573 more shootings and 760 more victims than last year – a 51 percent increase in murders and 47 percent increase in shootings. Last month, New York City reported a 23 percent increase in murder and more than double the amount of shooting incidents and burglaries.
Even with this data before them, council member Jenkins seemed hopeful about the prospective impact of a commemorative sign.
“It feels like the city is responding to community voice.”
Plans are yet to be established for reopening the barricaded streets, as are any celebratory measures to accompany the commemorative sign. The Bid Committee is scheduled to address this proposal on September 8th, with the potential to go before the full council on September 18th.
Watch the full meeting:
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Minnesota Sun and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected] .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-04--Law Criminalizing Use of False Language in Campaign Literature Ruled Unconstitutional by Davidson Co

Law Criminalizing Use of False Language in Campaign Literature Ruled Unconstitutional by Davidson County Judge

A group that called a political candidate “ literally Hitler ” in a flyer won its case challenging a law that criminalizes the use of “ false language ” in campaign literature .
The judge presiding over the case , which was heard Thursday , called the law “ incompatible with the First Amendment.
” Tennesseans for Sensible Elections Laws ( TSEL ) , an organization that describes itself as “ a nonpartisan group of concerned citizens who care about protecting Tennessee ’ s democratic process , ” claims it was subject to criminal penalties for a political flier claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) was “ literally Hitler.
” Another piece targeted State Rep. Rick Staples ( D-Knoxville ) .
The flier likened a bill introduced by Griffey , which would require those convicted of a sexual offense involving victims under the age of 13 to be chemically castrated , to “ the kind of thing you would see in Nazi Germany , not in Tennessee.
” In a statement about the suit , the group explained : TSEL designed direct mail pieces and digital advertisements about Tennessee House Representative Bruce Griffey , saying that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation that would provide for the chemical castration of certain criminal defendants , and Tennessee House Representative Rick Staples , accusing him of spending campaign funds on everything from snorkeling trips to exotic açaì bowls .
TSEL knew these statements were false , but they did not send the mailers or run the digital ads for fear of prosecution .
Section 2-19-142 of Tennessee Code Annotated classifies the publication or distribution of “ any campaign literature in opposition to any candidate in any election ” that contains claims that are known to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Offenders are subject to up to a $ 50 fine and up to 30 days in jail .
TSEL filed suit , alleging that the law violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution as “ viewpoint discrimination , content-bases and identity-based discrimination , freedom of speech , and overbreadth.
” TSEL argued that the specific wording of the law “ punishes only false political speech in opposition to candidates for elected office , while permitting false speech in support of such candidate.
” The group similarly argued that the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false speech in campaigning for a “ non-candidate ” and “ prohibits a substantial amount of constitutionally protected speech.
” Presiding over the case , Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ruled in favor of TSEL .
Lyle ’ s judgment declared Section 2-19-142 of Tennessee Code Annotated unconstitutional , stating it violated not only the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution but also Article I , Section 19 of the Tennessee Constitution .
Lyle stated that enforcement of the law is “ a credible threat to the Plaintiff ’ s exercise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the mailer .
The Court also ruled that TSEL could recuperate its legal fees and costs .
You can read the Court ’ s opinion here : Sam Medley is a journalist at the Tennessee Star and Star News Network .
You can follow Sam at Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

A group that called a political candidate “literally Hitler” in a flyer won its case challenging a law that criminalizes the use of “false language” in campaign literature. The judge presiding over the case, which was heard Thursday, called the law “incompatible with the First Amendment.”
Tennesseans for Sensible Elections Laws (TSEL), an organization that describes itself as “a nonpartisan group of concerned citizens who care about protecting Tennessee’s democratic process,” claims it was subject to criminal penalties for a political flier claiming that State Rep. Bruce Griffey (R-Paris) was “literally Hitler.” Another piece targeted State Rep. Rick Staples (D-Knoxville).
The flier likened a bill introduced by Griffey, which would require those convicted of a sexual offense involving victims under the age of 13 to be chemically castrated, to “the kind of thing you would see in Nazi Germany, not in Tennessee.”
In a statement about the suit, the group explained:
TSEL designed direct mail pieces and digital advertisements about Tennessee House Representative Bruce Griffey, saying that he was “literally Hitler” for introducing legislation that would provide for the chemical castration of certain criminal defendants, and Tennessee House Representative Rick Staples, accusing him of spending campaign funds on everything from snorkeling trips to exotic açaì bowls. TSEL knew these statements were false, but they did not send the mailers or run the digital ads for fear of prosecution.
Section 2-19-142 of Tennessee Code Annotated classifies the publication or distribution of “any campaign literature in opposition to any candidate in any election” that contains claims that are known to be false as a Class C misdemeanor. Offenders are subject to up to a $50 fine and up to 30 days in jail.
TSEL filed suit, alleging that the law violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution as “viewpoint discrimination, content-bases and identity-based discrimination, freedom of speech, and overbreadth.”
TSEL argued that the specific wording of the law “punishes only false political speech in opposition to candidates for elected office, while permitting false speech in support of such candidate.”
The group similarly argued that the law would not apply to the use of false speech in campaigning for a “non-candidate” and “prohibits a substantial amount of constitutionally protected speech.”
Presiding over the case, Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ruled in favor of TSEL. Lyle’s judgment declared Section 2-19-142 of Tennessee Code Annotated unconstitutional, stating it violated not only the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution but also Article I, Section 19 of the Tennessee Constitution.
Lyle stated that enforcement of the law is “a credible threat to the Plaintiff’s exercise of the speech in issue,” referring to the mailer.
The Court also ruled that TSEL could recuperate its legal fees and costs.
You can read the Court’s opinion here:

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Sam Medley is a journalist at the Tennessee Star and Star News Network. You can follow Sam at Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]