Tennessee Political News

Chris Peck: Memphis, 'burbs joined at the hip

Here's a thought for those folks in Fisherville who are driving the effort in the Tennessee legislature to remove themselves from any connection with Memphis.

Sunday February 5, 2012 6:07AM | commercialappeal.com

Otis L. Sanford: Maybe it's time to look inward on annexation

If it weren't for annexations -- lots and lots of annexations -- Memphis would probably be just another quiet Southern hamlet no larger than Oxford, Miss., or Jonesboro, Ark.

Sunday February 5, 2012 6:00AM | commercialappeal.com

Political happenings for Feb. 4, 2012

Area political happenings.

Saturday February 4, 2012 11:40AM | knoxnews.com

Guest column: A fix for Memphis using the teenage mind

The headline on Thomas L. Friedman`s Jan. 26 Viewpoint column in The Commercial Appeal caught my eye: "In today`s workplace, average is over." The New York Times columnist went on to write that, "In the past, workers with average skills, doing an average job, could earn an average lifestyle."

Friday February 3, 2012 6:00AM | commercialappeal.com

Political Notebook: Bill would penalize teachers, lobbyists for defaulting on student loans

NASHVILLE — Teachers and lobbyists who default on student loans could lose the right to practice their professions under legislation winning final approval in the state House on Thursday.

Thursday February 2, 2012 10:40PM | knoxnews.com

Phil Ballard for Knox County property assessor

Phil Ballard

Thursday February 2, 2012 9:00AM | knoxnews.com

Political Notebook: Filed bills address lottery ads, tuition increases, state tree and flag

NASHVILLE — The deadline for introducing new bills in the state Senate was Thursday.

Monday January 30, 2012 9:00AM | knoxnews.com

TN Democrats seek celebrity to challenge Corker

How do you compete in a statewide race when your party’s best-known politicians have decided they’ve got better things to do than challenge an incumbent, well-funded U.S. senator?

Sunday January 29, 2012 2:10PM | knoxnews.com

Chris Peck: We're intent on sticking around

Sunday January 29, 2012 6:00AM | commercialappeal.com

Otis L. Sanford: Voters don't elect people they don't like

Anyone who doubts that President Barack Obama is in the fight of his political life to win re-election is living in a dream world.

Sunday January 29, 2012 6:00AM | commercialappeal.com

Georgiana Vines: State House races slow in shaping up

What started off as a joke may become reality. Gary Drinnen, a part-time political consultant for Republicans, was given a "Drinnen 2012" campaign button for his birthday on Sunday by a friend from South Carolina, which had just had presidential primaries.

Saturday January 28, 2012 9:00AM | knoxnews.com

Legislative Notebook: Attitude of 'open season' on gays decried

NASHVILLE — The father of a murdered University of Wyoming student said Wednesday that some Tennessee legislators appear to be creating a policy of "open season" on homosexuals through bills introduced and comments made.

Thursday January 26, 2012 9:00AM | knoxnews.com

Scott Hughes announces challenge to state Sen. Doug Overbey

MARYVILLE — This morning, Republican Scott Hughes of Seymour announced his candidacy for the newly-drawn 2nd District state Senate.

Wednesday January 25, 2012 3:56PM | knoxnews.com

ET congressional delegation reacts to Obama's State of the Union

WASHINGTON — East Tennesseans in Congress react to President Barack Obama`s State of the Union address:

Wednesday January 25, 2012 4:00AM | knoxnews.com

Newt Gingrich backers see Tennessee following South Carolina's lead

NASHVILLE — State legislators leading Newt Gingrich`s Republican presidential campaign have returned from a weekend trip to South Carolina saying the former U.S. House speaker will be poised to repeat his Palmetto State victory in the Volunteer State.

Tuesday January 24, 2012 9:00AM | knoxnews.com

Legislative Notebook: Income tax, judges, protesters, Ten Commandments

NASHVILLE — The Legislature now appears on track to put a second proposed amendment to the Tennessee constitution on the ballot for a 2014 referendum while Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says there may be a coordinated effort for a third.

Monday January 23, 2012 9:00AM | knoxnews.com

Otis L. Sanford: Commission's rancor imperils any progress

Could things possibly be any worse at the Shelby County Commission?

Sunday January 22, 2012 6:00AM | commercialappeal.com

Guest column: Attacks grow on women's reproductive freedoms

If there is a flash point today in American culture, it is the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision of 1973. Handed down 39 years ago today, Roe gave women the freedom to legally terminate a pregnancy, making medically safe abortion -- previously accessible only to the wealthy -- available to all women in the United States.

Sunday January 22, 2012 6:00AM | commercialappeal.com

Chris Peck: Third World examples to follow

Don't make the mistake of equating Memphis with a Third World nation.

Sunday January 22, 2012 6:00AM | commercialappeal.com

Potential candidates mull filling two Knox area House seats

Two Republicans who ran for the state Legislature two years ago are considering a run for the new 89th District House seat in West Knox County created with the recent redistricting.

Saturday January 21, 2012 9:00AM | knoxnews.com