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6 Finalists Named for Ethics and Campaign Finance Director

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 27, 2019
The Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance has whittled down the applications to succeed retiring Executive Director Drew Rawlins from 43 to six, the Tennessee Journal reports. The finalists are former Rep. Jerome Cochran, former Rep. Mark Goins, former Rep. Judd Matheny, former Rep. Kim McMillan, former Nashville Chancellor Bill Young and Jay Moeck, the current audit director for the bureau. The finalists are scheduled to be interviewed over the course of three weeks starting on July 8. The selection will be made by the members of the Ethics Commission and the Registry of Election Finance.

Judge Grants Injunction in Battle Between Nashville School Board, Charter School Group

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 27, 2019
Nashville Chancellor Anne Martin granted an injunction requested by Knowledge Academies (KA) yesterday, but refused to block the Nashville School Board from moving forward with possibly closing the embattled Antioch charter schools, the Tennessean reports. The group of charter schools claimed that the school board violated the state's open meetings act when it met with its attorneys and some staffers to discuss a range of issues surrounding the school earlier this month. Martin ruled that Knowledge Acadamies' lawyers may depose the school board members and staffers who took part in the closed-door meeting. 

SCOTUS: Legislative Branch, Not Judicial, Responsible for Gerrymandering Problem

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 27, 2019
In a 5-4 decision along traditional conservative-liberal ideological lines, the Supreme Court ruled that partisan redistricting is a political question — not reviewable by federal courts — and that those courts can't judge if extreme gerrymandering violates the constitution, NPR reports. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, noted that excessive partisanship in the drawing of districts does lead to results that "reasonably seem unjust," but he said that does not mean it is the court's responsibility to find a solution. The ruling puts the onus on the legislative branch, and on individual states, to police redistricting efforts.

After SCOTUS Blocks Citizenship Question, Trump Says He'll Delay Census

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 27, 2019
President Trump today vowed to try delaying the 2020 census after the Supreme Court blocked his administration's plan to include a question that inquires about citizenship status, Fox News reports. The court had said that the administration's explanation for adding the question was insufficient and sent it back to the lower courts for further consideration. The 5-4 ruling, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, said that the court was presented "with an explanation for agency action that is incongruent with what the record reveals about the agency’s priorities and decision making process."

Gov. Lee Calls for Special Legislative Session to Replace Casada

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 27, 2019
The Tennessee House of Representatives will vote on its next speaker Aug. 23, when Gov. Bill Lee is calling lawmakers to return to Nashville for a historic special legislative session, the Tennessean reports. Lee signed a proclamation making the call today, saying a special session to elect a new speaker was "in the best interest of our state." Current House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, will resign from his leadership position Aug. 2 — his 60th birthday — though his replacement likely will be determined in a July 24 House Republican Caucus meeting.

Suspect in Christian/Newsom Murders Will Be Tried Before a Knox Jury

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 27, 2019
When Eric Boyd finally faces trial in a now 12-year-old double homicide that drew international attention, he will do so in Knox County, Knox County Criminal Court Judge Bob McGee ruled today. Knoxnews reports that Boyd's will be the eighth trial in the 2007 slayings of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. Boyd was already tried and convicted in U.S. District Court in 2008 on charges he hid Lemaricus Davidson – the alleged ringleader in the fatal attack on the couple – after the slayings. Though a suspect in the slayings from the start, Boyd was not initially indicted on murder charges.

Environmental Law Conference Planned for September in Knoxville

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 26, 2019
The 10th Annual Appalachian Public Interest Environmental Law Conference will be Sept. 27 - 29 in Knoxville. The conference will be held at the University of Tennessee College of Law campus. It is organized by the UT Law Environmental Law Organization. Find out more information or register.

UT Law Clinic Recognized for its Pro Bono Work

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 26, 2019
The University of Tennessee Legal Clinic has been recognized by the Tennessee Justice Center for its pro bono work, the first time the honor has been given to a university group rather than to a private law firm. “For years, the UT Legal Clinic has provided pro bono representation to Tennessee children and families,” said TJC Director Michele Johnson. “The result of their work has made a tremendous difference in the lives of numerous Tennessee children and families in need of vital health care services.”

ABA President Critical of 'Unsafe and Unhealthy' Conditions for Children in Federal Facilities

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 26, 2019
The American Bar Association is "appalled" by reports of hundreds of children being held in unsafe and unhealthy conditions in federal facilities, according to a statement issued by ABA President Bob Carlson. "The U.S. Department of Justice has argued that bedding, soap, showers and toothbrushes are not necessary to maintain the 'safe and sanitary' conditions for immigrant children in federal custody" that the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement sets as a minimum standards for their care, Carlson said. He also called for federal authorities to end the practices and provide attorneys access to facilities operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Lee Talks Criminal Justice Reform at Tennessee Judicial Conference

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 26, 2019
Gov. Bill Lee was recently welcomed to the 66th Tennessee Judicial Conference where he spoke on criminal justice reform, one the signature issues of his administration. At the conference, Lee explored why he feels reform is so crucial and emphasized that state judges have a huge role to play in helping to plan and implement that reform. Lee spoke about how his perspective on criminal justice reform was influenced by his experience volunteering in a men’s prisoner reentry program, and he floated the idea of seeking alternatives to imprisonment for some offenders.
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