© 2024 WKNO FM
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

What's Left For Tennessee's Legislature In 2016? Some Big Controversies, Actually

Tennessee lawmakers expect to finish their business for the year on the week of April 18.
Stephen Jerkins
Tennessee lawmakers expect to finish their business for the year on the week of April 18.

WPLN's Chas Sisk walks Blake Farmer through the remaining business for the Tennessee legislature in 2016.

The budget has passed, and Tennessee state lawmakers are eager to end the session this week so they can hit the campaign trail. After all, most of them are up for reelection this year. But there are still some loose ends to tie up. And some of the most complicated debates have — as usual — been put off until the final days.

Links for listening:

The budget high points, like taking one percentage point off the Hall income tax on investments.

Remaining controversial proposals include the "bathroom bill" aimed at transgender students, which has attracted national attention.

Unexpected last-minute maneuvering has included legislation to legalize fantasy sports, following an Attorney General's opinion that it amounts to gambling.

A conversation from February 16 about taking down the "no guns allowed" signs at Legislative Plaza, which may be roughly where the session ends up.

Copyright 2016 WPLN News

Blake Farmer
Blake Farmer is WPLN's assistant news director, but he wears many hats - reporter, editor and host. He covers the Tennessee state capitol while also keeping an eye on Fort Campbell and business trends, frequently contributing to national programs. Born in Tennessee and educated in Texas, Blake has called Nashville home for most of his life.
Chas joined WPLN in 2015 after eight years with The Tennessean, including more than five years as the newspaper's statehouse reporter.Chas has also covered communities, politics and business in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. Chas grew up in South Carolina and attended Columbia University in New York, where he studied economics and journalism. Outside of work, he's a dedicated distance runner, having completed a dozen marathons