SMYRNA (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam said Tuesday he was not swayed by celebrities opposing a bill that would make it a crime to video record animal abuse if it isn't turned over to law enforcement authorities within 48 hours.

2. TN GOP says infighting typical of supermajority - Friday, April 26, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — Republicans, positioned to make major changes to state law with the governorship and a supermajority in the General Assembly, ended the session with some high-profile measures derailed by infighting.

3. Top Midstate residential real estate transactions for March 2013 - Friday, April 26, 2013

Top March 2013 residential real estate transactions for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

4. Casada abandons revival of campaign finance bill - Friday, April 19, 2013

NASHVILLE  (AP) — The sponsor of a bill seeking to boost the amount of money political groups can give to candidates and to do away with reporting requirements for donations by corporations on Thursday dropped an effort to revive the failed measure.

5. Casada faces high hurdle on campaign finance bill - Friday, April 12, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — An effort to revive a failed bill to boost the amount of money political groups can give to candidates and to do away with reporting requirements for donations by corporations faces a high hurdle in the House.

6. Bill increasing campaign contribution limits fails - Friday, April 12, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - A bill that would have done away with the reporting requirements for direct corporate contributions to Tennessee political candidates has failed in the House.

The bill also would have allowed insurance companies to contribute, and it would have raised the cap on the amount of money that party caucuses can donate to candidates. The limit for statewide elections would jump from $374,300 to $500,000. For state Senate candidates, the limit would increase from $59,900 to $150,000. For the state House or other state or local offices it would increase from $30,000 to $75,000.

7. Rep. Lois DeBerry undergoing cancer treatment - Friday, April 05, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — State Rep. Lois DeBerry is undergoing treatment for a recurrence of pancreatic cancer.

The Memphis Democrat was first elected in 1972 and is the longest-serving current member of the House of Representatives and second-longest in the entire Legislature. The 67-year-old is also the first female speaker pro tempore in the House.

8. House panel advances welfare penalty for parents - Friday, April 05, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - A Tennessee House committee on Tuesday recommended passing a bill that would dock the welfare payments of parents of children who fail at a school despite Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's opposition to the measure.

9. Most top issues decided as session hits final lap - Friday, April 05, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — The path may have been rocky at times for the new Republican supermajority in the General Assembly, but leaders are pleased that many of the most contentious issues have been decided as lawmakers enter the final few weeks of the session.

10. House GOP leader against resurrecting wine bill - Friday, March 29, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick says he favors a bill to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores, but would oppose efforts to hold a re-vote in a committee where it narrowly failed.

11. Panel could see bill to change open meetings law - Friday, March 22, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - A Republican lawmaker who last year backed off a bill that would have allowed local officials to hold more closed-door meetings has renewed the effort, saying he's asked county commissioners to bring him a proposal that has a chance of passing a key subcommittee.

12. Harwell doesn't plan to press for new vote on wine - Friday, March 15, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - House Speaker Beth Harwell says she doesn't plan to press fellow Republican Rep. Matthew Hill to call for another vote on bill to hold local referendums on grocery store wine sales.

13. Harwell travels to Pennsylvania for mother's funeral - Friday, March 08, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — Rep. Curtis Johnson is presiding over the Tennesee House while Speaker Beth Harwell is away to attend to her mother's funeral.

14. Supermarket wine bill fails by 1 vote in House - Friday, March 08, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to loosen wine sale laws in Tennessee failed by a single vote in a House committee on Tuesday, though supporters hope they can revive it.

The House Local Government Committee voted 8-7 to reject advancing a measure to allow local referendums to be held on whether grocery stores should be able to sell wine. The proposal is supported by the Republican leaders of both chambers of the General Assembly.

15. Brewers swing support to grocery wine - Friday, March 08, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — The beer industry has swung its support behind a bill to allow Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores to sell wine — provided the measure also allows them to sell strong beer.

16. Renewed bid would dilute Tennessee open meetings law - Friday, March 08, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - A renewed push is under way to get Tennessee lawmakers to allow local official to hold more closed-door meetings.

Williamson County Commissioner Bob Barnwell, who also spearheaded a similar attempt last year, has written to local government colleagues around the state urging them to encourage state lawmakers to pass a bill to allow private meetings among officials as long as a quorum isn't present.

17. Harwell vote rescues grocery store wine bill - Friday, March 01, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - A bid to allow local governments to hold referendums on whether to allow supermarket wine sales survived in a House subcommittee Wednesday thanks to a deciding vote from Speaker Beth Harwell.

18. Supermarket wine opponents contribute heavily - Friday, March 01, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - Contributions totaling more than $364,000 have poured into lawmakers' campaign accounts over the past two years from liquor wholesalers, package stores and the beer industry — three groups that have traditionally opposed changing state law to allow wine to be sold in supermarkets.

19. GOP lawmakers seek to back away from 'fringe' - Friday, March 01, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — Before a House vote to give final approval to a contentious firearms bill last week, Speaker Beth Harwell implored her Republican colleagues to ignore demands from what she deemed "fringe" groups to make major changes to the measure.

20. Haslam 'likely' to sign parking lot guns bill - Friday, March 01, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is likely to sign into law a bill to allow the state's nearly 400,000 handgun carry permit holders to store firearms in their cars no matter where they are parked, a spokesman said Thursday.

21. House sends parking-lot guns bill to governor - Friday, March 01, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — The House on Thursday voted to send to the governor a contentious bill that would allow the state's nearly 400,000 handgun carry permit holders to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked.

22. House sends parking lot guns bill to governor - Friday, February 22, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - The House has voted to send to the governor's desk a bill to allow the state's nearly 400,000 handgun carry permit holders to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked.

23. Supermarket wine bill clears panel by single vote - Friday, February 22, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores scored its first legislative victory on Tuesday after years of frustration.

The Senate State and Local Government Committee voted 5-4 to advance the bill that would allow cities and counties to hold referendums next year to decide whether to expand wine sales beyond the state's nearly 600 licensed liquor stores.

24. Tennessee lawmakers to decide fate of supermarket wine - Friday, February 22, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers are poised to decide this week whether a proposal to allow supermarket wine sales moves ahead or withers on the vine.

The bill to overhaul the current system that prevents shoppers from buying wine alongside groceries faces votes in both House and Senate committees this week, where as little as a single vote could decide the bill's fate after months of lobbying.

25. Analysis: Gun bill is 1 GOP wishes would go away - Friday, February 08, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — The guns bill that Tennessee lawmakers wish would just go away is up for its first floor vote today.

The measure to allow people with state-issued handgun carry permits to store loaded firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked is once again putting the squeeze on Republicans torn between their allegiances to gun advocates and businesses interests.

26. Bass, Berry & Sims names new members - Friday, February 08, 2013

Former associates Wendee M. Hilderbrand, Michael J. Holley and Price W. Wilson have been elected to membership in the firm of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.

27. Top Midstate residential real estate transactions for Jan. 2013 - Friday, February 08, 2013

Top January 2013 residential real estate transactions for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

28. Parking lot guns bill advances to full Senate vote - Friday, February 01, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — A bill seeking to guarantee people with handgun-carry permits to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked was advanced to a full Senate floor vote Thursday despite reservations voiced by the business community and Republican Gov. Bill Haslam.

29. Haslam would sign supermarket wine bill if passed - Friday, February 01, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam said Thursday that he would sign a bill seeking to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores into law if lawmakers approve it this year.

30. Supporters want voters to decide supermarket wine - Friday, February 01, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - Supporters of a perennial legislative proposal to allow supermarkets and convenience stores to sell wine expressed confidence Thursday that their latest effort could succeed where previous ones failed.

31. Critics: Give stores time to adjust to wine bill - Friday, January 25, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — Skeptics of a proposal to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores say any change in current law should be deferred for several years to give liquor store owners time to adjust to the new competition.

32. Harwell: Expansion of gun rights not a ‘high priority’ - Friday, January 25, 2013

Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell today sits at the pinnacle of legislative power, overseeing a House Republican majority of better than 2-1.

And she knows she has her work cut out for her.

33. Rep. Curry Todd pleads guilty to DUI, gun charges - Friday, January 18, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - State Rep. Curry Todd pleaded guilty Friday to drunken driving and gun charges and was sentenced to 48 hours in jail and the loss of his firearm for a year.

34. Turner calls for investigation of DCS - Friday, January 11, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner is calling for a special meeting to investigate the Department of Children's Services' refusal to release records related to the abuse and death of children under its care.

35. Committee shakeups seen as bad omen for wine-in-groceries proponents - Friday, January 11, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey on Thursday replaced the chairwoman of the powerful judiciary committee with a key ally, while some opponents of a proposal to allow wine sales in grocery stores lauded committee assignments in the lower chamber.

36. House OKs limiting lawmakers to 15 bills a year - Friday, January 04, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — The House has approved setting a cap on how many bills each lawmaker can file each year.

The chamber on Thursday approved the new 15-bill limit on a voice vote. Previously there were no limits on the number of measures each member could introduce, and Speaker Beth Harwell said the flood of legislation conflicted with Republican ideals of lesser government.

37. Top chairwoman out in Senate committee shakeup - Friday, January 04, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey has replaced the chairwoman of the powerful judiciary committee with a key ally, while assignments to House panels have cast doubt on the prospects of the latest effort to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores.

38. Harwell's bill limit dialed back to 15 per year - Friday, January 04, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - A House committee voted Tuesday to dial back Republican Speaker Beth Harwell's proposal to limit the number of bills each lawmaker can file each year.

Harwell had sought to set an annual cap of 10 bills per lawmaker, but the panel voted instead to recommend a 15-bill limit. If approved by the full House later this week, the move could result in about 500 more bills being filed than under the Nashville Repubican's original proposal.

39. Tennessee lawmakers convene for 108th General Assembly - Friday, January 04, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - State lawmakers convened Tuesday for the 108th Tennessee General Assembly that is expected to take up measures ranging from allowing wine in supermarkets to permitting teachers to be armed in school.

40. Harwell proposes bill limits, committee shakeup - Friday, December 14, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - State House Speaker Beth Harwell on Wednesday proposed an overhaul of the way the lower chamber of the Tennessee General Assembly does business, including limiting members to 10 bills per session and restructuring the committee system.

41. House Democrats keep top leadership in place - Friday, December 07, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — House Democrats and Senate Republicans voted Wednesday to keep their top leadership in place.

Democratic Rep. Mike Turner of Nashville overcame a challenge from Rep. Johnny Shaw of Bolivar to maintain his chairman seat, and Rep. Craig Fitzhugh of Ripley was re-elected as minority leader without opposition.

42. Top Midstate residential real estate transactions for November 2012 - Friday, December 14, 2012

November 2012 residential real estate transactions for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

43. Haslam says no to state health insurance exchange - Friday, December 07, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam announced Monday that Tennessee will not create a state-run health insurance exchange, but the Republican governor said he remains undecided about whether to expand Medicaid.

44. Prospects brighten for wine in Tennessee groceries - Friday, November 30, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — The top two Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly support allowing the sale of wine in supermarkets, and the influx of new GOP lawmakers is giving them the opportunity to reshape key committees where efforts to make that change have long been blocked by opponents.

45. Top commercial real estate transactions for October 2012 - Friday, November 30, 2012

October 2012 commercial real estate transactions for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

46. House GOP renominates Harwell for speaker - Friday, November 23, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Members of the House Republican caucus have nominated Speaker Beth Harwell for another term in charge of the chamber but ousted Rep. Judd Matheny from the No. 2 slot.

Matheny, of Tullahoma, was defeated Monday by Rep. Curtis Johnson of Clarksville in a secret ballot.

47. Top residential real estate transactions for October 2012 - Friday, November 16, 2012

October 2012 residential real estate transactions for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

48. State-run health exchange faces GOP roadblock - Friday, November 09, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican Gov. Bill Haslam says Tennessee could design its own health insurance exchange required under Democratic President Barack Obama's health care law, but resistance in the GOP-controlled General Assembly may cause the state to hand that power off to the federal government.

49. DCS commissioner seeking more than $8M from state - Friday, November 09, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Department of Children's Services requested more than $8 million on Thursday to hire new staff and make other improvements to the agency that has been highly scrutinized over children's deaths.

50. Democrats want to see pre-K expansion - Friday, November 02, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Tennessee Democratic leaders said Wednesday that they plan to talk with Gov. Bill Haslam about expanding pre-kindergarten classes after the state's education commissioner said he doesn't plan to request funding for an expansion.

51. Democratic lawmaker defends DCS commissioner - Friday, October 05, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - A Democratic lawmaker who played a role in the formation of the embattled Tennessee Department of Children's Services says the agency's commissioner shouldn't be blamed for deeply rooted problems that she inherited.

52. State Rep. Jim Cobb arrested on assault charge - Friday, September 28, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - State Rep. Jim Cobb was arrested Tuesday on an assault charge after a woman in a wheelchair said she felt physically threatened by the Spring City Republican on the day of the primary election.

53. Nashville to lose $3M for rejecting charter school - Friday, September 14, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - The state Department of Education announced Tuesday it will withhold $3.4 million from the public school system in Nashville over a rejected charter school application.

The Metro Nashville school board last week defied an order by the state Board of Education to approve the school proposed by Phoenix-based Great Hearts Academies. The fine is the equivalent of one month worth of the school district's administrative costs, or about 1.4 percent of the $236 million the city's school system receives annually under the state funding formula.

54. Matheny abandons speaker challenge - Friday, September 07, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - State Rep. Judd Matheny is no longer considering a challenge to fellow Beth Harwell for House speaker next year, the Tullahoma Republican told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Matheny, a strict gun rights advocate and a supporter of curbing what he sees as the spread of radical Islam in the state, announced last month that he was looking at a bid for the top post in the 99-member House because he felt marginalized by other Republican leaders.

55. Haslam aide: Tennessee not promoting Islamic code - Friday, August 17, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam's administration is responding to what it calls "confusion" about the role of a Muslim staffer and a council that has advised two state departments on Islamic affairs.

56. Matheny considers challenge of Harwell for House speaker - Friday, August 10, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - State Rep. Judd Matheny is mulling a challenge to House Speaker Beth Harwell for the top chamber's top leadership position, the Tullahoma Republican confirmed in an interview with The Associated Press.

57. Top residential sales for July, 2012 - Friday, August 10, 2012

July 2012 real estate trends for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford and Wilson counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

Chandler Reports has been publishing Real Estate Market Data since 1968. That year, Chandler began collecting residential sales information for the Chandler Residential Report, considered the authoritative source for residential real estate sales information. Over the next three decades, the publications have been continually refined, enhanced and expanded, growing to include lot sales data, new residential construction and absorption information, and commercial sales. In 1987, Chandler Reports began one of the first on–line real estate market data services in the country, and is a nationally recognized leader in the industry. In 2004, Chandler Reports was purchased by The Daily News Publishing Co. In 2007, Chandler introduced RegionPlus, including property research for Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Visit online at chandlerreports.com.

58. Harwell avoids rematch with Casada - Friday, August 03, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican Beth Harwell won't have to worry about a renewed challenge from the man she defeated to become the first female House speaker in state history.

Rep. Glen Casada of Franklin told The Associated Press that he won't make another run at the chamber's top job despite the defeat of seven Republican House incumbents in last week's primary races.

59. Maggart loses state House GOP primary to NRA pick - Friday, August 03, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — Republican Caucus Chairwoman Debra Maggart lost her state House primary Thursday to a retired Air Force officer backed by the National Rifle Association.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting Thursday night, Lt. Col. Courtney Rogers had 3,392 votes, or 58 percent, compared with Maggart's 2,421 votes, or 42 percent.

60. Haslam appoints members to regulatory authority - Friday, July 27, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — Earl Taylor has been named the new executive director of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority, which is responsible for setting rates and service standards for privately owned utilities.

61. Utility regulatory agency missing staff - Friday, July 06, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — The state agency responsible for setting rates and service standards for privately-owned utilities is lacking an executive director and board quorum.

Among new laws that took effect July 1 is a statute that revamps the Tennessee Regulatory Authority. Gov. Bill Haslam backed the legislation that created a part-time board and requires a fulltime executive director.

62. Rep. Hurley defends holding dog out of moving car - Friday, June 15, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - A state lawmaker hit back Tuesday at critics of a YouTube video she posted of her dog Pepper being held outside a moving car for what she called an "air swim."

Freshman Rep. Julia Hurley said in an interview in her legislative office that her Chinese crested named Pepper enjoys being held out into the wind.

63. AG opinion allays lawmaker's open meetings concern - Friday, June 15, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — A state lawmaker says a recent legal opinion from the state's attorney general has soothed concerns about Tennessee's open meetings law.

Republican Rep. Tony Shipley of Kingsport said he requested the opinion to clarify that local government officials can meet privately over a meal, as long as they don't decide public business.

64. Grand jury indicts lawmaker on arrest in October - Friday, June 08, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — A grand jury in Nashville has indicted state Rep. Curry Todd, arrested in October on drunken driving and weapons charges.

Todd's attorney, Worrick Robinson, said he had been expecting the formal charges and they would be addressed in court.

65. Lawmakers adjourn session without gun showdown - Friday, April 27, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — The 107th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned Tuesday without a final showdown over a contentious gun issue and the governor said he will decide in the next couple of days whether to veto a bill targeting Vanderbilt University's policies on religious student groups.

66. Lawmakers send budget compromise to governor - Friday, April 27, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — The state's more than $31 billion annual spending plan is headed to the governor after Republicans rejected Democratic efforts to make further changes to the compromise legislation.

67. Lawmakers intent on ending session today - Friday, April 27, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — Heavy debate on a series of bills in the House has delayed the conclusion of the 107th General Assembly.

The chamber recessed after 10 p.m. CDT Monday, but was scheduled to return at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

68. Harwell breaks ankle, still presides over chamber - Friday, April 20, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — Speaker Beth Harwell has presided over the House chamber despite breaking her ankle earlier in the day.

Harwell spokeswoman Kara Owen said the Nashville Republican injured herself while walking her dog Monday morning.

69. Tenn. lawmakers hope to adjourn session this week - Friday, April 20, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers are preparing for what they hope is the last week of the 107th General Assembly, though issues that still need to be worked out include the state's annual spending plan, proposals to change the way the state selects Supreme Court justices and a resilient effort to ban teaching about gay issues in schools.

70. Lobbyist email sent from committee chair's account - Friday, April 13, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — A lobbyist has used a House chairman's email to urge lawmakers to vote against a bill to tax roll-your-own cigarettes.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports (http://bit.ly/HOAXJD) that the email was sent from the email account of Republican Rep. Bob Ramsey of Maryville, the chairman of the House State and Local Government Committee.

71. House panel advances parking lot gun bill - Saturday, April 14, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A proposal to strip employers of the right to ban firearms on company property is advancing again in the House, even though Gov. Bill Haslam says he doesn't think it will pass.

72. House panel advances parking lot gun bill - Friday, April 13, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to strip employers of the right to ban firearms on company property is advancing again in the House, even though Gov. Bill Haslam says he doesn't think it will pass.

The amended measure sponsored by Democratic Rep. Eddie Bass of Prospect passed out of the House Consumer and Employee Affairs Committee on a voice vote on Tuesday.

73. House panel advances parking lot gun measures - Friday, April 06, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - The House has rushed four bills out of subcommittee to guarantee workers the right to store firearms in vehicles parked on company lots.

The measures were advanced to the full Consumer and Employee Affairs Committee on Tuesday after a truncated debate.

74. Rep. Todd skips vote on mandatory DUI blood tests - Friday, April 06, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - State Rep. Curry Todd, who faces drunken driving and gun charges following an arrest last year, skipped a House vote Thursday on a bill to give judges the ability to compel blood tests for drivers who refuse to give breath alcohol tests when they are arrested.

75. House speaker says parking lot guns bill is dead - Friday, April 06, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - A bill seeking to guarantee people the right to store firearms in vehicles parked at work - regardless of their employers' wishes - has likely died for the year, House Speaker Beth Harwell said Thursday.

76. House speaker says parking lot guns bill is dead - Friday, March 30, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - House Speaker Beth Harwell says a bill seeking to guarantee workers' right to store firearms in vehicles parked at work has likely died for the year.

77. Rep. Todd skips vote on mandatory DUI blood tests - Friday, March 30, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - State Rep. Curry Todd, who was charged with drunken driving and gun charges last year, has skipped a House vote on a bill to give judges the ability to compel blood tests for drivers who refuse to give breath alcohol tests when they are arrested.

78. Haslam measure on selecting judges awaiting action - Friday, March 30, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — When the top three Republicans in the Statehouse coalesced behind a plan to cement Tennessee's current selection process for Supreme Court justices into the state constitution, there seemed to be a smooth path ahead for getting the measure before voters in 2014.

79. Bill seeks to repeal Tenn. death tax - Friday, March 16, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — A proposal to repeal the state's estate tax is advancing in the House.

The measure passed the House Finance Subcommittee on a voice vote on Wednesday. The companion bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate Finance Committee.

80. Sponsor of guns in parking lots bill to amend it - Friday, March 16, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - The Republican sponsor of a proposal that would let workers store firearms in vehicles parked on their employers' lots said Tuesday that he has listened to GOP leaders and plans to amend the legislation so that it's not so broad.

81. Tennessee Democrats look to stem exodus - Friday, March 16, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Democratic leaders are putting on a brave face about their dwindling numbers in the Tennessee Statehouse, claiming the political landscape presents an opportunity to regroup and emerge stronger.

82. House panel advances effort to repeal voter ID law - Friday, March 09, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - A House panel on Wednesday advanced a Democratic proposal to repeal Tennessee's new voter ID law, though Republican leaders and state election officials expressed confidence that the measure soon will meet its demise.

83. Naifeh to retire after 38 years in House - Friday, March 09, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Rep. Jimmy Naifeh announced Thursday that he won't seek re-election for his District 81 seat after 38 years in the House of Representatives, saying it's time to "pass the torch to the next generation of leaders."

84. Naifeh to retire after 38 years in House - Friday, March 02, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Rep. Jimmy Naifeh announced Thursday that he won't seek re-election after 38 years in the House of Representatives, saying it's time to "pass the torch to the next generation of leaders."

85. Santorum beats Romney in Tennessee GOP primary - Friday, March 02, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Rick Santorum cruised to a victory in Tennessee's Republican presidential primary on Tuesday with a platform of social and religious issues that resonated with conservative voters.

86. NRA aims to shoot down parking lot gun exceptions - Friday, March 02, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — The National Rifle Association is pressuring Republican lawmakers to abandon limits on a bill that would let workers store firearms in vehicles parked on their employers' lots.

87. Tenn. campaign flurry draws to close as vote nears - Friday, March 02, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - The sudden flurry of presidential campaign activity in Tennessee comes to a close Tuesday when voters cast their ballots in the Republican primary.

After a fairly sleepy campaign season - early voting was down 37 percent compared with 2008 - activity suddenly ramped up in the last week as the front-runners each held rallies around the state with hopes of landing a key victory in the South.

88. House sponsor stands by 'Don't Say Gay' bill - Friday, February 24, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - The Republican sponsor of a proposal to ban the teaching of gay issues to elementary and middle school students said Tuesday that he's not backing off the legislation despite concerns from GOP leaders.

89. Early voting ends Tuesday, ballots down 10 pct - Friday, February 24, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Tuesday is the last day for early voting for Tennessee's March 6 presidential primary.

More than 121,500 people had voted through the weekend, with about 80 percent of ballots cast in the hotly contested Republican primary. But without a contested Democratic primary, overall participation has been down 10 percent from the same point in 2008.

90. GOP discuss need for 'Don't Say Gay' ban - Friday, February 24, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Legislation that would ban the teaching of gay issues to elementary and middle school students may be stalled, as Republican lawmakers discuss whether they should proceed with the bill.

91. Haslam expects passage of parking lot guns bill - Friday, February 17, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican Gov. Bill Haslam said Wednesday that he expects lawmakers to pass a bill this year to force businesses to allow workers to store firearms in vehicles parked on company lots, though he doesn't expect the measure to be as broad as originally introduced.

92. GOP puts off 'Don't Say Gay' measure in House - Friday, February 17, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Supporters of a measure to ban the teaching of gay issues to elementary and middle school students have put off consideration of the proposal after being told of fellow Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's concerns.

93. Wildlife commission may be saved by Legislature - Friday, February 10, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - A legislative impasse that threatened existence of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission may have been eliminated.

According to The Knoxville News Sentinel, a House committee has approved a bill that would change the commission's name, but not its basic functions.

94. Gov. Haslam abandons Tenn. class size proposal - Friday, February 10, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam said Wednesday that he's abandoning his proposal to do away with average class size restrictions in Tennessee.

The Republican governor's decision came as a growing chorus of educators and parents - and the lawmakers who represent them - criticized the idea, fearing the change would hurt teaching standards because more classrooms would be filled to capacity.

95. Early voting gets under way for Tenn. primary - Friday, February 10, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Early voting for Tennessee's Super Tuesday presidential primary is under way, with Republican leaders lining up behind their respective choices for the nomination.

Voters began casting ballots Wednesday, and early voting runs through Feb. 28. Tennessee is among 10 states holding their presidential primaries March 6.

96. Haslam hopes waiver will boost morale of teachers - Friday, February 10, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam said Thursday that he hopes Tennessee's waiver from the No Child Left Behind education law boosts the morale of teachers and other educators frustrated by the federal measure's strict and sweeping requirements.

97. Haslam class size plan getting 'mixed reviews' - Friday, February 10, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam acknowledged Thursday that his class size proposal has received with "mixed reviews," but vowed to press ahead with the measure intended to help schools fill high-priority teaching positions.

98. House bill challenges Haslam, speakers on judges - Friday, February 03, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Rep. Glen Casada is moving ahead with a bill calling for the popular election of Supreme Court justices, a position that's at odds with the wishes of fellow Republican Gov. Bill Haslam and the speakers of both chambers.

99. Support builds for special session on health care - Friday, February 03, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican lawmakers are building support for a plan to wait until the end of the year to take action on state requirements set by President Barack Obama's federal health care law.

100. Support builds for special session on health care - Friday, January 27, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican lawmakers are building support for a plan to wait until the end of the year to take action on state requirements set by President Barack Obama's federal health care law.