Takeaways from the Tennessee legislative session | ABC24 This Week
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[{'start': '0.320', 'end': '3.280', 'text': 'All right. So, now that the Tennessee'}, {'start': '1.680', 'end': '5.600', 'text': "General Assembly's legislative session"}, {'start': '3.280', 'end': '6.960', 'text': 'is over, a lot of bills are on Governor'}, {'start': '5.600', 'end': '9.920', 'text': "Bill Lee's desk or the ones that at"}, {'start': '6.960', 'end': '11.840', 'text': 'least passed. So, uh, a couple of those,'}, {'start': '9.920', 'end': '14.639', 'text': 'the private school vouchers, that was a'}, {'start': '11.840', 'end': '16.800', 'text': 'big talker, uh, did pass. Undocumented'}, {'start': '14.639', 'end': '19.439', 'text': 'students bill stalled for now. So, that'}, {'start': '16.800', 'end': '21.439', 'text': 'was going to allow schools to deny'}, {'start': '19.439', 'end': '23.920', 'text': 'students who could not prove their, uh,'}, {'start': '21.439', 'end': '25.920', 'text': 'legal status in the US could either be'}, {'start': '23.920', 'end': '28.400', 'text': 'denied an education or they would have'}, {'start': '25.920', 'end': '30.240', 'text': 'to be charged tuition. And then, um,'}, {'start': '28.400', 'end': '32.480', 'text': 'that one stalled. So then dismantling'}, {'start': '30.240', 'end': '34.520', 'text': 'DEI act passed which would have allowed'}, {'start': '32.480', 'end': '38.000', 'text': 'local governments and public'}, {'start': '34.520', 'end': '40.640', 'text': 'universities to do away essentially with'}, {'start': '38.000', 'end': '43.920', 'text': 'diverse hiring practices. That one did'}, {'start': '40.640', 'end': '46.320', 'text': "pass. Governor Bill Lee's $ 59.8 billion"}, {'start': '43.920', 'end': '47.840', 'text': 'budget ultimately passed. And then one'}, {'start': '46.320', 'end': '49.360', 'text': 'that is not on here that I think is'}, {'start': '47.840', 'end': '51.200', 'text': 'important to start this conversation'}, {'start': '49.360', 'end': '53.680', 'text': 'just coming off of Memphis Shelby County'}, {'start': '51.200', 'end': '55.680', 'text': 'Schools was uh a bill with'}, {'start': '53.680', 'end': '58.320', 'text': 'Representative Tory Harris and Senator'}, {'start': '55.680', 'end': '60.000', 'text': 'Brent Taylor that shifted elections so'}, {'start': '58.320', 'end': '61.680', 'text': 'that school board elections happen at'}, {'start': '60.000', 'end': '65.280', 'text': 'the same time as county commission'}, {'start': '61.680', 'end': '67.360', 'text': 'elections. So um this obviously would'}, {'start': '65.280', 'end': '70.080', 'text': 'have a direct impact on all of the board'}, {'start': '67.360', 'end': '72.159', 'text': 'members that elected uh Dr. or former'}, {'start': '70.080', 'end': '74.560', 'text': 'superintendent Dr. Marie Fagan. So, I'}, {'start': '72.159', 'end': '76.799', 'text': 'will let Cardell, do you want to uh kind'}, {'start': '74.560', 'end': '79.360', 'text': 'of lead us off here on just the initial'}, {'start': '76.799', 'end': '82.159', 'text': 'passing of this bill and what that kind'}, {'start': '79.360', 'end': '84.720', 'text': 'of means for the upcoming election'}, {'start': '82.159', 'end': '86.640', 'text': 'season? So, I I think that it was'}, {'start': '84.720', 'end': '88.400', 'text': 'well-meaning and has some kind of false'}, {'start': '86.640', 'end': '90.799', 'text': 'premises or assumptions in it. Like one'}, {'start': '88.400', 'end': '93.200', 'text': "is that's been passed around is that a"}, {'start': '90.799', 'end': '95.840', 'text': 'lower turnout gives you lower results.'}, {'start': '93.200', 'end': '97.520', 'text': 'Like in general, most of elections kind'}, {'start': '95.840', 'end': '98.799', 'text': 'of follow what the trend is going to be,'}, {'start': '97.520', 'end': '100.479', 'text': "whether it's lower turnout, higher"}, {'start': '98.799', 'end': '102.479', 'text': "turnout. And it's interesting for the"}, {'start': '100.479', 'end': '104.400', 'text': 'county commission to try to put it along'}, {'start': '102.479', 'end': '105.600', 'text': 'with their August elections because most'}, {'start': '104.400', 'end': '107.360', 'text': 'of the county commissions because we'}, {'start': '105.600', 'end': '109.520', 'text': 'have gerrymandered districts, they get'}, {'start': '107.360', 'end': '112.079', 'text': 'decided in the May elections. And so the'}, {'start': '109.520', 'end': '114.399', 'text': 'May primary elections had the same'}, {'start': '112.079', 'end': '115.920', 'text': "turnout as last year's August elections"}, {'start': '114.399', 'end': '117.759', 'text': "for the school board. So if we're saying"}, {'start': '115.920', 'end': '119.119', 'text': "we didn't get quality from that turnout,"}, {'start': '117.759', 'end': '120.960', 'text': 'then what are the county commissioners'}, {'start': '119.119', 'end': '122.719', 'text': 'saying if they approve bringing this'}, {'start': '120.960', 'end': '125.360', 'text': 'bill over? The other thing is that it'}, {'start': '122.719', 'end': '127.200', 'text': 'takes away staggered terms. And so what'}, {'start': '125.360', 'end': '129.360', 'text': 'it could do is especially if it puts the'}, {'start': '127.200', 'end': '132.239', 'text': 'school board on the same cycle next'}, {'start': '129.360', 'end': '133.920', 'text': 'year, uh taking away two of the years'}, {'start': '132.239', 'end': '136.160', 'text': 'from the elected from the school board'}, {'start': '133.920', 'end': '138.400', 'text': 'members who were elected last year, then'}, {'start': '136.160', 'end': '140.160', 'text': 'you could end up with a full like and'}, {'start': '138.400', 'end': '142.000', 'text': 'term limits, you can end up in eight'}, {'start': '140.160', 'end': '143.840', 'text': 'years with switching out a whole school'}, {'start': '142.000', 'end': '145.920', 'text': 'board for the most part. So staggered'}, {'start': '143.840', 'end': '147.520', 'text': 'terms is a best practice that we'}, {'start': '145.920', 'end': '149.360', 'text': 'actually should be moving the other'}, {'start': '147.520', 'end': '152.959', 'text': 'legislative bodies towards, not taking'}, {'start': '149.360', 'end': '154.800', 'text': 'it away. And in the end, what the the'}, {'start': '152.959', 'end': '156.959', 'text': "crux of this is that we've heard from"}, {'start': '154.800', 'end': '158.400', 'text': 'the community is that folks want to have'}, {'start': '156.959', 'end': '160.400', 'text': 'term limits and they want to have the'}, {'start': '158.400', 'end': '163.040', 'text': 'ability to recall elected officials.'}, {'start': '160.400', 'end': '164.800', 'text': 'Without approving this legislation, the'}, {'start': '163.040', 'end': '166.959', 'text': 'county commission could put those two'}, {'start': '164.800', 'end': '168.640', 'text': 'things in place. So, I would say that'}, {'start': '166.959', 'end': '170.640', 'text': 'they should focus on just changing the'}, {'start': '168.640', 'end': '172.560', 'text': 'charter to provide term limits and'}, {'start': '170.640', 'end': '174.640', 'text': 'recall for schoolboard members and let'}, {'start': '172.560', 'end': '176.000', 'text': 'this legislation lie until it shows that'}, {'start': '174.640', 'end': '177.599', 'text': "there's actual need for it. Well, I"}, {'start': '176.000', 'end': '180.319', 'text': "think that's a logical response there."}, {'start': '177.599', 'end': '182.239', 'text': 'So, I will say um with the we saw just'}, {'start': '180.319', 'end': '184.159', 'text': 'how much of a discourse there was'}, {'start': '182.239', 'end': '185.680', 'text': 'between the public and the school board'}, {'start': '184.159', 'end': '188.319', 'text': "when it came to Dr. Marie Fagan's"}, {'start': '185.680', 'end': '190.480', 'text': 'termination. So, there was a a call for'}, {'start': '188.319', 'end': '192.080', 'text': 'recalling and and you know getting them'}, {'start': '190.480', 'end': '195.040', 'text': 'out of their positions. Otis, how do you'}, {'start': '192.080', 'end': '197.440', 'text': 'think this would play out? Well, I I I I'}, {'start': '195.040', 'end': '199.120', 'text': 'agree with some of what you said. Um'}, {'start': '197.440', 'end': '201.120', 'text': 'especially when we talk about staggered'}, {'start': '199.120', 'end': '202.560', 'text': "terms, but the city council doesn't have"}, {'start': '201.120', 'end': '205.280', 'text': 'staggered terms and county commission'}, {'start': '202.560', 'end': '207.519', 'text': "doesn't have staggered terms. So, um I"}, {'start': '205.280', 'end': '210.879', 'text': "don't know about that. Um, I'm in favor"}, {'start': '207.519', 'end': '213.360', 'text': 'though of of putting the school board'}, {'start': '210.879', 'end': '216.560', 'text': 'elections with that August election.'}, {'start': '213.360', 'end': '218.239', 'text': "Even though you're right, the the the"}, {'start': '216.560', 'end': '220.560', 'text': 'decisions are pretty much made in the'}, {'start': '218.239', 'end': '223.120', 'text': 'primaries, but the decision on the'}, {'start': '220.560', 'end': '225.519', 'text': 'county mayor, which is also in that'}, {'start': '223.120', 'end': '228.000', 'text': "August election. That's an interesting"}, {'start': '225.519', 'end': '230.720', 'text': 'race there. And so, the school board'}, {'start': '228.000', 'end': '232.319', 'text': 'would be with that election as well. I'}, {'start': '230.720', 'end': '234.879', 'text': 'do think you would get slightly more'}, {'start': '232.319', 'end': '236.799', 'text': 'turnout turnout than you would uh in a'}, {'start': '234.879', 'end': '239.439', 'text': "in a May election. People just don't"}, {'start': '236.799', 'end': '241.760', 'text': 'come out and vote in May. So, I would be'}, {'start': '239.439', 'end': '244.640', 'text': 'in favor of moving them to the August'}, {'start': '241.760', 'end': '248.959', 'text': 'election. And your thoughts, Twan? Well,'}, {'start': '244.640', 'end': '251.920', 'text': 'my thoughts, I agree with both of you.'}, {'start': '248.959', 'end': '254.239', 'text': 'Agree. I agree with both of them, but I'}, {'start': '251.920', 'end': '255.920', 'text': "didn't put too much weight in this"}, {'start': '254.239', 'end': '258.079', 'text': 'because it goes back to the county'}, {'start': '255.920', 'end': '259.680', 'text': 'commission. and when it goes back to the'}, {'start': '258.079', 'end': '262.240', 'text': 'county commission, that gives me an'}, {'start': '259.680', 'end': '264.160', 'text': 'opportunity to really weigh the pros and'}, {'start': '262.240', 'end': '266.560', 'text': "cons of this. So, I don't have to really"}, {'start': '264.160', 'end': '269.440', 'text': 'worry about that now. But I will say'}, {'start': '266.560', 'end': '272.479', 'text': 'that I think it will it came up uh as a'}, {'start': '269.440', 'end': '274.199', 'text': 'part of a legislative package as a'}, {'start': '272.479', 'end': '278.000', 'text': 'backhand'}, {'start': '274.199', 'end': '279.560', 'text': 'slap over the Fagan issue. Oh, yeah. to'}, {'start': '278.000', 'end': '282.080', 'text': 'the school board, which I think is'}, {'start': '279.560', 'end': '284.479', 'text': 'inappropriate because you probably heard'}, {'start': '282.080', 'end': '288.560', 'text': 'from some of the people who really'}, {'start': '284.479', 'end': '292.080', 'text': 'support uh uh the former superintendent,'}, {'start': '288.560', 'end': '296.320', 'text': 'but a lot of people who you never hear'}, {'start': '292.080', 'end': '298.919', 'text': 'from are silent listeners and they may'}, {'start': '296.320', 'end': '301.919', 'text': 'be the majority'}, {'start': '298.919', 'end': '304.720', 'text': 'who just want to wait and see what'}, {'start': '301.919', 'end': '307.199', 'text': 'happens and allow the school board to be'}, {'start': '304.720', 'end': '309.840', 'text': 'accountable for its own actions.'}, {'start': '307.199', 'end': '312.320', 'text': 'and when the time comes, I would vote'}, {'start': '309.840', 'end': '314.560', 'text': 'based on whether that was a good'}, {'start': '312.320', 'end': '316.560', 'text': 'decision for us or a bad decision for'}, {'start': '314.560', 'end': '318.560', 'text': 'us. Another controversial bill that'}, {'start': '316.560', 'end': '320.960', 'text': 'stalled was the undocumented students'}, {'start': '318.560', 'end': '323.680', 'text': 'bill and that would would have allowed'}, {'start': '320.960', 'end': '326.240', 'text': 'schools to deny students that could not'}, {'start': '323.680', 'end': '328.639', 'text': 'prove their legal status in the US uh'}, {'start': '326.240', 'end': '331.600', 'text': 'education and or they could charge them'}, {'start': '328.639', 'end': '334.000', 'text': 'tuition. Um that one stalled. So, you'}, {'start': '331.600', 'end': '335.919', 'text': 'know, we have two quick sound bites cuz'}, {'start': '334.000', 'end': '338.000', 'text': 'students really packed the state capital'}, {'start': '335.919', 'end': '340.240', 'text': 'to really give their thoughts. Um, we'}, {'start': '338.000', 'end': '341.759', 'text': "can hear from one student and then we'll"}, {'start': '340.240', 'end': '343.120', 'text': "following that we'll hear from"}, {'start': '341.759', 'end': '345.680', 'text': "Representative Monty Fritz who's a"}, {'start': '343.120', 'end': '348.080', 'text': 'Republican from Kingston. Uh, his'}, {'start': '345.680', 'end': '350.320', 'text': 'language after in that legislative'}, {'start': '348.080', 'end': '352.080', 'text': 'meeting. We could give a listen. I am'}, {'start': '350.320', 'end': '354.800', 'text': 'the son of immigrant parents that have'}, {'start': '352.080', 'end': '356.479', 'text': 'shown me to respect and value everyone'}, {'start': '354.800', 'end': '358.720', 'text': 'just like me and all the kids in this'}, {'start': '356.479', 'end': '360.800', 'text': 'country. We have the right to dream and'}, {'start': '358.720', 'end': '363.520', 'text': 'make those dreams come true. The right'}, {'start': '360.800', 'end': '365.360', 'text': 'to an education should not be taken away'}, {'start': '363.520', 'end': '367.759', 'text': 'from us because of our immigration'}, {'start': '365.360', 'end': '369.479', 'text': "status. We're not talking about"}, {'start': '367.759', 'end': '371.639', 'text': "immigrants. We're talking about"}, {'start': '369.479', 'end': '374.000', 'text': 'illegals. There is a distinct'}, {'start': '371.639', 'end': '376.080', 'text': 'difference. There is no greater act of'}, {'start': '374.000', 'end': '378.880', 'text': 'rebellion in these United States than'}, {'start': '376.080', 'end': '380.240', 'text': 'illegally coming across that border.'}, {'start': '378.880', 'end': '381.600', 'text': "So, it's always heart-wrenching when you"}, {'start': '380.240', 'end': '384.000', 'text': "hear from kids, especially when they're"}, {'start': '381.600', 'end': '386.160', 'text': 'in a state house like that. Um or just'}, {'start': '384.000', 'end': '387.600', 'text': 'state chambers like that. Uh Otis, your'}, {'start': '386.160', 'end': '389.360', 'text': "thoughts? Just I mean, it's stalled, so"}, {'start': '387.600', 'end': '392.319', 'text': "it's held off for now, right? And it"}, {'start': '389.360', 'end': '396.080', 'text': 'stalled because uh people in the house'}, {'start': '392.319', 'end': '398.400', 'text': "knew uh that they didn't want to go down"}, {'start': '396.080', 'end': '399.639', 'text': 'a road of an unconstitutional bill'}, {'start': '398.400', 'end': '401.440', 'text': 'because this would have been'}, {'start': '399.639', 'end': '404.319', 'text': 'unconstitutional. The state supreme'}, {'start': '401.440', 'end': '407.919', 'text': 'court back in 1982 said even though it'}, {'start': '404.319', 'end': '410.639', 'text': 'was a 5 to4 decision, you cannot deny'}, {'start': '407.919', 'end': '413.199', 'text': "education to any student whether they're"}, {'start': '410.639', 'end': '416.800', 'text': 'documented or undocumented. H the Senate'}, {'start': '413.199', 'end': '419.280', 'text': "was willing to to to do that. Um, we'll"}, {'start': '416.800', 'end': '421.280', 'text': 'see where it goes from here, but uh, uh,'}, {'start': '419.280', 'end': '423.520', 'text': 'I think the Senate wants to challenge'}, {'start': '421.280', 'end': '425.360', 'text': 'this before a new Supreme Court now'}, {'start': '423.520', 'end': '429.599', 'text': 'because they think they will get that'}, {'start': '425.360', 'end': '431.919', 'text': "that 82 law overturned. Um, but we'll"}, {'start': '429.599', 'end': '434.000', 'text': "see if they are able to do that. I'm"}, {'start': '431.919', 'end': '437.360', 'text': 'going to be very personal. There is a'}, {'start': '434.000', 'end': '439.840', 'text': 'God. There is a God and Jesus was an'}, {'start': '437.360', 'end': '442.120', 'text': 'immigrant and everybody sitting in that'}, {'start': '439.840', 'end': '446.720', 'text': 'general assembly are immigrants from'}, {'start': '442.120', 'end': '450.400', 'text': 'somewhere. And um the only pure American'}, {'start': '446.720', 'end': '452.800', 'text': 'is the uh Native American. Okay. On'}, {'start': '450.400', 'end': '454.400', 'text': 'that, I do want to touch on one last one'}, {'start': '452.800', 'end': '456.240', 'text': "before we go to the break because we're"}, {'start': '454.400', 'end': '459.199', 'text': 'running out of time. But the dismant'}, {'start': '456.240', 'end': '461.199', 'text': 'excuse me, dismantling DEI act did pass'}, {'start': '459.199', 'end': '462.800', 'text': 'as well or that sorry it passed. The'}, {'start': '461.199', 'end': '464.400', 'text': 'other one stalled, but this one passed.'}, {'start': '462.800', 'end': '466.479', 'text': 'That one would allow local governments'}, {'start': '464.400', 'end': '468.880', 'text': 'and public colleges to do away with'}, {'start': '466.479', 'end': '469.919', 'text': 'diverse hiring practices. Uh real quick'}, {'start': '468.880', 'end': '471.199', 'text': "thoughts on that. We'll start with you"}, {'start': '469.919', 'end': '472.560', 'text': "Cardell because you didn't get to put in"}, {'start': '471.199', 'end': '473.759', 'text': 'on the other one. Yeah. I just want to'}, {'start': '472.560', 'end': '475.120', 'text': 'say quickly on the other one. I want to'}, {'start': '473.759', 'end': '477.840', 'text': 'give a shout out to the education for'}, {'start': '475.120', 'end': '479.840', 'text': 'all campaign cuz it uh the the push and'}, {'start': '477.840', 'end': '481.599', 'text': 'the students this great organizing'}, {'start': '479.840', 'end': '483.280', 'text': 'effort that went into pushing back on'}, {'start': '481.599', 'end': '484.879', 'text': 'this immigration bill. So just to say'}, {'start': '483.280', 'end': '486.960', 'text': 'that and give a shout out to that. And'}, {'start': '484.879', 'end': '488.400', 'text': "then the the DEI we're seeing, you know,"}, {'start': '486.960', 'end': '491.120', 'text': 'of course federally and across the'}, {'start': '488.400', 'end': '493.039', 'text': 'country this attack and uh Tennessee has'}, {'start': '491.120', 'end': '494.879', 'text': 'always seemed to be with our legislature'}, {'start': '493.039', 'end': '497.039', 'text': 'the tip of the spear. Uh we had'}, {'start': '494.879', 'end': '499.199', 'text': 'prohibited concepts that led into what'}, {'start': '497.039', 'end': '501.440', 'text': 'became the anti-CRT kind of campaign'}, {'start': '499.199', 'end': '504.240', 'text': "across the country. Uh we've seen the"}, {'start': '501.440', 'end': '506.160', 'text': 'DEI cuts and and transitions that the'}, {'start': '504.240', 'end': '508.160', 'text': 'federal government has started to make'}, {'start': '506.160', 'end': '510.800', 'text': 'and of course the Tennessee legislature'}, {'start': '508.160', 'end': '512.880', 'text': 'follows along of, you know, trying to'}, {'start': '510.800', 'end': '514.640', 'text': 'cut out diversity and equity and'}, {'start': '512.880', 'end': '516.800', 'text': "inclusion in places where they don't"}, {'start': '514.640', 'end': '519.440', 'text': "want it, where it's meant to provide a"}, {'start': '516.800', 'end': '521.839', 'text': 'level playing field to uh to to create'}, {'start': '519.440', 'end': '523.279', 'text': 'fairness. Uh so we always have to to'}, {'start': '521.839', 'end': '524.880', 'text': "think about when we say we don't want"}, {'start': '523.279', 'end': '527.120', 'text': 'diversity, equity, inclusion, then what'}, {'start': '524.880', 'end': '529.279', 'text': 'does that say that we do want? We do'}, {'start': '527.120', 'end': '531.120', 'text': 'want exclusion. We do want people put 10'}, {'start': '529.279', 'end': '533.279', 'text': 'seconds here. Yes, I grew up in I was'}, {'start': '531.120', 'end': '535.600', 'text': 'born in the 50s, grew up in the 60s. I'}, {'start': '533.279', 'end': '539.839', 'text': 'know what uh racism and discrimination'}, {'start': '535.600', 'end': '543.279', 'text': 'looks like. Uh DEI is not that uh take'}, {'start': '539.839', 'end': '546.000', 'text': 'dismantling it uh is is is just'}, {'start': '543.279', 'end': '549.200', 'text': 'following the orders uh coming down from'}, {'start': '546.000', 'end': '550.959', 'text': 'a president uh who is against this. Uh'}, {'start': '549.200', 'end': '553.440', 'text': 'and shame on the legislature for doing'}, {'start': '550.959', 'end': '555.120', 'text': 'it. Well, real quick. All right, real'}, {'start': '553.440', 'end': '557.040', 'text': "quick. I hate they're doing that to all"}, {'start': '555.120', 'end': '559.839', 'text': 'those white women because data and'}, {'start': '557.040', 'end': '562.160', 'text': 'statistics have proven DI DEI programs'}, {'start': '559.839', 'end': '564.080', 'text': 'have helped white women more than any'}, {'start': '562.160', 'end': '565.279', 'text': "other group. And I just can't imagine"}, {'start': '564.080', 'end': '566.959', 'text': 'them doing that to all those white'}, {'start': '565.279', 'end': '570.160', 'text': "women. Woo. We'll leave it right there"}, {'start': '566.959', 'end': '570.160', 'text': 'to one to one to one'}]