---

In this issue:

• Who Has the Governor’s Ear?
• What Can We Do?

---

Who has Governor Lee’s Ear?

Apparently not Tennessee Republicans. Governor Lee has defied counsel from many legislators, pleas from constituents and the Tennessee Republican Party to call the special session.

“The Tennessee Republican Party encourages Governor Bill Lee to reconsider and not have a special session Aug. 21, 2023”

Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee – August 5,2023

Let’s reflect:

Those opposed to the special session are certainly mindful of the need for public safety. The opposition is rooted in concerns for the safety of legislators, their staff and law-abiding citizens. The opposition is also based upon reckless and emotional reactions by some to the horrific attack by a depraved individual upon innocent children and school staff in the spring. We ALL continue to grieve with the families of the victims. In such circumstances, level and knowledgeable minds must determine an appropriate response and should take time to be sure of their actions.

Based on hostile behavior demonstrated by activist organizations and a few grandstanding legislators, the regular session ended abruptly in the spring. With the governor’s summer long consideration to call a special session, the grandstanders and activists have invested their time in raising money to bus protestors in to Nashville in an effort to gain more attention to themselves. ‘Gun control’ is the rallying cry, but that’s not the real purpose. One prospective U.S. Senate candidate proposes to announce her candidacy and gain more notoriety …for HERSELF, not a proposed problem solving bill.

Governor Lee’s announcement of the session (below) includes several items that give credence to the concerns expressed by Republican legislators and 2nd amendment support organizations. Support for his agenda, on the other hand, includes organizations like Planned Parenthood, well-known for TAKING innocent lives and making money for themselves in the process. Planned Parenthood is now beating the drum for gun control measures. Ironically, they’ve been planning since May to hire armed guards to protect themselves during the proposed special session. And since Governor Lee has not been successful in strong arming Republican leadership to do his bidding, he’s likely recruiting Democrats to sponsor his short-sighted proposals. Note the statement about midway through this article that references a ‘bipartisan’ working group. The names listed are all Democrats, so he’s the lone Republican in the room.

Governor Lee’s Announcement: Review and let your concerns be heard to your legislators! Remember to make your comments brief, respectful and focused!

WHEREAS, public safety is of prime importance to Tennesseans, and enhancing public safety requires a multi-faceted approach that likewise protects Constitutional rights; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee and our nation continue to experience acts of mass violence; and

WHEREAS, Tennesseans are experiencing mental health issues to an unprecedented degree, and this crisis affects not only those suffering from mental health issues, but also society at large; and

WHEREAS, in response to Executive Order 100, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified barriers to timely and accurate information sharing throughout the criminal Justice system, particularly regarding information that should be entered in state and national crime databases; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of Tennessee that the General Assembly convene to expeditiously address these concerns.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Bill Lee, Governor of the State of Tennessee, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by Article III, Section 9 of the Tennessee Constitution, do hereby call the One Hundred Thirteenth General Assembly of the State of Tennessee to meet and convene in extraordinary session at the Capitol in Nashville on August 21, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., Central Time, to consider and act upon legislation regarding:

(1) Mental health resources, providers, commitments, or services;

(2) School safety plans or policies;

(3) Health care providers’ duty to warn about potential violent offenses;

(4) Offenses of committing acts of mass violence or threatening to commit acts of mass violence;

(5) Reports from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation regarding human trafficking;

(6) Identification of individuals arrested for felonies;

(7) Law enforcement’s access to criminal and juvenile records;

(8) Law enforcement’s access to information about individuals who are subject to mental health commitment;

(9) Information about victims of violent offenses;

(10) Stalking offenses;

(11) Measures encouraging the safe storage of firearms, which do not include the creation
of penalties for failing to safely store firearms;

(12) Temporary mental health orders of protection, which must be initiated by law enforcement, must require a due process hearing, must require the respondent to undergo an assessment for suicidal or homicidal ideation, must require law enforcement to prove its case by clear and convincing evidence, must require that an order of protection be reevaluated at least every one-hundred eighty (180) days, and must not permit ex parte orders;

(13) The transfer of juvenile defendants aged sixteen (16) and older to courts with criminal jurisdiction, which must include appeal rights for the juveniles and the prosecuting authorities;

(14) Limiting the circumstances in which juvenile records may be expunged;

(15) Blended sentencing for juveniles;

(16) Offenses related to inducing or coercing a minor to commit an offense;

(17) The structure or operations of state or local courts· and

(18) Making appropriations sufficient to provide funding for any legislation that receives final passage during the extraordinary session; making appropriations sufficient to pay the expenses of the extraordinary session, including the expenses of carrying out any actions taken pursuant to this proclamation; making appropriations sufficient to support mental health initiatives; making appropriations for school safety grants, as described on page B-90 of the 2023-2024 Budget Document and in Section 54, Item 1-41, Section 60, Item 25, and Section 60, Item 26 of Chapter 418, Public Acts of 2023; and making appropriations to support school safety at institutions of higher education.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Tennessee to be affixed at Nashville on this 8th day of August, 2023.

---

What can we do?

Pray for wisdom and safety for our legislators. Remember their staff members that are often on the front line of receiving public comment – both in person and over the phone!

Pray for safety of law abiding citizens. Some of the activist groups include individuals that are being paid to come. Some of the activist groups have been affiliated with Antifa and ‘Defund the Police’ causes. Some of the ‘bad actors’ coming to support ‘public safety’ have no self-imposed boundaries in their behavior toward others!

Pray for law enforcement officers and security personnel. It’s going to be a trying time for them to maintain order and safety for all! Remember their families too!

Watch the General Assembly for bills in committee and brought to house and/or senate floor. www.capitol.tn.gov

Attend committee meetings and floor sessions as you can. Do not engage with those displaying rowdy or insulting behavior. Do not go alone! Consider recruiting a team to walk the halls and drop off flyers with legislators. If something disruptive starts up around you, take video. Be watchful as you walk to and from parking garages and around the Capitol and Cordell Hull grounds.

---