Legalize Pot Hole Repairs
After being a guest on conservative talk radio this week, I'm ready to throw some elbows and ready to take on February. Check out my monthly newsletter below!
When Senator Campbell and I filed our Pot for Potholes bill, I knew I’d get pushback — “pot is the Devil’s drug”, “we can find the revenue elsewhere”, “it would take years to get the infrastructure set up…” Well, excuses are like belly buttons; everybody’s got one. However, I did not expect so much grassroots enthusiasm across the state from local businesses and conservative voters. (Shout out to Larry’s Nursery and Landscaping in Clarksville, Tennessee… see photo below).
This week, I received an email from someone we’ll call Peter, who self-describes as “as anti-Democrat as anyone you'll ever meet.” He heard me on conservative talk radio the other day (click here to listen to the interview), and after listening to my argument for legalization, he reached out. Peter’s wife has suffered from epilepsy since she was nine years old. The endless stream of prescribed medications has left her with a myriad of comorbid diseases. On the rare occasions, she has traveled to states with legal cannabis, she’s found real relief—but back home in Tennessee? That relief is illegal.
Peter doesn’t care which party gets credit—he wants his wife to get the relief she deserves. His priority isn’t politics; it’s her health. And that’s precisely what this bill is about: putting people first, bringing in dedicated and sustained revenue for Tennessee, and demanding the legislature to do something most Tennesseans want.
24 states have fully legalized marijuana. Every single one has seen massive tax revenue gains, safer product regulation, and a reduction in unnecessary arrests that clog up our courts and ruin lives. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s GOP supermajority continues to reject legalization—even as they bemoan that we don’t have the money to address the $78 billion infrastructure backlog or fund essential services like providing care to the children sleeping on the floors of our DCS offices.
Meanwhile, committees are in full force, and the supermajority is blowing through its usual mix of unconstitutional bills and culture war distractions—but at record speed because many need to get home and lawyer up before former Speaker Casada’s federal trial kicks off in April. College football season may be over, but the political tailgate of the year is coming up. Word on the street is up to 20 House members have been subpoenaed to testify, so grab your popcorn (or maybe a stiff drink) because this one will be GOOD.
Now, if only we could get as much urgency around fixing our potholes as we do around avoiding subpoenas. 😃
Aftyn
Legislative Updates
Committees and Bill Filing Deadline
The 114th Tennessee General Assembly (TGA) began its weekly committee schedule two weeks ago. I attended my first Transportation and Agriculture committees as their newest member.
For those familiarizing themselves with the TGA, committees historically meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between the Floor Sessions on Monday night and Thursday morning. These committees will meet until early April, when most bills have gone through the legislative process.
If you are interested in speaking on a House bill during the Committee process, you can do so 24 hours before the committee starts by clicking this link.
Please be aware that Committee Chairs have complete discretion over who gets to speak and may decide at the last minute that your testimony is no longer needed.
Thursday, February 6th, marked our bill filing deadline. Bills require a House and Senate sponsor to advance through the legislative process.
House members this year could sponsor up to 12 bills, while Senate members can sponsor unlimited bills. This disparity caused many tantrums as organizations, lobbyists, and members scrambled to find “open spots” to ensure their bills would progress.
Remember, by clicking here, you can find easy-to-read one-pagers on my 2025 legislation.
Based on feedback about weekly recaps, I’ve started a new segment called “Pink Chair Playback and Preview,” where I record an update while sitting in my infamous pink office chair. These video recaps will live under the “Legislature” section of my Substack and will be posted weekly.
Special Session Concludes
WELP. What a brutal outcome to a brutal week. BUT, I will say that I was thoroughly impressed with so many House District 51 constituents who e-mailed, called, and showed up. Y’all are the BEST. I also want to give a special shout-out to the grassroots groups who pulled countless all-nighters to organize resistance to the #VoucherScam.
Unfortunately, we lost this fight, and the tangible impacts of the legislation passed during this session will be catastrophic for our public schools. You can read EdTrust’s memo on what come’s next, but the organizing doesn’t stop! If you want to plug into ongoing organizing efforts to save public education, check out SOCM’s Public Ed LinkTree.
Helpful Links for the Legislative Session
See below for various information outlets to understand what’s happening at the Tennessee Legislature. If you have others, please respond to this e-mail, as I’ll keep adding them!
Do you have a child that wants to be “Page for the Day”? You can e-mail your House or Senate member to ask to put them on the list to page during a Floor session on Monday night or Thursday morning.
Senator Charlane Oliver’s The Senator’s Source e-mail: way more thorough and professional than my Substack 🤣… she’s doing it better than anyone!
Adam Shoop’s Substack Shoop.WTF which contrasts different pieces of legislation backed by empirical evidence
Our grassroots organization, the East Nashtivists’ People’s Pulse, features invaluable insights from Michele Flynn’s Substack, who thoroughly highlights the latest antics
Keel Hunt’s Field Notes substack: Keel served under former Governor Lamar Alexander and is a prolific author documenting Tennessee politics
Announcements
LIVE IN NASHVILLE? Join CM Jacob Kupin and me for a town hall this Saturday, February 22nd, from 10-12 PM at the Morgan Park Community Center in Germantown/Salemtown neighborhoods. You can register for the town hall by clicking here!
Please save the date for this year’s town hall program! You can find registration links and more information on my Events site!
In the Press
State representatives talk ‘Pot for Potholes’ bill, how it would work
TN bill aimed at clearing out homeless encampments near state roadways
On The Go
MLK Day Labor March and Convocation
Walked in solidarity with workers, community leaders, and organizers at the MLK Day Labor March. Got to meet Nashville radio legend Kenny Smoov and spend time with Senator Campbell! Shout out to Senator Charlane Oliver, who did not mince words regarding the legacy of MLK and what it means to stand up for justice today. She reminded us that honoring Dr. King isn’t just about reflecting on his dream—it’s about taking action to confront racism, poverty, and economic injustice head-on right here in Tennessee.
Vanderbilt Law School If/When/How Presentation
I spoke with Vanderbilt Law students who are representatives of the group If/When/How about the legal landscape post-Dobbs and Tennessee’s extreme abortion restrictions. The next generation of legal advocates is fired up and ready to fight against government overreach into our private lives.
Madison Chamber Banquet
A fantastic evening with the Madison business community, celebrating local entrepreneurs and small businesses that keep our district thriving. I swore in the new Board Members and constitutional officers! Shout out to Madison Rivergate Chamber President Laura Knotts, who does such a fantastic job.
Show Pony Grand Opening
I joined Nashville entrepreneur Bill Miller and CM Jacob Kupin for Nashville’s newest experience, which was opening downtown.
Days on the Hill
I enjoyed seeing a high school friend who now works in nuclear energy (left), and always wonderful spending time with the Tennessee Equality Project’s Day on the Hill attendees (right). A special shout out to Murphy, who came from Chattanooga and has been a big supporter of mine from Day One!
You go girl!
I am so very grateful to have a sane, thoughtful, intelligent and hard-working State Representative such as yourself. If only the rest of the General Assembly had half as much sense.