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TN Politics: New Bills Get a Closer Look

This week, Tennessee legislators have rolled out a number of new proposals. Some, like the Natural Marriage Defense Act and a proposed abortion ban, are based on the presumption that a new conservative majority U.S. Supreme Court will be more inclined to revoke Constitutional protections for LGBTQ people and women.  

"The real goal that I see is a bunch of conservative Republicans in the legislature trying to renew their staunch conservative Republican card," says political analyst Otis Sanford, adding that it's not out of the realm of possibility that Trump's recent picks for the high court will help overturn precedent cases such as Roe V. Wade.

A series of new laws could also affect what is treated as public record. One law would make 911 calls confidential, another would reveal more information about tax incentive deals cut with companies to lure them to Tennessee cities. Sanford argues that the public -- and the media -- should have access to the same information that the government has. 

Reporting from the gates of Graceland to the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, Christopher has covered Memphis news, arts, culture and politics for more than 20 years in print and on the radio. He is currently WKNO's News Director and Senior Producer at the University of Memphis' Institute for Public Service Reporting. Join his conversations about the Memphis arts scene on the WKNO Culture Desk Facebook page.