9 a.m. - Tennessee Supreme Court - WATCH
Rigged election maps get Supreme Court hearing
- On Thursday, October 3, at 9 a.m. CDT, the Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a pivotal case challenging the constitutionality of the state’s gerrymandered House and Senate maps.
The case, Gary Wygant and Francie Hunt v. Bill Lee et al., was filed in response to 2022 redistricting laws and will address whether Republican-drawn district lines violate the Tennessee Constitution. Plaintiffs allege that the maps were rigged to artificially boost Republican representation in the legislature, violating constitutional mandates on district boundaries.
- The hearing will take place at the Tennessee Supreme Court building in Nashville, and will be livestreamed on the TNCourts YouTube page. All are welcome to attend.
- The lawsuit focuses on two main issues:
- House Map: Plaintiff Gary Wygant claims that the House map violates Article II, § 5 of the Tennessee Constitution by unnecessarily splitting 30 counties. A three-judge panel previously found Wygant could only challenge the division of his home county, Gibson, and ruled in favor of the state, concluding that the legislature acted in good faith. However, one judge dissented, arguing the state failed to prove the split minimized county divisions.
- Senate Map: Plaintiff Francie Hunt contends that the Senate map violates Article II § 3 by not consecutively numbering districts in Davidson County. The panel struck down the Senate map, with the majority ruling that Hunt had standing to challenge it. However, one judge dissented.
- This case raises critical questions about accountability, especially as state attorneys seek to have the case dismissed altogether. If successful, it could set a precedent that individual citizens have no legal path to challenge unconstitutional maps in the future.
9 a.m. - Senate Energy, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee - WATCH
Gov. Bill Lee, Republicans look to remove protections for flood-fighting wetlands
- Less than a week after deadly flooding devastated East Tennessee, Republican lawmakers are pushing for the removal of environmental protections for thousands of acres of flood-reducing wetlands. A Senate committee will “study” a Lee administration proposal to allow for more development on wetlands during a public meeting this morning.
- The summer study hearing comes after this year’s failed legislative attempt to roll back wetland safeguards to permit more development.
- Environmental advocates argue that protecting wetlands is crucial for preventing flooding and preserving biodiversity. Developers and homebuilders want fewer restrictions and lower costs on future building projects.
- During the hearing, lawmakers will hear from Gov. Bill Lee’s Environment and Conservation Department, which is proposing 18 changes to allow for more development of wetlands. Several advocates who want to protect isolated wetlands from development will also testify, including the director of the Southern Environmental Law Center.
- The Tennessee Lookout provides an excellent summary of how we got here.
12:30 p.m. - Senate State & Local Government Committee - WATCH
State Republicans want to bypass U.S. Constitution Supremacy Clause
- Republican Sen. Janice Bowling wants to pass a law allowing politicians in Tennessee to “nullify” actions by the federal government they don’t approve of.
- Legislation sponsored by Bowling will be the subject of a summer study committee meeting today.
- The U.S. Constitution Article VI, Clause 2 states: “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof… shall be the supreme Law of the Land…”