To all Republican voters in District 27,
Patsy Hazlewood has been our district representative for the last 10 years. Although a Republican, her voting record on various important issues makes me consider how loyal she is to the Republican Party and to her constituents. Here are a few that concern me:
In April 2018, she voted against the prohibition of sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants across our state. If allowed, sanctuary cities would provide the opportunity for illegal immigrants to be protected by law enforcement and our tax dollars. The largest sanctuary cities across the United States are New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago. Shelby County, Tn. is currently refusing to obey the state’s law and is abiding by Biden’s current immigration policies instead. HB 2315
On pages 25 and 26 of the Republican Party Platform, it states, “America’s immigration policy must serve the national interest of the United States…illegal immigration endangers everyone, exploits the taxpayers, and insults all who aspire to enter America legally…Because ‘sanctuary cities’ violate federal law and endanger their own citizens, they should not be eligible for federal funding.”
In May, 2019, she voted against the establishment of the Education Savings Account Pilot Program, where parents would be given vouchers if they wanted to pursue private education for their child, versus attending the local public school provided for them. This bill passed with 70 Republicans in the House and Senate voting to support it. School choice continues to not be an option in the state as our representatives have not come to an agreement on how to implement the program. HB 0939
On page 34 of the Republican Party Platform, it states, “We support options for learning, including home-schooling, career and technical education, private or parochial schools, magnet schools, charter schools, online learning, and early-college high schools. We especially support the innovative financing mechanisms that make options available to all children: education savings accounts (ESAs), vouchers, and tuition tax credits.”
In June, 2020, she was present but did not vote to make abortion illegal if a heartbeat of a child was detected in a mother’s womb. The bill also required signage to be posted in medical facilities where women are offered the first of two pills in a chemical abortion, providing information on reversing the abortion before taking the second dose. The bill passed with 93 Republicans in the House and Senate voting to support it. HB 2263
According to the Republican Party Platform, on page 13 it states, “The Constitution’s guarantee that no one can ‘be deprived of life, liberty or property’ deliberately echoes the Declaration of Independence’s proclamation that ‘all' are ‘endowed by their Creator’ with the inalienable right to life. Accordingly, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed.”
In February, 2022, she was present but did not vote to protect the individual belief systems of students and faculty of higher education in the state of Tennessee. The bill passed with 94 Republicans in the House and Senate voting to support it. HB 2670
The Republican Party Platform states on page 11, “The Bill of Rights lists religious liberty, with its rights of conscience, as the first freedom to be protected. Religious freedom in the Bill of Rights protects the right of the people to practice their faith in their everyday lives. As George Washington taught, ‘religion and morality are indispensable supports’ to a free society.”
Rep. Hazlewood, please provide your constituents with why you chose to vote, or not vote, on these bills. I understand that you are not bound to the Republican Party Platform, but I do find it concerning that you vote in opposition to it.
Anne Lowery