Latest news with #Tennesseans'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Immigrant rights groups respond to TN congressman's call for federal investigation into Nashville mayor's office
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Immigrant rights advocates have criticized Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles' call for a federal investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's office. Ogles has publicly questioned whether Nashville officials misused federal funds and whether the mayor was 'aiding and abetting' illegal immigration — without providing proof. 'The mayor stands up and is defending those types of individuals over our hard-working law enforcement: Homeland Security, ICE, THP, the sheriff's department, and the city,' Ogles said. 'He is choosing criminals over Tennesseans.' PREVIOUS | 'We're going to take a look': TN congressman doubles down on call for investigation into Nashville mayor Part of the controversy is The Belonging Fund, launched by a nonprofit after recent ICE roundups in South Nashville. Metro promoted the fund, which provides emergency support to immigrants, covering basics like food, housing, and transportation. Ogles has claimed that the fund illegally aids undocumented immigrants. Additionally, Ogles claims that O'Connell and State Representative Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) encouraged interference against ICE. Both O'Connell and Behn have denied the allegations. 'If Representative Andy Ogles wants to talk about investigations, I think he should start to look in the mirror,' Behn told News 2. 'This man is a walking ethics violation.' Metro officials say no taxpayer dollars were used for The Belonging Fund, and it does not cover legal services or immigration defense. 'If you come into this country illegally, your very first act is illegal,' Ogles said. However, advocates for immigrants have expressed skepticism on any case against Metro officials, including O'Connell. 'The Tennessee Highway Patrol had ongoing operations for at least a week, and nobody stopped anything from happening,' Executive Director for Advocates for Immigrants Rights, Casey Bryant, said. 'If they are providing blanket services that happen to cover undocumented individuals, then I don't really see that mens rea — that willful and intelligent component to the violation of that law,' Director for the Immigrant Justice Program CLC, Colton Bane, said. 'It just happens to have such a wide range that these people could get some assistance.' Bane said that Nashville could see federal retaliation. 'What I think is much more likely in this situation is the withholding of federal funds for the city of Nashville, which tends to be the go-to tactic when the federal government is seeking to punish a city or state,' Bane explained. Behn said she thinks Ogles' threats are a distraction from Tennesseans' real needs. 'Our groceries still cost a lot, healthcare is bankrupting families, and our wages haven't improved, and the republican party has no way of fixing this and, so instead, they are scapegoating a very small marginalized community,' Behn said. Ogles also emphasized his belief that noncitizens have no due process rights, which is untrue. 'Outside, they are chanting 'Protect due process,' do you think every person who was arrested in the local ICE raids has a right to due process?' a reporter asked Ogles. 'No, so if you are a noncitizen under the current law, you can be removed in an expeditious manner,' Ogles responded. Bryant stressed that if noncitizens were to lose their right to due process, it would impact citizens. ⏩ 'Due process is something that we value highly in the criminal context, and it is historically what has made this country a more just place, but if we take due process rights away from noncitizens, then it is just a matter of time before other people, even citizens are deprived of their due process rights,' Bryant explained. News 2 reached out to both O'Connell's office and ICE for comment. However, as of publication, we have received no response. Metro Legal did not have a comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protect Tennessee farmers from activist-driven lawsuits related to pesticides
America's farmers have always been among the most productive and resilient in the world. Through hard work and generations of experience, farmers provide the food and fiber that power our economy and feed millions. But modern agriculture hasn't been driven by farmers alone – innovative crop management tools have reduced many of the physical burdens of harvesting crops and made it more efficient to grow corn, wheat, and other staple crops. These crop management tools are critical to sustaining high yields, with about 90% of cotton and soy acres relying on pesticides and herbicides. On top of that, they have helped lower costs for both farmers and consumers, preventing up to $10 billion in added food costs every year, a burden that would fall on households across Tennessee. Simply put, these resources have allowed farmers to grow more with less – less land, less water, and lower input costs. This has made modern agriculture more efficient than ever before. As a seventh generation West Tennessee farmer, the joys and challenges of farming have been passed down to me. I also had the fortune to serve three terms representing Tennesseans in Congress, where I carried those rural values to strengthen our food security, trade, and national security. I have not only seen how important crop management tools are to helping farmers like me meet growing demand but to ensuring that the United States' agriculture industry remains self-reliant. Our farmers should not have to depend on China or other foreign adversaries for the products that keep our food system stable. However, access to pesticides and herbicides is increasingly threatened by activist-driven lawsuits in Tennessee and across the country. Counterpoint: Protect Tennesseans' rights not corporate profits on crop pesticides regulation Out-of-state trial lawyers, looking for a payout, are pushing cases that could remove key products from the market – not based on science, but on scare tactics and misinformation. If these efforts succeed, American farmers will be left with fewer options to protect crops and maintain land, forcing us to use less effective and more costly alternatives. State legislators in Nashville are currently considering tailored legislation (House Bill 809/Senate Bill 527) to prevent these special interests from taking advantage of our judicial system by closing loopholes and recognizing that federally approved labels are the law. It puts pragmatic steps in place to prevent abuses, preserve the rights of Tennesseans, and protect the freedom to farm in our state. We cannot afford to let opportunistic lawsuits weaken our agriculture industry. Tennessee's farmers deserve certainty, not legal and regulatory chaos. They need common-sense protections to ensure they can continue to access safe, effective, and domestically produced pesticides and herbicides. For over 50 years, these products have gone through rigorous scientific review and testing under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's stringent safety standards and have consistently been deemed safe. Since the EPA's approval is the gold standard, farmers should be able to use products the EPA deems safe without fear of politically motivated interferences. Ultimately, food security is national security. If we want to keep America's farms strong, our rural communities thriving, and our food supply independent, we must stand against efforts that threaten access to these critical agricultural tools. Supporting Tennessee agriculture means supporting our farmers, and that starts with ensuring they have the tools they need to do their jobs and the representatives willing to act on their behalf. Stephen Fincher is a farm owner from Frog Jump in Crockett County and represented the 8th District of Tennessee in Congress from 2011-2017. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee farmers need pesticides to keep food costs down | Opinion
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TN Sen. Marsha Blackburn's values and priorities make her ready to be governor
Editor's note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree, or click on this link to fill out the form. We welcome diverse viewpoints. Dear friends and fellow Tennesseans: I am proud to endorse U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn for governor of Tennessee. As former GOP Nashville chairman, I've worked with many leaders, but few match Senator Blackburn's steadfast resolve and commitment to Tennessee values. Marsha has spent her career fighting for us − opposing a state income tax as a state senator, serving in the U.S. House, and now as our U.S. senator. She consistently defends our freedoms, small businesses, borders, and conservative principles that make Tennessee thrive. Her record and character set her apart. She listens to constituents, stands against Washington elites, and fiercely protects our Second Amendment rights and way of life. Tennessee needs her tenacity and integrity in the statehouse. Opinion survey: Should Sen. Marsha Blackburn run for Tennessee governor? Tell us what you think. As governor, Marsha will prioritize Tennesseans' needs − ensuring strong schools, safe communities, and a thriving economy. Her proven results and deep understanding of our state's challenges make her the clear choice to lead us into a prosperous future. I urge Tennesseans who value principled leadership to join me in supporting Senator Marsha Blackburn for Governor. Together, we can build on Tennessee's excellence and keep it the best state to call home. Lonnie Spivak, former Former GOP Nashville Chairman Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@ Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Marsha Blackburn should be elected to be Tennessee governor | Letters
