SUMMARY: Protesters gathered at Tennessee’s Capitol Hill to oppose a controversial bill allowing public schools to refuse enrollment for undocumented students. As the House Education Committee voted 11-7 in favor of the bill, demonstrators, primarily students, chanted and expressed their discontent. Supporters of the measure, like Representative William Lambert, argue it protects resources for legal residents, while opponents view it as discriminatory and an attack on marginalized communities. The protest organizer emphasized the importance of education for all, urging community solidarity. The bill will now proceed to the Senate for debate in April, fueling heightened emotional responses.

Protesters were there for a vote on a measure that would let public schools refuse to enroll undocumented students.

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SUMMARY: In Tennessee, a House committee advanced legislation allowing schools to deny education to undocumented students, despite protests from community members and faith leaders. Sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, the bill aims to challenge the 1982 Supreme Court ruling Plyler v. Doe, which affirms education rights for all children. Critics argue that the bill’s financial justifications are flawed, with some lawmakers questioning if it would deter illegal immigration. Supporters claim it addresses educational costs for local districts. The bill could potentially face legal challenges if passed, drawing parallels to recent shifts in other legal precedents.

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SUMMARY: Grundy County, Tennessee, seeks regulatory authority over farmland to prevent the dumping of “biosolids,” or human waste, from urban areas like Chattanooga. State Sen. Janice Bowling introduced a bill to allow local monitoring due to health and environmental concerns, with county officials reporting numerous violations but no consequences for offenders. Current laws restrict counties from regulating biosolids, a responsibility handled by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). While TDEC acknowledges the issue and plans to improve permitting, concerns about unconstitutional unequal treatment of counties persist, complicating the bill’s prospects. The proposed legislation has passed committee but faces challenges ahead.

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