Tales from the States as they try to outdo one another toward retrogression.
The state Senate gave final legislative approval Monday night to a bill allowing local governments to erect monuments or displays of the Ten Commandments, along with such other “historically significant documents” as the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence and the U.S. and Tennessee constitutions.
The bill was among 10 that the Senate passed collectively on a single 30-0 vote as part of the “consent calendar” of relatively noncontroversial bills, without debate.
The House had unanimously approved the legislation on March 19.
The bill’s preamble says that such documents “are treasures that should be displayed proudly and resolutely in public buildings and on public grounds.” The bill says the documents may be displayed in public buildings and on public grounds in the form of “statues, monuments, memorials, tablets, or any other display that respects the dignity and solemnity of such documents.”
Unbelievable. Except it is Tennessee, so it isn’t…
Tennessee is determined to stay ahead of the pack. +4 for this passing the second chamber.
Giving Florida the final +5 from this travesty.
Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a controversial law cosponsored by Sen. Greg Evers that would allow student prayer at mandatory school events, prompting several groups opposed to the law to warn school districts against implementing it.
The measure signed by Scott would pave the way for local districts to approve policies allowing students to decide whether to have another student deliver an “inspirational message” at school events. Scott signed the bill without comment.
