Legislative Updates

TN AFL-CIO Responds to Senate Commerce & Labor Committee's Vote on Enshrining "Right to Work" in the State Constitution

Alyssa Hansen on Yesterday, February 23 - 7:05pm

After testifying before legislators, Tennessee AFL-CIO President Billy Dycus issued the following statement in response to the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee's vote on Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 0002.

Additional Legislation We're Tracking During Session

Alyssa Hansen on Friday, February 19 - 4:59pm

While SJR 0002 and the ongoing push to enshrine Tennessee's "Right to Work" law in the state constitution are rightfully taking up th

Opinion: "Right to Work" Laws & the Sanctity of TN's Constitution

Alyssa Hansen on Tuesday, February 9 - 11:28am

Ahead of the 112th General Assembly hearing the resolution that proposes adding Tennessee's "Right to Work" law to the state constitution for the first time this year, Tennessee AFL-CIO President Billy Dycus published the following op-ed in the Tennessee Lookout.

On the same day that it joined the union nearly 225 years ago, the newly-minted state of Tennessee also adopted its first constitution.

Welcome to the 112th TN General Assembly

Alyssa Hansen on Tuesday, January 12 - 9:32am

Today at noon, legislators will gather in Nashville for the start of the 112th Tennessee General Assembly. While it may be the beginning of a new legislative session, one thing is likely to remain the same: the attacks on Tennessee's working families.

Last year, State Senator Brian Kelsey led the charge to enshrine Tennessee's harmful Right to Work law in the state constitution.

2021 Legislative Preview

Alyssa Hansen on Wednesday, December 16 2020 - 9:14am

Almost nine months ago to the day, the Tennessee General Assembly temporarily recessed until at least June 1st as the COVID-19 pandemic quickly spread throughout the state. One resumed regular session, one special session, and one ongoing health crisis later, we are preparing for the start of the 112th Tennessee General Assembly next month. Many details of what that will look like, however, are yet to be finalized.

Wrapping Up the Second Special Session

Alyssa Hansen on Friday, August 14 2020 - 2:53pm

In the midst of dealing with a pandemic, an economic crisis, and the continued fight for racial justice, we didn't think that it was possible for Tennessee lawmakers to pass any bills that could do more damage than the ones that have already become law this year.

Previewing the Special Legislative Session

Alyssa Hansen on Monday, August 10 2020 - 11:34am

If it seems like virtually no time has passed since we sent out our legislative wrap-up for the year, that's because it hasn't. Less than two months after lawmakers adjourned (seemingly for the year) on June 19th, Governor Bill Lee announced last week that he is calling the Tennessee General Assembly back into a special session beginning TODAY (Monday, August 10th.) The main reason for doing so?

2020 Legislative Wrap-Up, Part 2

Alyssa Hansen on Monday, June 22 2020 - 10:46am

Shortly after 3:00 a.m., the members of the 111th Tennessee General Assembly finally adjourned sine die.