Benjamin Smith

3 weeks ago | dailymemphian.com | Laura D. Testino |Benjamin Smith

State Government By Laura Testino and Benjamin Smith, Daily Memphian Published: April 02, 2025 8:54 PM CT State Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, attends a bill-signing ceremony at the Tennessee Capitol on Feb. 12. (George Walker IV/AP file) The measure, narrowed to Memphis-Shelby County Schools, would strip elected school board members of their duties and assign oversight of the district to a board of state-appointed Shelby County residents.

4 weeks ago | dailymemphian.com | Benjamin Smith |Bill Dries

State Government By Benjamin Smith and Bill Dries, Daily Memphian Updated: March 26, 2025 8:41 PM CT | Published: March 26, 2025 8:41 PM CT “Democracy requires people to elect folks to represent them,” Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson said during the House subcommittee. “And not having the opportunity to present their bills does silence the voice of those 72,000 people that they represent.” (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file) A discussion about gun laws lead to Rep.

1 month ago | dailymemphian.com | Laura D. Testino |Benjamin Smith

Laura Testino is an enterprise reporter who writes about how public policy shapes Memphis. She is currently reporting from Frayser about education and housing. Please write her with your suggestions and story tips.