Tennessee set to prevent local governments from studying and disbursing reparations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee General Assembly is nearing passage of a bill preventing local governments from disbursing money for – or even just studying – reparations to descendants of slaves. It’s been up several weeks in a row and has drawn a rash of protesters each time. Woman shoots, kills brother during money dispute in East Nashville, police say “It’s a horrible bill, but there’s a lot of emotions involved,” Rep. Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville) said. “I think people really started to really hear what this bill is about.” The bill defines reparations as ‘money or benefits provided to an individual who is the descendant of persons who were enslaved as compensation for the enslavement of the individual’s ancestors.’ Democrats filed several amendments to try and alter the bill, including kicking the question to local governments. But Republicans beat those back with minimal debate. “Mr. Speaker, I view the amendment as hostile and I move it to the table,” Rep. John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge), the bill’s sponsor, said. Senate dismisses Mayorkas impeachment without trial Democrats also pointed out that Tennessee has a poor history of slavery. The state only recently took slavery out of the state Constitution in 2022...