Tennessee: Lee touts school choice, criminal justice reform. In his first State of the State address, Gov. Bill Lee unveiled his early legislative agenda that includes a heavy emphasis on charter schools, health care, and criminal justice reform. He also pitched his plan for expanding rural broadband, as well as increasing the state’s rainy day fund to over $1.1 billion. Florida: Too much money in politics? A report from the Florida Phoenix says that the average net worth in Florida’s 40-member state Senate is $5.48 million. Seven out of 10 members are millionaires. It’s no secret that money rules politics, but critics point to the numbers as evidence that their elected officials, on either side of the aisle, are out of touch with the typical Floridian. North Carolina: Date set for 9th District re-do. The dates for the new elections to replace former Rep. Republican Mark Harris, forced to resign following a vote-rigging scandal, have now been set. Primaries for both parties will be held on May 14th, with the general election set for September 10th barring any runoffs. Harris will not run again, but his Democratic opponent Dan McCready is already campaigning and is expected to win his party’s nomination for his second chance.
