NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE) — The Tennessee General Assembly is back in session and WMOT is exploring the legislative priorities of some of the state’s leading political voices.
WMOT News recently spoke Hedy Weinberg who heads the Tennessee chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Weinberg says a major focus for the legal advocacy group this session will be the right to vote issue. Calling it the “cornerstone of our democracy” she says ACLU will proactively work on ballot box access.
Weinberg says the group will also pursue both juvenile and adult justice reform.
“The system should focus on ensuring public safety as well as reducing incarceration of those individuals who should not necessarily be in prison, but where there should be alternatives to incarceration.”
Weinberg notes that it’s early in the legislative session and bills are still being filed, but she says the ACLU full expects to - once again this year – see measures offered up that would target women’s rights, refugees, and the LGBTQ community.
“Unfortunately, some state legislators, emboldened by the hateful actions of the White House, continue to move forward with these very troubling bills.”
She cites a couple of issues in particular, including a measure to restrict abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
Weinberg says other proposed legislation seeks to limit in Tennessee the impact of the landmark 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing same sex marriage.
Would you like to learn moreabout the work of the Tennessee ACLU?