New Year, New Legislation
New Year, New Legislation. Amidst the parties and celebrations, many Tennesseans may not have realized that the new calendar year brought with it some major changes in state law. The largest of these changes requires Tennesseans to present a photo identification card in order to vote. This controversial ordinance also requires the state to supply photo ID cards to Tennessee residents free of charge. Most of the ordinance’s critics have cited that small, under-represented factions of the community—specifically, elderly and racially ethnic individuals—are unfairly targeted as evidence suggests that they are less likely to possess an identification card. Some go further, criticizing the “excessive and confusing” requirements placed on the innate American right of suffrage.
New Year, New Legislation. While this voting reform is by far the most controversial law pushed through Nashville this year, state legislatures have also toughened up on criminal laws. New measures are being put in place to track the purchase of pseudo-ephedrine in order to crack down on methamphetamine manufacturers. Other state legislature increases penalties for sex offences, hiring of illegal immigrants, drunk driving, and violent gang activity.
Learn more at http://www.newschannel5.com/story/16427510/new-year-means-new-laws-in-tenessee
