On this episode of Inside Politics, host Ben Hall welcomes Tennessee State Rep. for House District 59, Caleb Hemmer, to respond to several topics that were discussed on last week's episode with Speaker Cameron Sexton.

Topics include the 7th Congressional District race, school vouchers and Nashville's relationship with the legislature.

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On this Inside Politics, Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton answers various questions candidly about The East Bank Development . Cameron Sexton serves on the East Bank Authority.  With state investments like the Titan's stadium and TPAC, he is concerned about costs and the lack of decision making power of the East Bank Authority vs. Metro government's control.  Sexton asked:  Does Metro want TPAC in the East Bank Development? Is Metro trying to run out the clock to change the deal?

The two also discussed the DCS lawsuit, school voucher tracking, the big beautiful bill impact on Tennessee, the 7th District race and more.

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Tennessee Congressman Mark Green announced at the end of June that he will be stepping down as U.S. Representative for District 7 just six months into his second term. What happens next for constituents? This has left candidates scrambling to get paperwork filed to throw their hat in the ring for both Republicans and Democrats. Who is considering a bid for the seat? Host Ben Hall invites GOP Chair of Williamson County Steve Hickey and Perry County GOP Chair Bob Ousley to explain the demographics of the district and what voters in District 7 are looking for in their U.S. Representative satisfying citizens in cities like Nashville, Franklin and Clarksville as well as rural areas like Perry, Wayne, Hickman and Stewart Counties. A special primary election is set for October 7th and the General Election is set for December 2nd. (This show was recorded before the announcement)

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How can you push for gun safety reform in Tennessee?  SaferTN.org was developed during the days after the Covenant School shooting in Nashville March 27, 2023 as a pro-second amendment, bi-partisan non-profit gun safety organization.  Safer TN board member Todd Cruse and Host Ben Hall discuss how Safer TN helps get gun safety legislation through capitol hill.  Cruse shares concerning statistics about firearm violence in Tennessee.  Tennessee leads the nation in firearms stolen from vehicles and firearms are the  #1 cause of death of youth 1-17.  Safer TN believes gun safety and security of firearms starts at home and in your vehicle.  The two also talk about comprehensive background checks for private transactions, online and gun show purchases.  Safer TN is also working on stronger temporary transfer laws to prevent a person in crisis from accessing firearms and purchasing a new gun. 

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Although President Trump campaigned on the slogan "America First", he ordered bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities as a preventative attack on Iran intervening in the Israel/Iran conflict. What will be the consequences? Did we prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons? How will the rest of the world respond the next time this problem occurs?  Did the president ignore the Constitution without the approval of Congress?  Lipscomb University Associate Professor of Political Science, Dr. Susan Turner Haynes and host Ben Hall dig through the intel and discuss Iran's nuclear capabilities, their allies' involvement and nuclear proliferation throughout the world.  Plus, how concerned should we be with Russia and China's nuclear arsenal?

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In 2020 Tennessee's DCS was under Federal court oversight due to a lawsuit filed by Brian A.  The oversight ended in 2017. Tennessee was mandated to overhaul it's foster care system and implement measures to improve child welfare outcomes.  Now in 2025, new complaints of multiple and unstable placement of children, sub-standard living conditions, overdue stays at assessment centers, high turnover rate for caseworkers, over-burdening workers with 4-5x as many cases than average, as well as not keeping track of children, providing inadequate mental and physical care and shackling children when taking them off sight for doctor's visits.  Marcia Lowry, Executive Director of A Better Childhood and host Ben Hall outline the state-wide problems of Tennessee's Children in DCS Custody.

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Top stories this week, then April Calvin, Director of Office of Homeless Services is our guest.  She is here to talk about the results from the Point in Time Count that occurred January 23, 2025.  We saw an increase of 4.1% since January 2024, but unsheltered population decreased by 17%.  Other metrics were discussed as well as some controversy with community partners.  

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How is ICE activity in the state affecting businesses in Tennessee? Fear of harassment is keeping foreign professionals and college students from coming to the U.S. affecting universities and businesses here and across the nation. Doug Russo, Esq. from Rose Immigration Law tells host Ben Hall that his clients are worried about the anti-immigrant climate that has grown in the state. The affects of this policy have created lack of workers in construction, agriculture and hospitality but also have created a stall with professionals receiving visas to enter the United States.

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The aftermath of the May ICE crackdown has opened questions about due process and the Rule of Law. Can the government scoop up citizens and non-citizens off the street and detain them without reasonable cause? People have missing family members, rumored that they are in custody, but where are they really? Why won't ICE release a list of people they picked up? Metro Nashville Councilmember At-Large Zulfat Suara and other have asked these questions but have received no response. She and host Ben Hall discuss this topic and more on this episode of Inside Politics.

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Tennessee Highway Patrol working with ICE, made 369 traffic stops the first week in May that resulted in 94 detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Highway Patrol will continue to assist Homeland Security state-wide. This action has created anguish, mistrust and fear among residents and non-residents targeted at the police and lawmakers. Host Ben Hall invites Tennessee House Representative for District 51 Aftyn Behn to discuss what her constituents are saying, her reaction to seeing first hand what is going on in the community and what changes need to be made. She also remarks about the actions in the 114th Legislative Session and what she is working on this summer.

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