Amy & Nathan Do a Podcast Amy Nathan

In this episode Amy & Nathan break down a few Tennessee bills coming up in Committees on March 21 & 22 that directly impact children: HB1029/SB1159, HB0127/SB0141, and HB0330/SB0282- Gov. Lee's Amendment, which would decimate the TCCY (Tennessee Commission on Children & Youth), is at this link.

We also touch on burn-out and how to stay motivated when change for the better feels like a hopeless endeavor. And we also learn Amy can't keep her numbers straight.

So much for a "limited" series. With this year's "Slate of Hate," Tennessee's anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation is coming on fast & furious. In this episode, we (mostly Nathan) break down the worst of these bills and how a bill becomes law in Tennessee. We also spell out what actions are needed to help stop these bills from becoming law. The links to bills and resources mentioned in this episode are below.

https://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislation/  -search for bills

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/Apps/fml2022/search.aspx - look up your TN legislator

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/mybills/Login.aspx - If you are a resident of TN, you can create an account and save bills that you want to track.

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0001 - SB0001/HB0001 bans gender affirming care for persons under the age of 18, also punishes doctor who delivered gender affirming care within 20 years of that treatment, and allows for civil lawsuits for up to 30 years after the care was received.

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0003 - SB0003/HB0009 adds “male and female impersonators” to the definition of “adult cabaret performers.” And makes it a class A misdemeanor for first offense and a class F felony (losing the right to vote) for a second offense. Basically allows the people who have used already existing nuisance laws to shut down Drag shows, to take their actions one step further and criminalize Drag performers.

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0005  (SB0005/HB1378) Bill that blocks hormone therapy, mastectomies (top surgery), and gender reassignment (bottom surgery) for minors. Fact: in the last 5 years in Tennessee only 5 top surgeries have been performed on persons under 18, and ZERO bottom surgeries have been performed.

https://www.tnep.org/campaigns_for_the_week_of_february_13?fbclid=IwAR204QtH2AUvLXpu6FFKxdExtb2fQSCoQGBuoTpyrQaWV7_A0i4Mabda6uw Tennessee Equality’s Project weekly actions for week of Feb 13.

https://www.tnep.org - The Tennessee Equality Project’s website

https://www.knoxpride.com - Knox Pride’s website. View their monthly event schedule, make a donation, volunteer, view their community resources page.

In this episode Amy & Nathan go over info on the Blount County General Election for August 4- early voting dates & locations, where to find who's on the ballot, and why you should give a darn and vote (and donate, put up a yard sign, phone bank, and/or canvass).



For info on Democratic candidates: https://www.blountdems.org/candidates

To check your voter registration, voting precinct, and view a sample ballot: https://web.go-vote-tn.elections.tn.gov/ The Go Vote TN Phone App is also available in the Google Play & Apple stores.

Direct link to Act Blue: https://secure.actblue.com/ (There's a search box right at the top of the landing page where you can search by candidate name).

In this episode Amy & Nathan discuss all the various roles on a campaign, what each role is responsible for, and have a lengthy discussion (a Rant that isn't ranty) about what's needed to engage voters who either can't seem to break away from their Political Party addiction or have every outward appearance that they believe Democrats are everything that the wackiest conspiracy theorists would have you believe.

In this episode, Amy & Nathan give more information about the day to day running of a campaign for different levels of public office. They cover funding amounts, different campaign tools, how many volunteers are needed, etc. This episode also features their longest rant to date. Starting with gerrymandering, they end up discussing why it's important to not give in to the myriad of voter suppression tactics of the GOP.



Key dates for August 4, 2022** Tennessee State and Federal Primary:

February 7, 2022* - First day to pick up Qualifying Candidate Petitions

* May be delayed for some offices until redistricting is completed.

April 7, 2022, 12:00 Noon- Qualifying Deadline, turn your petitions in.

July 5, 2022- Last day to register to vote.

July 15 – Saturday, July 30, 2022- Early Voting period.

July 28, 2022- Last day to request Absentee Ballot.

Above info available at: https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/Key%20Dates%20-%202022.pdf?VersionId=yUECL6LcwLUIJ8GdJN0d_8K5GUThgDiP



** The Blount County Commission General election is on this August 4 date, NOT November.

Amy and Nathan discuss the early steps to running for office like getting clear on why you should run for office, which office to run for, the forms, deadlines, and support that's available to help you launch your campaign for local offices.



Below is a list of deadlines & websites mentioned in this episode:

February 2, 2022- first day to request absentee by mail ballot in Tennessee

February 17, 2022 NOON- last day to turn in Qualifying Candidate petitions to your county Election Commission.

April 4, 2022- last day to register to vote in the Primary in Tennessee

April 13- 28 2022- Early Voting

April 26, 2022- Last day to request absentee ballot

May 3, 2022- State (judicial positions) and County Primary elections

Complete dates for State Reps/State Senate and Federal elections will be in the next episode. First date to pull a qualifying candidate petition for State Rep & State Senate is February 7, 2022.



State of Tennessee's Key Dates for the 2022 Election Cycle:

https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/Key%20Dates%20-%202022.pdf?VersionId=yUECL6LcwLUIJ8GdJN0d_8K5GUThgDiP



Blount County Election Commission:

https://www.blounttn.org/447/Election-Commission

Click on “Candidates” on the menu on the left side of the page for official information about running for office.



State of Tennessee candidates’ campaign finance filings:

https://www.tn.gov/tref/tref-campaign-finance-disclosure-reports.html



Blount County Democratic Party's website:

https://blount.tndp.org/



Our email:

amynathanpodcast@gmail.com