Tennessee Today

House Speaker Cameron Sexton is one of the most powerful leaders in Tennessee government. In this episode, he explains how decisions are made in the legislature, including the reasoning behind controversial decisions and how legislative priorities are set in Tennessee.

We talk about why school choice isn't about public schools being "bad," how catastrophic health insurance could solve affordability, and what self-reliance means in modern Tennessee.

Key Takeaways:

Why Tennessee's budget has doubled under Republicans, without excess spending or gimmicks

What's broken in Tennessee's healthcare system and why he believes catastrophic plans could lower costs

How he balances his role as Speaker against his role as a House member representing his district

Why federal funding always comes with strings, and how Tennessee is reducing dependence

About Speaker Cameron Sexton:

Cameron Sexton is an eighth generation Tennessean. First elected to the House in 2010, he represents Crossville and the surrounding Cumberland Plateau region. As Speaker of the House, he’s one of the most influential decision-makers at the Capitol. Before entering public service, he worked in the private sector with experience in corporate turnarounds and business operations.

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Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing [email protected]!

Tennessee State University is in the middle of a major transformation. President Dwayne Tucker shares his approach to repositioning the university for growth, navigating demographic evolution, and competing in Nashville's booming economy.

While neighboring universities like MTSU have tripled in enrollment over recent decades, TSU has remained relatively flat. Now, Dwayne Tucker is utilizing his background in corporate turnarounds to change the future of TSU.

We talk about achieving change without new funding, why he believes you can honor legacy while expanding demographics, and how student retention is already improving.

Key Takeaways:

How questioning 'we've always done it this way' can unlock financial sustainability when done correctly

Why TSU enrollment has remained flat while neighboring universities exploded in growth, and how he's addressing the issue

What "long-term viability" means when Amazon, Oracle, and HCA are hiring in Nashville

Why he believes TSU can honor its HBCU legacy while serving Nashville's growing, diverse economy

About Dwayne Tucker:

Dwayne Tucker is the ninth president of Tennessee State University. He has nearly 40 years of executive experience in the financial services and transportation industries, holding senior roles including CHRO, CAO, General Manager, and President at companies like First Data, Northwest Airlines, and Alliance Data. He has led large teams, managed over $500 million in P&L, and delivered strong, consistent growth. He recently retired as CEO of LEAD Public Schools and was selected as the TSU President this past summer after serving as Interim President since December 2024.

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Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing [email protected]!

Higher education has a trust problem. People think it's too expensive, too disconnected from the real world, and not worth the debt. But Tennessee is proving that doesn't have to be true. 

In this episode, Randy Boyd (President of the UT System) joins me to discuss how his business background shapes the way he runs a $3.5 billion organization, why 54% of UT graduates now leave with zero debt, and how performance-based funding is changing the game for public universities.

Key Takeaways:

The four revenue sources for public universities, and why understanding this matters for taxpayers and policymakers

What drives Randy's passion for giving back and helping students graduate without debt

The UT-Battelle partnership that manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory and extends research collaboration across all UT campuses

How Tennessee's performance funding formula incentivizes universities based on student success, not just enrollment

About Randy Boyd:

Randy Boyd has served as the 26th president of the University of Tennessee System since 2018, overseeing campuses across the state, as well as the Institute of Agriculture and Public Service, and the UT-managed Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A first-generation college graduate, he earned his bachelor's degree from UT Knoxville and a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma. Before entering public service, he founded Radio Systems Corporation in 1991, growing it into a global company before its 2020 sale. His commitment to education access led him to help create tnAchieves, Tennessee Promise, and Drive to 55.

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Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing [email protected]!

County government doesn't operate in a vacuum. The county commission, the city, and the state all have a role in shaping what happens on the ground.

In this episode, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp joins me to discuss how he navigates competing priorities while leading a growing county, what it's like to make decisions that won't pay off for decades, and why he thinks government should be more willing to admit when something isn't working.

Key Takeaways:

How Hamilton County balances growth and affordability for working families

A behind-the-scenes look at the Enterprise South land swap and McDonald Farm projects

His philosophy on pilot programs and why government needs more willingness to end things that aren't working

About Mayor Weston Wamp

Weston Wamp has served as Mayor of Hamilton County since 2022, becoming the youngest person elected to the role at age 34. Before entering public office, he co-founded Lamp Post Group, a Chattanooga-based venture incubator that provided capital and mentorship to emerging startups. He also founded the Millennial Debt Foundation, now known as In The Black, which raises awareness and engagement around reckless fiscal policy in Washington, DC. Learn more and follow his campaign at westonwamp.com.

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Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing [email protected]!

How does our state’s judicial system actually work? 

In this episode, Justice Holly Kirby joins me to discuss the differences between state and federal court systems and why our state’s unique approach to selecting judges might be the "sweet spot." 

Justice Kirby also reflects on serving Tennessee's highest court: the difficult cases, the moments that stay with her, and what it means to serve with humility, purpose, and fairness.

Key Takeaways:

How Justice Kirby’s mechanical engineering degree helped shape her approach to legal reasoning

Why the Tennessee Supreme Court is the final word on state law (and when the U.S. Supreme Court can step in)

Why lack of access to legal representation is a constitutional crisis

How Tennessee's attorney general position is deliberately depoliticized through the court system

About Justice Holly Kirby:

Justice Holly M. Kirby earned both her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and J.D. from the University of Memphis. She became the first female partner at the law firm Burch, Porter & Johnson, and in 1995 made history as the first woman to serve on the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Appointed to the Supreme Court in 2014, she served as Chief Justice from 2023-2025, becoming the fourth woman in state history to hold that role.

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Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing [email protected]!