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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Representative Mary Littleton (R-Dickson-District 78) is running for re-election and is on the ballot in the Republican primary slated for August 1st, 2024. Littleton assumed office in 2012.
Having spent twelve years as a lawmaker already, should Littleton’s time as a state representative in the Tennessee General Assembly be extended for another four years? Read on to decide.
Highlights from 2020–2024 include:
Abstaining From Voting on a Bill That Protected Businesses from Covid-19 Related Lawsuits That Followed Nonsensical “Health Guidance.”
In 2020, Littleton was one of six representatives that declined to do their job when it came to voting for or against tort reform that small business association NFIB supported.
The Tennessee Recovery and Safe Harbor Act provided protection from pandemic-related lawsuits for businesses that “substantially complied with public health guidance.” The bill ultimately failed after a conference committee report failed to receive a constitutional majority in the House.
Voting for Legislation That Censors Conservatives.
In 2022, Littleton voted for an “Incumbent Protection” bill that effectively censors conservatives. HB1201
In adding requirements for 501(c)4, 501(c)5, and 501(c)6 nonprofit organizations to report expenses of more than $5,000 spent on communication that includes images of candidates or their names within 60 days of an election, the legislation increases paperwork for groups trying to keep the public aware of the voting habits of lawmakers.
Many nonprofits don’t have the manpower to deal with increased red tape, effectively silencing them. Before Governor Lee signed the bill into law, opponents urged him to veto it, saying that it was an overreach at the expense of free speech. ALEC Action said that while “well intended” the bill “improperly blurs the lines between election transparency and non-political, non-profit activity.”
Voting for Corporate Welfare.
Littleton voted in 2022 to allow the Chattanooga Lookouts – a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Reds – to move to a new stadium in the city and retain a sales tax deal where the team keeps the first 5.5% of the state’s 7% sales tax for sales at the stadium. The legislation also extended the deal to apply to non-baseball events at the stadium.
Voting for Legislation That Could Criminalize Parents Based On Anonymous Allegations.
Littleton voted for a 2023 bill – HB1109 – that makes it a criminal offense for families to hide children outside of the state when that child is in custody of the Department of Children’s Services.
Since DCS is not required to verify the credibility of anonymous sources making accusations of child abuse or neglect, this legislation could possibly make it easier to criminalize parents who have not committed such an offense. Not only does this legislation allow parents to be charged with a felony for failure to turn their child over to the state, it also looks to relieve DCS of having to properly notify parents about removal orders since it is not a defense that “the person harboring or hiding the child has not been served with an actual copy of a protective custody order or emergency custody order.”
The primary concern that opponents of the bill had is that it seems to do away with basic due process, which gives a person the right to know about accusations made against them and allows them the ability to defend themselves in court.
Voting to Pave the Way for a Global Currency In Tennessee.
“The Money Transmission Modernization Act” also received an up vote from Littleton.
HB0316 legally redefines what the law currently recognizes as “money” in the state of Tennessee, laying the groundwork for a global currency. This legislation appears to set Tennessee up to allow foreign governmental entities the opportunity to produce, house, and exchange a currency that is not currently recognized by banks owned and operated within the state.
The Tennessee Legislative Report Card gave Littleton a voting score of 81 with a C for leadership for the 2023 legislative session.
Of note, the report card, which can be seen in full HERE, shows that 64.38% of her campaign contributions were “special interests” donations.
During the 2024 session of the Tennessee General Assembly, Littleton’s more questionable votes are as follows:
• Littleton voted for a bill (HB2922) that creates a new type of congregate setting called an “opportunity school” that may lead to the unnecessary institutionalization of young people with disabilities and other so called “at-risk” youth in a way that may interfere with the rights of parents. Children as young as 11 may be enrolled and sent across the state, far from their families and communities. Governor Bill Lee signed the bill into law on May 28th.
• Littleton also voted for a bill (HB1808) that effectively makes it easier to funnel children away from their parents and into state custody. The law that takes effect July 1st, 2024, allows Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to file a petition for termination of parental rights within 90 days if there has been substantial noncompliance by a parent or guardian with the statement of responsibilities in a permanency plan over a period of six months.
• Legislation that allows the Department of Tourist Development to keep records hidden from the public at the discretion of the attorney general and tourism commissioner received a vote in favor from Littleton. HB1692, now law, allows records to be exempt from public records laws if the information is deemed “sensitive.” A similar law passed in 1988, allowing the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to keep records secret for five years. Critics of the bill said it creates problems with transparency.
• Littleton also voted in favor of legislation that some critics call a “red flag” bill expanding mandatory reporting laws for mental health professionals. The legislation, which was signed into law on April 23rd and became effective immediately, requires a report be made on a patient to local law enforcement, 988, or a local health facility if the individual makes what a mental health professional deems a threat against a group of people related to a school or against a family member of the patient. Critics of the bill voiced concern regarding privacy laws and how reported information would be stored and used. Mental health professionals are also given civil, criminal, and regulatory immunity given the subjective way in which they might perceive something to be a threat.
• A new law (HB1695) that prevents the autopsies of minors who are victims of violent crimes from becoming part of public record, and so protects violent offenders also received Littleton’s vote.
However, Littleton did carry some conservative bills in 2024. Littleton was the House sponsor for the following bills that are now law:
• HB1817 significantly increases penalties for individuals who indirectly cause harm or death to a child, even if they are not the ones directly inflicting the abuse, marking a significant step in addressing child endangerment and neglect.
• HB2165 requires schools to inform parents if their child requests to be identified as transgender. Additionally, it prohibits schools from hiding information or providing false information regarding the student’s gender identity or plan to transition to a gender that is different from the assigned sex at birth.
• HB2169, the “Tennessee Foster and Adoptive Parent Protection Act” protects the religious freedoms of families within the state. The Act prohibits DCS from requiring potential foster or adoptive families to support policies concerning sexual orientation or gender identity that may conflict with their beliefs. The measure expands the pool of available families, helping lessen the struggle of finding homes for Tennessee children placed in the custody of DCS.
Littleton faces a challenger in the Republican primary in Justin Spurlock.
Spurlock, who comes from a long line of Tennesseans, resides in Burns with his family. Born and raised in Dickson County, and a graduate of Dickson County High School, Spurlock pursued an Education degree from Freed-Hardeman University before working as a state social worker for DCS, and later as a teacher and coach in both public and private schools.
Supporters say Spurlock is “as ‘R’ as you can get.”
EARLY VOTING: JULY 12-27 2024 ELECTION DAY: AUGUST 1, 2024
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
4 Responses
Her nonresponse to the scamdemic is enough for me. We simply can’t have rinos in there, not acceptable.
THANX!! for exposing lucifer’s RINOS! Just hope enough are paying attention.
I wanted to point out that Representative Littleton did co-sponsor and vote FOR a great bill that codified moral and religious exemptions to vaccinations for families who want to become foster families for children under the age of 18 months. This was a great pro-medical freedom piece of legislation. HB 1726
HB1109 is VERY disturbing… DCS needs MORE limitations, not less.