Tennessee Today

America spends 18% of GDP on healthcare (more than any other developed nation) yet ranks second worst in outcomes. So what's broken?
In this episode, Dr. Patrick Bailey of the Goldwater Institute joins me to break down why these healthcare laws have cost Tennessee an estimated $700 million in healthcare services, the tension between expanding access and maintaining quality standards, and why he believes healthcare reform will require market-based solutions rather than government-run systems.
Key Topics
How can states increase transparency and competition to lower healthcare costs?
What's REALLY causing the physician shortage in Tennessee?
How do Certificate of Need laws restrict healthcare competition in Tennessee?
Should patients with rare diseases have the right to try experimental treatments?
About the Guest:
Dr. Patrick Bailey is the Director for Healthcare Policy at the Goldwater Institute. He practiced as a pediatric surgeon for nearly 20 years before transitioning to healthcare policy work, where he served for 10 years as Medical Director in the Division of Advocacy and Health Policy at the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Bailey holds a medical degree, a Master of Legal Studies from Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center. He's also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
 
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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 info@bofortn.com!

Most people think politics is too big, too broken, or too controlled by insiders to make a real impact. Gail Greene proves otherwise.
In this episode, I'm joined by the HCGOP Chair to discuss the impact one person can truly have in politics. She shares the pivotal moment that activated her to get involved, the exact steps she took to become HCGOP Chair, and why protecting Republican principles matters more than being a "big tent."
By the end of this episode, we not only hope you'll feel called to action, but also understand HOW to get involved.
Learn more at hcgop.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 info@bofortn.com!

When legislators aren't experts on a specific topic, they rely on think tanks for research and data to inform decisions. But how do they know which ones to trust?
In this episode, Justin Owen (CEO of the Beacon Center) explains how the think tanks maintain credibility through transparent polling methods, why the Beacon Center publishes results even when the data contradicts their own positions, and what separates advocacy organizations from pure research groups.
Justin also breaks down how he identifies which issues matter most to Tennesseans this session, from property taxes and school choice to certificate of need reform.
About the Guest:
Justin Owen is the President & CEO of the Beacon Center and Beacon Impact. He previously served as the Beacon Center’s director of policy and general counsel, and prior to joining Beacon, he served as a law clerk to the U.S. Attorney in Memphis and at the Pentagon as a legal intern to the General Counsel of the United States Navy. Justin received his J.D. from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis and obtained his undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University.
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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 info@bofortn.com!

Bills don't just randomly appear as laws. There's a process, and knowing it gives you power.
In this episode, I’m breaking down how the Tennessee legislative process actually works: when bills are introduced, how they move through committees, and when citizens have the most influence.
Then I’ll walk you through specific legislation this session, including property tax control, K-9 medical care, the Presidential Physical Fitness Test, and why education and healthcare always dominate the debate.
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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 info@bofortn.com!

Most people see airports as just the place you catch a flight, but they’re so much more than that. They’re economic engines that create jobs, attract business investment, and directly impact regional growth.
In this episode, April Cameron, President and CEO of the Chattanooga Airport, joins me to break down how airports really work, the business side of running what's essentially a small city, and why they matter more to your community's economy than you think.
Key Takeaways:
Why air service is a critical factor when companies consider relocating or expanding
How businesses manage infrastructure updates when growth outpaces what they planned
What goes into competing for new airlines and nonstop routes
About April Cameron:
April Cameron is the President and CEO of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority. Prior to becoming the CEO in 2023, April was the Vice President of Finance and Administration for nearly 26 years. 
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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 info@bofortn.com!

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 info@bofortn.com!

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 info@bofortn.com!

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 info@bofortn.com!

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 info@bofortn.com!

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 info@bofortn.com!