STORIES

Beacon has petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review on an important property rights issue that affects thousands of Tennesseans. READ MORE

The stormwater capacity fee is an unlawful exaction. If Nashville wants to improve its stormwater system for all Nashville residents, it may not single out and force residents who are seeking development permits to shoulder all the costs. READ MORE

Executive Summary Animal chiropractors serve an important role in the animal health care system and are distinct from veterinarians. Although veterinary schools and colleges do not require animal chiropractic in their curriculum, Tennessee law requires animal chiropractors to obtain a veterinary medicine degree and become licensed veterinarians to practice animal chiropractic. As a result, it... READ MORE

Current Status: The parties agreed to temporarily stay the case while the new Administration considers repealing the Overtime Rule.  — Executive Summary The Biden Administration recently issued an Overtime Rule that would reclassify some 4.3 million salaried workers and make them eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This drastic change... READ MORE

Case status: The Supreme Court denied the petition on December 9, 2024 over the dissent of Justice Alito and Justice Thomas  — Racial discrimination is morally wrong and a barrier to opportunity. Boston Parent Coalition v. School Committee for the City of Boston involved yet another push for “equity” in schools. For decades, admission to... READ MORE

Puerto Rico has appropriated Roberto Clemente’s trademark against his family’s wishes, and at the expense of his and his family’s reputation.  READ MORE

Current Status: The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee issued an unfavorable decision dismissing the case on March 10, 2025. We have filed an appeal,  but have agreed to temporarily stay the case while the new Administration considers repealing the Independent Contractor Rule. — Executive Summary With its bustling music industry, Nashville... READ MORE

Certificate of need (CON) laws are a regulatory, administrative, and financial burden on community-centered medical practices like Watauga Orthopedics in East Tennessee. Kim Marden shares Watauga’s story in this video and asks the question—are CON laws really necessary in Tennessee? READ MORE

Case Status:Victory! Our lawsuit prompted Mt. Juliet to repeal its $100/day fee for food trucks.  Food trucks rushed to help Mt. Juliet residents in March 2020 after the city was ravaged by a tornado. The city and its residents welcomed food trucks with open arms in the wake of the tornado and the beginning of... READ MORE

Beacon recently launched a new case representing three innovative entrepreneurs from Middle Tennessee and their food truck businesses READ MORE

Current Status: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an unfavorable decision on August 12, 2025. We will file a petition for review at the U.S. Supreme Court later this year.  — The Story Particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more Americans use the internet to buy goods, conduct meetings, and... READ MORE

“These children are our future. Why not offer them every opportunity they need?” Why not, indeed.  READ MORE

When considering expanding the program to give more children opportunities like this, stories like Lisa's should be at the forefront of every lawmaker’s mind.  READ MORE

Roxanne Glass, a single mother in Memphis, is able to send her daughter Nicole to the school of her choice because of the education savings account program. Roxanne says, “she’s going to be great,” and we couldn’t agree more. To learn more and apply for the ESA program to give your child life-changing educational opportunities,... READ MORE

What is it going to take to make Tennessee the most business-friendly state in the country? Jason Schmitt, CEO of Old Time Pottery, gives his thoughts. READ MORE

Adam Jackson and TJ Chang share their experiences as innovators and make the case for the freedom to innovate in Tennessee. READ MORE

It is very important for Tennessee to remain a Right to Work State. Cheri Gensel from Pennsylvania—a non-right-to-work state—speaks to why worker freedom is so important from her personal experience. READ MORE

In 2018, Mark Janus took on AFSCME, a powerful workers union, in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, and he prevailed, protecting workers’ rights to free speech nationwide. Today, he joins Taylor to talk about why it’s important to protect worker freedom, specifically through Right to Work laws. READ MORE

Being a mother of 6 school-age children isn’t easy, especially when you are managing a full-time job and virtual schooling during a pandemic. Star Brumfield knows that feeling well, which is why she is a passionate advocate for school choice and education savings accounts in Tennessee. READ MORE

Evette Moore was released from her job at a private school at the beginning of the pandemic. When that happened, she could no longer provide for her third grader to continue going to school there. A fully functional education savings account program in Tennessee would change the lives of so many people, like Evette and... READ MORE

Elected—and unelected—officials need more accountability, especially during a pandemic. Lauren Orser explains the emotional toll that virtual learning has had on her children. READ MORE

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Dr. Jeff Patton joins Taylor to talk about Tennessee’s CON laws, the consequences of them, and ideal reforms to have a freer system of health care in Tennessee. READ MORE

Lauren Herring is a Nashville mom who is advocating for a safe return to in-person school for all students. READ MORE

Nashville’s sidewalk law imposes tremendous financial burdens on everyday Nashvillians like Jason Mayes and Jim Knight. READ MORE

Matthew Kalish, Co-Founder and President of North America for DraftKings, talks to Mark and Justin about innovation, Tennessee’s economy, and what he is hopeful about as legal online sports gambling is introduced in Tennessee on November 1. READ MORE

Learn more about school choice options at beacontn.org/ed-choice READ MORE

Lieutenant Colonel Rob Tomsett of the Tennessee State Guard talks to Taylor about his experience in direct primary care, using telemedicine in the military, and what he thinks health care should look like in the future. READ MORE

Current Status of Lawsuit: Along with IJ and EdChoice, we continue to represent parents in defending the ESA program. On August 5, 2025, the chancery court heard arguments on our motion for partial judgment on the pleadings and our opposition to the plaintiffs’ request to add its claims against the EFS program. Decisions on both motions... READ MORE

Current Status of Lawsuit: Chancellor ruled that TSBA is functionally equivalent to a government entity and therefore subject to public records requests. — Karrie – fighting for transparency and parental control in Williamson County Schools Parents are entitled to full transparency when it comes to the education of their children.  Sunshine is the best disinfectant,... READ MORE