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
First Amendment Freedom for Online Auctioneers: McLemore v. Tennessee Auctioneer Commission
BY WEN FA
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
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
Current Status of Lawsuit: The District Court granted permanent injunctive relief to Plaintiffs on May 3, 2022. The State appealed the District Court’s Order to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Sixth Circuit reversed and dismissed Plaintiffs’ claims for lack of jurisdiction. — The Story Like other forms of e-Commerce, online auctions are the... READ MORE
In order to get a license to braid hair in Tennessee, you must obtain 300 hours of schooling, take a test, and pay a fee to the state. To date, 22 other states do not require a license to braid hair, and numerous states have recently repealed their braiding license. If almost half the states... READ MORE
Elisha and Jesse Gaugh live under the same roof but are taking different education paths. This is just one example of the fact that one size does not fit all when it comes to education. Learn more at beacontn.org/ed-choice READ MORE
Families like the Lopez family—who want and need choices for their children’s education—exist all over Tennessee. By implementing statewide ESAs, Tennessee parents will be able to decide the best course for their child’s education and dedicate the dollars that are already going toward education to their child’s specific needs. READ MORE
The John Metros that you meet today and the man you would have met 10 years ago are two completely different people. Today, John works in prison ministry and with individuals who are coming out of prison and acclimating to that life. He knows what they need to hear, because not very long ago, he... READ MORE
All children in Tennessee should have the opportunity to pursue an educational path that best meets his or her unique needs. That is possible through education savings accounts, or ESAs. READ MORE
Watch the story of Lindsay Holloway READ MORE
Current Status: The Tennessee Court of Appeal issued a favorable decision for our clients on August 5, 2025. The case will be remanded to the chancery court, where the court will issue a final judgment vindicating our clients’ right to earn a living from their homes. — Who would have thought it would be illegal... READ MORE
Current Status of Lawsuit: The Beacon Center was victorious as the state legislature repealed the licensing requirement for animal massage. Stowe v. Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners The Story Have you ever worried that the government would swoop in one day and take away your livelihood? Or demand you immediately shut down the business you... READ MORE
Get an update on Beacon Scholarship Recipient Madison Ott READ MORE
The Beacon Legal Foundation has just filed its first lawsuit against the State of Tennessee. READ MORE
See the benefits of Direct Primary Care in Tennessee and why more freedom in healthcare will help to solve some of our biggest problems. READ MORE
To learn more about the Anderson family and our lawsuit, click here. READ MORE
Beacon checks in on its first ever Opportunity Scholarship recipient, Madison Ott. READ MORE
"Unfortunately, Beacon can only help one student while the Tennessee legislature has the opportunity to help thousands of children." READ MORE
Our latest video shows that like Amanda, terminally ill patients deserve hope. READ MORE
"Our new video details the inspiring story Marshall Shanks and the impact educational choice has had on his life." READ MORE