OPEN INVITATION- On behalf of the citizens of Bedford County, Shelbyville NOW would like to extend an open invitation to any County Commissioner or County Official that would like to speak to issues regarding County Government and the challenges we face. You have the opportunity to speak to the general public in your own words. The Citizens of Bedford County want to hear from you! Please contact us  on facebook or call 931-808-1172  to schedule a time.

Shelbyville NOW POLL

Breaking NEWS

June 20, 2019

Today the U.S. House will vote on Appropriations Amendments #85, #116, and #133 - 3 measures to fund protection of animals including $2 Million to the Department of Justice to enforce the Horse Protection Act.   If passed,  there will be $2 million available to the Department of Justice to join forces with the USDA in the enforcment efforts of the Horse Protection Act.  This could bring a new level of penalties to offenders of the HPA and give the DOJ the ability to pursue and convict violaters.   

The PAST Act is also scheduled to come for a vote soon in the U.S. House of Representatives and is expected to pass by a wide margin.  The PAST Act would eliminate the use of pads and chains on Tennessee Walking Horse breeds.   Updates will be posted as this story develops.

Shelbyville NOW Talking Politics LIVE 

Due to a bad internet connection SN LIVE was unexpectedly interrupted.   The show is available in Part 1 & Part 2.  To see the entire discussion click on both videos below.   More discussion will be forthcoming in the days ahead.

PAST Act nears Vote in House

U.S. Senator Joseph D. Tydings Memorial Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2019 or the PAST Act has reached 304 cosponsors as of Thursday, May 23, 2019.   This exceeds the amount of co-sponors required to bring the bill to the house floor for a vote.  

The PAST Act has been written to change the regulations of the Tennessee Walking Horse show circuit hoping to eliminate the cruel practice of soring.   The act's main focus is the elimination of pads and chains used on performance Tennessee Walking Horse also referred to as the "Big Lick"  horses that are exhibited throughout the region.   This bill has been written several times before over the past 6 years and introduced to only fail in getting a vote.   This time around it appears that a floor vote in the House of Representatives could come as early as July of this year.   If passed,  the bill would then await action by the Senate before it would become law. 
 

Sources in Washington D.C. admit that a vote in the Senate would be difficult to achieve.  However,  efforts are now under way to solicit Senators to become co-sponsors of the bill in order to bring bi-partisan support.   Both Republicans and Democrats support the bill in the Senate and this could mount pressure on Senate leadership to move to a vote.   Sources say that if a vote were to take place in the Senate,  the outcome would be a toss up.   If the bill were to pass the Senate the action would move the PAST Act to President Trump's desk for his signature.
 

To follow action regarding the PAST Act follow this link:  https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/693