NASHVILLE – When it comes to the art of crafting law, silence sometimes speaks volumes.
During Tennessee’s three-day special session on COVID-19 mandates last week, Republican majority legislators placed new restrictions on public schools and other governmental entities, saying no mask requirements can be implemented “unless severe conditions” exist.
But private companies and employers remain free to implement mask mandates.
So how was that done? Simply by making no mention of the issue of mask restrictions in conjunction with private employers in the new code provision.
It began as an effort to accommodate Ford Motor Co., which along with Republican Gov. Bill Lee announced in September the company will build a massive $5.6 billion electric truck assembly and battery plant in West Tennessee.