Charlie Baum

Representative Charlie Baum (R) has served in the Tennessee State House since 2019. Representative Baum has a vote score of 64%, placing him #53-57 (ties) in a body of 99. His leadership grade of D- places him at #67. Leadership grades are based on sponsorships, co-sponsorships, amendments, both meritorious (+) and deleterious (-), and other bold and courageous acts (+) or furtive, unprincipled acts (-). Baum’s low grade would indicate a reluctance to sponsor or co-sponsor bills which he supports with his votes. His thoughtfulness and preparedness are commendable but he lacks the boldness that is necessary in today’s precarious political state.

TLRC scores and grades reflect the entire process, not just end results. We count every vote on every selected bill. Bills are selected for their value to ordinary Tennesseans, or their insult to those values. We encourage our General Assembly members to support the former and oppose the latter. When they don’t, they lose points.

Representative Baum supported the following TLRC endorsed bills:

• HB1137/SB1197 – No restrictions on church activities in declared emergency
• HB1749/SB2285 – Court decisions de novo, not based on a state agency’s interpretation
• HB1867/SB1823 – Vaccine exemptions protected
• HB1880/SB1830 – School boards – Freedom to speak
• HB1960/SB1884 – No government vaccine mandates
• HB2067/SB2189 – Would reduce number of votes necessary to keep a minor party on ballot. https://tennesseestar.com/2021/03/16/state-house-subcommittee-rejects-bill-lowering-signature-requirement-to-recognize-minor-political-parties-in-tennessee/
• HB2128/SB2245 – Election integrity measures. (weak)
• HB2316/SB2153 – No males in girls’ sports
• HB2331/SB2558 – Auditable paper trail voting machines
• HB2454/SB2292 – Redefines “obscene” to include educational material in K-12 making it unlawful
• HB2666/SB2247 – Requires Textbook Commission to provide a list of approved material to GA members
• HB2742/SB2728 – Requires HS to teach virtues of capitalism and the constitution
• HB2746/SB2188 – Makes Ivermectin available over the counter

 TLRC-opposed bills that Representative Baum supported:

• HB0204/SB0136 The Crown Act- protecting ethnic hairstyles in the work place
• HB1201/SB1005 – Changes in campaign finance giving advantage to incumbents; limiting freedom of speech.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK5Ov35oRxI
• HB2309/SB2464 – Allows professional licenses for illegal immigrants in Tennessee. https://tennesseestar.com/2022/04/13/tennessee-general-assembly-may-enable-illegal-immigrants-to-acquire-commercial-and-professional-licenses/
• HB2609/SB2890 – Cincinnati Reds 80% tax-break for Chattanooga farm team
• HB2886/SB2901 – Provides $500M for Titans to build new stadium
• HB8002/SB8002 – Provides $678,218,300 of taxpayer money for Ford to build an electric vehicle plant in W. TN

 Corporate welfare in all forms should be opposed. Our state government should not be giving economic advantages to any public or private for-profit entities. Let the free market pick the winners and losers. Jobs would come to Tennessee if we were actually to reform our education system and to educate instead of indoctrinate. A well-educated workforce would be unique in America and every business would want to be in our right-to-work, no income tax state. Members should rethink these handouts.

Representative Baum should always fight against bigger government and for constitutional principles. We need principled members to battle against government expansion, to protect our tenth amendment rights, and to make good policy decisions for ordinary Tennesseans. We are in crisis. We can and must do better.

By listing these bills, we hope that tells you what you need to know about your General Assembly members. We encourage you to reach out and let them know how you feel about the various issues and VOTE accordingly. To contact members, go to: https://www.capitol.tn.gov