Tennessee House of Representatives
Casada’s Next Power Grab
Bill gives speaker staffing, salary power over state’s “independent” financial analysts Speaker Glen Casada wants control of the staff responsible for providing an “independent” fiscal analysis of legislation and state finances. The Fiscal Review Committee, created in 1967 to oversee the fiscal operations of the state, was established to provide “independent information concerning the…
Read MoreN.E.S. seeks law to cut customer protections in electricity shutoffs
Nashville Electric Service wants to make customer power shutoffs easier, according to a lawmaker sponsoring the legislation to eliminate a consumer protection rule. Rep. Pat Marsh, R-Shelbyville, District 62, told members of the House Commerce Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 26 that Nashville Electric Service “asked for this bill” because the utility wants to remove the…
Read MoreGOP Introduces Bill to Block Police from Taking Illegal Handguns
Republicans in the Tennessee House of Representatives have introduced a bill that will reduce the penalty for carrying an unlawful handgun and allow the person to keep it. The bill (HB 0042) would create special rights for persons found to be possessing a handgun without “a written directive or a handgun carry permit” — separate…
Read MoreBoy’s Club: Legislature’s Committee Leadership Lacks Women, Black Tennesseans
Republican leaders appointed white men to head 24 of the 27 committees in the Tennessee General Assembly this legislative session. Committees play a powerful role in deciding which bills will be considered by the House and Senate and ultimately become law. In Tennessee, women outnumber men 51 percent to 49 percent, but that reality not…
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