Has Governor Lee Politically Neutered The General Assembly?

Published August 11, 2021

By Brandon Lewis [Founder of The Tennessee Conservative] –

In civics class, I was mistakenly taught that the legislative and executive branches were co-equal. I am increasingly convinced that Governor Lee politically neutered the legislature’s leadership back in early 2020. 

Nothing, and I mean nothing else, could explain why they never weighed in on these mandates that fundamentally changed the lives of Tennesseans in so many discriminatory, historic, illogical and inconsistent ways.

Over the past 18 months, as Tennessean’s constitutional rights and liberties were stripped away and life was turned upside down, I asked myself a simple question over and over again: “Why do I even vote for a state senator or representative if they do not have a say in life-altering, unlegislated mandates?”

Not only did the General Assembly NEVER call a special session during the perpetual and now seemingly eternal state of emergency declared by the Governor, they even closed the general session in 2021 without putting ANY limits on the governor’s power to damage our economy, schools, liberties and freedoms.

When real restrictions on the governor’s powers were presented, they were killed in committee by establishment RINO’s who care more for the Governor’s favor than the good of their districts. 

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While the general assembly voted on many arguably inconsequential bills, they did not think it important to stop lawless mandates that have resulted in…

– One in four Tennessee small businesses closing (while the Big Box Retailers raked it in)

– A reduction of reading proficiency for TN kids… It dropped from an unacceptable 33% at grade level to an abysmal 25% (while parents lost jobs because of perpetual “distance non-learning”)

– Weddings, funerals, and graduations banned 

– Don’t forget Lee’s banning of Christmas and Thanksgiving… That was a nice touch for a “Conservative” governor who pledged to “Protect Your Constitutional Rights Without Compromise” in his “Ten for Tenn” campaign pledge (The last time I checked, a pledge was a sacred promise – that can apparently be broken)

These were outcomes of government intervention… not the virus.

If we can’t count on the Tennessee General Assembly in a time of crisis, when CAN we count on them?

You should contact your state representatives and senators and tell them they must call a special session to reign in this Governor’s abuse of power. We need checks and balances in our state. We did not elect a dictator or a tyrant – we elected a representative government.

Right now, the Tennessee General Assembly is failing to represent the people that elected them by hiding behind Bill Lee’s skirt on most matters related to medical freedom and restrictions. 

Enough hiding. Enough excuse making. Enough being worried about losing a committee or subcommittee position. Enough fretting that an appointment from the governor might not come your way.

Enough hand-wringing that a corporate donor or teacher’s union might get angry at you because you voted to give Tennesseans back their Constitutional liberties.

Represent. The. People. Who. Elected. You!

Call the special session.

We’re counting on you to do the right thing.

Please don’t let us down.

In closing, many may read this and say, “Wow, that’s a rather strongly worded message. Shouldn’t you tone it down a bit?”

No. Hell no. Lives have been ruined, businesses and retirements lost, churches closed, logic has been replaced by coercion and kids have been abused by the adults running the systems who are supposed to look out for their best interests. 

Cowardice, indecision, handwringing and lack of Constitutional fortitude is what has led us down this dystopian sheep-path in the first place. 

It is now time for men to act like men. 

And the men who can’t figure out how to act should model strong Conservative women like Janice Bowling and Terri Lynn Weaver who have not lost their will to represent the people above special interests or personal agendas.

Call the special session. 

If you are reading this as a subscriber, contact every representative or senator you know and ask them to encourage Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt Gov. Randy McNally to take back the power and authority of the General Assembly as a co-equal branch of government.

You can find your elected officials HERE.

Do not delay. Do this today. You deserve to be represented by more than one man in Nashville.

About the Author:

Brandon Lewis is no stranger to conservative politics and has worked on U.S. Senate, U.S. House, State & Local Races in Tennessee as a paid political and fundraising consultant. He is the author of “How to Raise Money for Political Office” and his writings have appeared in Campaigns & Elections Magazine. 

Lewis is the founder and publisher of The Tennessee Conservative, a state and local news alternative dedicated to fighting the leftist media in Tennessee while holding Republicans accountable to remember their conservative campaign promises. 

In his “day job,” Lewis works with hundreds of small business owners across the nation to make them more profitable through group coaching, done-for-you business systems, digital services and purchasing group facilitation. 

In his free time, Lewis enjoys camping, physical fitness, music, friendship and attending Calvary Chapel. He is Married to Kristin Lewis and has two smart, beautiful girls; Sylvia, aged 9, and Ruby, aged 2.