Sen. Janice Bowling Moves To Adjourn On First Day Of Tennessee’s Special Session
Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
Tennessee’s special legislative session on public safety officially began yesterday afternoon.
During Monday’s Senate floor session, the body adopted their rules of order and a proposed committee schedule which should now be available on the General Assembly’s website pending any last minute modifications.
Speaker of the Senate and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge-District 5) recognized the balcony of citizens who showed up to watch the first day of special proceedings for themselves.
“I’d like to welcome the guests that we have and remind you that during the debate, there’s no clapping, booing, no making comments,” said McNally. “We’re here to represent y’all.”
At this point there have been over 100 Senate bills filed, despite the expedited time frame of a special session such as this.
However, it seems that some of these bills may not be considered by the legislature, at least not during the special session, due to the variety of subject matter addressed.
Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville-District 21) spoke on this saying, “There’s significant other legislation that was pre-filed in accordance with our rules, but that has been deemed to not fall within the scope of what I believe, is a too narrowly drawn call of the governor.”
On the opposite end, many conservative voters feel that the range of subject matter called for by the governor is far too broad.
Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) shared similar sentiments on the Senate Floor when she questioned the validity of this particular “extraordinary session.”
“There are bills filed now that we must consider […] in a very abbreviated amount of time,” Sen. Bowling said. “Some of these bills seek to aggregate the rights of Tennesseans and some of them seek to even enlarge the use of federal Medicaid spending. Thereby expanding our entanglements with the federal government.”
It was also noted that the Metro Nashville Police Department has gone as far to recommend that anyone who works in downtown Nashville stay home throughout the duration of this special session “for their own safety.”
“I fear that no matter how well intentioned this extraordinary session may be, it was ill-conceived,” said Sen. Bowling. “For reasons stated herein, I make a motion to adjourn.”
When asked to clarify if she was moving to adjourn for the day or adjourn the entire special session, Sen. Bowling responded saying that she would be back with a resolution on Tuesday, August 22nd.
Following yesterday’s Senate session, Tennessee Stands sent out a call to action asking Tennesseans to “support the resolution to adjourn” by reaching out to their state Senators before the Senate reconvenes to vote on the resolution.
Even before Sen. Bowling’s announcement, there was already speculation on what could transpire regarding three bills filed by Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin-District 27).
SJR7085, SJR7086, and SJR7087 were all filed by Sen. Johnson prior to yesterday’s floor session, and each one proposes a day of adjournment for the special session.
Additionally, Rep. Bryan Richey (R-Maryville-District 20) in the House filed HJR7040, which also called for adjournment of the special session. However, that resolution has already failed in the House of Representatives.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
It appears the Sen Bowling is the only one up there with any sense. Adjourn and go home. The only possible outcome of this “Special Session” is a mish-mash of ill-conceived laws that are designed to cost the taxpayers more money for the nothing they get now and set the state up for hundreds of millions of dollars spent on courts with endless challenges. They say we need more gun control. Apparently they don’t watch the news. The state with the toughest gun laws in the nation suffered forty wounded and seven dead last weekend. More money for the schools, they say. For what? Has anyone looked at the number of students held back because the teachers don’t make enough money. This “Special Session” is so far out there as to be ridiculous. Trouble is the Government being ridiculous always cost taxpayers two or three times
VERY well said this whole special session was a waste of time and money, so BILL LEE could make the ANTI GUN DEMOCRATS think he was siding with them.
So, thanks to the riots organized and carried out by the “Tennessee Three”, this will be the last of the video or any recordings of the gun-grabbing session. Pity, that level of secrecy is normally only reserved for corporate welfare sessions.
But with the large number and variety of bills filed, Tennesseans might actually be following along and would learn how the Trojan horse, caption bill game is played and how they can’t actually see the “amendment that makes the bill” that is being voted on by their “representative” whom they have had zero opportunity to give feedback on the bills they can’t read.
They may also be confused by other terms constantly used in the legislature like “the administration’s bill” and wonder why the executive branch is introducing legislation.
And then there are all the state employees, some with direct financial conflicts of interest, who though unregistered as lobbyists, seem to have unfettered access to the committee process.
That could be really eye-opening. Probably best to keep it censored.
BRAVO Ralph! Could not have been stated better & I could not agree more. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your well stated thoughts Horatio! I agree!
Maybe they can adjourn for more sessions than just this one.
She needs to be bragged on for her good sense!
A thank you to Senator Bowling for her common sense approach, there is far too little of that nowadays. I reached out to my representative and senator and got the brush off that we common folk don’t understand the dangers of not expanding government interference in our lives (those are my paraphrase of the legis-speak that they used). Also, well stated by Ralph and Horatio.
I am sick of BILL LEE what a turn coat, and all those people holding sign’s and disrupting the meetings, should be TOSSED OUT. THERE was NO NEED for a special session, other then to try and PASS another ANTI GUN BILL.