Late-night calls deemed ‘outrageous’ by legislator, a timing error by sponsor
State Sen. Kerry Roberts and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) are calling for multiple investigations after robocalls from the Tennessee Justice Center criticizing Roberts’ TennCare work requirements legislation went out in the middle of the night Thursday, reports the Nashville Post.
“These robocalls are outrageous and the information disseminated is false and misleading,” said Roberts (R-Springfield). “They were conducted in the middle of night with the call back number, for those who thought that it might be a dire emergency due to the late hour, going to my legislative office which is completely deceptive.”
However, the TJC — a nonprofit that assists state families with TennCare, Medicaid and Medicare eligibility and appeals — insists the error was not malicious.
McNally blocks Senate vote on Harwell’s work-for-Medicaid bill
House Speaker Beth Harwell was caught “completely off guard” Thursday when Senate Speaker Randy McNally stopped a scheduled floor vote on her House-approved bill that imposes work requirements on some able-bodied adult Medicaid enrollees, reports the Times Free Press.
Speakers retaliate against California: No state-paid travel to NCSL convention
From an AP report, as appearing in a California newspaper:
Tennessee’s Republican House and Senate leaders say the state isn’t paying lawmakers or staffers to attend a California legislative summit.
In a letter Thursday, Senate Speaker Randy McNally and House Speaker Beth Harwell said the state won’t cover the National Conference of State Legislatures conference trip in Los Angeles because of California’s ban on state-paid trips to Tennessee.
McNally joins 18 other GOP state senators in blessing Blackburn campaign
Press release from Marsha Blackburn campaign
Brentwood, TN – Today, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally announced his endorsement of Marsha Blackburn for U.S. Senate. His endorsement follows a majority of Republican state Senators announcing their support, and it is another clear sign that Tennesseans are rallying behind Blackburn for Senate.
Slideshow of Haslam’s final State of the State
A collection of photos from Gov. Bill Haslam’s final State of the State address:
Gov. Bill Haslam prepares to give his final State of the State speech on Jan. 29, 2018 in Nashville. (Photo credit: Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Speakers quietly drop hand-held sign ban at Cordell Hull
The Tennessee Legislature has quietly revised its “Facility Use Policies” to remove a ban on all signs within the Cordell Hull building. Moving forward, “small letter sized signs that do not obstruct the view of visitors are acceptable,” according to the policy.
Under the previous set of rules, all signs were banned, regardless of whether they were hand-held or mounted to sticks or poles. The fact that this was done in the name of preventing “a serious safety hazard to visors and tenants” was the cause of much mockery because it was imposed alongside a new policy allowing handgun carry permit holders to be armed within the building.
House Democrats announced Wednesday that Rep. Sherry Jones (D-Nashville) had requested a legal opinion from state Attorney General Herbert Slatery about whether ban on “hand-carried signs and signs on hand sticks” violates the First Amendment. Jones’ letter is dated Jan. 11.
House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) and Senate Speaker Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) signed the revised policy on Jan. 3.
Note: This post comes via Erik Schelzig, editor of the Tennessee Journal. Previous post on the policy, HERE.
Haile named state Senate speaker pro tempore; Bowing deputy speaker
Senate GOP leaders hold weekly press gaggle on Jan. 18, 2018. From left are Sens. Mark Norris, Randy McNally, Bo Watson and Ferrell Haile. (Photo credit: Schelzig, Tennessee Journal.)
Press release from Lt. Gov. Randy McNally
NASHVILLE — Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) today announced the appointment of Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Senate. Haile replaces Jim Tracy who resigned late last year to accept a presidential appointment.
Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) will replace Haile in the position of Deputy Speaker.
McNally realigns Senate committees
Press release from Lt. Gov. Randy McNally
NASHVILLE — Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) today announced state Senate committee assignment changes for the second annual session of the 110th General Assembly. The changes come as a result of the resignation of three Senate members since the legislature adjourned in May. Two of the resigning senators, Doug Overbey and Jim Tracy, accepted presidential appointments.
Speakers ban protest signs, animals from legislative quarters — guns permitted
Senate Speaker Randy McNally and House Speaker Beth Harwell have approved a new policy that prohibits “hand-carried signs and signs on hand sticks” at the Legislature because they “represent a serious safety hazard,” reports The Tennessean. The speakers had earlier approved a policy change to allow handgun permit holders to bring their weapons to legislative hearings and offices.
UT to accept ACT test scores despite administrative foul-up
Press release from Lt. Gov. Randy McNally
Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) today announced the University of Tennessee has agreed to accept scores from the October 17 mis-administered ACT tests at Bearden High School and Alvin C. York Institute in Jamestown. The University’s decision was delivered to Lt. Governor McNally by University of Tennessee Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick. Continue reading
