Daily Dose for May 01, 2006

Daily Dose

GOP Taking Reins in State Senate -- A Democratic lawmaker says the State Senate is much different with the Republicans in control of that chamber. Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle: "Republicans are the majority, and there are Republicans trying to get used to that, and there are Democrats who have to get used to that." Republican control of the upper house of the state legislature has also led to feuds with Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen. Sen David Fowler speaking of Republican questioning of the Governor's CoverTN health care initiative, said: "I don’t think the governor receives criticism very well." Despite Republican "muscle flexing" as it had been called last week, some form of the Governor's CoverTN plan is expected to pass according to Senate Majority Leader Ron Ramsey. Still, this election year will be critical as both parties battle for control of the Legislature. The Nashville City Paper reports that early fundraising for both parties is very similar - Tennessee Republicans have a slim $21,000 lead versus Democrats when adding quarterly fund-raising totals from state party and state legislative caucus accounts and comparing them between the two parties. Despite that, Democrats still hold the lead in money that is to be spent on state legislative races. The Democratic Caucus has more than $567,000 in cash. The Republicans caucuses in the House, Senate and their joint caucus have $307,000.

All Local Bills Halted in Partisan Fight -- Republicans in the State Senate, in protest of Democrat moves in the House, have stopped all bills affecting on the sponsoring legislators home district in protest of a Democratic practice of doing the same in the State House. That move appears to be in result of a feud between Rep. Frank Niceley, a Republican, and Rep. Bob Riley, a Democrat - over a bill Niceley sponsored that would allow for prosecution of eco-terrorists. Briley also got an a skirmish with another Knoxville Representative, Stacey Campfield, over a local bill he sponsored to prohibit hospitals from using accident reports to solicit business. Several other cases promoted Senate Majority Leader Ron Ramsey to stall Democratic bills in the State Senate. Ramsey said he and other Republican leaders have begun discussions with House Democrats in hopes that "we can work something out on this" and end the Senate boycott of House Democrats' local bills. In the meantime, both Republican local bills have been delayed in the House.

Voting in Memphis -- Ernest V. Beaty, died in 1954 - when Dwight Eisenhower was president - yet remains on Shelby County's roll of registered voters. Beaty's son, Zed, says something about it almost every year as he signs into vote, but nothing is ever done to remove Beaty from the voter rolls. Using the same public records available to county officials, the Memphis Commercial Appeal identified at least 500 deceased residents still on the rolls -- many shown as active voters. Some of them are even famous. Holiday Inns founder Kemmons Wilson, who died in 2003, and legendary singer Rufus Thomas, who passed away in 2001 are still on the rolls. Worst of all, some of the dead voters are still categorized as "active" voters. Memphian John Harvey has started a website to push for reform to the Shelby Co. voter rolls: VotinginMemphis.com.

TN Congressmen Release Pork List -- In an unusual approach, three Democratic Congressmen from Tennessee released the list of earmarks they say they will attempt to attach to funding bills currently before Congress. Congressmen Jim Cooper, Lincoln Davis, and Harold Ford, Jr. all released lists of the projects many call "pork" that they plan to push this year for the benefit of local governments and organizations. The delegates defended the lists, saying that most of the requested projects "were recommended by local and state officials that they believe are important to residents." Congressman Jim Cooper on releasing his list said, "I think sunshine is so important."

Sullivan Co. Turnout Expected At 14% -- Election Administrators in Sullivan Co. have projected tomorrow's turnout for the partisan primaries to be higher than 2002 - at around 14%. Election administrator Gena Frye: "Compared to some of the other counties, we don't have as good of a record on turnout as you would think." Driving that turnout is the Sullivan Co. Mayor's race where candidates have spent more than $40,000 in pre-primary campaigning. The Kingsport Times News has more on candidate disbursements in that race.

Knox Co. Dems Line Up Biden -- U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden will be the featured speaker at the Knox Co. Democratic Party's annual Truman Day May 20 at the Knoxville Convention Center. Biden, who was first elected to the Senate in 1972, is the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees appointments of federal judges and Supreme Court members.

Blogging Notes -- Rep. Susan Lynn, a Republican Member of the General Assembly now has a blog. Head over and check it out. While you're checking out blogging State Legislators, State Rep. Stacey Campfield vets his opposition to the Governors CoverTN program in a post. Also check out blogger Bill Hobbs, back in the saddle, apparently has already managed to perturb another group, this time it's the Tennessee Educators Association - they respond here calling Hobbs "obscure."

Dem Leader Blasts Dem Candidate in Hamilton Co. -- Hamilton Co. Democratic leader Stuart James blasted a Democratic candidate for County Commission in Hamilton Co. for failing to criticize yard signs that sprung up across the county in criticism of another Democrat. The signs which call Democrat candidate John Brooks "High Tax" have been popping up around the county, but do not feature political disclosure mandated by state election laws. Brook's primary opponent Lou Miller says she doesn't know where the signs came from, but she does support their message, saying: "My opponent, John Brooks, is running for the sole purpose of raising taxes. Taking money from the people in the district who cannot afford higher taxes is his hidden agenda." James said, "As chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, I am demanding those responsible step forward. Unfortunately, I doubt that they will."

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |