On Saturday, January 17, 2015, lawmakers convened to inaugurate incumbent Governor Bill Haslam and confirm committee assignments for the 109th General Assembly. The House Education Committee has been divided into two separate committees—the shift due in part to the high volume of legislation that the former Education Committee considered in each session. The change is … Continued
State lawmakers convened on Tuesday for the first day of the 109th General Assembly. The Oath of Office was administered to members and they officially elected leadership. As anticipated, House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) was re-elected, as was Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville). The first week of the legislature’s work is largely organizational: They’ll elect … Continued
The House and Senate passed the state’s FY14-15 budget this week as legislators rapidly approach the end of session. According to an article by Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Tom Humphrey, House Finance Committee Chairman Charles Sargent (R-Franklin) said that this budget marks the “first time in institutional memory” that the General Assembly has approved a … Continued
