Infernal Pastimes of a Sunspot Mind

Original Article

Original Article

Sen. Mike Bell (R-Riceville) rebutted claims by Cleveland, Tenn. attorney Jim Bilbo that splitting Bradley County between an eastwardly expanded 10th senatorial district and the 9th would weaken the county’s influence in Nashville. Bell cited his past House experience, when he served part of Monroe County, as evidence:

“Every time an issue came up with TDEC, TDOT or the County Commission passed a resolution, they had two representatives speaking for them in Nashville,” he said. “Anytime we had a meeting in Nashville, they had two representatives there.”

But is that assuming that their votes don’t cancel each other out? Say, for instance, that Sen. Andy Berke still held the 10th and Bell the 9th, and both represented Bradley. Well, look no further than Hamilton County, Bell says, which today is split between Berke, a Democrat, and Sen. Bo Watson, the Republican Speaker Pro Tempore.

“When it comes to local issues, economic issues or road issues, even Berke and Watson get along,” he said. “I’m sure they don’t agree a lot on political issues, but when it comes to local issues … when it comes to economic development issues, even Berke and Watson get along on those. It’s the political issues when you have people of different parties who might not get along.

In any case, despite Bilbo’s begging, it looks somewhat likely that Bradley County will have one senator representing its northern half, and another representing the southern.

Original Article

Following Thursday’s announcement that Senate Speaker Pro Tem Jamie Woodson will step down in July, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey today announced that he has appointed Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson) to succeed her.

From a press release:

“It is rare that you find someone who works as hard for the people of Tennessee as Bo Watson,” said Ramsey. “His tireless work on issues of government reform has been an inspiration to all of us striving to make state government as small, efficient and transparent as possible. I’m extremely pleased he has agreed to take the job.”

“I’m humbled and honored that Lt. Gov. Ramsey has placed this kind of faith in me,” said Sen. Watson. “I look forward to serving my speaker to the best of my ability in this new role.”

The speaker pro tempore is a key leadership role in the General Assembly, both public policy-wise and operationally. Most notably, the speaker pro tempore presides over the state Senate in the absence of the speaker.

Watson is a physical therapist in Chattanooga.

Original Article

Death by committee? Death to committees—some of them. Tennessee House of Representatives Speaker Beth Harwell on Thursday announced legislative committee assignments for the 107th General Assembly. Chattanooga Times Free Press reporter Andy Sher has a roundup of appointments given to Southeast Tennessee lawmakers. Rep. Jim Cobb, whose 31st District includes Rhea County and the far northern end of Hamilton County that wants to secede and join Rhea, is chairman of the House Government Operations Committee. Sen. Bo Watson will retain his post as head of the Senate version.

Readers around the state can find their legislators’ new duties listed here.

Original Article