A Legislative Update From Sen. Jim Bryson
A Legislative Update From Sen. Jim Bryson
After spending four weeks dealing with ethics the legislature is finally in regular session and moving along with hopes to finish in mid to late May. The House deadline to file bills was Thursday and the Senate's cut-off is Monday. This week, committees should be busy considering bills.
The legislature seems to be gearing up for a difficult session. Its an election year with both the Senate and House within just a few votes of changing parties. Republicans hold the Senate by an 18-15 margin while the Democrats hold the House by a 53-46 margin. A few votes either way in the election can change the power either way. This legislative session will be a prelude to a very busy and potentially very unpleasant campaign season.
Though the legislature has been busy getting itself organized, there have been a few very important events.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Nashville Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ruled that the marriage amendment to the Tennessee Constitution can be placed on the November ballot. The ACLU sued the state claiming that voters had not been given enough notice regarding the amendment. If the ACLU had won the case, the amendment might have had to wait until 2010 before it could appear on the ballot.
If approved by the voters, this amendment would place a ban on same-sex marriages in the Tennessee Constitution. The legislature has approved the amendment (twice) and now the voters get to voice their opinion. It should appear on the ballot in November unless the ACLU figures out a way to delay it even further.
GOVERNOR RECINDS HIS DRIVING CERTIFICATE
Two years ago, Governor Bredesen introduced a first-of-its-kind driving certificate in Tennessee as a solution to the problem of illegal aliens easily getting Tennessee driver's licenses. Under his proposal, illegal aliens could get a license if they passed the driving test and showed some "proof" of residence. Because the "certificate" clearly stated "Not Valid for Identification" it was supposed to be the answer to our problem.
Since the program was implemented about 50,000 people have obtained a certificate. Since they don't have to show a picture ID, we don't know if they were actually the person on the utility bill or other "proof of residence." Also, companies and other states don't know what to do with an official state driver's license that clearly states that it is not valid.
The final straw was the recent indictment of THP officials and others who were fraudulently issuing driving certificates to illegal aliens. Governor Bredesen has finally issued an executive order suspending the program.
Now maybe we can get back to a sensible bill that Senator Bill Ketron and Senator Mae Beavers have been advocating that would require proof of legal residence before a person can obtain a Tennessee Driver's License.
ATTORNEY GENERAL TO APPEAL FORD ELECTION VERDICT
As you may remember, the Memphis Federal Judge ruled that the Senate could overturn the fraud-plagued election of John Ford's sister Ophelia in the special election to replace him. That judge ruled that the Tennessee Constitution gave the Senate the authority to void the election BUT that the federal court may have jurisdiction if the Senate chose to take that action. Effectively, the ruling tied the Senate's hands even though the State Constitution clearly gives the Senate the authority to act. In addition to the Senate's constitutional authority, the election was plagued by dead people voting, felons voting and a poll worker certified the poll results even though she was in New York City all day.
The ruling clearly sets a terrible precendent that federal courts can get involved in state matters. If this ruling is allowed to stand, it will be a serious set-back to states' rights. Therefore, the State Attorney General has decided to appeal to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Thank you Attorney General Paul Summers.
LAST CHANCE TO CATCH THE BUS TO MEMPHIS
Speaking of Memphis, the Southern Republican Leadership Conference will be held there on March 9-12. It will include over 1000 Republicans from 26 states and every major Presidential contender. It will be a lot of fun and we are taking a bus!
The bus trip will be on Saturday, March 11. The bus will depart downtown Franklin at 6:45 Saturday morning in time to arrive in Memphis for lunch at the Peabody Hotel where Senator Bill Frist is the keynote speaker. Following lunch you will be a guest at a private party at the world-famous Rendezvous restaurant with the best ribs in the world. Our very own Senator Frist will be there to greet you and thank you for attending.
The registration deadline for the Southern Republican Leadership Conference is midnight on February 28. If you would like to go, you must go online and register before the deadline at www.srlc.org. Then let me know you want to ride the bus and I'll put you on the list.
I plan to spend the entire weekend at the conference. Representative Casada will be riding the bus and I will meet the bus when it arrives. It will be a fun day. I hope you can come and support our very own Majority Leader while having a great time with over 1000 Republicans from 26 states.
I hope to see you in Memphis!!!!
Posted on Thursday, March 2nd, 2006
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