2012 Legislative Sessions Begins
Tuesday, some Tennessee legislators began the 2012 session with the hope of creating more jobs and making changes to public education. “We need to get the unemployment rate down and some people back to work,” said Senator Lowe Finney of Jackson. Lawmakers opened the senate session with homage paid to Lance Corporal Franklin Watson, 21, of Vonore. Lance Corporal Watson was a marine killed in Afghanistan on September 24, 2011. Lawmakers heard remarks from his family, thereafter. Legislators said they hope to address concerns regarding public education during this legislative season. “They’re sifting all the tax dollars and putting them into private pockets,” said Senator Roy Herron of Dresden. He said measures were taken last year concerning public education which he felt were not in the best interest of children or lawmakers. Senator Herron said millions of dollars are flowing from Tennessee taxpayers into the pockets of out-of-state private companies. Lawmakers said much of the week will be devoted to the proposed redistricting plan. “The Democratic caucus wanted more time to make sure this would be done in a very transparent and open order” said Representative Johnny Shaw of Bolivar. Shaw said the House voted to postpone the vote. Legislators said they hope to vote on the issue next week.
