Haslam: Partisan talk not healthy

NASHVILLE — Gov. Bill Haslam said Tuesday that overheated rhetoric among Republican and Democratic lawmakers is widening a “partisan divide” that may eventually hinder efforts to tackle state challenges.

In remarks to reporters following a speech to the Nashvill e Area Chamber of Commerce, Haslam, a Republican, said the situation is not “healthy for solving problems.”

“We really don’t want to get where Washington is, where good people don’t want to get there to serve,” Haslam said. “If you asked me kind of what my concern is over the past two or three weeks, it would be that.”

Haslam is pushing one bill that would make it tougher for teachers to win tenure and another that expands charter schools. But he is neutral on the most controversial measure — a push by Republican lawmakers that would eliminate collective bargaining by teachers.

The most recent flap began Monday night when Sen. Jim Summerville, R-Dickson, issued a blunt warning during a floor speech, telling teachers not to try to obstruct Republican educational initiatives.

“Make no mistake, the final responsibility is ours — and we are warriors,” Summerville said.

He then paraphrased a speech from Shakespeare’s “Henry V,” saying “we will bend public education to our awe, or break it all to pieces.”

That prompted Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, to complain.

“Our education policy is best when we work with teachers, as opposed to telling teachers: ‘Here’s what you’re going to do,’” Berke said. “Our language up here does matter. It matters to people back home and it matters to me.”

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, told The Associated Press that he saw nothing wrong with what Summerville said. He then lashed out at Berke, using a charge he made last week generally against Democratic lawmakers.

“He’s bought and paid for by the teacher’s union, that’s quite obvious,” Ramsey said, according to AP. “So I guess that’s his job on the Senate floor. ... And all this from a fellow that never spent one day in public schools.”

In a written statement issued later, Berke said, “As someone who attended public school as a kid and has two young daughters in public school, I would urge Speaker Ramsey to heed Governor Haslam’s call for meaningful discussion, not baseless political attacks.”

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner, of Nashville, called on Haslam to take action against the anti-collective bargaining bill, asking him to “please stop this terrorism against teachers.”

Speaking to a counter demonstration by tea party activists, Raymond Baker, a longtime Republican political operative from Franklin, Tenn., likened Haslam’s refusal to take up the collective-bargaining ban to former Republican Gov. Don Sundquist’s push for an income tax.

He accused Haslam of acting like the late mild-mannered Fred Rogers, the longtime host of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

“Bill Haslam, where are you? Wisconsin got Scott Walker; Florida got Rick Scott; South Carolina got Nikki Haley; Arizona got Jan Brewer and we got Mister Rogers,” Baker said. “You cannot govern Tennessee like it’s ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.’”

Haslam said he would rise above such “name-calling.”

On Tuesday, he told Nashville Chamber members that “none of us want Nashville to become what Washington has become — a place that is so partisan that you can’t solve problems.”

Asked what steps he is taking to calm things down, Haslam said, “We’re actually having those conversations now, with Republicans and Democrats.”

Contact staff writer Andy Sher at asher@timesfree press.com or 615-255-0550.