Republican Janice BowlingNASHVILLE - State Sen. Janice Bowling is back on the Republican Party's state executive committee as a result of an opinion from the party's general counsel sent today to members.
Bowling was automatically removed from the committee earlier this month "for having been physically absent" from three "consecutive" meetings.
But the senator argued that she had not missed three consecutive meetings, saying she had been present for an a specially called executive committee meeting conducted by telephone after two of the absences.
In his letter to executive committee members, GOP Chairman Chris Devaney said he consulted with general counsel Scott Carey who "agreed with her assessment."
Carey said "if the party's records do indicate that she was present for an executive committee meeting held by telephone this year, then I agree with her reasoning that she has not missed three consecutive meetings and is therefore still a member in good standing."
Devaney said that as a result, he has asked the party's bylaws subcommittee "to review and make recommendations to clarify the language [in party rules] regarding meeting attendance for the future."