NASHVILLE - A bill designating the Bible as Tennessee's official book winged through the state Senate Judiciary Committee late Tuesday afternoon on a 7-1 vote with one member abstaining.
The controversial bill, which last year passed the state House but was shipped by a majority of senators back to the committee, will now go to the Senate Calendar Committee where the measure will be scheduled for final floor action.
Among those voting yes was Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, who said that while he hasn't made up his mind about whether he will support the bill on the Senate floor, he believes the sponsor, Sen. Steve Southerland, R-Morristown, deserved a chance to get it considered there.
Southerland earlier said the bill is intended to recognize the Bible for the role it's played in Tennessee history.
