NASHVILLE – The battle over Tennessee’s $28 billion budget has come down largely to Senate and House Republican leaders’ insistence that a $16.1 million contingency provision funding a fish hatchery in House Speaker Kent Williams’ district be eliminated, lawmakers said.
“It’s clearly the fish hatchery,” said Rep. Harry Tindell, D-Knoxville, a member of the House involved in budget negotiations. “It’s political, and they admitted to as much to the governor this afternoon. They wanted to embarass the House speaker, and they want to deny him of bringing a project home. It’s sad.”
Many Republicans remain upset because Rep. Williams, a then-Republican, joined with Democrats last year to make himself speaker.
But GOP leaders dispute assertions that the issue for Republicans, including Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, a gubernatorial candidate, is political payback for Rep. Williams.
“There’s really not (a revenge motive),” said House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada of College Grove. “I mean, my goodness, we reflect the views of the people of Tennessee. Nine in ten would say, ‘Glen, do not build a $16 million fish hatchery when folks need flood relief.’ … It’s just a waste of money – $16 million for 22 jobs. It just doesn’t make sense.”
Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said, “apparently the fish hatchery is the new pork.”
He said Rep. Williams in a meeting today with top legislative leaders and Gov. Bredesen appeared persuaded the GOP attack on the project is political in nature.
“That’s what he thinks, and we (Republicans) did our best to disabuse him of the notion,” Sen. Norris said.