NASHVILLE – Democrats have known since November elections a new day was coming in the General Assembly with Republicans in firm control of the House and Senate for the first time since 1869.
But the reality nonetheless hit them hard last week. That came when the new Republican majority’s first order of business involved ramrodding through legislation that derailed Memphis’ attempts to force a quick merger of the city’s schools with Shelby County’s.
Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, charged last week the Shelby County legislation set a tone for the 107th General Assembly.
“They are large and they are in charge and they ‘know more’ than the rest of us,” Kyle said in remarks to the Tennessee Press Association and The Associated Press. “And you’re going to see that over and over again.”
Kyle predicted GOP lawmakers, who now hold a 20-13 majority in the Senate and 64-34-1 control in the House, will focus this year on what he called “social engineering” measures.