NASHVILLE – Supporters of legislation to block Tennessee cities from passing their own policies on discrimination, health care and minimum wages vow they will return with the bill after a key amendment failed in the House Commerce Subcommittee this week.
Rep. Glen Casada, R-College Grove, introduced the bill in response to a proposed Metro Council ordinance in Nashville that seeks to extend workplace protections to gays, lesbians and transgendered people working for local government contractors.
Two Republicans joined Democrats in a surprising 7-6 vote against Casada’s amendment that made major changes in the bill.
“The bill’s not dead,” Casada said. “I’ll just circle back with members to see what’s palatable to them. The winds are blowing coldly, that’s true. But the bill is still alive.”
Former state Sen. David Fowler, R-Signal Mountain, who heads the Christian conservative group Family Action Council of Tennessee, said he intends to bring pressure to bear on those voting against the bill.
“We’ll have to make their constituents understand how their legislators have voted,” said Fowler, who laid the defeat on an intense lobbying campaign by Tennessee’s largest cities – Chattanooga, Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis.
“The big four cities that want to expand their powers beyond that of the state and federal government have been lobbying against the bill in recent days. That’s exactly it,” Fowler said.
Former House Speaker Kent Williams, I-Elizabethton, criticized the measure, saying it amounts to “stepping on the toes of local municipalities.”
Among those voting against the amendment were Rep. JoAnne Favors, D-Chattanooga, and Rep. Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, according to committee staff.
Watson leads delegation
Hamilton County lawmakers this week re-elected Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, as the chairman of the county’s legislative delegation.
The chairman’s role generally involves rounding up the other seven members for meetings to discuss local issues and funneling invitations. Watson had no opponent, which may be an indication of what a thankless task the job can be.
After the vote, the delegation’s former chairman, House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, popped into the meeting late.
“Congratulations, Gerald, you’re the new delegation chairman,” Watson quipped as colleagues erupted in laughter.
Portrait of Frist unveiled in Capitol
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Former Tennessee Sen. Bill Frist was honored Wednesday with the unveiling of his official portrait from his time as Senate majority leader.
He served as the Republican Party’s leader from 2003 to 2007, which coincided with the presidency of George W. Bush.
In his remarks, Frist, who is now a health care adviser and a board member for the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, dismissed the importance of his portrait and instead praised the other men with whom he served.
“The portrait, you know, it’s fun and nice, and I’m honored, but in truth it does represent an era,” Frist said.
Frist, who is also a heart surgeon, was praised by the speakers for his selflessness.
“I really appreciated the fact that Bill Frist lived by the call ‘to whom much is given, much is required,'” said Bush, who said Frist spent many congressional recesses performing heart surgery in Africa.
The portrait, which will hang in the Capitol, is framed in gold and shows Frist in a red tie and blue suit, standing with his arm propped against a marble fireplace.