NASHVILLE – House members swatted down a last-ditch effort by a Murfreesboro legislator to force Tennessee to build an access road that would help her fiance.
The House voted 48-40 to table an amendment by Rep. Donna Rowland, R-Murfreesboro, to require the Department of Transportation to build a road leading to the factory of Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, a company owned by Ronnie Barrett, to whom she is engaged.
Mr. Barrett is a National Rifle Association board member whose firearms factory is in Rep. Rowland’s district.
Several lawmakers had complained previously that Rep. Rowland had contacted them to press the case of Mr. Barrett, who complained that the state went back on an agreement.
Among those who have said they were contacted was House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap.
Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, said in an interview several weeks ago that he told Rep. Rowland, who is not seeking re-election, that he did not think it was appropriate for her to personally push the matter.