It is very important for us to have the Tennessee General Assembly enact necessary state laws for us. But we don’t need “too much” legislating. It is important — and fortunate — that law limits our legislators to 90 days of $185-a-day pay over two years. Otherwise, the legislature might go on “forever.”
The Tennessee Senate has already used up its 90 paid legislative days, and the 90th paid day for the state House of Representatives will expire today.
Legislators may continue in action for a little while longer — but not long after their pay ends. And for that we all may be thankful.
Legislating wisely on many complex issues is not an “easy” job. For some good reasons — but sometimes for no good reasons — there are contentions in considering proposed legislation. Some lawmaking is important, some interesting, some frivolous, and some downright boring.
Tennessee legislators have not had it easy this year in seeking to meet the major responsibilities of Tennessee in a period of economic recession.