It is often remarked that it is “necessary” for us to have our state legislature — but we just don’t need “so much” of it.
Our legislators do many very important things for the benefit of all Tennesseans. But sometimes they do some unsound, frivolous and contentious things, too. There often is a justified feeling of relief when the Tennessee General Assembly adjourns, as it has after a little unpaid “overtime.”
The legislative session was extended this year, as there were many challenges. There was no general desire to raise taxes, but there were difficulties with financing because of the ongoing economic crisis. There was customary political contention, of course, as many complex issues had to be addressed.
There had to be some economic fine-tuning — rejecting nearly half a billion dollars in proposed spending — to enact a $29.9 billion balanced budget beginning July 1.
Education, medical care, economic development and many other important subjects had to be dealt with by the 99 state representatives and 33 state senators, in cooperation and contention with Gov. Phil Bredesen.