By Richard Locker
locker@commercialappeal.com
NASHVILLE – When the Tennessee Legislature convened in 1991, Republicans in the House considered boycotting the first day to protest being shut out of committee leadership positions.
Democrats held a 57-42 majority in the House and a 20-13 majority in the Senate. The Republicans decided not to boycott, and then-Speaker Jimmy Naifeh later began appointing Republicans as subcommittee chairmen.
Two decades later, Republicans have won the dominating majority in the legislature that Democrats long enjoyed. After the Nov. 2 elections, the Republicans hold a 20-13 majority in the Senate and a 64-34 majority in the House, plus one Republican-leaning independent.
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