NASHVILLE — House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick drew hoots and hollers of agreement from his colleagues when he suggested that members of the Senate had met during recent winter storms in the interest of padding their expense accounts.
Now fellow Republican Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey is firing back in a letter obtained by The Associated Press, suggesting that House members aren’t concerned with completing legislative business in timely fashion.
“I am certain that Tennesseans prefer legislators who use their work time productively rather than adjourn committees early to partake in social hour,” Ramsey said.
Even while Ramsey professed “no interest in fanning the flames of inter-chamber discord,” the heated words are the latest example of the two GOP-controlled bodies chafing over priorities and pace.
Gerald McCormick speaks in this file photo.Legislative sessions normally get off to a late start following elections years, but a special session on Medicaid expansion and the recent winter storms have added further delays.