MURFREESBORO, Tennessee – Since taking office in January 2019, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has yet to veto any bill approved by his fellow Republicans who dominate the General Assembly, that despite a growing list of bills he has refused to sign and sometimes criticized publicly.
The latest examples of that includes a “truth in sentencing” crime bill sponsored by the powerful House and Senate speakers. It requires felons convicted of some violent crimes to serve 100% of their court-imposed sentence before being released. Lee said data does not support the effectiveness of the measure and let it become law without his signature.
Another measure, now law, targets the homeless by making it a felony to camp on public property ranging from parks to freeway underpasses unless it is already allowed.
During a media event in Murfreesboro on Thursday following a speech to state grocery and convenience store association members, Lee explained to reporters in response to questions why he hasn’t vetoed anything despite disagreements.
“I think that finding the way forward, working together with the legislature, understanding the process, working to make bills something that we both can live with – we did that on a number of occasions,” said Lee, who became the first person elected governor since Republican Winfield Dunn in 1971 to assume the post with no prior elected government experience.