NASHVILLE - The chairman of Tennessee's House Finance Subcommittee plans to resign his legislative seat to become executive director of the County Mayors Association.
"I am honored the County Mayors Association has chosen me to serve as their new Executive Director," Rep. Mike Harrison, R-Rogersville, said in a statementon Wednesday. "I look forward to working with them and representing the association across this great state.
Harrison said he will be resigning as "I transition to this new position."
Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell announced that Rep. Curtis Johnson, R-Clarksville, the chamber's speaker pro temporare, will temporarily replace Harrison on the Finance Subcommittee.
The subcommittee is a pivotal panel because most legislation that either spends or cuts state expenditures winds up there. Under Democratic control, it was dubbed the "Black Hole" because many would-be laws disappeared once assigned to the panel.
Mike HarrisonWhile Republicans avoid the term, the subcommittee serves the same purpose and its powerful chairmen are often under enormous pressure from special interest groups.
Harrison said "I could not be more proud of what we have been able to do during my tenure in the Tennessee General Assembly, and I appreciate the confidence Speaker Harwell placed in me by appointing me to serve as Chair of Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee."
Harwell wished Harrison, an ally, "the best on this endeavor, and I know he will serve the association well. His expertise and leadership will be sorely missed."
She said Johnson, another ally, will serve as chairman for the remainder of the 109th General Assembly because he has served on Finance for "a long time and has the expertise to serve the committee well. He has been unanimously elected Speaker Pro Tempore by the House, and has the trust of his colleagues. We have a lot of members that would be excellent chairs, but this will ensure the greatest continuity."