November 17, 2008
Values Issues Should Get Top Billing
Some folks just don’t get it!
Now that it is becoming increasingly obvious that a changing of the guard in the state legislature is imminent, state pundits (including some friends), and the opinion-makers at The Tennessean, for instance, are beginning to speculate how the Republicans should handle their power to control the legislative agenda. As might be expected, most say, as one did, “It would be a mistake to use new-found power to flex muscles over social issues like abortion and guns….The public will be better served if the legislature keeps sensible priorities…” They could not be more dead wrong! Click here to learn why…
Condolences
While Republicans have had much to celebrate politically, there has been some sad news on the Hill too. Senator Tim Burchett’s father recently died. Mr. Burchett, known as Dean Burchett, was the Dean of Students for years at the University of Tennessee. And Senator Burchett rightly doted on his father who was an American’s American and a fine, fine man. Our condolences to the Burchett family in this time of loss.
And one of the outstanding committee analyst on the Hill, Bob Sims, died this week. Mr. Sims served as the analyst for the Senate Judiciary committee for many years before retiring in 2006. There are many fine analyst on the Hill, but none handled the large volume of bills that came before the Judiciary Committee more thoroughly and professionally than Mr. Sims. His committee reports were legendary for their thoroughness. There was never a reason for a legislator not to know what a bill before the Judiciary Committee purported to do. Our condolences to his family.David Fowler
President, Family Action of Tennessee