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he Tennessee Forum has been the vehicle for political activism for two
Middle Tennessee women since 2000. When we started we were stay-athome moms who had been involved in the fight against a state income tax
and were distressed by the shenanigans at the state capitol. Today, our
children are older and starting to fly the nest, but we still hold a passion for
politics and activism. Since our beginning The Forum has been strictly a
volunteer outletwe receive no paychecks, no special favors and we dont
hang out with the cool political kids. It provides us a unique perspective that
we are happy to share.
The
Tennessee
Forum
Best & Worst
The Best & Worst is the Tennessee Forums effort to use our first hand
knowledge of the workings of the Tennessee state legislature and our inside
sources to review lawmakers actions and publish those findings and our
opinions back to their districts. Weve identified 10 cases which we believe to
represent political integrity, both its abundance and absence. Our survey is
focused on only Republicans because with such a significant majority they
control the direction of the state, but we dont view the results as particularly
partisan. Many sides of many issues are represented here in both the best
and worst categories.. Political integrity is not about the particular position
an elected official takes, but rather reflects a consistency, honesty and
transparency about those positions despite the circumstances.
We believe in our fellow Tennesseans and know that if our elected
representatives came to Nashville and held the desire of their constituents
sacrosanct over and above the desires of special interests then we would be
proud of the government that results. The Tennessee Forum has always
stood against the special interests and self-aggrandizing state agencies who
take power from the people for their own purposes. Whether those groups
are unions, bar associations, unelected bureaucrats or the horde of lobbyists
who take their compensation from taxpayer funds, the Tennessee Forum has
been ready to call them out.
We started as an organization that exposed chameleons of the legislature:
Members who behaved and legislated one way in Nashville, but returned
home at election time and claimed to be someone completely different. While
some of that has been ameliorated with the states award winning website
that tracks legislation and with ethics legislation that the Forum supported,
we are disappointed with the fair number of legislators who continue to keep
their constituents in the dark. Conversely, there are an even greater number
of dedicated public servants who spend each day on the Hill trying to carry
out their campaign promises.
All of the projects we have found ourselves involved in over the last decade
and a half seem to come back to transparency, accountability and ethics
this survey is no different. Taking advantage of our experience in Tennessee
politics we have compiled a list of who is, in our humble opinion, the best and
the worst our legislature had to offer in the 109th General Assembly. We
hope you enjoy it!
The Freshmen
W
hen Jay Reedy defeated longtime incumbent Democrat John Tidwell, the
first reaction among many in legislative plaza was who?
Best:
Jay Reedy
Rookie of the Year
But Reedy had no problem bringing his principles and campaign promises to
Nashville. He quickly showed who he was and what he was made of when he
defied the caucus pecking order and filed his own bills to cut the Hall Tax,
increase benefits for veterans, and curb asset forfeiture abuse. In doing so, he
earned the praises of taxpayers, the respect of his colleagues and the ire of
more than a few lobbyists.
A lot of Reedys bills ran into trouble when politically calculating legislators
refused to back him, but the citizens of Tennessee would be better served if
more freshman members fought for their values instead of focusing on reelection
Worst:
Eddie Smith
Biggest
Disappointment
The Senators
O
Best:
Dolores
Gresham
The Colonel
F
Worst:
Paul Bailey
The Puppet
The Chairmen
T
Best:
John Forgety
TOP Sargent
Worst:
Jimmy
Eldridge
The Jester
1st Runners-Up
G
Best:
Gerald
McCormick
Mr. Couragerous
Worst:
Jim Coley
Camouflaged
Chairman
For example, consider two 2nd Amendment votes by Coley in March 2015. In
both instances, archived footage of the hearings shows the subcommittees
chairman, Coley, voting no. But later, Coley changed the official records from
no to abstain.23 When challenged on the sleight of hand by Coley, he told
TNReport he changed how his votes were recorded because he didnt want his
constituents to draw the conclusion that hes not in favor of firearms.
Similarly, in March of 2016, Coley voted to kill a bill whose purpose was to
prevent males from using girls dressing rooms and showers in public schools.
After religious organizations exposed his vote in district, Coley agreed to change
his vote and support a difficult reconsideration procedure to resurrect the
bill.24 He literally voted against the bill before he voted for it.
Jim Coley is known as a reliable government union vote, but his constituents
would need to pay close attention to see through his smokescreen. For that
reason, the Forum considers Representative Coley one of the Worst legislators
of the 109th General Assembly.
Overall Awards
I
Best:
Mike Carter
The Judge
n its 15+ year life, the Tennessee Forum has found few bureaucracies more
hostile to the beliefs of the states citizens than the Tennessee Municipal League
(TML). From its ardent support of a state income tax25 to the Soviet modeled
forced annexation program, for decades the TML has shamelessly used taxpayer
money to support policies that abrogate Tennesseans most basic rights. That is,
until Mike Carter showed up on Capitol Hill.
Carter campaigned on overturning forced annexation, an abusive policy that
allowed cities to annex a citizens property without permission from the property
owner. Annexation often resulted in increased taxes, increased regulation and
the mandatory purchase of unwanted municipal services. No one took Carters
campaign promise seriously because the TML had blocked annexation reform for
decades. Their taxpayer funded war chest had proven more than sufficient to
dispense with pesky reformers the voters had sent to challenge them in the past.
Enter the JUDGE! Carter was
disciplined, thorough and
relentless. In a brutal
Legislative battle, Carter
exposed the abuses of forced
annexation, showed fellow
legislators that they no longer
had to cower to the TML and
succeeded in giving taxpayers a
say over their own property.
After passage of annexation
reform, Carter introduced
legislation to give redress to
some of the worst abuses of the
TMLs former tactics.
The JUDGE followed through on
his campaign promises, took on
one of the states most powerful,
abusive, taxpayer funded
bureaucracies and won! For
that, the Tennessee Forum has
named the JUDGE its #1
legislator of 109th General
Assembly.
Worst:
Curry Todd
Representative
Armed and Loaded
Footnotes:
1.
http://www.voteeddiesmith.com/
2.
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13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
109th Gen Assembly, SB 47, House Floor Vote (April 21, 2016) The
Tennessean, House Republicans blast judicial elections (July 11,
2014)
21.
22.
23.
24.
The Chattanoogan (Nov 20, 2001), City Council May Take Position on
State Income Tax (Jim Boney, city finance director, said the
Tennessee Municipal League recently voted to support tax reform,
including a broad-based income tax) available at http://
www.chattanoogan.com/2001/11/20/15106/City-Council-May-TakePosition-On-State.aspx ; The Kingsport Times (June 24, 2002), TN
TAX BATTLE: Legislature enters final week in a quandary (INCOME
TAX VOTES EXPECTED), (Instead of one budget crisis, youll have
349 city crises and 95 county crises, said Ross Loder, deputy director
of the Tennessee Municipal League), republished at http://
www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/704953/posts
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
Appendix A
Curry Todd Alcohol - Legislation and Status: 109th General Assembly:
(1) HB465 (authorizing sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises
consumption at a facility that has at least 100 acres with 20 rooms for
overnight accommodations that serves at least two meals a day and has
certain equestrian facilities.)-failed
(2) HB2586 (allows wholesalers to solicit orders from retail food stores and
deliver wine prior to July 1, 2016; limits retail package store licenses to two
per owner) passed 108th General Assembly
(3) HB 211 (As enacted, removes beer from calculation of gross revenue in
regard to limited service restaurants.) passed
(4) HB 349 (As enacted, authorizes the OZ facility in Davidson County to
serve and sell alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption) passed
(5) HB 1123 (As introduced, authorizes the Caryonah Hunting Lodge
located in Cumberland County to be licenses as a premier type tourist
resort [to sell alcohol])
(6) HB 1254 (As enacted, expands definition of "urban park center" for
purposes of on-premises consumption; increases the privilege tax levied on
the urban park centers established by this act.) 107th General Assembly
(7) HB 52 (As enacted, allows any establishment that has a permit to sell
liquor or wine on premises to sell beer at any time such establishment can
serve liquor or wine; changes hours for sale of beer in Tennessee River
resort district to be not less than the hours for liquor by the drink.) passed
(8) HB 227 (As introduced, defines a restaurant located in a jurisdiction
that has elected Tennessee River resort district status as having inside
capacity of at least 40 and outside seating capacity of at least 75.)
(9) HB 985 (As enacted, makes several additions to present law
concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages; expands the definition of
"Tennessee River resort district" to include a limited service restaurant
located within a jurisdiction that has elected Tennessee River resort district
status.) - passed
(10) HB 986 (As enacted, provides for the manufacturing and retail sale of
high alcohol content beer; revises various provisions of law regarding
alcoholic beverages.) - passed
(11) HB 987 (As introduced, authorizes a licensed wholesaler holding a
basic permit under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act as an importer to
import alcoholic beverages and wine under certain circumstances; permits a
licensed wholesaler to deliver alcoholic beverages and wine by common
carrier to a retailer only in certain quantities.)
(12) HB 988 (As introduced, authorizes a manufacturer of intoxicating
liquors or drinks in certain localities to be issued a license by the alcoholic
beverage commission for on-premises consumption of the liquors or drinks
produced at the licensed facility.)
(13) HB 989 (As introduced, requires commission to implement new
licensing structure for restaurants and limited service restaurants based on
liability insurance codes.)
(14) HB 1748 (As enacted, includes East Fork Stables in the definition of
premier type tourist resort for purposes of the sale of alcoholic beverages for
on-premises consumption; designates certain other facility as premier type
tourist resort for purposes of sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises
consumption) passed
(15) HB3011 (As enacted, allows commission to issue wholesale license to
corporation that has acquired assets of a partnership or limited liability
company operating in this state for 10 years if corporation has majority of its
assets in Tennessee and officers actively present at licensed premises.) passed
(16) HB3012 (- As introduced, permits a person possessing a nonresident
seller's permit for wines and alcoholic beverages that are not registered
under certain circumstances or not available from a manufacturer, winery or
distiller to purchase alcoholic beverages from a Tennessee licensed
wholesaler for resale outside the state.)
The
Tennessee Forums
Best & Worst
of the
109th General Assembly
Best Freshman
Jay Reedy, Erin
Best Senator
Dolores Gresham, Somerville
Best Chairman
John Forgety, Athens
1st Runner Up
Gerald McCormick, Chattanooga
Best Overall
Mike Carter, Ooltewah
Worst Freshman
Eddie Smith, Knoxville
Worst Senator
Paul Bailey, Sparta
Worst Chairman
Jimmy Eldridge, Jackson
1st Runner Up
Jim Coley, Bartlett
Overall Worst
Curry Todd, Collierville
TENNESSEE FORUM
P.O. Box 150384, Nashville TN 37215
Paid for by the Tennessee Forum, a Political Action Committee