By the numbers: In first 3 weeks, Tennessee legislature passes 1 bill as leaders urge swifter action
Joel Ebert
The first three weeks of the Tennessee legislative session have already passed but there's been little action on legislation.
In the Senate, lawmakers have approved of just one bill related to increasing library taxes in Shelby County. The House has yet to vote on a bill this year. At the same time, lawmakers have approved 112 resolutions, which mainly carry symbolic significance, during floor sessions.
The sluggish pace of the session has pushed leaders in the House and Senate to encourage members to change their ways.
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On Jan. 25, House Majority Leader Glen Casada, R-Franklin, issued a plea on the chamber's floor.
"Here we are, one week away from the bill filing (deadline). Members, we’ve only got 10 bills on notice next week," said Casada, R-Franklin.
"Let's do the people's business"
"At this rate, we’ll be out sometime in early 2019. So I urge you strongly to put your bills on notice. Let’s do the people’s business and then let’s get out of here."
While it's not uncommon for lawmakers to take a slower pace at the beginning of a legislative session, it can impact the remainder of the year. It leaves less time to discuss potentially complicated issues and read through complex legislation and amendments before voting on them.
Like Casada, Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, last week also spoke on the floor of the upper chamber of the impact the slow session is having on the commerce and labor committee, which he presides over.
Citing the lack of bills ready to appear in front of the committee, Johnson said he was canceling the meeting.
"These meetings are getting by us pretty quickly," Johnson said.
Potential backlog is "concerning"
From his podium on the floor, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, added, "I’d also encourage the members to please place your bills on notice with the committee chairman and that will avoid a big backlog at the end of session."
Speaking to reporters later that day, McNally added, "It is concerning."
McNally said the topic would be discussed during an upcoming meeting with committee chairmen.
Here's a quick summary of what has been and hasn't been accomplished between when the legislature reconvened on Jan. 9 and Jan. 25.
By the numbers
229 - dollars most lawmakers receive in per diem for each day during session (exception being for those who live less than 50 miles from Nashville)
112 - total number of resolutions approved on the floor of the House and Senate
91 - number of bills on committee agendas, excluding resolutions
71 - number of committee meetings held as of Jan. 25
20 - number of bills to be approved in committee
6 - total number of floor sessions, eight in each chamber
1 - number of bills approved on the Senate floor
0 - number of bills approved on the House floor
Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.