The 2011 state legislative session has come to recess until January 2012 - this is the earliest that the recess has happened in years, and it comes at a time that unemployment is rising (currently up to 9.6%) and Republicans have done NOTHING to create jobs.
This is a liveblog of the discussion.
Sen. Minority Leader Lowe Finney (D-Jackson) is talking about how many people in elected office in Tennessee believe honestly that unemployed people "don't want to work." Finney notes that in Jackson, he sees that people want jobs, but there aren't any.
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:21 AM CDT
Finney notes that companies want to put money into the economy, create jobs ... but the GOP is refusing to do things to attract jobs and businesses to the state. Also notes that unemployment benefits were extended last night.
Sen. Beverly Marrero (D-Memphis) noted that "So many heinous things happened this session, I don't even know where to start."
Rep. David Shepherd (D-Dickson) noted that some freshman Republican legislators tried to accuse job hunters of being "free loaders" and that the budget process was very difficult to negotiate because the House Republicans were so unwilling to do anything to protect teachers, etc. Highlighted the expertise of Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley) on budget and finance matters, the hard work of Rep. Mike Turner (D-Nashville) to rally votes, address issues, and negotiate across the aisle.
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:22 AM CDT
Sen. Andy Berke (D-Chattanooga) talks about a renaissance in the Tennessee Democratic Party - that average Tennesseans value what the Tennessee Democrats are in favor of. The difference between the Democratic approach (pragmatic) and the Republican approach (ideology rewarding the extremist base in the GOP on issues like gay civil rights, education, etc.). Says, "In 2010, we had Race to the Top. In 2011, it was 'Dive to the Bottom.'"
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:23 AM CDT
Berke says, "We heard Bill Haslam tell us that he was going to be the jobs governor. Then we had him tell everyone that there was nothing government can do to create jobs."
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:25 AM CDT
It's evident that the legislators in the Democratic Party are both frustrated with the epic fail from the GOP leadership, and hopeful that Tennesseans are finally waking up to the facts and realities of the Republican agenda.
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:27 AM CDT
Rep. Mike Stewart (D-Nashville) notes that "Not only did the Republicans do nothing to create jobs, but they also dismantled the Dept. of Economic and Community development."
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:31 AM CDT
Stewart notes that, "In just 48 hours, not only did we destroy the ability of teachers to collectively organize and bargain, but we also got rid of every oversight committee, allowed direct corporate contributions..." he's outlining an absolutely unreal set of laws passed by Republicans. Destroying the ability to protect victims' rights...
In the Judiciary Committee, Stewart says the tort reform bill allowed for an "OJ exception," - i.e., that if you commit a felony, you are not protected from the tort reform caps. The Haslam administration now passed a law to protect a felon's rights over a victim's rights to restitution.
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:33 AM CDT
Sen. Roy Herron (D-Dresden) is addressing issues around voter suppression and efforts by the GOP to force all voters to get a photo ID. This makes it harder for seniors and disabled persons to vote. They have shrunk the window for early voting. The allowance of direct corporate contributions is something that will allow more globalized corporations to influence elections and buy elections and influence. "They made it easier for the rich people to give more, and made it harder for teachers to donate."
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:39 AM CDT
Sen. Marrero says the GOP focus was apparently "We want to give everyone a gun." Notes that law treating retired judges as law enforcement officers creates some real concerns and problems, especially related to cognitive functioning, mental competency, etc. Talked about realities of Alzheimers and dementia and how this can change behavioral patterns, bring out erratic behavior.
Marrero: "I am a senior - so I am speaking as a senior and talking for seniors - but I think we need to be careful about making sure we plan carefully about promoting the health and welfare of seniors."
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:42 AM CDT
As silly, controversial, and divisive as 2011 was, 2012 will likely be even worse, judging from the bills that were rolled over. "We'll have to play a lot of defense."
Finney notes that those who have run for office recently have been really focused on job creation in Tennessee. That has been the single unifying theme. "I can't tell you - Sen. Berke, for instance, had an excellent piece of legislation" focused on job creation and incentives/tax credits for domestic job creation. The bill wasn't even considered. Lower taxes for job creators - "You would think that this job would sail ... be voted out the first week.... this year, they never even saw the light of day!"
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:44 AM CDT
Berke now talking about the lists of things that all the legislators have looked at and "You say, 'Oh my gosh, did we do all that this year? It's almost comical - for-profit K-12 in this state?'"
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:45 AM CDT
Berke: "Did we really just say that teachers can't donate?" Allowing direct corporate contributions while limiting the rights of teachers and teacher unions to contribute seems completely backwards.
Berke acknowledges the radical Republicans are smart and capable - that those who support Democratic causes and policies are under direct, full frontal assault from the Republicans. Meanwhile, corporations that outsource jobs are getting more and more support from the Republicans.
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:46 AM CDT
Herron notes that teachers and public schools are getting undermined, but "If any teacher, after this year, votes Republican, they are 'absolutely certifiable'... I don't know exactly how many Republican members in the Senate have children in the public schools, but I think it's 2 out of 20."
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:48 AM CDT
Herron says, Republicans talk about public school teachers as if they're all scary... 82% of teachers are women ... why are Republicans so scared of these teachers?
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:50 AM CDT
Despite the insanity of last session, it is clear that the Democratic legislators are all hopeful and optimistic - recognizing that the GOP have overplayed their hand and cannot possibly defend their indefensible record.
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:54 AM CDT
Shepherd and Stewart both encouraging attendees to think about running for elected office. Stewart: "The good news is that we ARE right. And the Republicans are giving themselves to an agenda that Tennesseans just are not interested in." Examples: tort reform (limiting victims' rights to damages), philosophy of attracting jobs and businesses to Tennessee.
Stewart notes that making it easier for nursing homes to injure people doesn't draw jobs to Tennessee.
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 11:58 AM CDT
Marrero now highlighting the assault on the independence of the judiciary. "Republicans like to talk about activist judges - but what they're really trying to do is eliminate judges who aren't favorable" and replace them with those who can do the bidding of Republicans. Highlighting country club cronyism that is rampant in the GOP right now.
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 12:26 PM CDT
Herron joins Shepherd and Stewart in calling for recruitment, support, and encouragement of good candidates. Notes that the only thing missing right now in Tennessee's Democratic Party is the candidates.
Finney notes that party discipline has been a historical problem for Democrats, with difficulty getting behind the nominee. Says that now the shoe is on the other foot with the GOP, as many in GOP and Tea Party are fighting amongst themselves instead of unifying. Discipline is the key - leading up to election day, staying focused and disciplined.
This is especially noteworthy as Finney won narrowly in 2010.
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 12:29 PM CDT
Marrero notes that GOP has "so much money" and that "They don't let the truth get in the way of their message." Putting business owners (cronyism and elitism) put ahead of job creation.
Stewart notes about GOP that they are giving benefits to nursing home owners (via Medicare) without any accountability. "The people behind the agenda" are really about radical change in the way this country is governed. It is an effort to completely undo the cultural, economic, social, and political gains of the Democratic Party during the New Deal.
Updated by Benintn at Sun May 22, 2011 at 12:32 PM CDT
Stewart made an excellent analogy that is too hard to explain - connecting the efforts of TN Republicans to make the state more like Guatemala or a banana republic than to really empower the people and create jobs. The focus on crony capitalism, destruction of economic opportunity, and undermining of any safeguards or protections for workers, citizens, consumers, or "regular folk".