Governor Huckabee's CPAC Speech 2009

February Legislative Update

From REPRESENTATIVE VANCE DENNIS

TN District 71

2-23-2009

The Tennessee State Legislature reconvened on Monday, February 9, 2009, to begin the 2009 regular session. There are a number of important issues facing our state in the coming months.

STATE BUDGET SHORTFALL

According to the most recent figures provided by the Tennessee Department of Revenue, January revenues were down $114 million, with Sales tax revenues, including those from Christmas, down $68 million. Because 62 percent of Tennessee's overall revenues come from the sales tax, this accounts for a large part of the budget hole. The total tax collection is $522 million below the budgeted estimate for the fiscal year, and Tennessee could very well be on path to having over a one billion dollar loss in year over year revenues. The next largest source of revenue, franchise and excise taxes, were down about 24 percent and are proving to be more volatile than ever before.

The recently passed Federal stimulus bill is anticipated to help our state through this budget crisis, but significant reductions in state government spending are still going to be required. I will be working diligently in the coming months to make sure that any negative impacts on our community and our State as a result of these reductions are kept to a minimum.

PENDING LEGISLATION

Almost two thousand bills have been filed for consideration so far this year. Most of these bills propose the creation of new laws or the modification or elimination of existing laws. A copy of each bill is filed in both the State House and the State Senate. Each bill is first assigned to a committee of legislators that reviews bills dealing with certain subject matter. The committee reviews each bill assigned to it and votes on whether or not the bill should become law. Bills often have to be approved by two or more different committees because they can affect different areas of the law. If a bill is approved by all of the necessary committees, it is presented to the entire House and the entire Senate. If it gets a majority vote in both the House and the Senate, it is then sent to the Governor for his approval. If the Governor approves the bill (or if the governor rejects the bill and the legislature then votes to override his rejection), it finally becomes law.

I will be serving on the Judiciary Committee, the Health and Human Resources Committee, the Civil Practice Subcommittee, and the Public Health Subcommittee for the next two years. However, I am always available to address your concerns about any topic facing our community or our state. I can be reached by email at vance@vancedennis.com or by telephone at 615-741-2190.

The Tennessee Legislature has created a new website, http://www.capitol.tn.gov/, that provides a wealth of information about our legislative branch of government, including easy access to all pending legislation, contact information for all legislators, and live video of all committee and floor sessions. Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts and suggestions about any pending legislation of interest to you.

Nashville Address

105 War Memorial Bldg.

Nashville TN 37243

Phone: (615) 741-2190

Fax: (615) 253-0377

rep.vance.dennis@capitol.tn.gov

Kent Williams will be kicked out of the TN GOP today

From Tennessee GOP Chairman Robin Smith:

Members of the State Executive Committee:

As you know, I have announced that I will be making the results of my deliberations on the Williams matter public today.

It is my first duty as Chairman to keep you informed of the activities of the TRP and wanted you to know the result I will announce before it is made public.

I have reviewed documentation presented by members of the Legislature, members of this Committee and Mr. Williams’ comments, both public and private, in the course of coming to this decision. It has been my intention to move deliberately to gain an idea of the course Mr. Williams intends to take. With you, I have watched his actions.

We have watched during the last 28 days to see if Kent Williams would assign the 13 Committee Chairmanships to the Republican Majority. He did not.

We watched to see how Rep. Williams would assign office space and staff to the Republican Majority. He has crammed 49 of his colleagues in 46 offices.

We have watched Rep. Williams maintain the same wage practices with Democrat staff earning more than the Republican staff, even as democrat staffers are assigned to fewer representatives.

We have learned that Mr. Williams has met with Governor Bredesen as the “Republican Representative” on the critical issue of the budget. Mr. Williams has withheld all of this information from the Republican Caucus encumbering their policy statements and decisions.

We have been repeatedly informed that Rep. Williams refuses to caucus with the Republicans.

We requested that members of the Caucus provide the TRP with specific examples of assistance that Rep. Williams has given to our candidates, caucus or party. None could.

So it is with regret that I inform you of my decision to remove Kent Williams’ status as a bona fide Republican. In the end, I must do what I believe to be right in this matter and not just what might be the politically or strategically expedient response. The principles we value must be placed above mere political calculation.

With this decision, we send a message that Tennessee Republicans expect better. Our party is not the tool to achieve personal power. The grassroots members who work so hard will not have their dedication sold to the highest bidder. Ours will be the Party of principle standing on integrity and honor.

It is now time to move forward. My staff and I are already out recruiting candidates, raising money and preparing for 2010. Next year we will elect a Republican governor and strengthen our majority in the legislature. I am honored to have you along on our journey.

Sincerely,

Robin T. Smith
Chairman
Tennessee Republican Party

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Huckabee Schools Ann Coulter On His Show

Mike Huckabee Blogs About President Obama's Inauguration

As of this morning, we have a new President. I had hoped that the 44th President would be a guy named Huckabee, but that didn’t happen. I don’t lament the results of the election, I celebrate the process of our great Republic that gives us the privilege and responsibility of voting and choosing our leaders.

I have stated repeatedly that I will pray for the new President in the same way that I would have desired for my fellow citizens to pray for me had I been successful.

I know that some, even on this blog (HuckPac), have been hesitant to commit to pray for and support the new President. I believe that it is my Christian duty to respect the office, to honor the process that led to the selection of the President, and to seek to put my country and its best interest above that of my party or even myself. I might find myself in disagreement in some of the policies that President Obama puts forth, but I will express my disagreement in the spirit of respect and civility that I wish had met President Bush when his critics disagreed with him.

Today, I am above all an American. A proud one. Proud that we have transitioned power without soldiers, bayonets, or bloodshed. I celebrate America. Now, the task is to stand more firm than ever in the conviction that life is precious and is the basis of liberty. I will work to elect good men and women to help shape this nation. It will be a long journey. I hope you’re ready to join me.

Prayerfully,
Mike Huckabee

Video From the House Floor

Ashley Dennis took this video as Kent Williams voted for himself and was sworn in as Speaker.

Victory Turns to Mourning

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go to Nashville for the swearing-in of our new State Representative, Vance Dennis. Since the Republicans have the majority in the House for the first time in years, we were also looking forward to seeing a Republican elected as Speaker of the House. All 50 Republican House members had pledged to vote for Rep. Jason Mumpower as Speaker, but Rep. Kent Williams broke his word and, along with the 49 Democrats, voted for himself. What was expected to have been a wonderful day for Tennessee Republicans turned out to be just the opposite.

Vance and Ashley Dennis chartered this bus for their supporters to ride to the State Capitol. The bus left Savannah at 6 a.m.

Before getting on the busArriving at the Legislative Plaza The first person we saw was Vance Dennis, who was already in Nashville.The House Republican Caucus provided breakfast for the legislators, staff, families and guestsDaddy and McNairy County Mayor Jai TempletonVance and Ashley with Jai and Allison TempletonMelissa and Congressman Zach Wamp, candidate for Governor of TennesseeVance's office doorThe empty House ChamberRep. Dennis at the door of the House ChamberThe members of the House of RepresentativesOur new State Senator, Dolores Gresham, was also getting sworn in.Senator Gresham's deskAshley, Walker and Vance Dennis in the galleryWalker at his daddy's desk Ashley and her mother Walker gives Rep. Jimmy Eldridge a high five. Rep. and Mrs. EldridgeWe found seats in the galleries around 9:00. Even though the session didn't begin until noon, the seats were already filled by 10:00. Some of our family sat on each side. The floor was buzzing with activity.Vance Dennis' desk Peggy Daniel and Cody Miller, fellow McNairy Countians who rode on the bus with usThe full gallery on the right side of the chamberThe gallery on the left sideSarahAnna and JonathanEveryone was really anxious for the session to start.The Representatives finally started to take their seats......and Speaker Jimmy Naifeh called the session to order.The Pledge of AllegianceThe Oath of OfficeFrom left to right, Rep. Stacey Campfield, Rep. Vance Dennis, Rep. Glen Casada, and Rep. Jason Mumpower Immediately following the oath, the Democrats called for a recess. The Republicans objected. Here Minority leader Gary Odom and Majority leader Jason Mumpower are arguing their points with Speaker Naifeh.Voting to table Odom's motion to recessUnfortunately, the Democrats got their recess, and we had to wait for 30 more minutes.The Republicans coming back from their caucus meetingRep. Sargent nominates Jason Mumpower for Speaker. Gary Odom shocks everyone by nominating moderate Republican Kent Williams for Speaker. We found out afterwards that the bargain had been in place since November, though only solidified the night before, and the 30-minute recess was so they could inform all of their members of the plot. The voteThe Democrats voted first, and all 49 voted for "Republican" Rep. Kent Williams. Then the Republicans voted. Jason Mumpower received the first 49 Republican votes, but the last Republican to vote, Kent Williams, broke his pledge and voted for himself, winning by 50-49 votes.

Kent Williams not only pledged to vote for the Republican nominees for Speaker and Speaker pro tem, he also promised several times, to several different people, that he would vote for Mumpower. He even caucused with Republicans up until the moment he betrayed them. His deceit and trickery were what angered everyone the most.

Here is Rep. Williams' response when asked why he violated his pledge - "No comment."

By this time we were all feeling pretty sick. Williams is sworn in amidst loud boos and shouts from the galleries. He voted with the Democrats on everything else.Leaving the Capitol Vance and AshleyAfter we were all on the bus Vance stopped by to thank everyone for their support.
Sarah and Walker on the way home

Here are some video highlights of the session, compiled by Ben Cunningham.

News Channel 5 coverage

News 12 coverage: