Change is Coming for Tennessee Lawmakers
By: State: Tennessee
Republicans gained control of both chambers of the legislature in the 2008 elections, setting the stage for changes in the 106th General Assembly. The GOP holds a 19–14 majority in the state Senate and 50–49 lead in the state House. Leaders of AARP's bipartisan effort to pass the long-term care reforms last year are among those returning for the session, which will convene January 13.
It is the first time since Reconstruction in the 19th Century that Republicans have controlled both the House and Senate in Tennessee. The new majority will elect the speakers of both chambers. Traditionally the Speaker of the House has been a member of the majority party. The last time a Republican served as Speaker was in 1969.
The General Assembly will also elect constitutional officers during the organizational session in January. All 132 legislators vote in the elections for the Secretary of State, State Comptroller and State Treasurer.
The organizational session in January will also be the time when the committee chairs and members are selected. Since in the House the committee chair is traditionally a member of the majority party, there is likely to be a wholesale shift in committee leadership of the chamber from the Democrats to Republicans.
Currently, the Speaker of the Senate is a member of the Republican Party. Ron Ramsey, who also serves as Lieutenant Governor of the state, was elected to the post in 2007. The current Speaker of the House is a member of the Democratic Party. Jimmy Naifeh has held the post since 1991.
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