Rep. Stacey Campfield has an anecdote that occurred while he was waiting for a piece of his legislation to be discussed. Frank Nicely's bill (Stacy's officemate) for allowing permit holders to carry in state parks came up. Campfield was shocked when:
Rep. Rob Briley amended the bill to allow people to carry any where except where not allowed by federal law(as long as they have a licence). Frank was dumb struck and didn't know what to say.
Where is the Rob Briley we know and hate? I had to applaud I was so in shock. Rob if you keep this up we may have to make you an honorary Republican.
I have my doubts as to Briley's motivation. Making a bill even more pro-gun is sure to draw Tyrant Naifeh's ire which is certain death for any legislation. Still, Briley's action is worth noting.
Governor Bredesen made a speech about the "flawed" Basic Education Plan:
Second, any effort to improve our schools ought to start with those that are clearly failing. We have in Tennessee 20 schools today that have hit the wall; under our own laws are called out for having failed to show adequate progress for at least six years running; these are failed schools. Seventeen of them are in the Memphis school system, two are in Hamilton County, and one is in Nashville. That list will grow by another five or six this August.
From reading the text of the Governor's speech, I get the impression that spending will increase and nothing will really change.
Don't be surprised as the number of failing schools continue to rise.