Ramsey’s election brings change to Senate, Capitol Hill

By John Rodgers, NashvilleCityPaper.com
January 11, 2007

If Republicans in the state Senate walk the party line, no bills will become law this year without the stamp of approval of newly elected Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey.

Ramsey, who Tuesday became the first Republican elected to be Senate speaker and lieutenant governor since 1869, said he plans to put a majority of Republican senators on every legislative committee.

That was not the case under former Lt. Gov. John Wilder’s administration.

“Guess what?” Ramsey said of the change. “We’ve got a Republican speaker this time, and we’re going to have a Republican majority on all of the committees.”

Ramsey, who said he wants to work in a “bipartisan fashion” including appointing some Democrats as committee chairs, indicated that it was logical for the Republicans to have a majority on all of the committees because they are in the majority in the full Senate.

The committee assignments are important because a lawmaker’s bill must gain the votes of the appropriate committees before it can reach the floor of the Senate for a vote to possibly become law.

Ramsey’s decision to have a numerical GOP advantage on every committee could mean that his agenda could rule the Senate if the Republicans stand united. The GOP has a 17-16 majority in the 33-member body.

The committee assignments will be just one of the added powers that Ramsey (R-Blountville) will now have.

In addition, Ramsey can use his new position to push his and the Republicans’ plans, which he said will be a “pro-business” agenda, creating a “world-class education system,” as well as social conservative initiatives like curtailing abortion and illegal immigration.

Sen. Mark Norris (R-Collierville), who took Ramsey’s place Wednesday as Senate Majority Leader, said he expects the Republicans’ plans to include tort reform, allowing seniors’ property taxes to be frozen, as well as cutting the sales tax off food.

“We need to deal with that promptly,” Norris said.

But prior to any bills being passed, Ramsey will make committee assignments. Ramsey said the Democrats will receive a “couple” of committee chairs when he makes those selections next week. Last year, of the nine main committees, Wilder appointed four Republican chairmen.

Sen. Joe Haynes (D-Goodlettsville), the chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, said he’s “not surprised” that Ramsey will put GOP Senators in the majority on every committee, but he hopes he’ll reconsider.

“The entire (Democrat) agenda can be seriously impaired by the appointment of committee chairs and committee members,” Haynes said.

On one Democratic issue in particular – establishing a state minimum wage above the current federal mandate - Haynes said he expects Ramsey to align the committee structure where that can be defeated.

Outside of the Senate, Ramsey’s agenda, especially on party-line issues, could clash with the party priorities of House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington) and his majority holding Democrats in the House.

That could cause gridlock because, for a bill to become law, it must pass the Senate and the House. One chamber can kill the other chamber’s bill by not passing it into law.

In addition to the changing of committees and agenda, Ramsey’s election will change the logistical landscape.

Ramsey will now move into Wilder’s notoriously dimly lit office in Legislative Plaza. He already has the services of Wilder’s former bodyguard and driver.

But beside Ramsey, the rest of the Republican senators haven’t decided where their offices will be.

This was the biggest point of contention at the Senate Republican Caucus meeting Wednesday. They debated on whether to move offices from the cozy window offices of the third floor of the War Memorial Building to the bigger but window-less Legislative Plaza.

Sen. Paul Stanley (R-Germantown) argued that it would be symbolically important to take over the current Democratic Senators’ offices in Legislative Plaza.

“I think it sends a message,” Stanley said.

In the end, the GOP’s new caucus chairwoman, Sen. Diane Black (R-Hendersonville), adjourned the meeting with more research to be done and no final decision made.

Ramsey will also change top staffers. He has named longtime aide and Republican strategist Matt King as his chief of staff, elevating King to one of the most powerful staff positions on Capitol Hill.

But the Republican did rehire Wilder’s chief of staff, Russell Humphrey, as the Senate’s chief clerk.

Mark Norris Official Web Site

Mark Norris Personal Web Site

Tennesse Senate Republican Caucus

Senator Mark Norris
303 War Memorial Building,
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0232
Phone 615-741-1967
1-800-449-8366

Email: Sen. Mark Norris