January 13, 2009

The state Legislature will convene today with reorganization at the top of the agenda. The billion-dollar deficit will have to wait. First, the new Republican majority decides its leadership structure.

No one can blame the Republicans for putting this matter first. It's not as if the budget deficit is going anywhere, and this is the first time that the party has controlled both the Senate and the House in Nashville since the Reconstruction era. The GOP majority in the Senate is 19-14. It's much tighter in the House, 50-49.

The takeover began two years ago when Republican Ron Ramsey was elected speaker of the state Senate, which also made him lieutenant governor under Tennessee law. It's expected he will easily win re-election.

Over in the House, however, things could be more suspenseful. Democrat Jimmy Naifeh has been House speaker since 1991, and he's not going to relinquish power without a fight. If Republican Jason Mumpower can keep all of his ducks in a row, he'll be the speaker. He has, however, been somewhat of a divisive figure among Republicans.

Beyond the House speaker's race, the Republicans are expected to put their stamp on secretary of state, comptroller and state treasurer, which are known as the three constitutional officers. Right now, men with ties to Clarksville and Austin Peay State University occupy two of the three offices — the secretary of state, Riley Darnell, and the comptroller, John Morgan. The treasurer is Dale Sims.

Tennesseans should be aware that these are more than simply ceremonial posts. The secretary of state is Tennessee's top record-keeper. The comptroller is the auditor of state monies. The treasurer takes care of financial operations in the state.

Legislative committee heads, powerful positions in their own right, also will be chosen for new terms this week.

After that, the Legislature may recess until the federal government decides what part aid to states will play in a stimulus plan and until Gov. Phil Bredesen completes his budget for the coming fiscal year.

Tennessee voters this past November clearly wanted change in the halls of state government. The Republicans are poised to give it to them, starting this week.

Considering the economy and the budget they will face, these are challenging times for all of the lawmakers, regardless of party. Tennesseans are counting on them to put purely partisan considerations aside and act in the state's best interest during these recessionary times.