Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill to keep autopsy reports of murdered children hidden from the public passed the House Government Operations Committee yesterday afternoon by a voice vote.
House Bill 1695 (HB1695) sponsored by Representative Rebecca Alexander (R-Jonesborough-District 7) now heads to the House floor for a final vote.
Chair John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge-District 33) chose to use a voice vote to hide the voting records of committee members from public scrutiny. We can only assume that Representative Ragan supports HB1695 and is responsible for its passage. As chair of the committee, Ragan could have used a transparent roll call vote but opted for a voice vote to shield committee members and himself from accountability.
The vote was recorded as “Ayes Prevail” and according to the General Assembly website, no member requested to have their vote counted.
In listening to the associated video, no nays were audible during the voice vote.
According to a statement made by Representative Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-District 69) on the Mill Creek View Tennessee Podcast, all that is necessary for a legislator to have their voice vote recorded is to simply give a thumbs up or a thumbs down to the clerk. It is very easy then for legislators to put their vote on the record for transparency with their constituents if they so choose.
The corresponding Senate Bill 2020 (SB2020) sponsored by Senator Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro-District 14) was referred the Senate State and Local Government Committee on January 31st but has yet to be scheduled.
The House Government Operations Committee members who voted on HB1695 include:
Karen Camper (D) – District 87
John Ray Clemmons (D) – District 55
John Crawford (R) – District 1
Rick Eldridge (R) – District 10
Jeremy Faison (R) – District 11
Yusuf Hakeem (D) – District 28
Caleb Hemmer (D) – District 59
Justin Jones (D) – District 59
Kelly Kiesling (R) – District 38
Justin Lafferty (R) – District 89
William Lamberth (R) – District 44
Mary Littleton (R) – District 78
Jake McCalmon (R) – District 63
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative.
You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
