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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        

August 10, 2020

Contact: John Ray Clemmons

(615) 415-4086                                                                               

[email protected]

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GOV. LEE CALLS SPECIAL SESSION FOR SPECIAL INTERESTS

Clemmons calls out governor for failing to address real needs of Tennessee families

 

NASHVILLE – State Representative John Ray Clemmons issued the following statement in advance of the special session called by Gov. Bill Lee that is scheduled to begin today at 4:00pm.  

 

Today, my colleagues and I have been recalled to the State Capitol by Governor Bill Lee -- not to address the most pressing needs of Tennessee families, but rather to do the bidding of special interests. Make no mistake, this is a special session for special interests. We are facing a public health crisis, an economic crisis, an education crisis, and an unemployment crisis in every county of this State. These are the issues that rise to the level of an “extraordinary occasion,” as contemplated by Article 3 Section 9 of the Tennessee Constitution, and require real leadership and immediate action. 

 

We should be attacking COVID-19, fully supporting our schools to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to learn, expanding Medicaid like almost every other state, providing supplemental relief for small businesses, expanding unemployment benefits, and having a thoughtful policy discussion about social justice. The list of important policies we could and should be taking up is long. However, we are shockingly, yet predictably, taking up none of these issues. This governor has instead chosen to bill taxpayers $153,200 for a special session to give a small handful of special interests liability immunity, usurp the jurisdiction of local officials, and criminalize peaceful protests.  

 

Calling this special session is a bold action for the benefit of special interests from a governor not known for taking a firm stand on any issue of substance, save vouchers. Lee has remained timid on COVID-19, silent on the continued failures of our unemployment system, uninstructive on the challenges facing our schools and local economies, and wholly absent from the ongoing conversation about social justice. Our governor is elected to serve Tennesseans, not special interests.  As the Gospel of Matthew states, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” This special interest session makes it clear which master Governor Lee has chosen.

 

Tennessee families deserve better.

 

State Rep. John Ray Clemmons represents District 55 in Nashville. Follow him on Twitter @JRClemmons.

 

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2501 Oakland Avenue | Nashville, TN 37212 US

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