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Rep. Jim Hackworth - House District 33
IMMEDIATE RELEASE January
19, 2007
Constituent Feedback Drives Legislative Agenda
as Members Convene Regular Session in House
Inauguration, Ethics Training Close Organizational
Session
NASHVILLE (Jan. 19) – The state House of Representatives
returned to Capitol Hill this weekend to convene the first regular
session of the 105th General Assembly. Lawmakers also celebrated Gov.
Phil Bredesen’s inauguration to a second four-year term, said Rep.
Jim Hackworth, D-Anderson County.
A House-Senate joint convention on Friday, Jan. 19, was
dedicated to a briefing by Bruce Androphy, Executive Director, Tennessee
Ethics Commission. He updated members on the Comprehensive
Governmental Ethics Reform Act of 2006. This law, passed by the
General Assembly in a special session last year, regulates campaign
contributions and gifts by special interest groups.
“The training event is mandatory for lawmakers, and
signals the organizational session’s end. Members can then shift
their focus to the general assembly’s first regular session and bills in
the hopper, “explained Hackworth.
Lawmakers adjourned the organizational session on
Saturday, Jan. 20, by gathering at War Memorial Plaza and witnessing
Gov. Phil Bredesen take the oath of office. Later that day, the
House convened the first regular session of the 105th General Assembly.
A series of inaugural balls, with two galas open to the public, rounded
out the evening’s festivities.
Since the House next convenes on Monday, Jan. 29,
legislators are using the post-inaugural break to ask constituents about
issues they consider important. “I don’t believe we can fully
respond to the interests of Tennesseans unless we develop a strong and
meaningful agenda based on public feedback,” said Hackworth.
Such larger issues as a state minimum wage, illegal
immigration, health care, public safety, and education are open to
dialogue. Or the people may guide legislators to other challenges,
added Hackworth.
Tennesseans today have more opportunities to follow the
legislature’s actions or track bills. House leadership installed
public access wireless internet in every committee room. Plus,
cable television providers broadcast all floor sessions and committee
meetings statewide, some on digital cable.
For the second straight year, committee and subcommittee
meetings and floor sessions are live-streamed in real time on the
internet. Access online reports of actions taken on bills,
including final action and roll call votes, by visiting the General
Assembly’s official website at
www.legislature.state.tn.us.
Among many useful features, the legislature’s website
allows users to:
• Find member biographies, addresses and telephone
numbers;
• Research archives of past general assemblies; and,
• Track bills using bill numbers or keywords.
“The House of Representatives is obligated to govern in
an efficient and responsible manner. We have many timely decisions to
make. Each member represents about 57,000 people. It’s important to our
constituents that we separate fact from fiction in matters that
determine our children’s future,” concluded Hackworth.
CONTACT: Kenneth Townsend, Press Secretary, House
Democratic Caucus, at
615-741-6620 or email
kenneth.townsend@legislature.state.tn.us.
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