Today the East TN Society Professional Journalist held the annual legislative lunch at the Bearden Banquet Hall in West Knoxville. It seemed like it was a Channel 6 event maybe there were more WATE people there because Kristen Farley was the Moderator.
There were about 75 people in attendance, State Rep. Harry Brooks was unable to attend due to a family illness. One of the first questions was is the gas tax the pressing issue in the state. Lt. Governor Randy McNally said there are several issues and the answer to the gas tax is that it needs to be a comprehensive plan.
Another question was, do you believe the open carry bill will reduce deaths. Rep. Martin Daniel said that he serves on Criminal Justice committee that he is always mindful of Constitutional Rights and protecting those rights. Whether it helps reduce deaths has not been decided. He wants to see what other states have done and study what they have done. Rep. Jason Zachary said that 98% of all mass shootings have occurred in gun free zones and he would like to see more elimination of the gun free zones. Democrat State Rep. Rick Staples wants to look at gun dealers and see how guns get into the hands of urban young kids.
Seat belts on school buses was asked and the cost for placing seat belts on school buses is $50 million to the state and $250 million to the local governments. The effective use of seat belts have not been conclusive and what about an incident in Alcoa this week, when a school bus burst into flames. would a child restrained in a bus seat been able to evacuate the bus quick enough?
A question about term limits, Zachary said it is more important at the federal level than the state level. This writer says either you are for it for all or not for it. Picking and choosing based on the position you serve is being a political opportunist and only wanting term limits for everyone else but NOT you.
State Rep. Bill Dunn talking to WATE’s Kristen Farley before the luncheon.
The table of legislators participating in the ETNSPJ event.
ETNSPJ attendees and public viewers of the panel discussion
Former Black Wednesday Commissioner Mark Harmon video recording and taking notes.
Farragut Aldermen Louise Povlin and Ron Williams with Knox County Commissioner John Schoonmaker
State Rep. Eddie Smith talking with an attendee after the event.
Two of the BEST State Senators, Senator Ken Yager and MY Senator Becky Massey
