Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) and House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) on Friday announced that the two leaders will consider an additional special legislative session to address COVID-19 mandates throughout the state.
The response from the two state legislature leaders follows a decision by Governor Bill Lee to call a special session to advance work for the new Ford electric vehicle and battery plant.
“The Ford megasite deal is transformational for Tennessee, and we look forward to working with Gov. Lee to finalize this project as part of his special session call for Ford Motor Company. At the same time, we have heard from many Tennesseans seeking relief from burdensome Covid-19 mandates being imposed upon them. We are working together per our state constitution to call an additional special session upon the completion of the megasite session to address issues surrounding Covid -19,” McNally and Sexton said in an emailed statement.
The two lawmakers’ decision seemingly contradicts what Lee detailed when calling the special session.
“While we have business to do in the legislature, we will continue to stand up for parents in court. I am renewing my mask opt out order & will work with the AG to challenge the federal rulings that inappropriately legislated from the bench,” Lee said on Twitter.
The special session on October 18 will stay focused on next steps for the Memphis Regional Megasite, and we’ll stand up for parents in court.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) September 30, 2021
“The special session on October 18 will stay focused on next steps for the Memphis Regional Megasite, and we’ll stand up for parents in court.”
However, for weeks, state lawmakers and concerned citizens have called on Lee and other leaders to call a special session to address COVID-19 mandates, especially in response to multiple judges blocking the implementation of an executive order that allows parents to opt their children out of mask mandates in schools.
Approximately 200 individuals gathered in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on Monday to protest a mask mandate implemented by Knox County Schools and other broad regulations, suggesting a special session is an answer to the problem.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
McNally is the Gen Milley of the TN Senate and not to be trusted.
I think this is more of a warning shot to those areas, such as Shelby County, who have implemented restrictions. They are telling them a special session has already been called and we can use it to strip you of your authority, I suspect many of the restrictions will be gone by Oct 18th.
McNally has been a roadblock to getting the legislators to do their jobs. He has been on the public dole to long. It is time to elect a new Senator for this district.
So Lee only cares about spending mega tax dollars to kiss up to Ford but has relentlessly resisted all calls for a special session to deal with the unconstitutional COVID mandates.
The same goes for McNally. He has stopped all efforts by the Representatives to call a special session. I have to guess that he is trying to cover his rear now that Lee has betrayed him for money. Too little way too late.