Speaker Sexton discusses first week of special session

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Following the special session held in Nashville this week, some concerns were raised by Tennesseans.

No-sign rules were imposed which were the subject of protest and court battles throughout the week.

Moms made headlines when they were kicked out of committee meetings for holding up signs which violated the new legislative policy. 

One judge issued a court order stopping Speaker Sexton and the House from enforcing. 

However, another judge issued an order on Friday supporting him. 

WCLE Mix 104.1 hosted a radio interview with Speaker Sexton on Friday to discuss the current state of the special session.

“Congress has a policy that says you can’t bring signs in their gallery, and they also allow their committee chairman to make the rules that they allow signs in the committee rooms or not. We just incorporated what was in Congress and I guess some on the other side didn’t like what we did. But apparently, they didn’t know that Congress has the same set of rules,” Speaker Cameron Sexton said. 

In addition to the signage policy, Sexton also addressed mental health matters in the state.

“Our state is in a mental health crisis right now. We see it in the adult population, and everybody sees it in the youth population due to COVID. And it’s very unfortunate that you have a few senators who are holding the Senate and not allowing them to do anything at all, unfortunately,” Sexton said.

While Sexton and his chamber have plans to work on mental health issues, the Senate has not supported the initiative.

Other developments this week included the Senate killing all but one bill and the House voting down the Governor’s proposed ‘Red Flag Law’– which would keep guns out of the arms of those who may be a threat to themselves or others.

The special session is estimated to cost nearly $60,000 per day. And as of now, there have been no adjustments made.