You Get The Next One: Secretary Of State Offers To Pick Up The Tab For SJR 127 Notification
Posted on April 8, 2009 at 3:57 pmSecretary of State Tre Hargett has apparently stepped in and removed a potential roadblock to the passage of SJR127, the constitutional amendment which would allow the legislature more power to regulate abortions in Tennessee.
In a memo obtained by NashvillePost.com addressed to leaders in both parties and both chambers of the legislature, Secretary of State Tre Hargett states that his office will fund the constitutionally mandated printed public notification required of all constitutional amendments (at an estimated cost of $20,000) regardless of whether a traditional appropriation is provided for in the budget.
“[B]ecause the Department of State is obligated by the constitution to publish a proposed amendment to the constitution, we will do so even without the appropriation of additional funds,” states Hargett in the memo.
If the Department of State does have to “front” the funds needed for the publication of the notifications, however, it will be a one time-only type deal.
“The ability to absorb publication expense is not without limit. After the publication of SJR127, the publication of any additional amendments would be subject to having adequate funding,” warns the Secretary of State.
This action is not without precedent.
In 2004, in a time of similar budgetary constraints, then-Secretary of State Riley Darnell picked up the tab for the notification for two proposed constitutional amendments, one banning gay marriage and other providing a property tax break for elderly homeowners.
The Secretary’s memo gives SJR127 the wide berth conservatives had been hoping for. While $20,000 fiscal note attached to SJR127 had been jettisoned in favor of a provision to publish notification online, some legislators balked at the notion of an internet-only notification in deference to constituents without convenient and reliable internet access.
An amendment to ban a state income tax was “put behind the budget” and effectively killed in the House Budget Subcommittee last week over similar internet-only notification concerns.
Sugg Reappointed State Librarian and Archivist
Posted on March 2, 2009 at 4:28 pmFrom a release:
Secretary of State Tre Hargett announced today that he will re-appoint Jeanne Sugg as State Librarian and Archivist. The State Librarian and Archivist is the Chief Administrator for the Library and Archives Division of the Tennessee State Department. The division collects and preserves books and records of historical, documentary and reference value, as well as encourages and promotes library and archives development throughout the state. It also extends public library service to any Tennessee resident who cannot read standard print materials due to a visual, physical or reading disability.
“Ms. Sugg has many years of valuable experience within the State Library and Archives,” announced Secretary Hargett. “She has demonstrated her commitment to the division and I am pleased she will continue to serve in this important capacity.”
“I am honored to have been re-appointed by Secretary Hargett as the State Librarian and Archivist. I will continue to work passionately to ensure that the Library and Archives effectively and efficiently preserves the documents and records that are important to this state and will continue to promote the statewide development of libraries,” stated Sugg.
“I am certain that Ms. Sugg will continue to serve with distinction, handling the complexities of the position and ensuring records important to Tennessee and its’ citizens are preserved for both present and future generations,” said Secretary Hargett.
Jeanne Sugg was first appointed to the post in 2005 by then Secretary of State, Riley Darnell. She joined the State Library and Archives Division in 1989 as the Director of Public Services.
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A Job Opening For Kurita?
Posted on January 15, 2009 at 12:54 pmLt. Governor Ramsey couldn’t convince his fellow Republicans to give former Senator Rosalind Kurita a shot at a constitutional office.
But now that Tre Hargett has stepped up and filled the Secretary of State office, his position at the Tennessee Regulatory Authority is now open.
Might Republicans be willing to let her have that position?
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Your New Secretary Of State Is The Honorable Tre Hargett
Posted on at 10:45 amA joint convention of the General Assembly has voted 70-61 to replace current Secretary of State Riley Darnell with former House Minority Leader and head of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority Tre Hargett. Speaker Williams votes with GOP as does Democrat Rep. Ferguson.
Further coverage of the constitutional officer elections available here.
UPDATE 11:20PM: That was fast.
The Republican Joint Caucus Constitutional Officer Nominees
Posted on January 12, 2009 at 2:55 pmThe Chosen (all first ballot):
State Treasurer: David Lillard
Secretary of State: Tre Hargett
Comptroller: Justin Wilson
More from Ken Whitehouse at NashvillePost.com .
SEE ALSO:
Tom Humphrey
Woods
Matthew Hurtt
Vandy Right
Jimmy Naifeh’s Got Issues
Posted on January 8, 2009 at 11:52 amWith some of the GOP’s prospective candidates for the constitutional offices:
Among the issues Naifeh has with some of the Republicans seeking the posts are questions about their past political practices and experience. He said that he would like to see Justin Wilson, the former aide to Gov. Don Sundquist who is up for comptroller, answer questions about how contracts were awarded when he was in the governor’s office.
Naifeh also said that Tre Hargett, who is up for secretary of state – the position that oversees the Division of Elections – should answer allegations that he removed an opponent’s campaign paraphernalia from cars when he was a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Perhaps most interesting, Naifeh called Ira Brody, a candidate for state treasurer, a “political hack” who has thrown money around to Republican candidates in an attempt to get the job.
SEE ALSO: Jeff Woods
Oversight Committee
Posted on December 18, 2008 at 11:19 amMick Wright thinks the Republicans in the legislature may need a new censor.
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