Gov. Haslam proposes cuts in estate, food taxes

The commission named Rich Rhoda executive director in 1998. His predecessor was fired the after a dispute with former Republican Gov. Don Sundquist.

The governor previously announced a series of public safety proposals, including longer sentences for violent crimes and domestic abuse. He had also exerted control over two controversial matters — creating school vouchers and changing teacher evaluation standards — by calling for formal studies that will essentially push off decisions until next year.

Harwell and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, called their chambers to order for the second session of the 107th Tennessee General Assembly shortly after noon CST.

Members of Occupy Nashville, a Wall Street protest group that has camped in tents on the plaza across the street from Capitol since October, lined the hallway outside both chambers before the session, calling for an end to the sales tax on food as members filed in.

After the singing of the National Anthem, someone threw pieces of green paper resembling checks onto the House floor from the gallery. They fake checks were titled "The People's Bribe" and made out the Tennessee General Assembly for $99.99. They were signed by "The 99 Percent."

"What they did of course violates House rules," Harwell told reporters afterward. "But it was so insignificant, I let it go."

Online:

Haslam's legislative agenda website: http://forward.tn.gov/