McCormick career highlights
During a nearly 14-year legislative career, including six years as Tennessee House majority leader, state Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, made an impact at the state Capitol in terms of legislation passed, causes pushed and battles fought, all the while displaying a characteristic bluntness and often a quick wit. He carried any number of Republican Gov. Bill Haslam’s major bills. Here are some of those and as well as memorable moments:
› Passing landmark “seven-day sales” law in 2018 allowing liquor stores and eventually grocery stores to sell wine on Sundays and most holidays.
› “Some things ought to be past politics, and one of them is getting rid of a guy who’s a sexual predator.” — Speaking on the 2016 House ouster of Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, on allegations by several women of sexual harassment.
› “All these companies who tried to blackmail us … when they come for their corporate welfare checks [economic incentives] next year, we need to have a list out and keep an eye on it.” — McCormick denouncing Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 letter that urged lawmakers to reject a proposed transgender-bathroom bill.
› “They [senators] can stay up here that week and walk around the halls, collect their per diem. They will fight through snow and ice to make sure that happens, as they proved a couple weeks ago.” — McCormick to House colleagues after senators criticized the House canceling session due to snow.
› “This committee is the one committee, quite frankly, that we have challenging numbers. And if we don’t get out of this committee, this bill doesn’t pass.” — McCormick unsuccessfully urging Insurance and Banking Committee members in 2015 to pass Haslam’s Insure Tennessee bill to expand TennCare coverage to an estimated 180,000 uninsured, low-income Tennesseans.
› “They might as well go ahead. More power to them. We’re not going to move the state line, and we’re not going to give them the Tennessee River.” — McCormick in 2015 Georgia lawmakers’ efforts to revisit disputed Georgia/ Tennessee state boundary to gain access to the Tennessee river.
› “With the chairman otherwise occupied.” — McCormick on 2011 decision by House leaders to cancel a legislative task force on gun rights after the chairman was busted for driving drunk with a loaded gun in his vehicle.
› Tennessee Market Regulation Act: The 2009 law allowed AT&T and a number of telephone providers to come out from rate regulation by the then-Tennessee Regulatory Authority.
› “You’re a disgrace to this state, pal.” — McCormick to newly elected House Speaker Kent Williams. Republicans had captured a one-member majority of House seats in 2008 elections only to lose the speaker’s race on a 50-49 floor when the 49 Democrats unexpectedly and successfully moved to nominate Republican Kent Williams as speaker and he was elected by adding his own vote.