Bill Lee, Casada to discuss budget
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Gov.-elect Bill Lee said Wednesday he looks forward to talking with expected state House Speaker Glen Casada about the fellow Republican’s desire to have the lower chamber more involved in decisions about the state’s annual budgeting process and policy.
“We’re setting up a meeting time to begin to talk about everything from budget to legislation and how it is that we can work together as a team, the Legislature and the executive branch, to bring about the changes that will make life better for Tennesseans,” Lee told reporters as he and his wife, Maria, prepared to volunteer at a Nashville food bank in advance of Thanksgiving.
His comments came a day after House Republicans’ 73-member super majority nominated Casada, a Franklin representative, to replace retiring Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell, of Nashville.
Given that Democrats only have 26 members in the 111th General Assembly that convenes Jan. 8, Casada is expected to be the new speaker.
In his pitch to fellow Republicans, Casada called for several major changes, among them a greater role in formulating the state’s annual spending plan.
“It’s time for the House to be involved in formatting that budget,” said Casada of the budget, which is put together by the governor and submitted to the General Assembly.
Some House Republicans have for years griped about their perceptions that the GOP-controlled Senate has had an outsize role on the budget process. Looking at the other chamber, the Republicancontrolled Senate, Casada said “it is time for the House to lead.”
Casada later told reporters the Tennessee Constitution is “very clear” about the role of the state House. “And, we are the people’s body,” he added. “I think Governor Lee will be very comfortable with a partnership with the state House.”
Asked if he envisioned dramatically increasing the number of legislative budget analysts and formulating the state’s annual spending plan, Casada said no. “The governor presents the budget. … It’s up to the House to format it and to approve it. And so we will be partners in that with the governor.”
Asked about the role of the Senate, Casada smiled and said, “Yeah, we will include them. No, I love the Senate and they are good men. And I look forward to working with the Senate as well.”
Senate Speaker Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, said in a statement Tuesday that he was looking forward to working with Casada.
McNally spokesman Adam Kleinheider did not immediately respond to a Times Free Press request for comment on Casada’s comments about the House taking on a more prominent role in the budgetary process.