This exciting story takes a turn as Jeff Woods uncovers a letter penned by House Speaker Kent Williams to TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely:

Whoa! What’s this on the very top of the pile of documents? Why, it’s a letter from House Speaker Kent Williams to Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely on behalf of Barrett. “My hope is that we can reason together to resolve this issue,” Williams writes on Jan. 28.

He suggests that TDOT cave in to Barrett’s demands and grant easement along I-24 to extend a road to his ammo factory. As you know, certain legislators have amended a bill to force TDOT to do just that. It would specifically benefit Barrett—big campaign contributor, boyfriend of Rep. Donna Rowland, R-Murfreesboro, and winner of the NRA’s coveted Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award.

“I have been asked by my colleagues representing Rutherford County to write you regarding a right of way issue in the district,” Williams tells Nicely.

Kudos to Woods’ keen eye. For those of you who are just joining us, check out the original story that uncovered this whole mess here.

UPDATE!

As Woods continues to sort through documents acquired via Sunshine Law requests, he uncovered another gem:

We’re still rummaging through our new file of public documents on the Ronnie Barrett melodrama. Let’s see, a motion to dismiss, a document about a deposition, letters from Barrett to Nicely and Nicely to Barrett, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Wait, what’s this? Barrett is worrying about terrorists staging a commando raid on his firearms factory?

Yes, he made an official request of the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security to evaluate the terrorist threat that might be posed by one of the alternate routes proposed by TDOT for the access road to his factory. (Apparently, you can order up a terrorist threat assessment in this state like a cheeseburger and fries.) That route would have come closer to the plant, thereby making it handier for terrorists to attack, according to Barrett. He’s especially concerned that terrorists might swipe some of his .50-caliber sniper rifles, giving them the power to shoot people from several continents away.

Stay tuned…

According to sources close to the House Chief Clerk’s office, many bills and resolutions have not yet been assigned to Committee. To the ordinary Tennessean, this may not mean much, but this is actually quite an alarming fact. Bills must pass through Subcommittee and Committee before they make it to the House Floor for debate. Usually, the General Assembly adjourns in late May or early June. With many bills not yet assigned, that could push the adjournment date back.

Speaker Williams quipped yesterday that the House would likely be in Session “until August,” perhaps alluding to his incompetence in this matter. Whatever the case, the organizational aspect of the House lacks something to be desired.

I will continue to investigate this matter to see just how many bills have yet to be assigned to Committee. Check back for updates.

Also, if you’d like to e-mail House Speaker Kent Williams or Chief Clerk Burney Durham, feel free to ask them - ”What’s the hold up?”

Speaker Kent Williams – speaker.kent.williams@capitol.tn.gov
Chief Clerk Burney Durham – burney.durham@capitol.tn.gov

UPDATE:

In a brief conversation with a source inside the State House, it was revealed that “a lot” of bills have yet to be filed. When pressed for an exact number, the source indicated that no exact number existed, but that they “just have them filed, and then when they are referred,” then staff members pull the particular legislation. Several lawmakers have begun to ask questions as to the operations in the Chief Clerk’s office.

Late night musing…

Some people (mostly Democrats) commented that the move to elect Kent Williams as Speaker of the House was a politically genius move. In some instances, people even called Kent Williams a genius. I beg to differ.

I would categorize Williams as – what is often attributed to V. I. Lenin – a “useful idiot.” Quite simply, the Democrats installed Williams because they knew they couldn’t win with a Democrat nominee for Speaker. Williams – the fairweather Republican (at best) – gladly accepted the opportunity to be the sacrificial RINO in this instance, completely oblivious to the fact that the Democrats would nominate him out of sheer political convenience, not because they actually agreed with many of his positions.

It’s just funny to me.

Straight from CoolJim, here’s Speaker Williams’ new legislative website:

$1096.67 – that’s no chunk change.