Letter to the Editor of the Macon County Chronicle

Dear Editor,

Last week your paper published an article entitled “House Rejects Prohibiting Lobbyists from TN Alcoholic Beverage Commission Membership.” The authorless article extensively quotes radio talk show host Steve Gill. I wasn’t interviewed for this story but I was referenced several times. Therefore, as Chairman of the Committee and sponsor of the bill in question, I would like to provide accurate information for your readers.

The author’s main point seems to be that the House has rejected an amendment that would prohibit lobbyists from serving on the commission. However, this is not a concern for the House. This practice was already made illegal for all boards and commissions in 2006 as part of our ethics reform legislation. TCA 3-6-304 prohibits lobbyists from serving on any board or commission having jurisdiction to regulate the business endeavors or professional activities of any employer of the lobbyist. I am proud of this law because not only did I co-sponsor it, I first suggested it. The Senate’s language broadens this law.

This Session the House has watched and waited as the Senate has engaged in a confusing array of amendments, adopting and withdrawing one after the other for the alcoholic beverage commission and many other entities – this has created some distrust among House members over what they are trying to accomplish.

Part of the House’s concern is that last fall a subcommittee of the Joint Government Operations Committee performed an audit review of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission – many of us felt that the audit revealed problems which necessitate a restructuring of the commission.

Developing a plan takes cooperation. During session, I was able to get all House members to agree to a plan to extend the commission for one year only and then hold hearings this summer in order to map out a new future for the Commission. Thus far, I have met with and received letters of interest from both the Commissioner of Revenue and the head of the TBI about taking the commission under their purview. Naturally, not all House members are comfortable with a total restructuring of yet another entity in state government - the Senate’s actions have provoked concern among House members that they are moving ahead without the House’s voice.

It is my job to walk 99 House members through this process so that we have a well functioning commission when we are through. I have spoken with House members on both sides of the isle, and I finally feel that they have an understanding of the Senate’s amendments.

I am not sure why the author did not contact me, why there is no name, nor of where the radio talk show host received his information but I do know that this past weekend this article mysteriously appeared on many doors in Wilson County that have my yard signs. I realize that journalism is changing, but the author should know that it is still good practice, and only just, to interview all sides of the issue for readers to be fully informed.

Rep. Susan Lynn
Chairman, Government Operations Committee

215 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243

615-741-7462
615-596-2363

Susan is being too nice to "everyone"

RUMOR
Susan is talking to local Democrats officials.


This is beyond silly. I guess there is an implication here.

I have conservatively represented the 57th district for the past seven years while wholly dedicating myself to helping my constituents.

Each Republican should be an ambassador of the Republican Party; demonstrating that Republicans are polite, good people that work hard and play fair. We push others away when we are excessively partisan, and conspiratorial. As Golda Meir once said, “You cannot shake hands with clinched fists.” Our ambition should always be to set a good example to others.

Likely this criticism was waged again by the same persons that have tried it before; continually hoping their innuendo would advance and incriminate. It hasn’t worked in the past because people know me, and they know my conservative record. My mission is to help my constituents.

I, as well as most of my constituency, not only see nothing wrong with accepting an invitation to tour the county jail, the water plant, the 911 center or failing bridges, but most believe it is in the district’s best interest that I do. It is a shame that some will use any occasion to score political points.

Family Planning Funds

RUMOR
There is a rumor that Rep. Lynn voted to fund Planned Parenthood with taxpayer dollors.

FALSE
This rumor is false. In fact, after it was discovered by the Senate in 2007 that Planned Parenthood was receiveing the great bulk of federal family planning funds to fund birth control exams and supplies for poor women, Rep. Lynn was asked by Tennessee Right to Life to help craft a bill to end this distribution to Planned Parenthood - please see Tennessee Right to Life's letters to their members below.

Rep. Lynn not only helped create the bill but was the Prime Sponsor in the House and got the language into the budget that would end such distribution.


Here is a timeline of the events:

105th General Assembly 2007-2008
(2007)

• It is discovered by the State Senate in budget hearings that TCA 68-34-105 states that federal family planning funds be given to Planned Parenthood and that the Department of Health has been giving priority to Planned Parenthood on the disposition of those funds over the county health departments in Tennessee or other non-profit organizations that perform such services.
  
  TCA 68-34-105
  "Disposition of funds — Development of program.
  (a) The department is authorized to receive and disburse such funds as may become available to it for family planning programs to any organization, public or private, engaged in providing contraceptive procedures, supplies and information.
  (b) Any family planning program administered by the department may be developed in consultation and coordination with other family planning agencies in this state, including, but not limited to, planned parenthood affiliates."
  
  [Acts 1971, ch. 400, § 1; T.C.A., § 53-4605.]
  
  Attempts by the Senate to disallow funds going to Planned Parenthood are called unconstitutional by the Attorney General because of equal protection of the law for all non-profits that apply for the funds.

(2008)

• Tennessee Right to Life asks Rep. Lynn and Senator Finney to file HB 3308 LYNN, SB3049 FINNEY. The bill will give priority for the disposition of the family planning funds to the county health departments - if there is any money left other non-profit organizations may apply for funds. The strategy is to pass the bill in the Senate first. Unfortunately, by the time the Senate runs the bill the House subcommittee is closed so the House bill cannot be run.
  
  



• Out of persistance, Lynn files Amendment 4 to HB4219 (the budget bill). The Amendment will give priority to the county health departments over non-profits in the disposition of family planning funds.





• A contingent of female House Democrats strongly object to the filed amendment. Reps. Lynn, Maggart, Jones, Deberry, Richardson work together over two days to workout an understanding. Lynn & Maggart convince the ladies that the amendment does not keep poor women from receiving services but it does make conservative, pro-life women happy that the county health departments will have priority for funding and women will be able to seek such supplies at the county health departments over Planned Parenthood.
  





• Chairman Fitzhugh (pro-life) approaches Lynn and congratulates her on settling things with Democrat ladies - he offers to place the wording of her amendment no. 4 in the final amendment that makes the budget so that there is not a floor fight over the amendment. Lynn happily agrees.
  





• The budget passes and for the first time the budget for the 2008-2009 budget year the family planning funds are distributed to the county health departments first – See Section 72 of the budget page 135-135. LYNN VOTES AYE
  

106th General Assembly 2009-2010

(2009)

• Rep. Hensley is asked to file HB1756 HENSLEY, SB470 JOHNSON is filed. The bill will make permanent the Lynn amendment from 105th General Assembly and remove the words Planned Parenthood from the TCA. The bill passes and becomes Public Chapter 575. The bill passes - LYNN VOTES AYE.

Legislation is often a long road filled with many unknowns. I hope you can see that many good people worked to pass this bill and make it law.

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Illegal Alien Driver's Licenses

RUMOR
Rep. Lynn voted to give illegal aliens driver's licenses.

FALSE
This rumor is not true. Rep. Lynn wasn't even in the General Assembly when the legislation passed to allow someone without a social security number to obtain a Tenessee driver's license - thus making it possible for an illegal alien to get a driver's license.

In fact, from the day Susan was first sworn in to office she sponsored legislation to take away driver's licenses from illegals. When the Governor's driver's certificate bill became law she then sponsored legislation to get rid of the certificates. All of this activity is documented below.

Here is a time-line of events.


102nd General Assembly - 2001 - 2002
(2001)

• HB983 - Illegal alien driver’s license bill passes and becomes law. It allows someone without a social security number to get a driver's license - vote on page 921 - 922 of the Journal
  

(2002)

• Susan Lynn runs for office.


• Lynn is elected in November 2002
  

103rd General Assemlby - 2003 - 2004
(2003)

• Rep. Lynn sworn into office in January 2003.
• Rep. Lynn co-sponsors HB1790, requires a SSN to get a drivers license - this would ban illegals from obtaining licenses (be sure to click on Show Prime Co-Sponsor link to see co-sponsors).

(2004)

• Lynn co-sponsors HB1790, requires SSN to get a drivers license - - this would ban illegals from obtaining licenses.


• HB3486 passes, it is Governor's certificate of driving bill. It becomes public chapter 158 - the law takes driver’s licenses taken away from illegals but creates the certificate of driving. Lynn and others tried to pass eight (8) amendments to fix the bill so that illeals would not get driving certificates but all amendments were defeated. In the end Lynn and the others only choice was to vote yes and take away driver's licenses - a no vote would have allowed illegals to keep their licenses. Lynn votes AYE - page 4055 - 4061 of the Journal

104th General Assembly - 2005-2006

(2005)

• Lynn co-sponsors HB2903, abolishes certificate of driving.

(2006)

• Lynn co-sponsors HB2903, abolishes certificate of driving.
• Mt. Juliet couple killed in Lakewood, TN by a drunk driving illegal alien.
  

105th General Assembly - 2007 - 2008

(2007)

• Lynn co-sponsors HB366, abolishes certificate of driving.


• HB1827 -driver’s certificate taken away from illegals. Lynn is co-sponsor. Becomes Public Chapter 194. Lynn votes AYE - page 1377 - 1382 of the Journal
  

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The Rumor Mill

Campaigns are often full of rumors; "they say," "some say," "I'm hearin" are common phrases that may often be used to transact such schemes.

Well, this blog is dedicated to spoiling those rumors. We will set the record straight; whether its the voting record or otherwise.

Please feel free to ask me any question - it is my duty and responsibility to be honest and straightforward with you. I don't need your name. Nor do I need to know where you may have heard any rumor. I am just grateful that you know me will enough to doubt what may have been said.

We all know that one way to stop a rumor is to not repeat it - the other way is to tell the person propagating the rumor that you are disappointed that they would say such a thing.

Proverbs 6:16-19.

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