Is The State Legislature Trying To Erode Governor Haslam’s Power?

GOP lawmakers want to have their say on bodies related to education, like the State Textbook Commission, and the State Board of Education. They say appointees would be more responsive to the legislature, and therefore, the public. Governor Haslam rejects that notion, saying he travels across the state and talks to all kinds of people. Image: TN Photo Services/Flickr

WPLN’s Bradley George discusses the state legislature each week with Andrea Zelinski, who covers state government for the Nashville Post and Nashville Scene. LISTEN:

[box]This week: A kind of power struggle is playing out right now, among Governor Bill Haslam and Republican lawmakers. It’s a battle over boards. The Governor has the power to appoint 3,500 people to all sorts of boards and commissions. You haven’t heard of most of them, but a few hold a lot of power to shape the direction of state government, especially in education. GOP lawmakers want to have their say on who sits on bodies like the State Textbook Commission and State Board of Education.[/box]