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Rep. Shipley tackles first year in Tennessee Legislature head on
Fourth in a series No one can accuse Tennessee state Rep. Tony Shipley of not challenging the status quo on Capitol Hill this year. “The things that required heavy lifting, the things they say freshmen ought to steer away from, I steered right into them,” the first-term Kingsport Republican lawmaker said. But much of the meat of his legislative agenda either ran into opposition or drew unwanted baggage — namely the dreaded estimated fiscal note to pay for the bill. Shipley, a former ambulance service operator, nonetheless took on the Tennessee Department of Health, which opposed his bill to require health care providers to give parents their minor child’s medical test results. His amended parental rights bill advanced in the House but not in the Senate. “I think that was a huge accomplishment. ... I had to pull it because a fiscal note was laid on it, not because I lost in committee,” Shipley said of the bill, which was projected to cost the Department of Health $6.5 million in federal funding for noncompliance with federal family planning rules. Another bill targeted terrorists by calling for search warrants to be issued on the basis of “reasonable suspicion of an act of terrorism” rather than probable cause. That bill was taken off notice after an attorney general’s opinion found it unconstitutional. A subsequent attorney general’s opinion, however, determined unlawful aliens have no constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure. “That’s an accomplishment because I’ve actually had conversations with judges and law enforcement, and they have looked at that and said ‘Oh you’re kidding, you mean we can do this?’” Shipley said. Shipley also filed a comprehensive bill addressing illegal immigration, but the fiscal note on that legislation topped $200 million. Another bill requiring a judge to order an interlock device to be put on a vehicle driven by someone convicted of second- or third-offense DUI was sent to a summer study committee. “Those are not gone,” Shipley said of the immigration and interlock bills. “Those are laying there being worked on and being retooled. They ran into opposition and questions and fiscal notes. ... That’s just part of the process, and that’s part of the learning process that any legislator has to go through. I think that was a good thing.” Shipley’s main constituent service issue has been upgrading Memorial Boulevard, a deadly two-lane thoroughfare winding through Kingsport and the Indian Springs community. Shipley had filed legislation calling for Memorial Boulevard safety improvements, but he took it off notice in late March. Back in mid-May, Shipley sent out an e-mail saying the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) had identified $823,200 worth of safety improvements to the highway. TDOT had earlier ballparked a total upgrade of the highway at upwards of $90 million. “I am greatly encouraged at the detailed analysis that TDOT collected which confirmed our belief that (Memorial Boulevard) is one of the most dangerous roads in Tennessee,” Shipley said in the e-mail. “The report identified 14 minor improvements and eight major improvements. It also provided technical data confirming that the (Memorial Boulevard) corridor study area crash rates are higher than statewide crash rates for similar roads.” When asked what is going on with Memorial Boulevard improvements now, Shipley said TDOT has the answer. “When people ask that question around here and legislators respond in any other way, you’re really misleading the public,” he said. “We sincerely are not afforded the opportunity to earmark highway projects or anything down there. I was told if I earmarked (Memorial Boulevard) it wouldn’t get out of the subcommittee.” Shipley then said he was told that if he didn’t vote for using bonds for state transportation improvements, he would not get any road projects in his district. “I asked somebody: ‘Are you telling me that my people in my end of the state don’t pay taxes? Are they not entitled to their fair share?’” Shipley said. “The blackmail that goes on in Nashville over that sort of stuff is just unnecessary. ... It tries to force legislators into doing things against their principles. ... I’m simply not going to go there. We’re entitled up here. We pay our taxes like everybody else, and we ought to be entitled to the same quality roads and infrastructure that everybody else in every part of the state gets. There were a number of people who were given (road) projects, and some of those projects, I felt like, were frivolous. They were given projects to get their votes. I realize that’s how it works. Welcome to the big leagues, Tony ... (but) at some point we’ve got to stop this lunatic spending.” Shipley, who was one of 12 House lawmakers to vote against the $29.4 billion state budget, blamed Gov. Phil Bredesen for overall growth in the state budget. “The governor has got this great illusion he’s done great things, and the people have got this great illusion he’s done great things,” Shipley said of Bredesen. “I look back on what he did in Nashville (when Bredesen was mayor), and he nearly bankrupted that city. ... We’re going to end up with the same thing if we’re not careful.” In contrast, Bredesen pointed out in a prepared release at the end of the legislative session that the budget passed by the General Assembly keeps state government “on a multi-year path to preserve budget stability.” The budget included one-time federal funds from the federal stimulus package. The release also noted the budget included $12.1 billion in state dollars and represented an overall decrease in spending of 1.3 percent from the previous fiscal year. Shipley’s 2nd House District includes parts of Kingsport, Colonial Heights, Indian Springs and Sullivan Gardens. For more information go to www.capitol.tn.gov.
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Funny to hear you complain about wasting time when you still refuse to acknowledge that the only argument you have won is one over semantics.
The fault with the definition of tabling could be mine, not Vaughn's, as I indicated in my last post. It's likely that, since it's been nearly a year since the forum, I remembered Vaughn's statement by condensing it in my memory to fit the Robert's word for tabling, which I am more familiar with.
But again, why argue of semantics when bigger issues are at stake?
Shipley still skewed Vaughn's record. Shipley is still only in power because of money. There are far more intelligent, far more worthy conservatives in our region that could be there instead of Tony. And you were still wrong about Vaughn being extremely liberal, because he clearly is not.
Chase, the bottom line here is Vaughn is being dishonest with you about how the tabling motion is used in the General Assembly. Anybody that has ever followed a floor session knows that a tabling motion kills the bill. You vote for a tabling motion, you're voting against the bill. I'm willing to bet you didn't call the clerk's office to verify that statement, either. Until you take the time to verify your facts and understand the process, you're a waste of time to discuss the issues with.
Wilbur, whats wrong with Kingsport engaging in a little Gatlinburg behavior? Cant do it because it destroys the serenity of the mountain?.... Puh-lease......
"Chase - Both houses of your state legislature operate under Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure, not Robert's Rules of Order. So right off the bat, you're wrong."
That really doesn't matter. A vote to table is still not a vote against a bill in that sense, as Shipley claimed. If a vote to table is just as bad as a vote against in your eyes, then why did Shipley lie in the first place?
It is, actually, possible that when speaking Vaughn used the word "table" in the sense of Robert's Rules, meaning that he bumped it or lifted it for later vote. Or it is possible that my memory has failed me, preventing me from remembering one snippet of a speech he gave nearly a year ago. I doubt your memory can do any better.
Especially considering that you still claim that Vaughn was extremely liberal, when his policies show that he was not. Shipley merely claimed that Vaughn was far-left in order to win.
Remember that flyer that grouped Vaughn with Obama and Pelosi, all three of them on black
crows' bodies?
Perhaps that wasn't racist, but it still skewed the truth. Vaughn is not as liberal as you said. Shipley is failing miserably as a representative. The Republicans should have picked a qualified candidate, and then perhaps the margin of victory would have been wider.
The only thing this yahoo has accomplished is introducing bills that circumvent the Constitution or cost outrageous sums of taxpayer money. Then he has the gall to brag about it.
Charlie Simpson
Well, maybe Shipley is selective about who he actually works for. I called his office asking for help with a particular situation and never received even a call back. That is just rude! Can they not even return phone calls from their constituants?
I also find it so hilarious that the "chosen one" is also the one you guys blame for Nathan's defeat. Barack Obama did something wrong? What was it about Barack Obama made people vote against Nathan Vaughn? Surely you're not calling the 13,000 people that voted for Rep. Shipley and not Vaughn racists. I'd remind you to look and see how many of those people voted for Vaughn in the past - a sizable number that you just insulted. Perhaps it's the liberal, extremist agenda. You'd probably be closer on target there hopefully. Looks like the people of the second district reject that as well.
Chase - Both houses of your state legislature operate under Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure, not Robert's Rules of Order. So right off the bat, you're wrong.
You would also be correct that the proper usage of the tabling motion is to put something aside to allow for something of greater importance to come up and then recall the measure from the table at the appropriate time. However, in common legislative practice as you can tell by watching sessions (which I'm sure you have, right? Being a legislative procedure expert and all..) tabling a motion DOES kill it. In fact, Mason's actually discusses that within the text.
In order to put something aside to allow something else to come up, you simply move for it to be "bumped" to the end of the calendar, "three spaces" (three bills down, or however many you want), or "next available calendar" (next legislative day). That's how you "temporarily postpone them to allow a more urgent bill to come to vote".
Must sting a little to have your buddy lie to your face like that, huh? Oh, but he wouldn't lie to you guys. So what does that leave? He doesn't understand proper parliamentary procedure. Either way, that's pretty bad.
If you don't believe me, call the Chief Clerk's Office (615-741-2901) and ask them what a tabling motion effectively does in debate on the floor. I'd be willing to believe them over anybody, and they will tell you exactly what I just did.
The majority of people of this district who voted for Rep. Shipley are appalled that you call us racists for voting for him. I didn't vote for Nathan Vaughn because of his liberal record, not because of the color of the skin. Why can't we discuss issues rather than race?
Chase, I believe if you look at Michelle's comment I do believe:
The only reason he is sitting in office instead of our former Rep. is our current President. In this hypocritical bible belt area, people could not put what is best for our state in front of race and political party association to elect the truly deserving State Rep.
You all are coming up with every excuse possible for why the former rep. isn't sitting in Nashville. The people of the 2nd district voted to not bring him back plain and simple.
LOL Wilbur Rhoton! I assume you are talking about this story: http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9013607 - which says that Vaughn put through an Native American recognition bill which was pulled because it might have allowed gambling. Ramsey is putting it through with a clause to specifically prevent gambling. The story also says that they might put a replica Native American village on Bays Mountain for tourism. So that equates to Vaughn putting a reservation on Bays Mountain? Didn't score too well in those reading comprehension tests there, did ya?
Having Cherokee in my blood, I must say that I am offended by that.
Having a peaceful Native American village on the mountain would greatly improve the park's educational benefit to students and citizens alike, and the tourist value of our town itself would be boosted.
Many reservations have gambling facilities on them, but not all do. And not all must.
"I think Mr. Shipley has done a great job so far, and would do even more if people like Brown and Adams would back off. Why would anyone want to Represent you people?"
Oh, really? Perhaps if Shipley could stay within the confines of the Constitution, he might do a great job. But I doubt it.
Please, now. Name one good thing that Shipley has done. Just one?
And I must ask the same question as you actually. Why would Shipley want to represent us? He's obviously inept, and he only got elected because he had the excess of money and lack or morality to run and slander/libel Vaughn. If he actually cared about our town, he wouldn't have ran.
And if Vaughn was so liberal, why did he lose by only a margin of 1%, when this town voted extraordinarly conservative in the other races?
But, who knows, Mr. Taylor? Provost and his ilk might just be Tony Shipley. It wouldn't be beneath one of our beloved area's representatives to have someone in their staff or themselves use a fake account to try to change their public perception.
[Of course, for those of you who are unaware, I am referring to David Davis, whose congressional staff edited Wikipedia to change the facts. How Orwellian our "conservatives" seem to be.]
Mr. Lyons, its certainly not worth the effort in attempting a dialogue of any sort with Mr. Provost. Though I do think its cute that Tony Shipley actually found someone to be his little parrot, like most of the other blowhard, common sense-less right wing jobs.
I think Mr. Shipley has done a great job so far, and would do even more if people like Brown and Adams would back off. Why would anyone want to Represent you people?
"You table an amendment, it's done. You table a bill, it's done."
In the two houses of the U.S. Congress, yes, that is what tabling is.
In state congresses, it is, from my understanding, rather different. According to Vaughn, who I am inclined to trust a tad more than you Provost, being that he was a representative, Vaughn tabled the bills to temporarily postpone them to allow a more urgent bill to come to vote. This is more in line, of course, with the Robert's Rules of Order definition of tabling.
That isn't quite a vote against a bill, now is it, Mr. Provost?
"Under the Vaughn-Supported-Jimmy Naifeh era, the status quo was liberal extremism day in and day out."
Yes, because being pro-life is a tenet of liberal extremism, isn't it? Oh, wait... it's not.
Look up "Boll-weevil," Mr. Provost.
Also - Joe Allison on your "status quo" comments. It seems as though you are unaware of the last 20 years of status quo in the State House. Under the Vaughn-Supported-Jimmy Naifeh era, the status quo was liberal extremism day in and day out. Solid conservative, common sense voices didn't have a leg to stand on. We can thank Rep. Shipley, amongst others, for helping change the status quo this year. It is truly amazing what all they have been able to accomplish now that some fresh blood is coming in to the leadership of the House. It is truly unfortunate how many of you Vaughn supporters are just completely lacking in factual knowledge. Perhaps that's why you're still supporting him.
Chase, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you know at least a few things about legislative procedure. However, you probably missed the part where voting to table something is voting to kill it. You table an amendment, it's done. You table a bill, it's done. Only with a motion to lift from the table, which very rarely happens, can the item be considered again. So, in effect, voting for a tabling motion is almost identical to moting against something. Looks like you're the bumbling fool in front of a keyboard.
"And Michelle if you are saying Mr Vaughn wasn't elected because of his race then how was he elected before?"
He wasn't elected this time because Shipley skewed his voting record. For instance, at times when Vaughn had voted to table a bill, Shipley claimed that he had instead voted against the bill.
And he portrayed Vaughn as being more liberal on social issues than he actually is. At the JSA Forum at DB, Shipley even claimed that Vaughn was pro-choice, which Vaughn was then able to refute.
You all should have went to that forum, or at least one forum. Shipley is a bumbling fool in front of a mike. Why would you expect any different from him when he's not behind one?
Brother Early, all those things you mentioned Tony does as well. I remember seeing him speak once and he made it clear that he works for the people. That is his purpose.
Mr. Early quote "I don't have to worry about oppressive legislation being pushed through congress." Actually, HR2454 passed the U.S. House Friday which is a massive tax on everything you buy. Most who voted YES never read the bill. Who will benefit from this bill? The big bankers in New York like Goldman Sachs, The bankers will be trading carbon credits and making billions off U.S. citizens. If you think you are safe from a tyrannical federal government you are sadly mistaken.
I am a lot more free now that I was at this time last year. At least now I don't have to worry about another wingnut being appointed to the Supreme Court. I don't have to worry about oppressive legislation being pushed through congress. I don't have to worry so much about what I say or write and worry I'll be put on some watch list.
Thomas Jefferson once said, "The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground."
And it really doesn't matter who's president.
Nah, the tyranical government was overthrown in November of last year.
The states individually and voluntarily joined the union, therefore the states would logically have the right to leave the union. This is a method by which to escape a tyrannical federal government.
How about we just dissolve the Union then so Shipley and the other separatist can have their way. Everyone time someone yammers on about "State Sovereignty" it's simply because they do not want to acknowledge federal law... usually civil liberties laws.
Mr. Early, I have spoken with Mr. Shipley about his vote on the "fingerprinting speeders" and hopefully next time he will vote for individual Liberty. As for your comment about the civil war, I suggest you read the enumerated powers of the federal government in the constitution and more specially the 10th amendment. And as for your support of the federal government, I can see why, they have only driven US into 60 trillion dollars of unfunded liabilities and debt, they are in the process of destroying the dollar, started several undeclared wars that are unconstitutional. Anyone that can support the federal government as it currently is, then I must deduct several IQ points.
OOPS I MISSED ONE LMAO
No Jerry I am not Brother Early but thank you for the compliment i really enjoy his comment.
BTW I did Capitalize my "I"
Mr. Billings I know Nathan Vaughn personally. He is hardworking, honest, and very community active and supportive. I know for a fact he would attend community meetings in different neighborhoods in his district, participate in varies community activities and ENCOURAGED people to contact him. I may not agree with everything with him politically but still like him personally and believe he worked for the people.
As for The Patriots "defend Individual Liberty and Tennessee's state sovereignty" regarding Shipley. ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!?!? He's not upholding liberty by trying to change the law in violation of the Constitution regarding illegal searches, or pushing a bill which would in effect force doctors to release patient information to potential abusers, and calling the respected Health commissioner a liar. How about stupid statements to invalidate the Union. Guess for some the Civil War never ended. Even when advised by the Attorney General he's in violation of Constitutional law he doesn't care. He is ineffective and NOT respected. As long as he's pushing his right wingnut agenda that's all some care about. That's not representing the people. He's a panderer who got elected by fraud.
Good to see his cheerleaders are in place, as always. Good job, guys!
No one sees through this. No, I swear!
I haven't seen one ounce of bragging from him.
Mr. Shipley had a rough session. I am looking for Mr. Shipley to defend Individual Liberty and Tennessee's state sovereignty.
It seems to me the same people have negative comments on everything involving Rep. Shipley. Like Mr. Provost said, contact him and let him know how you want him to represent you. And Michelle if you are saying Mr Vaughn wasn't elected because of his race then how was he elected before?
How quickly everyone forgets how he stole the election. Remember the scandal over the nathanvaughn.com website? Did that little despicable detail escape you? He, and all the others involved in this disgrace should have gone to jail.
Rep Tony Shipley brags that he challenged the status quo on Capital Hill. Considering the fact that he is a member of the party that has virtually dominated NE TN State politics for generations and is now the majority party in the legislature, I think not only did he did not challenge the status quo but when he defeated Nathan Vaughn he brought his district back to the status quo, because Vaughn truly represented a change in the status quo in NE TN.
Paid advertisement? Who was it the Times-News endorsed again? Oh yeah... the loser. Nice try. Rep. Shipley does work for you, but I doubt you take the time to contact him to discuss the issues and let him know how you want to be represented. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, folks. You only have yourself to blame if you don't try.
You people are like a crying kid, nothing can be done to stop your whinnng. Why don't you stop them from getting elected instead of " can't wait till next election. Must have been over 50% voted for them. Just remember most people just laugh at your sill comments anyway.
I agree. This has got to be a joke. It sounds like one of those articles that should say "paid advertisement" in small print at the bottom.
You said it Michelle. Kudos! Shipley DOES NOT represent the people.
WOW that pretty much explains everything Michelle.
Billy, Rep Shipley does not work for us. I do not agree with him, at all, and find him very inexperienced.
Feel free to post whatever videos you want of any state reps you want, and we will be glad to watch them, meanwhile...........remember this is an open forum. People post opinions here, and just because you may or may not agree with them, does not make people wrong for voicing them.
I am not sure why Mr Shipley gets his own write up in the paper, like he has accomplished so much, when I have not seen this accomplishment at all. The only reason he is sitting in office instead of our former Rep. is our current President. In this hypocritical bible belt area, people could not put what is best for our state in front of race and political party association to elect the truly deserving State Rep.
I find it funny you guys post a video of somebody else crashing and burning when talking about Rep. Shipley, but don't even bother to comment at all when video after video of the previous state representative literally crashing and burning is posted. What gives? Aren't you glad to have a state rep willing to work for you and face the tough challenges head on? After observing quite a bit of the process this year after this very election peaked my interests in 2008, we could so very easily have somebody in that seat in Nashville just looking for the thumbs up/down from floor leaders and pushing the button (or even worse - having somebody else push it for them). I think we are very fortunate not to have an empty suit, but instead an independent-thinking, strong fiscal conservative representing us in Nashville. Sure is quite the change from the last six years. And Richard, I'm about tired of your cowardly comments. You must be one heck of an armchair quarterback. At least you have the gumption to use your real name, though, unlike "Brother Early". Maybe that's just Jeff Adams in disguise.
LOLOLOLOL Good one!
Just to help out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVlj7F8OJCY
"the things they say freshmen ought to steer away from, I steered right into them,” - Yes, yes he did. And as a result his legislative career resembles Michael Waltrip's car after that race at Bristol in 1990. Google it if you don't know what I am talking about.
This has got to be a joke. Shipley hasn't done a thing except promote a far right agenda and attempt to circumvent the US Constitution. Election can't come quick enough.