News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
State Representative Cameron Sexton expects a date for a special called legislative session by the end of the month.
While Governor Bill Lee has said the session would focus on COVID liability issues, Sexton said other issues might also be discussed. Protests and public property damage could be among them.
“We are also talking about these monuments that are being torn down and defacing the public property, and the over night camping on state property that is illegal,” Sexton said. “So, we are looking at those type of things too. It is one thing to have peaceful protest, but it is quite another for them to become violent.”
The House Speaker said consequences for public property damage could increase if included in the session.
“Whether it is the Military Park in Cookeville or whether it is Andrew Jackson at the state capitol, those monuments should all be protected,” Sexton said. “We want to go back in hopefully and protect those and really put in severe consequences for those people that want to destruct and destroy public property.”
Telehealth payment parity might be brought back to the floor as well.
“We are hopeful to bring that back,” Sexton said. “A lot of people are using telemedicine, because it is very efficient and allows them to have healthcare access without spending a lot of their time or taking the day off of work. We think that is very beneficial.”
Lee has said he wants the issue of liability among businesses, schools, governments, and other groups discussed so lawsuits surrounding COVID cases do not become an issue.
Sexton said before calling a special session, the main focus needs to be established. Sexton, Lee and Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally are all working on an agreed date.
“We are in the middle of a campaign season, so the primaries are coming the first week of August, and we do not want to go in then,” Sexton said. “Then we have the November general election where a lot of members are campaigning. So, I would say somewhere after the primary in August and before Labor Day.”
