Congressman Jim Cooper recently called on state lawmakers to “reconsider the Insure Tennessee plan to expand Medicaid in Tennessee.” He said that the U.S. Supreme Court has now cleared all obstacles for the state to proceed. Medicaid expansion is a prime example of where state and federal solutions compete.
The Supreme Court’s recent decision redefining marriage directly conflicts with the Tennessee Constitution even though the Tennessee definition of marriage was added to the state’s Constitution by a vote of more than 80 percent of Tennesseans. In fact, Davidson County voted 2 -1 in favor; Hamilton and Shelby Counties voted 4- 1; and Knox County, 2.5-1.
The Court’s recent rulings are accelerating a declining confidence of Tennesseans in our governments, but I believe we have the capacity to problem solve these current issues and future ones. But I want to make it clear; this will require concrete strategies with both immediate and long-term actions.
The federal court’s recent rulings also counsel that we state legislators cannot work in isolation from our federally elected officials, nor they in isolation from us. Working with our nine elected congressmen and two U.S. senators, I believe that with a Bilateral Session, we can develop the strategies to address the issues confronting Tennessee.
In the fall of 2013, the GOP House Caucus voted 2-1 in favor of my motion to create a process by inviting all 11 Tennessee federal legislators to meet with the full Tennessee House – Republicans and Democrats, in a public forum, called a Bilateral Session. As instructed by the GOP caucus vote, Speaker Harwell wrote a letter to each of Tennessee’s federal legislators formalizing the invitation. Three Congressmen responded – Scott DesJarlais, Steve Cohen, and Phil Roe – and agreed to meet with us.
So, Congressman Cooper, we’re ready - let’s meet.
State Rep. Judd Matheny