Erik Schelzig

Here's a curiosity from the new congressional maps. A seemingly unpopulated Sumner County island across from Nashville stays in the 6th District, while much of the rest of the county goes into the 7th. What gives?

In what will presumably be among his final acts as Senate speaker, Randy McNally instructs members to "mill about smartly" while awaiting bills from the House. A #TNLeg classic.

With House and Senate at remap impasse, Tennessee Republicans seek White House decision on preferred course. pro.stateaffairs.com/tn/elections/l…

⭐ The Tennessee Journal/State Affairs has won an Azbee Silver Regional Award in the All Content – Government Coverage category! ✨ Huge congratulations to @AndySher1, @julia_r_baker, and @schelzig for their outstanding work! ✍️ pro.stateaffairs.com/tn/news/casada…

Rep. Aftyn Behn captures the mood of the General Assembly right about now: "We all want to get out of here and drink."

The House has just called a recess until 4:30 p.m. Sine die feels very far away.

We've reached the point in the session when the cheers of defiance for the naming of conference committees has transitioned to quiet groans.

In a rarity, Speaker @CSexton25 turned off Knoxville Republican Rep. Jason Zachary’s mic after things got heated on the House floor.

Just now on the House floor: "Shame on you! Shame on all of you!" I think that's close enough.

@schelzig I just need a “Have you no shame?” for my legislative BINGO!

I've played softball in Nitro. This is terrifying.

Go ahead and cross the "solution in search of a problem" trope off your end-of-session bingo list.

We've reached the point in the session when lawmakers try to lecture reporters about how they should cover their bills.

Rep. Kevin Vaughan moves to end debate on a bill recognizing the U.S. Space Force as a branch of the armed forces. After the bill passes, House Speaker Sexton tells sponsor Rep. Michael Langford: “May the force be with you.”

Happy “Headless Body In Topless Bar” Day, if you're observing it... 43 years ago today, April 15, 1983, the legendary NY Post managing editor, the late Vincent A. Musetto wrote the greatest headline of all time…

Update, he's shifted from listing fallacies to calling arguments against his bill "absolutely asinine."

Sen. Adam Lowe is now listing the alleged fallacies in his opponents' arguments. He better stop before Tu Quoque, or he may have hand in his politician card.

Senate Finance Chair Bo Watson after an angry rebuttal to Democratic criticism of the budget called for the question, which is supposed to cut off debate. But they let Majority Leader Jack Johnson close anyway. Spending plan passed 26-5.

Senate Finance Chair @SenBoWatson says he misspoke when he said earlier that colleagues would have to mill about smartly while waiting for the House to pass the budget tomorrow. A welcome reprieve!