Government and Politics in Tennessee

by William Lyons, John M. Ii Scheb, William K. Stair, Joseph Gregory Jarret

Overview

Most Americans are more aware of the workings of the federal government than of their own state governments. But these “laboratories of democracy” constitute perhaps the most creative and successful component of the American political experiment. Like each of the states, Tennessee has developed a state government with a history and political culture uniquely its own.

This book places Tennessee’s modern political institutions in the context of the history and personalities that formed them. It pays special attention to the period after 1978, when three governors left a lasting impression on the direction of the state government. Separate chapters examine the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, explaining how and why Tennessee’s political culture differs from that of other states. The book also explores the ways in which education, health care, corrections, economic development, and other key factors define the government agenda. Additional chapters on the media, political campaigns, and local government provide a backdrop that elucidates more fully how the state government functions.

The authors profile many of the personalities who have shaped Tennessee’s political agenda. Among these are longtime Senate Democratic Speaker John Wilder; his close ally, Senate Republican Leader Ben Atchley; House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, son of a Lebanese immigrant; and Bill Snodgrass, who served as state comptroller for forty-seven years. The book explains how these individuals related to three governors, Republicans Lamar Alexander and Don Sundquist and Democrat Ned McWherter, whose administrations presided over the state’s greatest period of growth and prosperity.Illustrated with photographs and tables, and featuring anecdotal sidebars that illuminate key issues, this book will be the standard text on Tennessee state government and politics for years to come.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621903482
Publisher:	University of Tennessee Press
Publication date:	11/03/2017
Edition description:	2nd Edition
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

William Lyons is the chief policy officer for the City of Knoxville and a professor emeritus of Political Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

John M. Scheb II is a professor of political science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a faculty fellow of the Howard H. Baker, Jr., Center for Public Policy.

Billy Stair served for eighteen years in the legislative and executive branches of state government, including eight years as senior policy advisor to the governor.

Joseph G. Jarrett is a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and has been practicing public sector law for over two decades. He served as Knox County’s law director from 2008-2012.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

1 Tennessee's Political Development and Culture 1

2 The Tennessee Constitution 32

3 The General Assembly 73

4 The Governor's Office 100

5 The State Bureaucracy 125

6 The Judiciary 155

7 The Media and Public Information 184

8 Political Parties and Interest Groups 212

9 Campaigns and Elections 238

10 Public Education in Tennessee 260

11 Major Public Policy Issues 290

12 Local government and Politics 317

Appendix 1 The Constitution of the State of Tennessee 351

Notes 380

Index 397