Tennessee State House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, unveiled a new policy on the first day of the new legislative session that cuts public access to the gallery above the House floor.
Sexton’s new policy requires the use of a ticket to sit in the gallery. The House distributed 99 tickets, with each lawmaker getting tickets to issue. The House’s rules provide its speaker with the ability to set guidelines, including the new ticketing policy.
Representative Justin Jones, D-Nashville, heavily criticized the new policy and questioned its purpose.
“I would like to welcome the people back to the People’s House. Because as we open session, they are here to be witnesses and defenders of the fragile democracy that some would like to destroy. I would also like to point out that half of the gallery has been sold to the highest bidder. That in order to sit in this side (right) side of the gallery that has many seats open, you have to have a special ticket or be a lobbyist. And that this is not welcoming to the people in the People’s House,” said Jones.
Jones wasn’t the only critic.
Representative Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, asked the House parliamentarian to review whether the policy is in line with democracy.
“We have a certain amount of people who are allowed to sit in the galleries based on galleries and fire code. The policy that’s been enacted to limit the amount of people in the public from being able to participate in our democracy is wrong,” said Pearson.
The House parliamentarian told members Speaker Sexton made the policy change following a recommendation from the Fire Marshall. The new rules also limit media access to the floor level to only reporters from news outlets that are credentialed and paying for space in the media section. Most news outlets, including Television stations and the Tennessee Firefly, do not meet that criteria.
Representative Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, expressed support for the change, reiterating that it’s the responsibility of the Speaker to be able to keep visitors safe.
“The Speaker is elected by this body. One of his main jobs is to make sure that the security and the protection and being able in the event of a fire to get people out of here in a safe manner, that would fall upon the Speaker’s shoulder, correct?” asked Cepicky.
House members will return to session Wednesday morning where they’re expected to take up new proposed rules that have also attracted criticism.
