Melodrama in Tennessee House

TENNESSEE: House member gets top job, but loses party

In November 2008, the Tennessee GOP won its first majority in the state House since 1869.
But, in a political twist, the party voluntarily gave up that majority on Tuesday.

Rep. Kent Williams, the new Speaker of the House, was stripped Tuesday of his Republican Party membership by the party chairwoman, who cited "dishonor, deception and betrayal." With Williams no longer in the GOP, the loss of the one vote edge now puts the Democrats in control of the House.

A secret deal between Williams, a little-known legislator, and the Democrats was made in January, whereby the Democrats -- all 49 -- voted for him to be House Speaker. This action upset the House GOP, who responded by crying "Judas." With Williams casting a vote for himself, he won the speakership. And Williams then cast his vote for the House Speaker Pro Tempore -- a Democrat -- in the spirit of bipartisanship, re-electing the Democrat.

Expect the drama to continue.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Stalling tactics shut down Senate on first day of bill passage

ARKANSAS: State could benefit by expanding "green jobs"

FLORIDA: State legislature considers expanding lawmakers' e-mail space

GEORGIA: State leaders may give counties the power to collect sales tax

KENTUCKY: Tax measure to be considered by House today

LOUISIANA: Plant conversion at Entergy to raise bills more than expected

MISSISSIPPI: Bill would limit charges for public records to actual cost

NORTH CAROLINA: Cooking oil recycling program to continue in Cary

SOUTH CAROLINA: Head of state DNR opposes new coal plant in Florence County

VIRGINIA: Anti-union amendment from GOP passes in state House

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