According to the National Conference of State Legislatures about half of the state legislatures in the country now have a veto-proof majority. This broader tier of powerful one-party governments can enact their visions without need for compromise or concern about interference. In California, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Delaware, Alabama and Georgia there are a full "super-majority." Regardless of party this is never a good circumstance, for the aforementioned reasons: you don't need the opposition's approval to pass legislation and thus the democratic system is ruled useless.
Our story lies within Tennessee where state republicans, led by Stacey Campfield have introduced State Bill 0132 that:
"requires the reduction of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) payments for parents or caretakers of TANF recipients whose children fail to maintain satisfactory progress in school."In other words if you're getting welfare payments and your first grader flunks those payments will diminish or end.
This isn't Campfield's first rodeo when it comes to controversial legislation. In 2011 he gained national attention when he introduced SB0049 that in summary bans the use or teaching of materials on human sexuality other than heterosexuality in public schools grades K-8. It was titled the "Don't Say Gay" bill by the media. When Del Shores, producer of "Queer As Folk" offered to debate Campfield on the bill he responded by saying he wanted to be paid $1,000 to do so.
"I will happily debate you. I require a $1,000.00 (sic) retainer fee and all expenses covered. You can do with the rest all you want."What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comment section.
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