Thu
Jun 4 2009
06:12 am
Big coal loses one
By: R. Neal

The Tennessee House narrowly rejected a bill (HB1204/SB1331) sponsored by Rep. Joe McCord (R-Maryville) and Sen. Ken Yager (R-Harriman) that would allow higher levels of toxic selenium, a byproduct of coal mining that is also found in coal ash, to be released into Tennessee's waterways. Tom Humphrey files this report.

Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) and Rep. Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) voted against the bill, which fell one vote short of passage. Seven Democrats voted to allow more pollution in Tennessee's waters. They were: Armstrong, Curtiss, DeBerry L, Ferguson, Fraley, Litz, and Tidwell.

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WhitesCreek's picture

Why does Joe McCord hate

Submitted by WhitesCreek on Thu, 2009/06/04 - 7:30am.

Why does Joe McCord hate fishing?

Was he frightened by a largemouth bass at a tender age?

Nobody's picture

what is up with Tidwell

Submitted by Nobody (not verified) on Thu, 2009/06/04 - 8:21am.

after hearing him on TN this week supporting-wait co-Sponsoring that ridiculous bill of the sheruffs and him voting to allow more pollution, i have to wonder who is filling his pockets these days.

tennesseevaluesauthority's picture

I believe you are confusing

Submitted by tennesseevalues... on Thu, 2009/06/04 - 1:53pm.

I believe you are confusing Tidwell (who was not on WBIR's program) with Tindell (who was co-sponsoring the bills you mentioned).

gonzone's picture

But

Submitted by gonzone on Fri, 2009/06/05 - 7:37am.

But this is all about clean coal so no worries.

"If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?"

Bbeanster's picture

Let's give Bill Dunn some

Submitted by Bbeanster on Fri, 2009/06/05 - 10:03am.

Let's give Bill Dunn some love.
It was Bill Dunn's vote that turned this around.
I was bitterly opposed to Bill's election to the state House because I considered him a right wing nut.
And he is still as adamant an abortion rights opponent as there could possibly be, but he has really, really been a stalwart steward of our environment and a responsive and responsible representative of his constituents.
He sponsored Dawn Coppock's mountaintop removal bill and has also championed a group of folks out in Halls who were victimized by a crooked cemetery operator, and got them a $50,000 victim's compensation grant that will help them run the cemetery as a non-profit.
I've noticed that he hasn't been joining in with Campfield & Co. on their crazy crap.
Bottom line, Bill's a good man with whom I have some serious philosophical disagreements but who has won my respect.

rikki's picture

Let's give Bill Dunn some

Submitted by rikki on Fri, 2009/06/05 - 2:27pm.

Let's give Bill Dunn some love

Yep. Dunn's morality is clearly genuine, not just pandering to get the church vote and then to be pushed aside when lobbyists come bearing gifts. We had a similar politician here in Blount Co, but he lost to a coal-funded fake.

I can't remember the last time Joe Armstrong let me down, but I'm still with him on other important issues.

Lisa Starbuck's picture

I'd Agree

Submitted by Lisa Starbuck on Sat, 2009/06/06 - 12:06am.

I'm impressed with Bill Dunn. Can't say I've agreed with all his positions, but I do believe he is sincere about doing the right thing to the best of his ability.

WhitesCreek's picture

How sausage is made

Submitted by WhitesCreek on Sat, 2009/06/06 - 7:34am.

Gary Odom Called Joe McCord a liar(I second). Mike Turner evescerated Joe McCord, calls him a tool of the coal companies. Joe McCord stated he should be removed from office.

02:13 of the video of the House debate...

02:30 Dennis Ferguson says pass the Bill and see if the fish die for the good of the children.

Video of HB1204

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