“Merit” Selection Foes Growing Stronger in Tennessee
January 12, 2012
The Knoxville News Sentinel has named “merit” selection critic Sen. Mike Bell one of its “five legislators to watch in 2012.” As the Chairman of the Senate Government Operations Committee, Sen. Bell “is in a new position this year to put more power behind his voice.” The committee has the “first shot at deciding whether various state boards and commissions will die or be given new life.” The state’s “merit” selection board – which is controlled by legal special interest groups – is due to sunset this year without favorable action by Sen. Bell’s committee.