NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP, abc24.com) - Supporters of a measure to ban the teaching of gay issues to elementary and middle school students have put off consideration of the bill after being told of fellow Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's opposition to the measure.
The start of the House Education Committee meeting was delayed 15 minutes on Tuesday while Republicans huddled in Speaker Beth Harwell's office with an unidentified member of the Haslam administration.
Republican Rep. Joey Hensley of Hohenwald later announced that he was putting off the bill for a week. He did not explain his decision to the committee, but told The Associated Press afterward that he plans to run the bill regardless of the governor's wishes.
Republican Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville said he plans to propose significant changes to the bill.
