NASHVILLE, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – The growing scandal at the Tennessee State Capitol after reports the FBI is now investigating whether any illegal arm-twisting was applied to pass Governor Bill Lee’s school voucher bill in the house.
In addition to that development, Governor Bill Lee told reporters in Tennessee he’d fire House Speaker Glend Casada if he worked in his administration.
Nashville station WTVF reports the FBI is now investigating whether improper incentives were offered to pass Governor Lee’s school voucher plan through the house. The station says it’s not known if it’s a preliminary investigation or something more serious.
The vouchers legislation narrowly passed the state House last month on a 50-48 vote. The vote was initially deadlocked 49-49, and House Speaker Glen Casada kept the vote open for 40 minutes until he convinced Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, to switch his vote.
“Apparently news just broke that the FBI is investigating that and I hate to see that because we want to make sure that the public trust is there in regards to the members of the General Assembly and transparency,” said TN Representative Antonio Parkinson, who represents District 98.
New Thursday, Governor Bill Lee changing his tune from Wednesday, when reporters asked if he believed House Speaker Casada was fit to continue leading the House of Representatives.
“TENNESSEAN REPORTER: If at this point Glen Casada were a member of your administration or an executive at your company, would you call for him to step down, would you ask him to resign? Governor Bill Lee: I would.”
Governor Bill Lee says it’s up to members of the house to decide if their speaker Glen Casada needs to step down, but those are the strongest words yet from him, suggesting it may be time.
Other republican lawmakers including Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally also saying if Casada were a member of the Senate he would call on him to resign. Organizations like the Tennessee Firearms Association also calling for his resignation.
“At the end of the day, whether I think he should resign or not is not going to have any effect on if he resigns or not, now what would have an effect on whether he resigns or is what his party decides to do,” Representative Parkinson said.
Although Casada apologized for his role in the lewd text messages, he is keeping quiet about calls to resign. Shelby County’s republican delegation is also keeping quiet about what should happen. The republican caucus is working to set up a meeting next week to discuss Casada’s future.