March 14, 2003

Irritating the 'Naifeh 11' The

The Knoxville News-Sentinel has an intriguing story about infighting in the state House Republican Caucus over the so-called "Naifeh 11," the turncoat Republicans who voted for Democrat Jimmy Naifeh for Speaker of the House at a time when, it was thought, the GOP could perhaps force the election of someone else as speaker by allying with Democrats upset by Naifeh's heavyhanded rule. Naifeh was re-elected and purged the House leadership and key committees of members who opposed Naifeh's income tax legislation. He also put nine of the Naifeh 11 on the powerful Finance Committee.

The Naifeh 11 are Reps. Michael Harrison of Rogersville, Russ Johnson of Loudon, Joe Kent of Memphis, Steve McDaniel of Parkers Crossroads, Bob McKee of Athens, Chris Newton of Cleveland, Doug Overbey of Maryville, Bob Patton of Johnson City, W.C. "Bubba" Pleasant of Arlington, Dennis Roach of Rutledge and Raymond Walker of Crossville.

Of the 11, three - McDaniel, Patton and Walker - are committed income tax supporters.

Of the 30 members of the Finance committee, 16 voted for Naifeh's income tax legislation last year, including the three committee officers. And a 17th member, Rep. Jere Hargrove, has been a supporter of the income tax plans in the past, although he voted against the Naifeh plan. All three Republicans who voted for Naifeh's income tax last session and were elected to the current legislature were rewarded with seats on the Finance committee.