Rep. Donna Rowland (R-34) issued a press release today defending her voting record after a report last week found Rep. Rowland voted “present” 82% of the time.
Though she stood in the well and sponsored a resolution to honor Rogers Group Inc. and Realtors of the Year, she says the resolutions are “frivoulous”. In the release, Rep. Rowland described her “present” vote on most resolutions as a protest to what she describes as the House wasting time and money.
“As a steward of taxpayer money, it is important for us to recognize the tremendous amount of money we are spending on these resolutions,” said Rep. Rowland. “While I understand that sometimes we have outstanding individuals in our districts who deserve to be recognized, this has gotten out of control. These little things add up,” she added.
Below is a sample of “these little things” Rep. Rowland feels add up to wasted time and money at the Tennessee Legislature. Rep. Rowland would not vote for or against these resolutions despite being present on the floor of the House. The honors she protested include academic and sports achievements of our children, community leaders, and our state’s hereos.
- HR0021 - Memorials, Public Service - Gunhee Lee, Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Distinguished Finalist
- HR0024 - Memorials, Recognition - Lee University, President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
- HR0039 - Memorials, Recognition - Commander Wayne Brown
- HR0038 - Memorials, Recognition - Felix Abel, Senior Olympics gold medal bowler
- HR0047 - Memorials, Sports - Trousdale County High School football team, Class 1A state champs
- HR0022 - Memorials, Sports - 2009 TSSAA Hall of Fame inductees
- HR0053 - Memorials, Sports - Van Buren County High School Archery Team
- HR0023 - Memorials, Public Service - Mariel Lane, Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Distinguished Finalist
- HR0020 - Memorials, Sports - Springdale Elementary, Lady Owls basketball
- HR0012 - Memorials, Public Service - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- HR0029 - Memorials, Death - former Representative Alvin King
- HR0025 - Memorials, Personal Occasion - Virgil L. McAlister, 98th birthday
Instead of voting for resolutions that honor her campaign contributors and calling everything else frivolous “little things”, Ms. Rowland should spare her constituents the hypocrisy and recognize their achievements. These are not “little things” to many families in Rutherford County and across the state of Tennessee. These are milestones in the lives of our children and our families. These are in memory of our state’s heroes who fought for our country. These people deserve Rep. Rowland’s respect. Instead, Rep. Rowland registered her lonely protest against “these little things” and then cashed her per diem check and went home for a few days.
Use the form below to tell Rep. Donna Rowland to get back to work.
Our Reps are paid by the vote (per diem). If she really wants to protest, why doesn’t she return the cash for ‘voting’ present. Didn’t think so…
I just sent my note to Donna. ROTFL!
Joseph -
The Representatives are not paid “by the vote,” as you’ve suggested. “Per Diem” indicates the number of days they are at work in Session. The salaray is - I think - about $18,500 base and $170 or thereabouts for every day they’re in Session.
Just clarifying that.
Matt,
True, but they have to register a vote on that day to be considered “present” for that day of session and get paid for it. That’s why this two-faced legislator votes “present not voting”, so she can still get paid for the day.
I’ve heard Donna explain this before, but this is the first time I saw what she votes against. Are you all saying she votes for it when it honors her donors but votes against it when it honors our soldiers and our children? That doesn’t sound like the Donna I know. Are you sure about this?
As if present, yes or no would make a difference. They make no difference in the running of a state or the state dollars that we in Murfreesboro will get. I feel this whole story is frivolous itself!
Randy, it was so frivolous that Rep. Donna Rowland spent hours running the cost of resolutions through her magic formula and then spent a whole day crafting a press release and doing interviews over it. Tell her to get back to work.