Cooper Trial Impact
June 4, 2007 @ 2:45 PM
Cooper Trial Impacts Session
The trial in Federal Court in Chattanooga for longtime Senator Jerry Cooper (D-Smartt Station/Morrison) takes away a critical vote from the Senate Democratic Caucus in the already turbulent final days of the 2007 Annual Session in Nashville.
Cooper likely will not return to Capitol Hill before the end of this year's Session, no matter what the outcome of the land fraud trial is. The trial began today with jury selection and opening remarks.
The true impact of his absence today, this week, and possibly longer will become ever more clear when the Senate returns for action today (Monday, June 4, 2007).
One thing seems certain. It would be risky business for the House to amend and send back Governor Phil Bredesen's Cigarette Tax Bill to the Senate. If returned, anything could happen.