House lawmakers request tax dollars for chandeliers, Rob Schneider series, more

House lawmakers are considering spending taxpayer money to create a 10-episode Rob Schneider series, purchase two chandeliers for the state Capitol and fulfill a $2 million request for a “character development” program backed by a member accused of sexual misconduct in the 1980s.

Every year, Tennessee lawmakers look to fund a host of projects and initiatives that are of personal interest or would benefit their district.

This year, members of the House made more than 230 appropriation requests. Their requests range $5,000 to $75 million for a variety of initiatives.

The total number of Senate appropriation requests is unknown — an assistant to Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, who serves as the chamber's finance chairman — said on Monday the final list will be available later this week. 

Proposals include $3.6M for film, TV projects

Once such initiatives are introduced, they will be discussed, in large part, behind closed doors, among House and Senate leadership.

The group of lawmakers will sort through the list of requests while deciding which proposals to fund. 

On Monday, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, told Grand Divisions, the USA TODAY Network - Tennessee's policy and politics podcast, that lawmakers try to avoid earmarking taxpayer money for "pet projects."

Holt, who serves as chairman of the House finance subcommittee, said, "We do try to appropriate money where we think it will see the highest amount of utilization."

Among the House proposals is one from Rep. Jim Coley, R-Bartlett, to provide $3.6 million to the Tennessee Film Entertainment and Music Commission for three projects.

They include the recently canceled talk show "Pickler and Ben," a project called "Graceland 2" and the series with Schneider, who is best known for his work on "Saturday Night Live," starring roles in two "Deuce Bigalow" movies and appearances in several Adam Sandler movies, including the 1998 hit, "The Waterboy."

Other requests deal with lawsuits, Capitol lighting

Another legislative initiative request from Rep. Curtis Halford, R-Dyer, seeks to earmark $7.9 million to settle a lawsuit between Bethel University and the state Board of Education. 

Rep. Brandon Ogles, R-Franklin, is asking for $200,000 to add two chandeliers outside the House chamber. 

Rep. David Byrd, R-Waynesboro, has submitted a $2 million request to provide grants for character development programs.

Since last year, Byrd has face scrutiny after a WSMV report detailed allegations from three women, who said he sexually assaulted them when he was their high school basketball coach in the 1980s. Last month, House Speaker Glen Casada removed Byrd from his role as chairman of a subcommittee he was appointed to in January. 

Other House appropriation amendment proposals include $1.5 million for an early childhood home visiting program; a $450,000 request from Rep. Gary Hicks, R-Rogersville, to expand potable drinking water; and separate ask from Rep. Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna, for $24,000 to pay for two storage freezers at a food bank. 

Several members' appropriations amendments received good news on Tuesday, when Gov. Bill Lee's finance commissioner, Stuart McWhorter, released the administration's supplemental budget proposal. 

The newest budget proposal included $3 million for the National Museum of African American Music, $5 million for an aeronautics development fund and $700,000 for a new building at Columbia State Community College. 

Those requests were made by Reps. Harold Love, D-Nashville; Dan Howell, R-Georgetown; and Casada, respectively. 

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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.