Election season influences legislative pace

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Election season is a driving factor behind a push by lawmakers for an early conclusion of the legislative session. It might also be to blame for keeping the session from immediately kicking into high gear.

In the month since completing a whirlwind special session on education issues, lawmakers have fallen into a much more leisurely pace.

Republican Rep. Joe McCord of Maryville said a key date on the elections calendar might be at the root of lawmakers' desire to stay away from some of the heavier lifting: the April 1 candidate filing deadline.

McCord says lawmakers want to "know where they are" politically before casting tough votes.

All 99 House seats and 17 of 33 Senate seats are up for election this year. Also, two lawmakers are running for governor, three for Congress and at least three more for mayor of their home counties.