Democrats call for ‘service’ after storms

NASHVILLE — Democratic leaders in the General Assembly issued a joint statement Tuesday rebuffing the decision to open committee meetings after fatal storms ravaged the state.

The statement from Senate Democratic Leader Jeff Yarbro, Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman Raumesh Akbari, House Democratic Leader Karen Camper and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Stewart is included below:

“It is wrong for the legislature to carry on as if this was a normal day of business. It is not.

“With at least 22 Tennesseans dead from these storms and families reeling across the region, the place for public service today is not inside the Capitol.”