Stop the Secrets


March 22, 2001


Ms. Vanessa Cooper, Committee Secretary
House State and Local Government Committee
35 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243

Dear Ms Cooper,

I would like to obtain the following information:

1- The total number of times committee members have cast
votes in the State and Local Government committee and its
three sub-committees: State Government, Local Government,
and Election for the years 1999, 2000 and 2001 (to-date). We
need separate totals for the committee and each
sub-committee. Just to be clear, we are not looking for
information on how individual committee members vote, only
the total number of times a chairperson or presiding officer
declared a vote taken during the normal course of business.

2- The total number of times the votes in item 1 occurred as
roll call votes versus voice votes.


If there is a charge for the preparation of this information
we will be happy to pay a reasonable fee. Please let me know
before you proceed if there is a fee.

Also, we have volunteers who would be happy to work under
your direction to help with the preparation of this info if
your staff resources are limited. 

I am a citizen of Tennessee acting on behalf of myself and
other citizens of Tennessee who are members of a group we
call Stop-The-Secrets. Your help will be greatly appreciated
and will assist us in our efforts to open the legislative
process to the voters and taxpayers of Tennessee.

We would certainly appreciate your timely attention to this
matter. We are preparing a package of info and several
members of the press and public are aware of this request
and have already requested the results of our research.
Thank you for your service to the voters of Tennessee.


Please send the information to:        	Ben Cunningham
				       	Stop The Secrets
					PO Box 58067
					Nashville, TN 37205-8067

        If you have questions or if I can help in any way
please call me at 356-9573.

Sincerely,


Ben Cunningham