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The House Government Operations Committee gave a negative recommendation Monday to legislation changing job protections for state employees, despite the backing of the Republican leader.

The panel sent House Bill 2540 to the finance committee with a 5-6 vote in opposition after Democratic Reps. Sam McKenzie and John Ray Clemmons spoke against the measure.

The Democratic lawmakers argued against the bill by saying it eroded the ability of state workers to keep their jobs, raising the ire of House Majority Leader William Lamberth, the bill’s sponsor.

In addition to several changes dealing with the Department of Human Resources, including hiring and job notification requirements for the commissioner, the bill would eliminate automatic pay increases to administrative assistants and administrative professionals who pass a certified professional exam.

The bill also removes prohibitions for hiring educational and prison counselors and mental health institution social workers unless they go through adequate training.

Responding to Clemmons’ contention that the state is removing job protection, Lamberth said he is disappointed that the Tennessee State Employees Association is working against the bill.

“We absolutely value our state employees. But when you get hundreds of millions of dollars in raises, it does come sometimes with a relaxing of the protectionist principles of those liberal Democratic policies that were set in place years ago when we paid state employees almost nothing, had decent benefits and, yes, severe protections that were in place so at least you could have greater protections than the private sector,” Lamberth said.

The Portland Republican said he believes negotiations have not been handled “in good faith.” Yet he failed to persuade every Republican on the committee to follow him.

Voting no were Republican Reps. John Crawford, Monty Fritts and Paul Sherrell. Republican Rep. Michele Reneau was present but didn’t vote. Democrats opposing the bill were Clemmons, McKenzie and House Minority Leader Karen Camper.

Voting in support of the bill were Republican Reps. Lamberth, Jeremy Faison, Justin Laffery, Pat Marsh and Jay Reedy.

The Senate version of the bill is headed to the finance committee after receiving a 7-2 vote in the State and Local Government Committee.

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