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Kyle and House Democratic Leader Craig Fitzhugh also said there is no intention or inclination to imitate their Wisconsin counterparts in boycotting a legislative session to block Republican bills.

Tennessee's House and Senate both require two-thirds of members to be present to constitute the quorum necessary for acting on legislation, the same rule that applies in Wisconsin.

In Tennessee, Democrats theoretically have enough members remaining - barely - to block bills with a walkout, though the leaders say that's not going to happen.

In the House, 66 members are required for a quorum. Republicans have 64 of the seats - 65 if Independent Rep. Kent Williams of Elizabethton stands with the GOP, as he usually does.

In the Senate, 21 members are required for a quorum. Republicans have 20 members.

TEA and its supporters plan a major rally at the state Capitol for next Saturday to protest the collective bargaining bill and the paycheck dues deduction legislation.

It will likely will be considerably larger than the weekday rally and news conference last week - but probably not on the magnitude of Wisconsin protests. Tea party supporters plan a counter-rally at the same time.

Harwell, meanwhile, said House Republicans are open to some changes in the bill to stop collective bargaining between teachers groups and school boards. One much-discussed possibility is allowing school boards to bargain if they choose to do so - a revision that TEA spokesmen say is a very modest improvement over the outright ban already approved by a Senate committee.

Harwell declines to state her on preferences on the bill, saying she will wait "to see what it says in final form."


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