In 2004 Republicans won a majority in the Tennessee Senate for the first time since 1869. They couldn't agree on a Majority Leader so the Dems maintained effective controlled under John Wilder. In 2006 the margin stayed the same but Rosalind Kurita helped the Republicans elect Ron Ramsey as Lt. Governor, giving the GOP control over the State Senate for the first time. The GOP quickly set up committee chairmanships and considered how they'd realign legislative priorities.

But just a couple months in, one of their own jumped ship and became an Independent. With Mike Williams of Maynardsville now a Democratic-leaning Independent, the Senate is back to 16-16-1, with Dems in legislative command. Never was this more apparent than today's vote to pass the 42 cent cigarette tax. The measure passed by a 17-16 margin, with Williams voting with all the Dems, and all the Republicans voting against.

AC Kleinheider made the point a week ago (I can't find the link) that Kurita's move was actually a good one for Dems because it lets us flush out DINOs like Wilder and start over with bona fide Democrats. Republicans still control committee chairmanships but they don't have the votes to pass anything. The cigarette tax was the first major party-line vote and it proved ACK right. Kurita even ADDED 2 more cents to the measure. The Tennessee Senate has effectively passed back into Democratic hands with this vote.