"Tennessee House Speaker Defends Controversial Ticketing Policy and Silencing of Lawmakers"

House Speaker Cameron Sexton defends a new ticketing policy for access to the west gallery of the House chamber, prompting Democratic Rep. Vincent Dixie to question its constitutionality. The policy allocates a ticket for each representative, controlled by the Republican Party supermajority, and has drawn criticism for lack of a formal written policy and potential violation of the Tennessee Constitution. The increased presence of Tennessee Highway Patrol enforcing the policy has sparked controversy, with concerns raised about the unilateral directive and lack of clarity on statutory authority.