State House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner has reversed course after announcing plans to quit his leadership post, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. He now says he will remain at the helm through the 2014 election. In early November, the Nashville lawmaker said he planned to step down, citing differences with Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Roy Herron over political philosophy and campaign strategy. In making the announcement, Turner said colleagues in the House urged him to reconsider, while a talk with Herron cleared the air. “He's going to do what he does, and I'm going to do what I do and we're moving on,” Turner explained.

Franklin and Brentwood are poised to have their own lobbyists when the General Assembly convenes in January. The Tennessean reports that the cities are reviewing a $35,000 contract to hire lobbyists at Frost Brown Todd who would track legislation and meet with leaders about issues pertaining to both cities. Since being selected by the cities through a bidding process, Frost Brown Todd has formed CivicPoint, a lobbying, government relations and public affairs entity, and has hired former state legislator and Republican Caucus Chair Debra Maggart as its senior vice president.

Complaints of bias in school textbooks are leading to several proposals that will likely be introduced in the upcoming legislative session, the Tennessean reports. Senate Education Committee Chair Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, plans to introduce a bill to give more weight to public input in the approval of textbooks. Rep. Glen Casada, R-Franklin, plans to propose legislation that would create an online site for parents, community members and educators to submit textbook reviews and analysis. Finally, Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, has suggested potential changes to the composition of the state textbook commission — the 10-member group of educators that reviews and approves state textbooks. Nine of the current members are appointed by the governor.

At a hearing Tuesday in Nashville, members of a Senate Judiciary subcommittee learned more about the history and governance of the state's drug task forces. After hearing testimony from a district attorney, a drug task force director and the state comptroller's office, several subcommittee members said it was clear that current statutory authority, governance and oversight of the task forces is insufficient. Others said they expect to file legislation in January to impose tighter controls on the offices, the Times Free Press reports.

Parents of a young couple killed in a brutal Knoxville murder are meeting with lawmakers to push for drug screening for judges, WATE reports. They have found a champion in state Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, who is sponsoring a bill with Rep. Ryan Haynes, R-Knoxville, to call for drug testing of all Tennessee judges. But Knox County Circuit Court Judge Dale Workman says drug testing may be a waste of taxpayer dollars. He argues that the actions of ex-judge Richard Baumgartner, which resulted in retrials in the Christian-Newsom murders, was the first case of a judge's personal behavior affecting the outcome of a Knox County court case. He also does not think drug testing will achieve the intended result. In Baumgartner’s case, for example, he was misusing prescription drugs. All a judge would have to say is “Yeah, I have the prescription,” and then what are you going to do, he asks.

State Senate Judiciary Committee members voted to go into executive session yesterday as they began to review the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s file on 10th Judicial District Attorney Steve Bebb. The panel is considering whether there is sufficient evidence to go forward with a process to remove Bebb from office. Chair Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, directed committee members to keep the information confidential. In August, a special House investigative committee said there was sufficient evidence to move ahead with a recommendation to the full House in January. Lawmakers are looking at evidence presented in a series published by the Chattanooga Times Free Press and a subsequent investigation by the TBI and state Comptroller’s Office. Allegations against Bebb’s office include financial misconduct and civil rights violations in the handling of arrests and prosecutions.

The Tennessee Firearm Association (TFA) has called for state legislators to stop or delay implementation of the Common Core standards in Tennessee due to issues regarding teaching materials and testing concerning the Constitution. According to John Harris, executive director of the TFA, Common Core is “intentionally and recklessly misrepresenting the Second Amendment in schools across the country.” The Chattanoogan has more.

State Rep. Charles Curtiss, D-Sparta, says he will step down from his seat when the current term ends, News Channel 5 reports. The 66-year-old did not give a specific reason for his decision, but said he wanted to give other candidates plenty of time to run for his District 43 seat. Curtiss will have served 20 years when his term ends. House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh called Curtiss a leader on workers’ compensation, insurance and utility matters who was "always looking out for the regular working people."

Memphis lawyer Raumesh Akbari has won the Democratic primary special election for Tennessee House District 91 – the seat held by Lois Deberry until her death this past summer – the Memphis Daily News reports. Akbari will face James Tomasik, an independent candidate and chairman of the Libertarian Party of Tennessee, in the general election Nov. 21. Akbari earned her law degree in 2009 from the Saint Louis University School of Law.

House Local Government Committee Chair Rep. Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough, today said he is willing to reconsider the wine in supermarkets bill this coming session. Hill, who cast the deciding vote against the bill last year, said he is willing to take the parliamentary steps needed to reverse the vote as long as proponents commit to a full debate about the bill and proposals to amend the measure, the Memphis Daily News reports.