Former Sen. Joe Haynes dies

Former state Senator Joe Haynes died on Friday at the age of 81. The longtime Democratic legislator served in the Tennessee General Assembly for 28 years, from 1984 until 2012.

During his tenure, Haynes served as Senate Democratic Caucus chair for 10 years. He also held positions as caucus treasurer and secretary and caucus majority whip. According to The Tennessean, when Haynes retired, "the chamber adopted a resolution honoring Haynes and calling him a 'distinguished public servant' ... [who] worked on many prominent pieces of legislation, including the 'maternity leave bill, the victim’s right bill and major legislation in the areas of domestic violence, ethics reform, education, community corrections and prison funding.'"