NASHVILLE(AP) - A Democratic state lawmaker is shrugging off Republican attacks over his new position as leader of the state AFL-CIO.

Rep. Gary Moore of Joelton tells the Chattanooga Times Free Press that he doesn't see his new role as head of the labor union's operations in the state as any different than his previous position as president of the Nashville Firefighters Union (http://bit.ly/ohUmbV ).

But state Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney says the new job will raise questions about whether Moore is representing his district or the interests of a national labor union.

Moore argues that almost all members of a part-time Legislature have outside jobs. He said he won't engage in lobbying on AFL-CIO issues, but reserves the right to speak out on such matters in committee and floor debates.