September 30, 2005

Ethics Report

The special commission appointed by Gov. Phil Bredesen to make recommendations on ethics reforms for legislators and lobbyists has released its final report. Here it is. The Tennessean's report on it today is here.

State Sen. Rosalind Kurita, a Clarksville Democrat currently running against Harold Ford Jr. for the Tennessee Democratic Party's nomination for the U.S. Senate, is quoted in the paper saying, "The recommendations of this panel are sound, but they just don't go far enough. I was disappointed that they did not address secret meetings or the legislative work schedule. And we need online access for all votes. The panel did some good work, but I believe Tennessee deserves better."

But state Rep. Bill Dunn, a Knoxville Republican and House Minority Leader, notes the irony of a Democratic governor's commission making recommendations for reforms that Republicans have long sought - but Democrats in the legislature have routinely killed. Dunn: "I've seen most of this before. These were each brought before the House last session by Republicans, but Democrats, unfortunately, defeated each during committee hearings. It is my hope that the governor will bring his party alongside these sound proposals so that we can continue to take steps forward in ensuring the trust of all Tennesseans."

It's worth noting that all but one of the current and former lawmakers arrested in the FBI's Operation Tennessee Waltz public corruption probe are Democrats.