June 1, 2006

Naifeh Corruption Update

Tennessean reporter Trent Seibert follows up his report in Wednesday' paper (and reports prior to that in the Tennessee blogosphere) on House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's corruption means of passing an incumbent protection bill with a report on how Tennessee is one of very few states that allow lawmakers to cast votes on behalf of other lawmakers who are not at their desks or even in the House chamber.

Having rules that allow for lawmakers to cast a vote while they are away from their desk is rare, according to an analysis by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Most states have a "must be present to vote" rule, according to the NCSL's Brenda Erickson, although she acknowledges that lawmakers informally vote on behalf of their colleagues in other states.

With at least a dozen lawmakers raising their hands, Naifeh stated that he saw only three hands, and called for the vote, allowing the proxy voting. The legislation that passed is called the incumbent protection bill because it makes it much more difficult for a write-in candidate to qualify for the general election ballot.

According to the Tennessean story, Naifeh isn't returning reporters' calls. The governor's office hasn't said if Gov. Bredesen will veto the incumbent protection bill or allow it to become law.