Bredesen to issue executive orders on ethics

By Andy Sher Nashville Bureau,  Times Free Press
October 20, 2005

NASHVILLE — Gov. Phil Bredesen said Wednesday that Tennessee faces a "crisis of public confidence," and he intends to implement two ethics measures now instead of waiting for lawmakers to return next year.

He said the waning public trust is due to the FBI’s Tennessee Waltz investigation in which five current or former General Assembly members were arrested on bribery and extortion charges.

In remarks prepared for delivery to county officials Wednesday night, Gov. Bredesen said he senses "a deepened cynicism in the eyes of the public we serve" due to the "unfortunate actions of a few."

Gov. Bredesen said that to help address that perception he will sign an executive order closing a revolving door in which top administration officials can leave office to take up jobs as lobbyists the next day. The order will require a yearlong wait before the former officials could lobby, he said. He also said he intends to require an ethics training program for all senior-level state employees.

"This is not an exhaustive list and by no means a ‘be all, end all’ in our ethics reform effort. But it’s a start," the governor said.

Nine people have been indicted so far in the Tennessee Waltz investigation.

Gov. Bredesen has said he would like to call the General Assembly into a special session on ethics this fall. In recent weeks, he has spoken of delaying it until January as House and Senate leaders grapple with ethics issues in a study committee.

Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said the proposed executive orders "sound like a good move on the governor’s part."

Sen. Norris questioned why the governor hasn’t called a special session yet.

In the Tennessee Waltz operation, the FBI created an undercover company and allegedly offered cash to lawmakers for favorable legislative treatment.

Former Rep. Chris Newton, RCleveland, pleaded guilty to bribery and extortion charges and resigned his legislative seat.

Unregistered lobbyist Charles Love resigned his Hamilton County Board of Education seat after pleading guilty to bribery and extortion charges.

Sen. Ward Crutchfield, DChattanooga, was indicted on bribery and extortion-related charges, pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Hamilton County Commissioner William Cotton was indicted on extortion-related charges this month and pleaded not guilty.

E-mail Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com