Daily Dose January 11, 2006

Changes Sought to Comprehensive Ethics Bill -- Legislators on both sides of the political divide have already said they will propose several changes to the Comprehensive Ethics Bill recommended by the Joint Committee. Democrat State Sen. Steve Cohen says he will file at least 20 amendments to the bill and Republican House Leader Bill Dunn says he may sign onto the bill if GOP efforts to create more open meetings and subcommittee records are put into it and a loophole regarding lobbyist entertainment is removed.

Cohen Calls for Neutral Prayer -- State Sen. Steve Cohen, the Senate's only Jewish member, called for a non-sectarian prayer to open to Senate special session. Lt. Governor John Wilder refused to honor the request, saying he couldn't tell the minister how to pray. Rev. Ralph Duncan ended the prayer with the words "In Christ Jesus' name I pray, Amen." Senate Rule 19 requires that ministers saying the prayer before session "shall be informed that the citizens of the State of Tennessee and its elected Senators are of a variety of faiths and beliefs, that prayer in the Senate should respect that diversity..."

McNally New Interim GOP Senate Caucus Chair -- Sen. Randy McNally will serve as the new Chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus with the resignation of that post from Sen. Jeff Miller.

Rep. Matheny Wants Federal Investigation on Cooley -- Rep. Judd Matheny says a federal investigation is needed in the case of Dept. Gov. Dave Cooley's ticket fixing fiasco. Matheny says the Governor should call in the feds to investigate to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Blogger Bob Krumm has remarked on the matter: "What investigative power does the Legislature have?"

Former Rep. Chris Newton -- Former Rep. Chris Newton, who resigned his office following Tennessee Waltz says you can't legislate ethics. "You cannot legislate ethics. You can put laws on the books, but you can't legislate ethics. That's just reality here folks. You're either born with it, or you're not." Newton told a Chattanooga-based TV station that 'the public has to continue to hold public officials' feet to the fire if they want to see change. And until politicians get back to serving the people, they'll continue to serve the almighty dollar, laws or no laws.'

Congressman Wamp Wants Whip Position -- Representative Zach Wamp who represents a southeastern Tennessee district in Congress has formally put his name in consideration for a Whip position in the U.S. House of Representatives. The current Republican Whip, Roy Blunt, is running for the Majority Leader position opened by the resignation of Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX).

Montgomery Co. Mayor Not Seeking Reelection -- County Mayor of Montgomery County Doug Weiland will not seek reelection according to the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. Weiland has served as Montgomery Co. Mayor for eight and a half years. Weiland had been under some controversy recently for his role in delaying plans to agree to the development of a new hospital in Clarksville.