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Daily Dose for October 24, 2007
Ain't No Sunshine Anymore
Ain't No Sunshine Anymore -- A legislative study committee Tuesday voted to roll back part of the state's Sunshine Law by allowing more members of state and local boards to discuss the public's business in private. The proposed rule change allows up to a quorum of any public board or commission to meet without inviting citizens. Current open meetings law prohibits even two members from deliberating behind closed doors. Memphis Rep. Ulysses Jones, a Democrat and longtime critic of ethics reforms, made both the motion to increase the number allowed to meet in private and another motion to adjourn before other open-government measures could be considered. If approved by the full legislature next year, the change would make incidents like a recent open-meetings scandal involving the Knox County Commission legal. The subcommittee also recommended that civil penalties be imposed for the first time in Tennessee for law violations. The penalties would be $1,000 or one-half the monthly salary of an official who violates the law, whichever is less. Frank Gibson: "They gutted the law, and the penalties are so low as to be meaningless." More here.
Legislature Looks at Okaying Mixed Martial Arts -- A special joint legislative committee holds its first meeting today to begin looking into whether the state should legalize mixed martial arts. State Rep. Curry Todd says the state should okay mixed martials arts, because of its huge revenue potential. As part of their research, the legislators on the committee are slated to see a demonstration of the sport tonight.
Fleischer Speaks to Jewish Republicans -- Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer spoke to a group of Jewish Republicans in Nashville yesterday, saying the use of preemptive strikes like the one in Iraq can ultimately help spread peace. Fleischer said Bush’s use of preemption could have averted a larger conflict than the current one in Iraq. Fleischer is a founding member of Freedom’s Watch, which recently ran advertisements across the country as well in Tennessee trying to galvanize support for the Iraq War. The ads in TN criticized Sen. Lamar Alexander from backing away from the GOP party line on Iraq. Related: Bush gives high marks to Memphis pizza joint.
Memphis City Schools Under Fed Investigation -- City Councilwoman-elect and former City School Board member Wanda Halbert has been subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury investigating business practices at Memphis City Schools. Sources close to the probe said FBI agents -- who visited school district offices Tuesday -- have specifically asked Halbert and others about former Shelby Co. Commissioner Bruce Thompson's involvement in a large school-construction project. Thompson, a sitting commissioner at the time, was paid at least $200,000 by H&M Company of Jackson to build a school. Linda P. Khumalo, counsel for the school system: "It has come to my attention that some members of the Memphis Board of Education, as well as some Memphis City Schools administrative employees, have been questioned by the FBI. I do not know the specifics of the investigation or the nature of the questions. It would be inappropriate to speculate on a federal investigation."
Williamson Co. Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty on Official Misconduct -- Williamson Co. Sheriff Ricky Headley pleaded not guilty on charges of official misconduct stemming from charges that he used his position as Sheriff to facilitate his criminal activities regarding the illegal purchase of prescription drugs. He is charged with four counts of official misconduct in Williamson County, based on allegations that he was in uniform and used a county-owned vehicle to pick up fraudulent prescriptions at the pharmacy. Only the state attorney general, the Williamson County District Attorney General's Office or the county attorney can initiate proceedings to remove the sheriff from office. None of those offices has done so, but Headley would lose his job if convicted of a felony.
Chattanooga City Council to Fight Littlefield on Rutherford -- The Chattanooga City Council voted unanimously to fight Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield on his recent move to grant former Councilwoman Marti Rutherford status as a city employee for three days so she can claim medical benefits from the City. A resolution and an ordinance presented by Councilman Leamon Pierce directs that the city administration not be allowed to hire anyone who has resigned and then had an ouster lawsuit filed against them. The council also hired its own attorney - Roger Dickson - to advise it on the issue. City Attorney Randy Nelson said he could not represent either side in the unusual clash between the council and the mayor.
