Daily Dose for March 07, 2008

Elected Sec of State Likely Killed

Elected Sec of State Likely Killed -- State Sen. Rosalind Kurita's bill to popularly elect all the state's constitutional officers was turned into a proposal just to elect the state's Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, after a move to take out a provision for allowing election of the Secretary of State failed. State Sen. Doug Henry proposed taking the Secretary of State out of the bill, because he says its a job that requires specific knowledge about state government's budgeting process. That motion failed, which means the bill will likely fail in the State House, where there is stronger opposition to electing a Secretary of State. More here.

Feds Still Looking at Memphis Schools -- The Feds are apparently still investigating Memphis City Schools to root out corruption. Government investigators are now turning their attention to former Memphis City Councilman Tom Marshall. The probe earlier got a conviction of former Shelby Co. Commissioner Bruce Thompson on extortion charges. Marshall held lucrative construction consulting contracts with both the district administration and the school board while simultaneously serving on the council, which approves the district's annual budget, but Marshall also routinely abstained from votes that could present a conflict of interest.

Ford's Ex Picks Up More DUIs -- The ex-wife of former State Sen. John Ford, Tamara Mitchell-Ford, picked up more DUI charges, making her unable to care for her children with John. Previously, John Ford has tried to use his ex-wife's DUI convictions as an excuse for not reporting to jail right away in his own convictions in the federal corruption probe Operation Tennessee Waltz. Last month Ford was ordered to report to prison within 60 days to begin serving a 5 1/2-year sentence for bribery.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |