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Daily Dose for March 25, 2008
State Finds Two Ethics Violations
State Finds Two Ethics Violations -- The State Ethics Commission set up after TN Waltz has some new teeth. The Commission found two recent ethics violations. Two draft opinions find Seigenthaler Public Relations violated ethics laws by hosting a Web site aimed at preventing Internet wine sales and former aide to Gov. Bredesen Robert Gowan engaged in lobbying in violation of the one-year cooling off period. In the first case, in a case of astroturfing, Seigenthaler PR set up a website to appear a grassroots site at the behest of the powerful Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Tennessee to encourage visitors to contact legislators who supported allowing wine in grocery stores by accusing them of supporting greater access to teen drinking. In the other case, Gowen may have crossed into the definition of lobbying by advising Tennessee Cable Telecommunications Association, about pending legislation on statewide cable franchising.
O Ford Returns -- Ophelia Ford is back at the General Assembly and may have been facing a serious bleeding ulcer as the cause of her prolonged absence from the state Capitol. Ford has been in and out of the hospital with health issues that have plagued her the past year. Prior to her return, Ford's illness was the cause of much speculation leading to a hospital report which concluded, "she has a medical condition causing malnutrition, dehydration and anemia and at this time, requires continued hospitalization."
Davidson Wants Immigration Judge -- One year after Davidson Co. signed up for a federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, the program will process 3,000 cases of suspected illegal immigration by April. The program has been so successful Metro officials are now pushing with the help of TN's Congressional delegation for a federal immigration judge to be located in Nashville. Sen. Lamar Alexander and Congressman Jim Cooper have already made a written request to the Department of Homeland Security for the installation of a judge locally. Immigrants rights advocates also favor the local judge because they say currently immigrants can face prolonged periods in jail out-of-state while they wait for a judge.
Herenton: Not Leaving Unless I Get the Supers Job -- Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton is now back-pedalling from a widely reported story that he would be leaving the post as Mayor. Now Herenton says he will not resign unless he gets the job as Memphis Schools Superintendent. The school board has hired a search firm and plans to fill the vacant job by July. Meanwhile, the letter Herenton sent to Keith McGee that created the story he was retiring was carefully worded to avoid being characterized as a "retirement letter" - and may not hold up as an official resignation. Someone could be on the ballot as early as November to replace Herenton.
4 Commissioners Admit Violating Open Meetings Laws -- Four Knox Co. Commissioners admitted they recently violated the State's Open Meeting Laws when they discussed County business in private. The Commissioners were questioned about possible violations by County Law Director John Owings who said the County Commission is under injunction not to discuss county business at all because of the recent ruling that the Commission previously violated the Open Meeting laws when it selected replacement commissioners. That ruling creates an even higher standard than the state's laws, which only prevent "deliberation."
GOP Closer to Selecting Sheriff Nominee -- The Hamilton Co. Republican Party will select its nominee to run for Sheriff of Hamilton Co. after the resignation of disgraced Sheriff Billy Long. The Chattanoogan has a report on the forum where the 12 candidates for the bid pitched their resumes. The Times-Free Press reports the potential nominees have promised not to run as independents if they don't win their party's bid.
