Senate Passes Strict Ethics Bill


April 14, 2005

By Roswell Encina for WREG News Channel 3 On Your Side

Nashville, TN - The usually elusive John Ford had a lot to say Thursday to members of the news media. "I don't want the media to say that I didn't vote for this bill in good conscience," says Ford. "That would be the headline."

Ford is making sure everyone knows he voted yes to a strict ethics bill that will make it a crime for elected officials to take money to influence government contracts or to engage in influence peddling.

"I voted for a good ethics bill, period," says Ford. "And I'm leaving because I'm two hours late for what I need to do."

Lawmakers have been trying to juggle a number of ethics proposals after mounting criticism of Ford's consulting ties to government contractors. "It's a tough bill, its far reaching and it will require some adjustments but its a job worth doing," says State Senator Mark Norris of Memphis.

But State Senator Steve Cohen, the only senator not present during the vote, is pessimistic about this new ethics bill. He believes it will be watered down after the House gets a hold of it. Cohen says that's because House Speaker Jimmy Naife's wife is a lobbyist and the bill bans spouses of elected officials from lobbying. "The way the system is today is deplorable and its should be over hauled," says Cohen. "This is an attempt to do it, I don't think its going to happen.

As for State Senator John Ford, he left Senate Chambers in a hurry just as he promised. But it won't be the last time we'll hear from him as the investigation into his business activities moves forward.

The ethics bill now goes to the House. If they agree with the Senate's changes, it should be on Gov. Phil Bredesen's desk for his signature.