Some lawmakers asking for special session

WSMV
Jun 28, 2005, 8:20 PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Four legislators have asked Gov. Phil Bredesen to call a special session to tighten ethics laws, and House Republicans outlined their ideas Tuesday for what could be accomplished.

Also Tuesday, a special legislative panel charged with sifting through ethics proposals gathered informally to set a timeline this summer for its work.

Two Democrats, Reps. Gary Moore of Joelton and Mike Turner of Old Hickory, and Republican Sens. Randy McNally of Oak Ridge and Mark Norris of Collierville all sent letters to Bredesen within the last week asking for a special session.

McNally said the state needs to set up an independent ethics commission to investigate and enforce tougher measures.

"I believe that an independent ethics commission would go a long way in resolving the problems we've had in state government recently," McNally wrote to Bredesen.

McNally said the special session would be the best way to focus on the issues.

The governor has said he will decide on a special session after he looks through ideas for new laws and determines if he could get bipartisan support for legislation.

House Republican leaders met Tuesday to hash out ideas, and announced a list that "by and large" enjoys their endorsement. They withheld support for a special session.

Their proposals included such items as full disclosure of "wining and dining" by lobbyists, a report from corporations on how much they spend lobbying lawmakers each year, requiring the Legislature to follow the state's open meetings law, and new campaign finance laws such as a ban on cash contributions.

House Minority Leader Tre Hargett of Bartlett said Republican leaders in the House won't endorse the idea of a special session unless it becomes clear it would be productive.

"We have to be prepared in the event we are called back here ... to make sure that we can give the taxpayers a productive special session," Hargett said.

Rep. Glen Casada, R-Franklin, said Republicans in the minority wanted the governor's support months ago for some of the proposed laws that are now gaining widespread support. He criticized Bredesen for waiting until after the "Tennessee Waltz" FBI sting to take a leadership role on ethics issues.

"I find it somewhat frustrating that when we needed him, he was nowhere to be found," Casada said. "Now that some people are angry at him with TennCare and some other problems he's facing, now he wants to change the debate to ethics reform."

The joint legislative committee charged with forming ethics laws will hold its first meeting July 12, leaders decided Tuesday.

Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, said he expects they will look at everything from campaign finance, to lobbying rules to outside conflicts of interest for lawmakers. He said he expects public hearings over the summer on the issues.

"If we have a special session, or when we have a special session, is up to the governor," he said.