State has golden chance to changes its ways

By Greg Little, Managing Editor, The Covington Leader On Line
December 8, 2005

It’s interesting to observe the differences of opinion among our elected leaders.

Last Friday, I interviewed Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, about the questions swirling around the Tennessee Highway Patrol. (See story on Page 1 for details.)

Then on Saturday, I interviewed Gov. Phil Bredesen about the same issue as well as ethics issues which have been swirling around the Tennessee Legislature in the wake of Tennessee Waltz and other matters, including lobbyists.

Norris said his Senate committee, which oversees the Department of Safety, is conducting an investigation of the THP separate from the investigation being conducted by the governor’s office.

The governor was diplomatic in response to the statement by Norris, but also seemed a little irritated at the same time.

“I appreciate and welcome the help but if it just a matter of playing off of something that was in the paper then I wish they would let us get on with our own business of fixing it,” the governor said when told of the avenue being pursued by Norris.

Obviously, with Bredesen being a Democrat and Norris a Republican, there is going to be some tension. It’s a fact that all but one person arrested in Tennessee Waltz was a Democrat and the Republicans are certainly making sure that is widely known to the public.

And there’s little doubt in my mind the Democrats are reeling just a little bit and are trying to find ways to address the ethics issue while still saying the ship is right and the state is on the correct path.

The governor did say on Saturday that he will call a special session of the Legislature to deal with the issue of ethics. Republicans, led by Norris, have been calling for this session for months. The session will take place prior to the regular session of the General Assembly in January.

This is a good move on the part of the governor.

Tennessee has certainly received a black eye in wake of the scandals in state government. The public is clamoring for changes in government and now is the time to make those changes happen.

Though I can sense tension between Norris and Bredesen, it is interesting to me that both have the same goals in mind.

I’m certain that Bredesen could have lived without Tennessee Waltz and the widening probe into the THP. It is his watch and it simply doesn’t look good these things are taking place.

I’m also certain Norris would have rather these things didn’t happen.

But the fact is, they have happened and now must be dealt with in an up-front and open manner.

I see this as an opportunity for our elected officials. If they can come up with real ethics reform, it will show the people they are sincere and want things to run honestly in government.

If they can’t, well, that would say it all.

This will also be an opportunity for the General Assembly to step up to the plate.

Do you know the Legislature does not operate under the same set of open meeting rules as every other government entity in the state?

From town boards to school boards to county government, there is one set of rules. Those rules even apply to the governor’s office as well as every other state office.

However, the Legislature doesn’t have to operate under those rules.

If lawmakers want to show they are sincere about ethics and openness, now’s their chance. The Legislature needs to operate under the same rules as everyone else. Why shouldn’t they?

If they truly believe reform needs to take place, and it does, then now is the time to change the rules.

Bredesen said on Saturday he would never tell the Legislature its business.

In one way, I understand his position. However, with everything that has happened, it seems to me the governor should step up to the plate and ask the Legislature to change the rules.

His support of such change would send a clear message not only to the lawmakers but to the citizens that real change must take place and it must happen now.

It only makes sense.