Legislators need independent committee for ethics issues
House lawmakers have the right idea about creating an independent ethics committee to deal with future breaches of House rules. If we’ve learned anything from the mess created by Sen. John Ford, D-Memphis, it’s that a little independence is exactly what’s needed. But House members need to move carefully in creating this committee. What we want is a committee with real power to act, not just another body to pay lip service to the idea of ethics reform.
The new committee is the brainchild of House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington. He appointed Rep. Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, and Rep. Tre Hargett, R-Bartlett, to create a committee to look into the possibility of creating the independent ethics committee. Both have said they hope to have a recommendation this session. If the independent committee is formed, it would have power only in the House.
Tennessee is one of 27 states without an independent ethics committee. And given the ethics scandal that has rocked Capitol Hill this session, the need for an independent voice among the clamor has never been more apparent.
Still, lawmakers need to proceed with care. Instead of rushing to capitalize on the current ethics craze, they should take their time. As they did with the lottery, they should look to other states that have successful committees to see what they’re doing right and what might work here. And, as they did with the lottery, they should make sure that several parties have input in deciding who serves on the committee. Ideally, that responsibility should be shared between House members, Senate members and the governor.