Bipartisan panel getting closer on new ethics laws

A key Democrat agreed to work with Republican Sen. Mike Williams on his omnibus ethics bill, which proposes everything from tightening up campaign donations to shedding light on lobbying activities.

House Majority Leader Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, said she envisions the committee substantially finalizing a bill in early October, sponsored by members of each party.

“This is not a partisan issue, this is an institutional issue,” McMillan said.

The General Assembly has been given a black eye by a federal corruption probe that hit five former or current lawmakers with bribery charges.

Williams, a Maynardville Republican, is proposing a bill that takes ideas past and present from Democrats, Republicans and independent think tanks.

It proposes a laundry list of changes, including an independent ethics commission to enforce ethics laws and keep lobbyists and campaign spending in line. More information would be put on the Internet for the public to see and stiffer penalties for political action committees and lobbyists who don’t meet its provisions.

Lobbyists would also have to disclose more of their activities, including roughly how much money they make, and ban the practice of companies paying lobbyists only if the company gets its way in the General Assembly.

It would also limit cash contributions — an issue in the wake of reports that the fake FBI company set up to catch corrupt lawmakers was giving cash to politicians.

Williams called it a “starting point.”

McMillan is submitting a proposal that mirrors much of what Williams has to offer.

While lawmakers made a show of bipartisanship, in the background lurks a clash between the heads of the state parties.

State Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke submitted his party’s ideas for ethics laws, which also included an independent ethics commission.

His Republican counterpart, Bob Davis, is refusing to join in until Tuke and Gov. Phil Bredesen meet certain conditions — including calling for the resignation of two Democratic legislators facing bribery indictments.

Sens. Ward Crutchfield and Kathryn Bowers have pleaded innocent in the federal sting and remain in office. Republican Chris Newton has resigned and pleaded guilty, while Democrat Sen. John Ford has resigned as he fights the charges.

New House Minority Leader Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville, promised to move ahead with a bipartisan ethics law despite the fight between the state organizations.

“There is some agreement here with what you have,” Dunn told Tuke during a Wednesday meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethics.

The panel meets again Oct. 10, and hopes to also have a final report from Bredesen’s special ethics panel that is drafting its own reform ideas. McMillan said it may take a month after that to reach a final agreement.

“The manner in which the General Assembly approaches any issues as broad and as varied as this is to use the art of compromise, and I am certain that we will do that,” she said. “We want to work together to come up with a solution that makes sure that we appear as ethical as can be and present that image to the general public.”

Bredesen has said he may call a special session in the coming months to pass new laws. Politicians at all levels are eager to show the public they are taking action as skepticism grows.

Williams said it’s past time to update the state’s ethics laws.

“This adverse situation is giving us a wonderful opportunity,” he said.