Tennessee?s ethics law, enacted in 2006, provides rather weak, limited oversight of local government officials. Such officials are required to file disclosure of interest statements with the Tennessee Ethics Commission, but the commission does not enforce certain code violations.
Each year, Tennessee General Assembly members are required to attend a review of the state?s ethics law. I recently wrote the executive director of the Tennessee Ethics Commission, Bruce Androphy, asking him to discuss the commission?s role in overseeing ethical and legal behavior of local government officials, and he has promised to include this topic in this year?s presentation.
I recommend that any interested government official or citizen listen to Mr. Androphy, as he explains what the commission can or cannot do about local government issues.
The presentation before the full state Senate should commence at approximately 10:00 a.m. Eastern time (EST) on Thursday, January 10, 2008.
A viewer may watch and listen to Mr. Androphy live, through Internet video streaming, or at any time, through tape archives.
For either option, follow this procedure:
** Go to the General Assembly’s Website, www.legislature.state.tn.us .
** On the page that opens, see a menu bar on the left side. Click the second heading, "Senate."
** On the page that then opens, see a menu bar on the left side. Under the second heading, "Senate," click the fourth subheading, "Video Streaming."
** On the page that then opens, see options to watch current proceedings (live video streaming) or past proceedings (tape archives).
I have posted these instructions in a page in one of my Websites, www.raymondfinney.com/video.html .
The Tennessee Ethics Commission provides a toll-free telephone number for any person to call about a question of ethics in government. This number is: 1-866-416-4730.
Respectfully yours,
Raymond Finney
State Senator
Eighth Senatorial District (Sevier and Blount Counties )