Over the weekend, I contacted the TN Ethics Commission Counsel and this morning got a reply to my question. More on that later.
But while Drew Rawlings and I were engaged in email chatter, I asked him about the status of the committee. According to their website a majority of their terms have expired. I mean a couple expired almost four years ago. So here is the legal, very Tennessee bureaucratic answer.
The current commissioners below are still active commissioners. If a commissioners term expires, they continue to serve until replaced or are reappointed.
John Gregory Hardeman – Nashville. House Republican Appointee. Term expires December 31, 2014.
Bob Patton – Nashville. Gubernatorial Appointee. Term expires December 31, 2020.
James G. Stranch, III – Nashville. House Democratic Appointee. Term expires December 31, 2014.
Charles Traughber – Nashville. Gubernatorial Appointee. Term expires December 31, 2020.
Frank Watson III – Memphis. Senate Democratic Appointee. Term expires December 31, 2017.
Tammy S. White – Knoxville. Senate Republican Appointee. Term expires December 31, 2017.
Speaker Harwell addressing the body
Lt. Governor Randy McNally addressing the crowd.
So why has Speaker Beth Harwell NOT appointed a Republican and Democrat since January 1, 2015 and why has Lt. Governor Randy McNally NOT appointed a Republican and Democrat since January 1, 2018. Is it a careless oversight? Or is it that they are happy with an Ethics Commission that does VERY little in enforcing ethical conduct? So, when this panel imposed penalties on former State Representative Jeremy Durham, why was not a case made that a majority of this panel are not properly in authority.
How about when you get pulled over and your license plate has expired, you tell the trooper, that you will invoke the TN House and Senate leadership rule that you are active until you replace it. Same as for your drivers license.
While I may disagree with Governor Bill Haslam periodically. At least he has done his job, as his Republican and Democrat are active through 2020.
At least a third of our state understands term and time limits.
Emails have been sent to Speaker Harwell and Lt. Governor Randy McNally, when I get a response, if I get a response. You will know, because I will update this post.
