Tennessean

01/15/06

Although it's illegal for legislators to accept campaign money during a regular legislative session, they can -- ironically -- accept contributions during the special session on ethics. Many legislators and good-government groups were unaware of the loophole as the high-profile session began on Tuesday with rhetoric about the need for reform. But some lobbyists and others whose job is to influence public policy were well versed in the fine print of the campaign rules. Only hours into the debate, The Tennessean has learned, special interests began offering campaign contributions to lawmakers. Representatives of several political action committees, or PACs, approached the House and Senate Republican caucus seeking to donate not long after Gov. Phil Bredesen gave his opening speech to the General Assembly, said Thomsen Smith, fundraiser for the caucus...

http://tinyurl.com/d3zsl


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp