The Bryson Bulletin

The Bryson Bulletin

Welcome to the first issue of the Bryson Bulletin! In this issue, we will cover the need to return ethics and integrity to state government. In future issues, we will discuss illegal immigration, cutting the sales tax on food, improving Tennessee's high school graduation rates and providing access to health care for Tennesseans.

Tennessee should have a government worthy of the fine people of this state. The last four years have seen scandal after scandal rock this administration. When Jim is Governor, state officials will be role models and machine politics will be a distant memory.

As a state senator, Jim Bryson has led ethically and honestly. He led the charge to prevent two indicted senators from participating in an ethics special session. He worked hard to void the fraudulent election of Ophelia Ford. Governor Bredesen fought Jim in both of those efforts.

When Jim is governor, he will carry a big stick to clean up corruption in the governor's office, and will hire based on experience and ability, not politics and campaign contributions. Every department will be led by a commissioner who has not used public office for personal gain. No one will even be considered who has used a previous office for personal gain.

Jim's BIG 95 County Tennessee Tour rolls on!

Jim and the BIG bus have now been to more than half of our 95 Counties.. Jim is getting positive feedback and press coverage everywhere he goes. With every stop we are picking up more momentum. Folks all across Tennessee are telling Jim that they want a governor with a BIG vision for this state and a BIG heart for its people. Many people are also telling Jim that the governor has not been in their county since being elected four years ago.

Setting the record straight on Phil Bredesen: The "manager" who hasn't managed....

Political Cronyism at the THP

Gov. Bredesen's scandal plagued Tennessee Highway Patrol was under scrutiny again this month for promoting officers with political ties to the Governor, as The Tennessean reported on August 10:

The private consultants Kroll Inc. reported earlier this year that the THP's promotion process was "corrupted" and "tainted" by political activity, unethical conduct and lies — a system that had built up over decades. It called for an overhaul of the process to make it more transparent and open and to wipe political influence.

All 13 of the recent THP promotions went to troopers who contributed to Gov. Bredesen and the Democrats. The trooper promoted to the second highest rank in the THP reportedly once used a state-issued firearm to shoot out an estranged girlfriends television. Gov. Bredesen's interim Commissioner of Safety wasn't concerned:

"If we're looking for sainthood as a criterion for promotions, we're not going to achieve it," the commissioner said. "Anybody that's been on the Highway Patrol for 25 or 30 years probably had some issues."

Bredesen Appointees Accused of Harassment

In January, the chief administrative officer at the Tennessee Educational Lottery Corporation resigned following allegations of workplace harassment. As the Nashville Post reported, the case represents the "latest in a series of personnel crises to hit Capitol Hill." Gov. Bredesen's chief lobbyist was placed on administrative leave last year due to workplace harassment issues and Bredesen's Commissioner of Corrections resigned "under a cloud of controversy" following allegations of harassment in his office.

Bredesen Fails to Address Fraud and Negligence

The Tennessean reported August 15 that a Tennessee-based travel protection company with ties to high profile state Democrats has not been disciplined, despite numerous complaints of consumer fraud. The company has been issued an order to stop selling insurance without a license in two other states after receiving less than five complaints from consumers. In Tennessee, more than three dozen complaints have been filed against the company, but Gov. Bredesen's administration has taken no action.

Gov. Bredesen's Department of Children Services has been losing kids, even violent ones, at an alarming rate. The Nashville City Paper reported in March that a juvenile court judge brought contempt charges against one of Gov. Bredesen's appointees at DCS following the escape of a minor charged with armed robbery. The Tennessean also reported in March on troubles at the DCS:

A 16-year-old fugitive was charged in the murder of a Nashville man last October. Two Knox County runaways were sentenced in 2005 in Clinton for the 2003 stabbing death of a 17-year-old and attempted murder of his 14-year-old friend.

In January, five DCS workers were summoned to explain to a Davidson County juvenile court judge why a child she ordered to be housed in a secure facility was instead placed in an unsecured facility and escaped. The 17-year-old was charged with armed robbery.

http://www.brysonforgovernor.com/news/show.asp?id=36