House Democratic Leader Craig Fitzhugh of Ripley took aim at Bill Haslam today on the heels of Haslam's announcement of a new Commissioner at the embattled Department of Children's Services. On reading the announcement, Fitzhugh tweeted:
"Jim Henry will be a welcome respite from mismanagement and scandal we've seen from other Haslam Commissioners."
No doubt, Fitzhugh is referencing the DCS scandal that resulted in the ouster of Katie O'Day at that agency and the scandal at Labor and Workforce Development involving both unemployment fraud and workplace discrimination. That scandal also resulted in the resignation of a Commissioner. And lately, attention has turned to information that Tom Ingram, personally paid by Haslam for political advice, also lobbied the TWRA to allow drilling and mining on public lands. Ingram failed to disclose his lobbying relationship for two years and Haslam says it is no one's business how much he pays Ingram.
Of course, when Ingram comes to the TWRA it's hard to believe they don't suspect Haslam is tacitly endorsing his requests. After all, he helped Haslam's campaign and is paid directly by Haslam for political advice. It's safe to say that when Ingram calls, state agencies listen. And for that, he's paid handsomely by a variety of clients.
Fitzhugh, meanwhile, is rumored to be a likely Democratic candidate to challenge Haslam in 2014. He even said as much at the outset of the 2013 legislative session.
Any serious challenger to Haslam needs to get in soon and tend to the business of raising the cash it will take to mount a legitimate campaign.
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