Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester says Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey is violating state ethics laws by using his office to promote a website funded by PAC contributions.
Click the play icon above to watch a video report.
TRANSCRIPT:
JOSH SMITH, anchor:
Tomorrow, Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey kicks off a statewide series of discussions called the Red Tape Road Trips. Ramsey, who's from Blountville, says he wants to promote growth in the private sector by removing what he considers obstacles to businesses created by state government.
But a leading Democrat, and one of Ramsey's most vocal critics, told 11 Connects' George Jackson he thinks the tour constitutes a violation of state ethics laws.
{**REPORT**}
GEORGE JACKSON, reporter: "Are you investigating state government?"
RAMSEY: "I wouldn't say investigating, but I am trying to streamline it."
In March, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey launched a new website. TNRedTape.com tries to solve problems created by state government.
RAMSEY: "Silly rules and redundant regulations stifle innovative entrepreneurs from starting new businesses."
The site lets "red tape whistle blowers" contact Ramsey for help, and a blog touts "red tape success stories." It also openly criticizes some departments of state government.
RAMSEY: "Now that we've got a new governor in that I can work very, very well with in Bill Haslam, I thinks it syncs up that we want to identify and solve these problems."
The site is funded by Ramsey's political action committee RAAMPAC. That troubles Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester.
FORRESTER: "To use the official office to promote a PAC-paid website is clearly against the law in Tennessee. And furthermore, we're very curious as to whether Lt. Gov. Ramsey is collecting his per diem as he travels the state."
Ramsey says he's not collecting per diem for the Red Tape Road Trips and calls Forrester's legal claim "100-percent wrong."
RAMSEY: "Chip Forrester is not a Ron Ramsey fan. The reason that PACs exist is to promote issues, to promote ideas, and that's exactly what we're doing with this. I did not want to use taxpayer money to do this."
Political action committees like RAAMPAC register with the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance. Executive Director Drew Rawlins told me there's nothing in state statutes that limits a PAC to campaign contributions. I asked him about Forrester's claim -- that Ramsey is using his office to promote a PAC-paid website, thereby breaking the law. Rawlins told me, "I have to look into it." Josh.
JOSH SMITH, anchor:
11 Connects Reporter George Jackson, thanks. Lt. Gov. Ramsey told us tonight his efforts to cut red tape already paid off in the Tri-Cities, helping The Friends of Warriors Path State Park and their efforts to expand a playground after a two-month delay in the permit process.
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