TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on May 17, 2024

Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville, on Thursday filed an ethics complaint against Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds, alleging that she accepted travel reimbursements paid for by ExcelinEd, a national advocacy group that also lobbies to expand education choice policies. The group employed a lobbyist in Tennessee who lobbied for Gov. Bill Lee's school choice proposal. The Tennessean reports that state law prohibits members of the executive branch, lawmakers and political candidates and their immediate families from soliciting or accepting gifts — directly or indirectly. In April, Reynolds was called out by lawmakers on both sides after she signed forms misrepresenting her tenure with the state to receive a tuition waiver. Hemmer in February asked Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to determine whether Reynolds met the qualifications to hold the position of commissioner. Skrmetti reponded in April saying Lee has “unchecked authority” under Tennessee law to pick whoever he wants to run the Education Department.