TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Sep 9, 2024

The Tennessee Ethics Commission has dismissed a complaint against Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds. The complaint, initially filed by Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville, alleged that Reynolds accepted travel reimbursements from a national advocacy group that also lobbies to expand education choice policies. The commission considered the complaint last week behind closed doors and ultimately voted not to refer the matter to the attorney general’s office for further investigation. The Tennessean reports that Reynolds’ repayment of the funds was the deciding factor in the decision to dismiss the complaint. Hemmer this week announced plans to file legislation next year to clarify state ethics laws that prohibit officials from accepting travel paid by groups that lobby the legislature.