Gov. Phil Bredesen today issued a proclamation officially calling the General Assembly into special session next month to consider and act upon legislation relating to ethics in government.

“The events of this past year, while difficult for all, have brought us to a moment of unprecedented opportunity for change,” Bredesen said. “We all must work together to seize this moment by approving strong ethics legislation designed to change the culture in government and once again restore Tennesseans’ confidence in their elected representatives.”

The special session will begin at 11 a.m. CST on Jan. 10, the day the General Assembly traditionally resumes its regular session for the year.

Gov. Bredesen called the special session to focus the attention, will and efforts of the Legislative and Executive branches of government on the passage of strong ethics legislation before consideration of other matters during the regular session. Bredesen’s call addresses a variety of specific issues, including ethical standards of conduct by government officials; contribution limits and disclosure in political campaigns; the open operation of government; the formation of an independent ethics commission, and civil and criminal penalties for violation of ethical standards.

The announcement of a special session comes several months after the Governor’s Citizen Advisory Group on Ethics in Government completed an in-depth review of the issue of ethics in Tennessee and presented Bredesen with its final recommendations.

During the same period, the General Assembly’s Special Joint Committee – incorporating recommendations from the governor’s group – began drafting comprehensive ethics reform legislation. Last month, the Legislative joint committee unanimously adopted the results of that work, entitled the “Comprehensive Governmental Ethics Reform Act of 2006,” which now will be considered by the entire General Assembly.

“The people of Tennessee sent all of us here to represent them to the best of our abilities. It’s our fundamental responsibility to live up to their expectations, and this special session is an important step in that direction,” Bredesen said. “I look forward to working with the members of the General Assembly to establish governmental standards in which all Tennesseans can be proud.”

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Bob Davis said, "While a special session is important to deal with the ethics issues important to Tennesseans, Gov. Bredesen should lead by example and clean up his own house first to restore the trust of Tennesseans. The controversy surrounding the Tennessee Highway Patrol is a start. Gov. Bredesen should return the campaign contributions he received from Tennessee state troopers and their families.

"Gov. Bredesen should also explain to taxpayers why he is hiring a New York consulting firm to help clean up his problems at the Department of Safety."