Yesterday, the Tennessean wrote of Governor Bredesen’s support of for toll roads. It appears that it’s an “either/or” situation as I posted about here. In other words, either pick a toll road or pick a gas tax increase. I think we need to see some numbers first before we take the Governor’s big-growth-in-government word for it that we MUST choose one or the other.

But as a gentle reminder about influence peddling in Nashville, I direct your attention back to media reports originating at NewsChannel 5 in Nashville, and then spreading via the AP across the state to our own local TV stations like WBIR and WATE.

A Tennessee toll road lobbyist has very close ties to key decision makers on transportation issues. For the past year, Velma Jones has lobbied for Consoer Townsend Envirodyne, a division of AECOM, a transportation engineering design firm with several prominent toll road contracts and $2.4 billion in annual revenue. Jones also happens to be the girlfriend of state House Transportation Committee Chairman Phillip Pinion (D), according to an investigative report by WTVF-TV.

Until March 31, 2006, Jones was the chief of staff for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Three weeks after leaving the job she registered to lobby TDOT. On May 15, 2006, records show she met with her former boss, TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely, to promote toll roads on behalf of CTE-AECOM. AECOM clients provided a series of political contributions worth $8200 to Nicely’s boss, Governor Phil Bredesen (D). Nicely then approved a series of consulting contracts with AECOM worth $4,139,210 — a four-fold increase from the prior level of contracting with the firm.

Rep. Phillip Pinion (D)–Remember him? He’s the Rep. that said he was tired of those “redneck bills” on illegal immigration reform.

Bredesen said he likes the idea of toll roads. Bredesen used to employ the toll road lobbyist. Rep. Phillip Pinion (D) is dating the toll road lobbyist and is sponsoring the toll road legislation. Pinion is also the chairman of the House Transportation Committee while he is dating the toll road lobbyist. Do these facts raise questions about the push for toll roads? You betcha’!

It is ironic that Governor Bredesen appears in the Tennessean pushing toll roads so quickly on the heels of his appearance with the Knoxville News Sentinel editorial board. It is there, at the editorial board appearance, that Bredesen accused legislators on the Agriculture Committee of being in the pocket of big tobbaco. If Bredesen is such a believer in a quid pro quo for campaign donations, is he telling us something about himself with regard to the toll road push? After all, as reported above, he recieved $8,200…a number far exceeding any contribution recieved by legislators for tobacco.

There is a level of merit to the discussion of toll roads. But when the push is accompanied by such flagrant and cozy relationships, the ethical appearance is severely tainted and Tennesseans are left with an unsavory taste in their mouths.

Gerald Nicely with Velma Jones and Phillip Pinion from NewsChannel5 website.

Rep. and Chairman of House Transportation Committee with girlfriend, former Bredesen employee and toll road lobbyist Velma Jones. Picture from NewsChannel5 website.

Bredesen pictured with Democrat fundraisers Cathy and Bobby Thomas–from NewsChannel5 website. Initially, I incorrectly indentified Thomas as Jones, making an incorrect assumption from this picture as it appeared in an article on Jones found at Channel 5. Thanks to a reader who recognized Thomas and let me know via email.