Rep. Ulysses Jones (D-Memphis) leads the charge to roll back oversight over legislators. And surprise, surprise…legislators support his legislation, including a majority of Republicans.  Shameful.

Great coverage from Jessica Fender at the Tennessean:

A bill Jones co-sponsored would quash the nascent Ethics Commission’s ability to fine state officials and employees if they violate rules on giving and getting from lobbyists. It passed the House with 80 votes in mid-April.

Another, which won final approval from the legislature Thursday, would allow lawmakers to escape fines if they don’t fully disclose campaign contributions. The bill is subject to interpretation, but may excuse violations even if they were intentional. Jones said that was not his intent.

And in March, a legislative budget panel balked at funding investigator and auditor salaries for the Ethics Commission.

The developments alarm Nashville resident Grover Porter, an accounting professor at Tennessee State University.

Safeguarding ethics isn’t just about protecting taxpayers’ pocketbooks, Porter said, it’s also about resuscitating the state’s reputation.