This story from today’s Commercial Appeal has Governor Haslam saying that it doesn’t matter how much income he receives just the source of the income. Really? We all know that his money comes from Pilot Corp and Pilot Travel Centers, LLC. The amount is relevant because the four major sources of product at Pilot is fuel, cigarettes, beer and lottery tickets. All regulated by the State of Tennessee.

It wasn’t a problem for Prince Phillip of Nashville aka Former Governor Bredesen to be open and transparent and reveal his income. We all knew that his money came from health care.

It really is simple, either as an elected official and as the top person in the Executive branch you are open and transparent. Or you are closed door and bound with secrecy. With the latter the perception is that you are not trustworthy.