FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP, abc24.com) - Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is expressing exasperation at the flood of "crazy" measures flowing through the Tennessee General Assembly. But instead of taking lawmakers to task, the governor points the finger of blame squarely at the news media.
During a panel discussion this week, Haslam argued that an overhaul of standards in schools has failed to gain the proper attention, while reporters have focused on other matters like a measure to ban students from wearing revealing clothing at school. Haslam couldn't explain why so many distracting matters were being taken up by the Republican-controlled Legislature. And he declined to call on lawmakers to change their ways.
In the governor's words: "I will blame them when the media says, `We can do a better job with being substantive about issue coverage."'
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
