Ramsey: Push to Cut Red Tape Continues

After a big unveiling this spring, there have been only sparse updates at TNRedTape.com. That’s a website started by Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey, and paid for with money from his political action committee. The intent is helping people cut through excessive state regulation, and Ramsey says the seeming lack of activity on the site doesn’t reflect a lack of purpose.

The site’s blog went without an update through much of summer, but staffers say they’ve collected about sixty complaints. Ramsey says most deal with some kink holding up required paperwork. As an example he offers a Sevierville man whose real-estate closing was delayed when the Department of Revenue mistakenly put a lien on the property. Such snags, Ramsey says, one staffer can often clear up with a phone call.

“We have someone who has a piece of paper laying on their desk and they’re going to get paid at the end of the week whether they slide that piece of paper across their desk or not. I think when the lieutenant governor’s office calls and they realize that the spotlight is shining on them, suddenly that gets taken care of.”

Ramsey says complaints have also cropped up which he hopes to deal with legislatively next year. In particular he says people are abusing state unemployment compensation, but it’s too soon to propose a specific fix.

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Meanwhile Governor Bill Haslam says officials are still reviewing state rules in search of ways to streamline government and help business. That set of recommendations is due out late this year.

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