NASHVILLE - Gov. Bill Haslam on Wednesday defended his first executive order, in which he eliminated a rule requiring him and top aides to disclose their outside income.
Haslam's family owns the controlling share of Pilot Flying J, the nation's largest truck-stop chain, which has annual sales estimated at $20 billion.
The governor emphasized that the rule still requires officials to list their major sources of income. During his first Capitol Hill news conference since his swearing-in on Saturday, he said the changes are "consistent with what I said all through the campaign."
"It's important that everybody understand where your sources of income and where your investments are," Haslam said. "I didn't think the amount mattered. I was real clear about that during the campaign."
In his campaign, Haslam, a Republican, was repeatedly attacked by rivals for refusing to disclose his Pilot Corp. income. In one ad, Republican Zach Wamp called Haslam a billionaire, which Haslam disputed.
Haslam has put all his holdings except for Pilot and a real estate investment firm that operates outside the state into a blind trust.
The rule Haslam eliminated was put in place in 2003 by Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen. It required the governor, top staff, cabinet officers and assistant commissioners to disclose their incomes.
Dick Williams of the public watchdog group Tennessee Common Cause said he was disappointed by the change, calling it a "glaring example of a step backwards."
But Williams added that the move "shouldn't completely characterize his administration."
Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester chided Haslam earlier this week, saying "our government should be more transparent and open, not less."
Haslam said he held his first Cabinet meeting earlier Wednesday and stressed five themes.
He said he wanted a "culture of frugality." He said his administration will be responsive, that it will exercise humility and have "no arrogance at all."
Officials must also hold themselves up to the "highest ethical standards," he said, and understand their departmental budgets as the state implements cuts.
"You only get one chance to start fresh," Haslam said. "First impressions do matter, and the culture you set up early does matter."
Haslam also announced he is implementing a 45-day freeze on new regulations.