Governor Bill Haslam's administration objects to bill naming trail for Andrea Conte

NASHVILLE — The administration of Gov. Bill Haslam has flagged a bill that would name a perimeter trail around the Bicentennial Mall in Nashville in honor of a former governor’s wife.

Haslam is a Republican and his predecessor Phil Bredesen is a Democrat, but bill sponsor Rep. Jimmy Naifeh said he thinks the issue isn’t politics, but money.

It would cost an estimated $6,000 for signs to designate the trail to honor Andrea Conte — Bredesen’s wife.

Naifeh — a Covington Democrat — said he can raise the money if the state can handle the signs.

Naifeh noted his request has precedent. A decade ago, lawmakers named the Martha Sundquist State Forest in Cocke County to honor the wife of Republican Gov. Don Sundquist.