BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Wamp and other GOP hopefuls attacked the Bredesen administration’s enforcement of environmental laws Thursday, charging the state is hindering business development.
“There are some agencies in state government right now that are not cooperative,” U.S. Rep. Wamp said in a candidates’ forum at the Brentwood-Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Citing the state Department of Environment and Conservation as well as the Department of Transportation, the Chattanooga congressman said, “they need an overhaul.”
Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, agreed, saying environmental regulators are “out of control.” The forum included Republicans Bill Haslam, who is Knoxville’s mayor, and Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons.