The Associated Press
Gov. Bill Haslam gives his inaugural address as the 49th governor of Tennessee in Nashville.NASHVILLE — Businesses, trade groups and political action committees accounted for three out of every five dollars raised for Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam’s inauguration last month.
Fundraising figures obtained by The Associated Press under Tennessee’s open records laws show more than 300 donations from the business world totaled $1.4 million for the festivities surrounding the Republican’s swearing-in on as Tennessee’s 49th governor.
About 1,500 donations from individuals made up nearly $1 million more.
Corporations are banned from making direct contributions to candidates in elections, but are allowed to give up to $7,500 to inaugurations.
David Smith, Haslam’s press secretary, said Wednesday the governor “was committed to covering [inauguration] costs to the state and holding events accessible to all Tennesseans during these difficult financial times, and he worked to make that happen.”