Former Tennessee Gov. Ned Ray McWherter was the guest speaker in two of Dr. Ted Mosch’s Political Science 220 classes on Wednesday.

Mosch’s classes have been discussing the role of governors in the political system on a state level, and yesterday they were able to hear from McWherter exactly what it is like to make decisions that have an effect on every person in the state. McWherter spoke about the main issues from his days as governor; including education, transportation, jobs, and heath care, and how those decisions are still affecting the lives of Tennesseans today.

McWherter said that education was the number one issue when he was governor and still is today. He touted the Basic Education Program that began during his administration and led to 21st Century Classrooms across the state. He also commended current Governor Bredesen and his continued focus on the importance of education. McWherter reminded the students that “governors don’t change education, but students change education.”

McWherter also spoke about the transportation systems that were a staple in his administration, including the four lane roads that lead in and out of Martin. Jobs for everyone were a major focus of McWherter’s.

He noted that when he took office as governor 42 Tennessee counties had an unemployment rate of 10% or above, and when he left office only five Tennessee counties had an unemployment rate at 10% or above.

McWherter’s years as governor may be best known for the development of the TennCare program, which provides health insurance to all Tennesseans including those considered uninsurable by the national insurance companies. McWherter blames the current TennCare problems on a lack of constant leadership over the past six years.

During the Sundquist administration the TennCare program had five executive directors in five years. He thinks the Bredesen administration is doing a good job and taking the proper steps to get the program back on track.
McWherter also answered questions from students, mentioning his support of restructuring the tax system in Tennessee.

He favors a graduated tax on income, while eliminating the tax on groceries. This would evenly tax everyone in the state on a proportional level, unlike the current reliance on a sales tax system.

McWherter said he feels it is unfair that he doesn’t pay sales tax when he buys feed for his horses, yet a mother is forced to pay sales tax on baby formula.

Gov. McWherter is a Weakley County native, living in Dresden. He was first elected in 1968 and served 18 years in the Tennessee House of Representatives, 14 of which were as Speaker of the House.

McWherter then served eight years as governor after being elected in 1986. McWherter was awarded an honorary doctoral degree of Leadership from UTM in December 2003.