A newly proposed bill would require anyone running for office in Tennessee to publicly release their credit score.

The “Voter Accountability and Transparency Act” would change state law to require that the financial statements all candidates are required to file include credit scores.

The legislation would be the first of its kind in the country, said sponsors Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta. They decided to introduce the measure after a constituent voiced concerns about public officials who can’t keep track of their own finances.

“Before an election, candidates constantly say how they are going to balance the budget and make sure government lives within its means,” Sexton said in a news release.

Sexton went on to say “How do voters verify whether the candidate means what they say? The only accurate answer is to know the person’s credit score.”

READ FULL STORY HERE – TENNESSEAN