sat., april 14 news summary

8/2/2019 Sat., April 14 News Summary

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SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

Governor awards $25,000 grant to Gerdau (Jackson Sun)Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Comm issioner Khave awarded $25,000 to Gerdau in Jackson. If Tennessee is going to become the No. 1 location in the for high-quality jobs, then we must offer a well-trained workforce to employers, said Haslam in a newThis kind of training grant not only helps educate workers, but also provides incentive to employers relocate or expand in Tennessee. Both job creation and retention are vital in maintaining a healthy eTennessee, and the Incumbent Worker Training program has played a key role in accomplishing this, sSince the programs inception, Incumbent Worker Training grants have assisted more than 600 busiproviding $14 million to train approximately 50,000 employees. In its application for the grant, Gerdau grant will help it become the supplier of choice both externally and in-house. Maintaining a stable proces

better controlled cost and greater opportunities for investment.http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120414/NEWS01/304140006/Business-briefs-Governor-awards-25grant-Gerdau-Panera-Bread-franchise-continues-partnership-Autism- Speaks

Montgomery County included in $1.5B roads plan (Tennessean/Haas)Gov. Bill Haslam wants to spend $1.5 billion for road improvements across the state under a transportreleased Thursday. Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Transportation unveiled the three-yeawhich involves 96 projects in 55 counties. The projects range from the w idening from McAdoo C reek RoaRoute 76 to construction of an overpass in Murfreesboro to the lengthening of a ramp near InterstaDavidson County. Most of the projects slated for the Nashville area-region 12 in all are scheduled 2013. While commuters may relish the congestion relief, state and local officials hope the p lan will imprand stimulate economic growth. The plan is already gaining support in Middle Tennessee. Sumn

Executive Anthony Holt said that the plan, which includes a key interchange to connect the northern county directly to I-65 for the first time, will benefit the entire region.http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120413/NEWS01/304130009/Montgomery-County-included-1-plan

Tennessee House approves cuts to grocery, inheritance taxes (Nooga)Senate passes civil service reforms Lawmakers in the Tennessee House of Representatives voted Thapprove tax reductions on two fronts, lowering the state tax on groceries and beginning the phTennessee's estate tax. Both reductions are a part of Gov. Bill Haslam's 2012 legislative package. Folvotes, Republican legislators trumpeted the passage of the bills, calling it a "landmark mom ent" for Ten"Our Republican majority was placed here to balance the budget, cut wasteful spending and lower taHouse Speaker Beth Harwell in a news release. "Today, we carried through on that promise." The bill to

5.5 percent tax on groceries to 5.25 percent passed unanimously. According to estimates, the measure wa family of four spending $884 in groceries each month an average of $26.52 a year. The plan to graduout the 9.5 percent tax on estate inheritances passed in an 88-8 vote. Called the "death tax" by many lathe bill will phase out the requirement for Tennesseans receiving inheritances greater than $1 million to phttp://www.nooga.com/154810/tennessee-house-approves-cuts-to-grocery-inheritance-taxes-senate-passervice-reforms/

House O Ks bills to cut grocery sales tax, eliminate inheritance tax (MBJ)Tennessee's House of Representatives approved two bills Thursday which would ease the state burden. The Commercial Appeal reports the house voted to phase out the state inheritance tax by
http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120414/NEWS01/304140006/Business-briefs-Governor-awards-25-000-grant-Gerdau-Panera-Bread-franchise-continues-partnership-Autism-Speakshttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120414/NEWS01/304140006/Business-briefs-Governor-awards-25-000-grant-Gerdau-Panera-Bread-franchise-continues-partnership-Autism-Speakshttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120413/NEWS01/304130009/Montgomery-County-included-1-5B-roads-planhttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120413/NEWS01/304130009/Montgomery-County-included-1-5B-roads-planhttp://www.nooga.com/154810/tennessee-house-approves-cuts-to-grocery-inheritance-taxes-senate-passes-civil-service-reforms/http://www.nooga.com/154810/tennessee-house-approves-cuts-to-grocery-inheritance-taxes-senate-passes-civil-service-reforms/http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120414/NEWS01/304140006/Business-briefs-Governor-awards-25-000-grant-Gerdau-Panera-Bread-franchise-continues-partnership-Autism-Speakshttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120414/NEWS01/304140006/Business-briefs-Governor-awards-25-000-grant-Gerdau-Panera-Bread-franchise-continues-partnership-Autism-Speakshttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120413/NEWS01/304130009/Montgomery-County-included-1-5B-roads-planhttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120413/NEWS01/304130009/Montgomery-County-included-1-5B-roads-planhttp://www.nooga.com/154810/tennessee-house-approves-cuts-to-grocery-inheritance-taxes-senate-passes-civil-service-reforms/http://www.nooga.com/154810/tennessee-house-approves-cuts-to-grocery-inheritance-taxes-senate-passes-civil-service-reforms/


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reduce sales tax on grocery food from 5.5 percent to 5.25 percent July 1. Passage by the Senate is a vsince both sets of legislation have been agreed to by House and Senate leaders as well as Gov. Bill Hafood tax cut passed 96-0 while the inheritance tax cut passed 88-8. The inheritance tax which will be pgradually over the next three years brings in about $100 million a year for the state, while the food tcost Tennessee about $22 million, according to the report. Eliminating the inheritance tax should Volunteer State more attractive for retirees, said the bill's sponsor Rep. Charles Sargent, R-Franklin.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/morning_call/2012/04/tennessee-house-cuts-grocery-sales-tax

Legislative biz update: Taxes, taxes, taxes and TEAM (Nashville Biz Journal)As the Tennessee General Assembly draws ever closer to the end of its session, several key businebills are undergoing final work or reaching the finish line. Here's a rundown of a few key moments thHouse Republicans cheered passage this week of twin tax cuts legislators have agreed on with Gov. BAn eventual repeal of the inheritance tax and a deeper cut in the food tax both of which we reported wa deal struck weeks ago in a subcomm ittee are now subject to further Senate action. In today's printfull subscribers, we explore the businesses decisions and political arguments surrounding just howeconomic boost an inheritance tax repeal could be in the end.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/04/tennessee-solar-inheritance-food -tax.html

Tennessee inheritance tax cut impact in question (Nashville Business Journ

Youve heard the debate over slashing the inheritance tax: Conservatives say it frees up job creators, acall it an overblown tax cut for the rich. The ultimate economic impact of a repeal still winding its wathe Tennessee General Assembly depends upon decisions of individual businesspeople. People Sharpe. The biggest concern is wondering whether those who would inherit the business could afford tosaid Sharpe, who is president and CEO of two Nashville companies.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/04/13/inheritance-tax- cut.html(SUBSCRIPTION)

Tennessee tax revenue up 12% in March (Memphis Business Journal)Tennessees sales tax collections again came in above budget and showed year-over-year growth in MMarch revenue was $916.1 million, a $99 million increase from March 2011 and $78.6 million aboexpectations. Last month, the state warned that rising gas prices might cut into revenue and consumerThat didnt appear to be the case. March sales tax collections, representing February spending, recorde

consecutive month of positive growth, Finance and Administration Com missioner Mark Emkes stated inWe believe this to be a clear indication of continued consum er optimism, and represents an upswing in economy. Particularly strong was corporate tax collections, Emkes noted, although he warned that thostend to be volatile. The 2011 Survey of State Government Tax Collections by the U.S. Census BureauTennessee collected $10.86 billion in taxes in 2011. Corporate tax revenue jumped 18.5 percent betwand 2011 to $1.06 billion in 2011.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/04/13/tennessee-tax-revenue-up-12-in-march.html

Tennessee tax collections up in March (Nashville Business Journal)Tennessee again saw improved tax collections in March, a sign of continued economic progress despthe short and long term The Department of Finance and Administration announced this week that Marchwere $916 million, nearly $79 million more than the state budgeted. Sales taxes, as well as franchise a

taxes on businesses, both yielded more revenue than the state estimated, though other taxes feexpectations. Commissioner Mark Emkes applauded the improvements, but also warned of variousincluding federal budgetary and regulatory issues, rising gas prices and other global economic factors.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/13/tennessee-tax-collections-mark-em kes.html

State's appeal bid in Christian/Newsom case shot down (News-Sentinel/SatteIn a split decision, a state appellate court has shot down prosecutors' bid to block retrials ordered up in th2007 torture slayings of a Knox County couple. A three-judge panel of the Tennessee Court of Criminvoted 2-1 to deny the state Attorney General's Office's application for extraordinary appeal of Special Kerry Blackwood's decision to grant new trials in the slayings of Channon C hristian, 21, and Christophe23. Blackwood ordered new trials for all four defendants in the case, but the state sought to appeal his
http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/morning_call/2012/04/tennessee-house-cuts-grocery-sales-tax.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/04/tennessee-solar-inheritance-food-tax.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/04/13/inheritance-tax-cut.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/04/13/tennessee-tax-revenue-up-12-in-march.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/13/tennessee-tax-collections-mark-emkes.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/morning_call/2012/04/tennessee-house-cuts-grocery-sales-tax.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/04/tennessee-solar-inheritance-food-tax.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/04/13/inheritance-tax-cut.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/04/13/tennessee-tax-revenue-up-12-in-march.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/13/tennessee-tax-collections-mark-emkes.html


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only three, conceding there was proof former Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner was impairedtrial of Vanessa Coleman. Blackwood overturned the convictions on two legal fronts structural errojuror. In the former, Blackwood opined Baumgartner's criminal misdeeds, wh ich included procuringfelons, were so pervasive as to rob the defendants of constitutionally sound trials. In the later, concluded Baumgartner had failed to formally affirm the verdicts as 13th juror because he was forced to before ruling on pending motions for new trial, and that Blackwood could not himself take on that role bcould not judge the credibility of witnesses without having witnessed them testify.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/13/states-appeal-bid-in-christiannewsom-case-shot/

Hawkins Co. judge agrees to resign in settlement (Associated Press)A Hawkins County judge has agreed to resign after he was formally charged with violating the state's juof conduct for taking money from clients for his personal benefit. In an agreement reached FridaTennessee Court of Judiciary, James Taylor is immediately suspended from his position as general sessin Hawkins County and will resign on May 1. Upon his resignation, the formal charges against him will according to the agreement. But the settlement will not apply to any civil lawsuits filed against him mishandling of clients' money and sexual harassment. Taylor, who is also an attorney, was accused of tathan $9,000 from a client for personal benefit and claiming payment for services that he didn't perform.http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/apr/13/hawkins-co-judge-agrees-resign-settlement-ar- 1841074/

Senate Holds Test Vote on Method of Picking Judges (WPLN-Radio NashvilleOn Thursday, the state Senate took a test vote to see who likes what method of appointing judges. Amuch like the Tennessees current system got one vote more than a measure that would put a fedappoint-and-confirm system in place. Senator Mark N orris wants a referendum on a system that lookwhats in place now the Governor appoints judges to the bench, voters decide if they stay there. Bucommittee changed his proposal it into something like the appointment system for federal judgesthenominates a judge and the Legislature would vote to confirm him or her. The House changes look sversion championed by Norriss Republican colleague Senator Brian Kelsey. Suddenly it was possible tovote and, as Norris told colleagues send the House a message.http://wpln.org/?p=359 07

Stalemate on judge selection, argument over commissioner's power (NS/HumLegislators have reached what Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris calls "the stalemate place

Tennessee's top judges should be selected and are now racing to delay a decision until next yeconvoluted series of events, the Senate has before it two proposals for amending the state constitutionRon Ramsey says he hopes lawmakers will approve both before adjourning the 2012 session, probaweeks. If that happens, lawmakers can pick up the stalemate next year and try to resolve it. If not, the inapparently mean no change in the status quo until at least 2018. The two competing proposals: SJR183which would effectively put the present system of picking judges for the state Supreme Court and courtsinto the state constitution. Several conservative legislators say the present system, enacted by the Lyears ago, violates the state constitution. Ramsey, House Speaker Beth Harwell and Gov. Bill Haslaendorsed the Norris plan. SJR710 by Sen. B rian Kelsey, R-Collierville, which would adopt a system simused by the federal government. The governor would appoint the judges, subject to confirmatioLegislature.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/14/legislative-notebook-stalemate-on-judge-argument/

Tennessee bills target driving without insurance (Times Free-Press/Trevizo)A Tennessee bill that requires police to arrest people involved in serious car accidents but dont havelicense and proof of insurance is awaiting the governors signature. A companion bill, one that would sebail for those who, in addition to being involved in the serious accident, turn out to be in the country illegin the House Finance Subcommittee, according to its sponsor, Rep. Joe Carr, R-Lascassas. The bill isheard next week. Carr said both bills were prompted by an accident in the Nashville area two years agomotorcyclist was killed and his daughter injured when a driver switched lanes without seeing them. The ddidnt have a drivers license or insurance, was given only a citation for driving without a license, a m isHe also was suspected of being in the country illegally, but police werent able to determine whether thabecause officers only can check someones legal status once the person is arrested. Basically, the police officer shall arrest the individual in such cases where they dont have a drivers license or proof of
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/13/states-appeal-bid-in-christiannewsom-case-shot/http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/apr/13/hawkins-co-judge-agrees-resign-settlement-ar-1841074/http://wpln.org/?p=35907http://wpln.org/?p=35907http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/14/legislative-notebook-stalemate-on-judge-argument/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/13/states-appeal-bid-in-christiannewsom-case-shot/http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/apr/13/hawkins-co-judge-agrees-resign-settlement-ar-1841074/http://wpln.org/?p=35907http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/14/legislative-notebook-stalemate-on-judge-argument/


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and serious bodily injury or death occur, said Carr.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/14/tennessee-bills-target-driving-without-insura nce/?local

Tennessee nursing homes search for doctors (Nashville Business Journal)

Tennessee nursing homes will be allowed to hire their own doctors starting this summer, a move indussay will improve patient care and help bolster financial performance. A bill passed in the state Legismonth creates an exception to the corporate practice of m edicine doctrine, which prohibits physicians employed by an entity not owned by doctors. The move could have a positive effect on other health careespecially hospitals. Under the Affordable Care Act, hospitals face Medicare reimbursement pereadmissions from skilled-nursing facilities.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/04/13/tennessee-nursing-homes-search-for -docs(SUBSCRIPTION)

Hamilton County to take new aerial photos (Times Free-Press/Haman)Though tornadoes have drastically altered some Hamilton County neighborhoods, the landscape of thstill appears untouched on the countys Geographic Information System website. The most recent ae

were taken in 2010. Local officials are working to change that. Ham ilton County com missioners recentlypay for aerial photography to update the maps. The site serves many functions, such as providing proowner data. Tracts can be viewed with a topography overlay to aid engineers and surveyors. The phowhich costs $158,973, is a good investment, even the most fiscally conservative Hamilton County commsaid when they voted March 15 to pass the measure. The county and Chattanooga each are contributinSeveral other municipal it ies and local uti li ties are picking up the remaining $59,000. I ts l itransparencies, County Finance Administrator Louis Wright told commissioners. Huntsville-based Atlantproviding the service. It took at least four flights on clear days over a 20-day period in March to takphotos of each parcel in the countys 575 square m iles, GIS manager G reg Butler said.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/14/hamilton-county-take-new-aerial-photos/?local

Alexander, Roe visit in Carter County, talk presidential politics (J. City PressU.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and U.S. Rep. Phil Roe paid a call to two Carter County establishments Thua message that the 2012 presidential election could be the most important in a long time. The legislatorscornbread and bean lunch w ith a large group of supporters and friends at County Commissioner Steve LBlackberry Antiques in Valley Forge. They then moved on to meet with a group of Stoney Creek well-A.D. Fletchers Store. Alexander recalled the area fondly from his walk across the state during his scampaign for governor in 1978, saying he first headed east to Carter County and Mountain City, wRepublicans were before heading west across the state. He recalled that Blackberry Antiques was a groat the time and warmly remembered his stop at Fletchers Store after walking through Shady Valley andStoney Creek on Tenn. Highway 91. Both men took shots at the programs of the Obama administratiogovernments financial problemshttp://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=99687#ixzz1s0wUxX

Congressm en visit Clarksville to celebrate incoming vets' nursing home (L-CBlackburn, Roe credited with pushing project to fed short list Congressional leaders came to town Fridayto meet with veterans and to celebrate the long-anticipated veterans nursing home for Clarksville. As annSeptember, the veterans nursing home will be on a 9.5-acre site behind the Walmart on Fort Cam pbell the 101st A irborne D ivision Parkway and providing residents with access to shopping, banks, drugstorestores, restaurants and other needs. Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers and Clarksville MMcMillan spoke of the plans during Fridays meeting with U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, who representsside of Montgomery County, and U .S. Rep. Phil Roe, a Clarksville native and Austin Peay State Universat Civic Hall in Veterans Plaza. Bowers, who was classmates with Roe in high school, credited bothBlackburn for keeping the long-awaited project alive and finally getting it on the fast-track to completionyou in the community know how long w eve been working on this ... since before I came in office in 200said.http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120413/NEWS01/304130006/Blackburn-Roe-hold-Veterans-To
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/14/tennessee-bills-target-driving-without-insurance/?localhttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/04/13/tennessee-nursing-homes-search-for-docs.htmlhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/14/hamilton-county-take-new-aerial-photos/?localhttp://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=99687#ixzz1s0wUxXCchttp://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=99687#ixzz1s0wUxXCchttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120413/NEWS01/304130006/Blackburn-Roe-hold-Veterans-Town-Hall-today?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/14/tennessee-bills-target-driving-without-insurance/?localhttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/04/13/tennessee-nursing-homes-search-for-docs.htmlhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/14/hamilton-county-take-new-aerial-photos/?localhttp://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=99687#ixzz1s0wUxXCchttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120413/NEWS01/304130006/Blackburn-Roe-hold-Veterans-Town-Hall-today?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE


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Cooper: Steer Clear On North Korea, Despite Test Concerns (WPLN-Radio)Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper says despite international outcry over North Koreas military builduis not keen on confrontation. A botched N orth Korean satellite launch has helped stoke fears the isolatedpreparing for another nuclear test. Cooper says North Korea is embarrassing itself by continually nuclear ambitions above its people, many of whom are near-starving. At the same time, Cooper, who

House Armed Services committee, cautions North Korea is not a place the U.S. wants a fight. Cooper pto the Korean W ar, saying we tried that. It was a very tough battle, especially when the C hinese got inlot of lives were lost, and we ended up basically in a stalemate. Its still today an unresolved conflict. Wea half-century of U.S. troops in South Korea. Cooper says China is the closest thing North Korea has tothe region, and is also a major holder of U.S. debt, financing Americas military. Cooper figures that lepower to Chinas role in the region, and could complicate involvement there.http://wpln.org/?p=359 86

Tennessees researchers wary of budget ax (Nashville Business Journal)Vanderbilt University could lose more than $50 million in federal research money cuts that could imand spending in Middle Tennessee if Congress doesnt reach an agreement on budget cuts for the coyear. That includes $37 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health , the principal biomedicaarm of the federal government. It directly impacts jobs because salaries are paid from these grants, sa

Schneider, a visiting research fellow at Vanderbilts Center for Stem Cell Biology. These are technicians, trainees and graduate students the next generation of scientific leaders.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/04/13/tennessees-researchers-budg et-ax.html(SUB)

TVA honors NES for commitment to Green Power Switch program (TennesseThe Tennessee Valley Authority and partners have given leadership awards to Nashville Electric Seseveral other distributors for their work to promote the Green Power Switch program. Leading power dwere recognized in such areas as having the most consumers and businesses signed up for the prograhighest percentage of customers participating. Green Power Switch is all about consumers stepping support cleaner energy being generated in the Tennessee Valley, said Patty West, TVA director of energy programs. This program is successful only through the efforts of local distributors of TVA ppeople and businesses who commit to making the region a litt le bit greener each month. We are

recognize those going above and beyond the norm in supporting TVAs renewable goals in 2011 onGreen Power Switch. TVA, local distr ibutors of TVA power and members of the environmental launched Green Power Switch in 2000 as the first-of-its-kind program in the Southeast. Through it, conshelp add renewable energy from wind, solar and landfill gas to TVAs power supply.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120414/NEWS11/304140042/TVA-honors-NES-commitment-GreenSwitch-program?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

TVA to boost rates 2.1 % in May (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Flessner)The Tennessee Valley Authority will raise its wholesale rates another 2.1 percent in May to cover the ahigher expenses of buying more power from other utilities as temperatures warm this spring. TVA saidtypical electricity user in its 7-state region will pay from $1 to $3 more during May because of the incremonthly fuel cost adjustment. Despite the increase, TVA said its fuel costs are still 1.5 percent below a

Including the 2 percent base rate increase adopted last fall, however, TVA overall rates are still higher tago. The increase in TVAs fuel cost adjustment comes despite the drop in natural gas prices, which felto the lowest level in a decade. Lower gas prices certainly help, but the driver for May is mainly demand, TVA spokesman Scott Brooks said. The summer peak season usually kicks in around Maydemand goes up, which is what we are expecting.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/13/tva-boost-rates-21-may/?local

TVA expects increased demand, hikes power rates (News-Sentinel/Marcum)With summer approaching and anticipation that energy dem and will increase, TVA is boosting its wholesrate by 2.1 percent in May, raising residential utility bills an estimated $1 to $3 a month. TVA announthat it will raise its total monthly fuel cost from the 2.163 cents per kilowatt-hour April rate to 2.311
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120413/NEWS01/304130006/Blackburn-Roe-hold-Veterans-Town-Hall-today?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://wpln.org/?p=35986http://wpln.org/?p=35986http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/04/13/tennessees-researchers-budget-ax.htmlhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120414/NEWS11/304140042/TVA-honors-NES-commitment-Green-Power-Switch-program?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120414/NEWS11/304140042/TVA-honors-NES-commitment-Green-Power-Switch-program?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/13/tva-boost-rates-21-may/?localhttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120413/NEWS01/304130006/Blackburn-Roe-hold-Veterans-Town-Hall-today?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://wpln.org/?p=35986http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/04/13/tennessees-researchers-budget-ax.htmlhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120414/NEWS11/304140042/TVA-honors-NES-commitment-Green-Power-Switch-program?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120414/NEWS11/304140042/TVA-honors-NES-commitment-Green-Power-Switch-program?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/13/tva-boost-rates-21-may/?local


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kilowatt-hour for the billing period starting May 1. Utilities served by TVA typically pass the expense customers. "A primary reason for the increase in the total monthly fuel cost is the forecast for warmer temand higher electricity sales in May, which w ill result in higher fuel and purchased power costs for TVA," utility said in a statement. The increase comes on top of a 3 percent hike in the total monthly fuel cost rawhich added an estimated $2 to $4 to average monthly residential power bills. Some utility customers mwhy TVA is increasing rates based on energy usage that hasn't happened yet. This goes back to an change in the way TVA figures its monthly fuel costs. Until then, TVA recovered its fuel costs through whfuel cost adjustments, which increased or decreased monthly based on TVA's fuel costs at the timereplaced this with its total monthly fuel cost which is based partly on anticipated fuel costs for the month ahttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/14/tva-expects-increased-demand-hikes-power-rates/

Memphis port approves selling TVA an option for possible expansion (CA/RiPort of Memphis officials voted Friday to sell the Tennessee Valley Authority an option for a site thaconsideration for a new electricity-generating plant. It's part of TVA's internal review of a plan to spend $to install scrubbers at the aging, coal-fired Allen Fossil Plant in Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park. TheShelby County Port Com mission approved an agreement, subject to legal review, to charge the seven-$35,000 to hold the 75-acre site for up to a year. If TVA exercises the option, it would pay $224,679 a y$4.5 million over 20 years, for a capital lease on the land. TVA officials have said they're studying abefore a final commitment to retrofit the 53-year-old Allen plant to reduce air pollution. The TVA boardthe scrubbers last August and said a proposal for a natural gas-fired replacement facility had been droptime being. However, TVA officials said last month they were still looking at options, including a new plain the ballpark of $300 million, because of a changing regulatory climate affecting coal emissions.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/13/memphis-port-approves-selling-tva-option-possible(SUB)

Nashville industrial market boosted by Amazon, Saks deals (Nash. Biz JournFor the first time since 2009, Nashvilles industrial vacancy rate fell below double digits, according tTurleys latest market report The areas 9.7 percent vacancy rate bodes well for the market, provinback on track, states the report. However, the vacancy rate for industrial space remains worse than theaverage of 8 percent. The industrial market also saw online retail giant Amazon.com break ground ofulfillment centers in Rutherford and W ilson counties. The one million-square foot Lebanon center in Paprovide 390 full time jobs.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/04/13/industrial-market-amazon-saks- deals.html(SUB)

Solar Energy Gets Boost With Two New Arrays (Memphis Daily News)April is proving to be a banner month for alternative energy as two solar arrays formally opened within daother last week. The West Tennessee Solar Farm in Haywood County is the largest in the state wpanels. The array at Agricenter International in East Memphis is the largest in the state with tracking pmove to follow the sun across the sky. And there are more than 4,000 of those. The two solar farms are in Tennessees pursuit of alternative energy sources for the power grid and a solar industry. And thecertain to change as solar technology evolves toward a goal of becoming more cost efficient. The TValley Authority incentives essential to both of the operations have already changed since the projects bchange encourages smaller but more rooftops for the solar panels as opposed to more ac reage or rooffootage for more solar panels. TVA continues to buy the energy from the large arrays at market ratesmaller arrays get a premium and they get additional incentives for hiring local companies for the instaPatty West, Renewable Energy Programs director for TVA.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/16/solar-energy-gets-boost-with-two-new-arrays/

Frost may have damaged apple crop (Johnson City Press)While it may be several days before area apple growers will see the full extent, they are anticipating their crops due to Thursdays overnight frost. Ty Petty, Unicoi County University of Tennessee AExtension agent, said Thursday afternoon that earlier in the day he visited a small apple orchard to evfreeze damage to the crop. He said the fruit crop is ahead of schedule because of warmer-than-usual temduring the late winter and early spring. He also said the majority of the countys apple trees are in bloomthe worst time for a freezing to occur. As temperatures fall below 32 degrees and into the mid-20s, damcrops becomes more prevalent, Petty said. Thursday morning temperatures fell into the 20s, Petty saifrost marked the first in several weeks and the first since most apple trees began their bloom. Right no
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the apple trees in Unicoi County are in full bloom or have made it through the bloom already, Petty bloom is the time period when the apple trees are the m ost susceptible to cold temperature damage.http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=99686#ixzz1s0wsXlC5

Dean noncomm ittal on funding Metro schools' budget request (City Paper/GaAfter hearing Metro school officials discuss $723 million in education needs, Mayor Karl Dean was noFriday on whether his administration would be able to fully fund the districts massive proposed incre

upcoming budget. We have things were going to have to look at, Dean said when asked whether tboards request for a $48.9 million budget increase is a realistic figure to fund. He added that public remains a top focus. Leading up to his re-election last August, Dean routinely reminded voters his officefunded Metro schools each year to the level requested by the school board. But never have budgetarybeen this high. Dean is expected to unveil a proposed budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year on May 1. Foand a half Friday morning, Director of Schools Jesse Register and other top school administrators wenby line-item, explaining why Metros public schools system needs a budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year exceed the current budget by 7.3 percent.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/dean-noncommittal-funding-metro-schools-budg et-reques

Nashville schools seek millions more to start teachers at $40,000 (Tenn/HubbSchool officials hoping to raise Metro Nashvilles starting teacher pay from 27th highest in the state to

asking the city and taxpayers for an extra $6 million next school year to do that. Its part of a bigger speschool officials are asking Mayor Karl Dean and the council to approve. In a budget hearing Friday, MetDirector Jesse Register said just the buzz about raising starting teacher pay from about $34,000 to $40,0is helping recruit new teachers. The district is proposing a total $722 million operating budget for thschool year, $48 million more, or a 7 percent increase from the current year. Nashville isnt the easiestwork in, Register said, and he hopes the pay hike will recruit higher quality teachers and keep thembudget also proposes giving all other workers a 2 percent raise, opening a new Cane Ridge Elementary,the Academy at Opry Mills and opening a new school for overage middle school students aimed at catcup for graduation. Dean was mum Friday on whether Metro government could or would fund the full whether it will call for a property tax increase.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120414/NEWS04/304140022/Nashville-schools-seek-millions-start40-000?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Teacher opinions of bosses, work environment vary widely (C. Appeal/RoberYacoubian researchers poll MCS, SCS staff A majority of Memphis City Schools teachers have confidence in Supt. Kriner Cash. An even larger number have lukewarm faith or less that district manageteachers' best interests, according to a recent survey done for the commission planning the merger. Thare a world apart in She lby County Schools, where 74 percent of teachers rate Supt. John Aitken highlymore (83 percent) trust his management team to look out for them and keep them informed of changetheir jobs. In M emphis, just 18 percent of teachers rate Cash better than average; 44 percent trust hprotect teacher interests and 56 percent agree they are told of changes that affect their jobs. The Yacoubian Research of random district staff highlights a culture gap between the city and suburban wthat in slightly more than a year will operate as one. "When the two systems come together, there wmany negatives, I hope," said LaVerne Dickerson, a city school teacher who knows MCS teachers whtell others they teach in Shelby County to avoid scorn.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/14/teacher-opinions-vary-on-bosses/(SUBSCRIPTION)

Cash In Limbo While Waiting on Charlotte (Memphis Daily News)When he returned to Memphis last week from Charlotte, N.C., Memphis City Schools superintendent Kwent directly to The Racquet Club of Memphis where a group of 500 was winding up a rally in suppTeacher Effectiveness Initiative. What a difference a day makes, Cash said of his day and a half touringas one of three finalists for the job of superintendent of Charlotte M ecklenburg Schools. In that time, Casto have made his peace with the reform efforts he launched in 2009 starting with a simple census of students were overage for their grade, how many had no pre-kindergarten experience and how maprimary care physician. And Cash has begun to talk about the move to schools consolidation turnereformation that he says has left the leadership of Memphis City Schools in limbo. Cash said later he
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=99686#ixzz1s0wsXlC5http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/dean-noncommittal-funding-metro-schools-budget-requesthttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120414/NEWS04/304140022/Nashville-schools-seek-millions-start-teachers-40-000?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120414/NEWS04/304140022/Nashville-schools-seek-millions-start-teachers-40-000?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/14/teacher-opinions-vary-on-bosses/http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=99686#ixzz1s0wsXlC5http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/dean-noncommittal-funding-metro-schools-budget-requesthttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120414/NEWS04/304140022/Nashville-schools-seek-millions-start-teachers-40-000?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120414/NEWS04/304140022/Nashville-schools-seek-millions-start-teachers-40-000?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/14/teacher-opinions-vary-on-bosses/


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attached and protective of the Memphis reform efforts and has some hesitancy about leaving them. I sthat this work is not finished. Im about a year away I think from that. If the opportunity arises and all thingI probably will accept, he said of the Charlotte position.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/16/cash-in-limbo-while-waiting-on-charlotte/

Planning Commission Endorses School Freeze (Memphis Daily News)There will be another vote probably next month. But the schools consolidation planning commission has

the general idea that students in the merged Shelby County Schools system wil l have the samassignments for at least the first two years of the merger. The decision Thursday, April 12, comes wexceptions for school closings the countywide school board m ight feel are needed because of populationtransfers of students. The idea of freezing school boundaries through the 2014-2015 school year add resthe two basic concerns many parents in both school systems have about the coming merger wherchildren attend school if they stay in the merged school system. I think that this recommendation sepowerful m essage to the community, said planning commissioner and countywide school board memPickler. The planning commission didnt make a specific recommendation just yet because it wants to parts of the transfer policy and how schools are used before voting on all of the pieces as a sinrecommendation. Martavius Jones, who like Pickler serves on both the school board and the planning cocautioned that the attendance zone freeze shouldnt get in the way of decisions about shifts of studentmerger date to relieve overcrowding that might mean some students attending schools in what is nowschool system.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/16/planning-commission-endorses-school-freeze/

Bradley School reconstruction, demolition project priorities weighed (TFP/LeEven as Bradley County Schools wraps up major reconstruction and demolition projects, education ofconsidering what construction project takes priority next. Consultant David Brown of KBJM Architrecommendations to the county school board Thursday regarding federal grant applications for thprojects: renovations to Lake Forest Middle School, an eight-classroom pod for Walker Valley High Schnew elementary school in southern Bradley County. Brown told the board that all three hazardconstruction grants, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were approved. Howevewould be available for only one of the projects at this time. "For the mom ent, we've kind of landed on WaHigh School," Brown said. "The reason for that is you get a lot more bang for your buck, I guess." The Fwill cover much of the construction costs, leaving the school system with a 12.5 percent match, Brown that, he said, m ight be reduced because grant funding is based on estimates, not actual bids. The gbased on the number of students protected by any disaster-resistant construction, earned more beneWalker Valley project, Brown said.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/14/bradley-school-project-priorities-weigh ed/?local

MORE
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OPINION

Guest columnist: Tennessee should pursue pro-business policies (News-SenIn recent months, there have been numerous national reports identifying improvements in the job markeslight improvements in the housing m arket, or remarking on the climbing stock market all to give somethat the economy is improving and the nation is in fact turning that hardest of corners and better days horizon. Unfortunately, this scenario is not playing out in small businesses and in homes across the coparticularly here in Tennessee. A recent study conducted by the National Federation of Independennoted that the Small Business Optimism Index remained flat for 2011, with the index remaining at reces

and no new significant developments of hiring plans or inventory increases by American small-busineAccording to another report by the University of Tennessee's Center for Business and Economic Tennesseans' "(M)edian household income adjusted for inflation actually declined 2.3 percent and now rthe 1999 pre-recession peak." So, while there are broad hints of economic improvement nationwide, thremains precarious at best, and our elected leaders must continue to promote a business-friendly envithe local, state and federal levels.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/14/jonathan-williams-tennessee-should-pursue-pro/

Editorial: Governm ent moves too far (Comm ercial Appeal)Conservatives say less government is better, yet some lawmakers interlope in local and privatConservative politicians like to trumpet that less government is better government. But some Tennelegislators seem to have plugs in their ears when that trumpet blares. Some of our local representa

senators have injected the state into the school merger issue. Legislators passed legislation telling teachteach science. Legislation is under consideration that tells businesses and schools what they can or caemployees to do on the parking lots of those entities. Bills have been introduced that put prohibitions ohealth issues. One proposal calls for the institution of a policy "whereby TennCare denies pharmacy cthe emergency contraceptive pill." Another proposal would eliminate the state policy requirement to "medically acceptable" contraception measures. It would replace with a policy that would specif"appropriate ... contraceptive procedures, supplies, and information" be available. Supporters of thchanging three words will have little impact on women. But here's the sticky point this: Appropriate cansubjective word.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/14/editorial-government-moves-too-far/(SUB)
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/14/jonathan-williams-tennessee-should-pursue-pro/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/14/editorial-government-moves-too-far/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/14/jonathan-williams-tennessee-should-pursue-pro/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/14/editorial-government-moves-too-far/


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Guest columnist: Crime a bigger issue at UT than reported (News-Sentinel)From my perspective as a University of Tennessee student living in Fort Sanders, the article "CampusSlightly in Tennessee" is not only flawed but also subtly represents a growing problem with our police foaround the UT campus. UT Police issue an email statement every time there is a crime committed oncampus. During the past year, I have received 11 notifications of robbery, all of them armed and/or agoften with injury to the victim and usually with the threat of death. In the same time, I received two notifassault and one notification of a double shooting and murder. If the three assaults and 13 "intimidation

this article reference these crimes, then the statement by Lt. Emily Simerly that "in most if not all of ththe victim and offender knew each other" is grossly inaccurate. All of the armed-robbery reports to studin documented em ails, and they included unknown suspect descriptions of nothing less than thugs in dahoodies, flat-billed caps or with hair braids and generally always armed. During school periods w hen steasy prey, these emails come regularly. Although the frequency of such life-threatening crimes seemsfrom personal experience I know that at least two incidences, one of an assault and one of a theft, thareported by these emails in the past year.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/14/justin-west-crime-a-bigger-issue-at -ut-than/

Guest columnist: Numbers show red-light cameras save lives (Tennessean)Tennessee marked an important milestone last year, and nearly broke a bigger record. In 2011, 945 pon our state's roads, the fewest traffic-related deaths in 48 years. If only a few more lives had been s

number would have fallen below the 941 who lost their lives in 1963 while driving home or to work or place where they were known and loved. Typically, no one gets behind the wheel of a car with the incausing a crash, but when drivers ignore traffic laws by running red lights, they intentionally put othemselves at risk. Each of these inexcusable tragedies is made worse by this chilling statistic from theInstitute for Highway Safety: Two-thirds of the time, the person who dies in a crash caused by a red-ligis not the driver who ran the red light. This dangerous behavior can be changed with consistent use osafety cameras. I've seen the results in Germantown, where the number of injury crashes decreased 18the first year cameras were installed, and hit the same mark again eight years later. These cameras impin our communities, and I want to see our state maintain its support for this technology as a viaenforcement tool.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/14/my-thoughts-numbers-show-red-light-cameras-sav(SUB)

Free-Press Editorial: Chuck Fleischmann's 'Enterprise Award' (Times Free-PIt is good news for all of us that our local congressman, rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., has been hothe "Spirit of Enterprise Award" by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Over the past year, ConFleischmann has worked to protect and advance the interests of American job creators," said President Donohue of the U .S. Chamber of Commerce. "By supporting pro-growth policies, Congressman Fleishelping unleash the power of free enterprise to put our economy on track and put Americans back to wocertainly what we all want. The award honors members of Congress who support the chamber's posleast 70 percent of what the chamber deems "key votes." Hundreds of mostly Republican senators amembers won the award. The entire Republican congressional delegations for Tennessee and Georgaward. F leischmann and U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ga., both of whom are up for re-election, sent ofreleases announcing they won. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the largest business trade group in with over 3 m illion businesses as members, according to Fleischmann's news release.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/14/chuck-fleischmanns-enterprise-award/?opinionfreepres

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http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/14/justin-west-crime-a-bigger-issue-at-ut-than/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/14/my-thoughts-numbers-show-red-light-cameras-save/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/14/chuck-fleischmanns-enterprise-award/?opinionfreepresshttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/14/justin-west-crime-a-bigger-issue-at-ut-than/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/14/my-thoughts-numbers-show-red-light-cameras-save/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/14/chuck-fleischmanns-enterprise-award/?opinionfreepress

sat., april 14 news summary

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