sat., april 7 news summary

8/2/2019 Sat., April 7 News Summary

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SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

Haslams Budget Amendment Aimed At Right-Sizing, Not Reducing, Gme

(TNR)Gov. Bill Haslam ran on the mantra of reducing the size of government, but acknowledges his most recent edto the budget dont completely achieve that end at least when it comes to adding back spending he originasaid hed cut. And he says thats OK because his goal is more about trying to right-size state government ratthan shrink it. Im a conservative Republican, and I dont apologize for that, Haslam told reporters amoderating a discussion about higher education goals at the Spring College Completion Academy in FrankTuesday. But I dont think governments evil. I dont even think its a necessary evil. I think its a critical way twe provide needed services. We just believe in doing that in as small a way and as cost-effective way

possible, he said. The governor released his latest round of budget adjustments to the Legislature Mondsuch as cancelling $12 million in cuts he built into the spending plan earlier this year.http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/04/06/haslams-budget-amendment-aimed-at-right-sizing-not-reducing-g overnme

Haslam announces Statewide Anti-Meth Cam paign (Clarksville Online)Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam rolled out a comprehensive statewide campaign designed to infoTennesseans about the consequences of violating the I Hate Meth Act, which took effect on July 1st, 2011. Tannouncement took place in coordination with the Tennessee Sheriffs Association meeting in Nashville. Tgoal of this campaign is to communicate the harsh consequences of violating our anti-meth law, Haslam saWe want to deter people from making and using meth in our state, which will save lives, protect children, sataxpayer dollars, and make Tennessee safer overall. The Meth Stops Now campaign is an action step in tadministrations public safety action plan and specifically addresses the portion of the anti-meth law t

increases the penalt ies for making or using meth in the presence of children and for purchaspseudoephedr ine products for non-medical uses.http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/04/06/tenne ssee-governor-bill-haslam-announces-statewide-anti-meth-cam paign/

Haslam rebukes coverage of 'craziest' issues (Associated Press/Schelzig)Republican Gov. B ill Haslam is expressing exasperation at the attention given to the craziest proposals flowthrough the Tennessee General Assembly. But instead of taking lawmakers to task, the governor points finger at the news media. During a panel discussion about work force development and higher education tweek, Haslam argued that an overhaul of standards in schools has failed to gain the proper attention froreporters. Were redefining accountability, and youd be hard-pressed to find 100 lines of print in any paperthe state, Haslam said. Now, today in the legislature theres a conversation about saggy pants and what thshould do there. So we have to go to our friends in the media and say: Really?

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120407/NEWS02/304070048/Haslam-rebukes-coverage-craziest-issuesodyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

267 acres added to Shiloh's battlefield (Associated Press)More than 250 acres has been added to the Shiloh National Military Park after a Hardin County tract wdonated. The Civil War Trust bought 267 acres 6 miles southwest of the main battlefield. The tract is known Fallen Timbers and it is where Federal and Confederate troops fought the final hours of the Battle of Shiloh. TJackson Sun reported the formal donation was made Thursday during a ceremony at Pickwick Landing StPark. Among participants in the ceremony was Gov. Bill Haslam. Shiloh is important, Haslam said. Shichanged the way the nation would view how long it would take to fight the Civil War, which lasted another th
http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/04/06/haslams-budget-amendment-aimed-at-right-sizing-not-reducing-government/http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/04/06/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-announces-statewide-anti-meth-campaign/http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/04/06/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-announces-statewide-anti-meth-campaign/http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/04/06/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-announces-statewide-anti-meth-campaign/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120407/NEWS02/304070048/Haslam-rebukes-coverage-craziest-issues?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120407/NEWS02/304070048/Haslam-rebukes-coverage-craziest-issues?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://tnreport.com/blog/2012/04/06/haslams-budget-amendment-aimed-at-right-sizing-not-reducing-government/http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/04/06/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-announces-statewide-anti-meth-campaign/http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/04/06/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-announces-statewide-anti-meth-campaign/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120407/NEWS02/304070048/Haslam-rebukes-coverage-craziest-issues?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120407/NEWS02/304070048/Haslam-rebukes-coverage-craziest-issues?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews


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years. Country m usic artist Trace Adkins was also at the dedication.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120407/NEWS21/304070047/267-acres-added-Shiloh-s-battlefield?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Shiloh park adds 267 acres (Jackson Sun)Trust also seeks to preserve Greer Tract A 267-acre tract of Hardin County field, where Civil War soldiers fouthe final hours of the Battle of Shiloh, was officially added to Shiloh National Military Park on Thursday. The ar

called Fallen Timbers, is six miles southwest of Shilohs main battlefield. Members of The Civil War Trust wantpreserve another 491 unnamed acres along the Tennessee River about two miles south of Pittsburg LandiThe acreage is the last section of Shilohs core battlefield not owned by the trust or the U.S. DepartmentInterior. There were several battles and skirmishes fought around Shiloh, including the Hornets Nest and FalTimbers. But on April 6-7, 1862, Union and Confederate soldiers clashed in one main section to wage the twday battle now known as Bloody Shiloh. On Sunday, April 6, the Confederates stormed out of the woods aassailed the forward Federal camps around Shiloh Church, according to the parks website. (Gen. U.S.) Grand his nearly 40,000 men present for duty were equally surprised by the onslaught. The Federals soon rallihowever, and bitter fighting consumed Shiloh Hill. That hill is a nearly 50-foot mound inside the 491 acres Civil War Trust hopes to purchase and preserve.http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120406/NEWS01/304060011/Shiloh-park-adds-267-acres

Governor, gas authority remind residents to be careful digging (Tennessean)Gov. Bil l Haslam has issued a proclamation announcing April as Tennessee Safe Digging Month. Tproclamation reminds Tennessee homeowners to call 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects. Amarks the start of spring digging season, so Greater Dickson Gas Authority, Tennessee811 and Gov. Haslare encouraging homeowners to call 811 before they dig to prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenioutages. A utility line is damaged by digging once every three minutes nationwide, and one-third of theincidents are caused by failure of the professional excavator or homeowner to call 811 before beginning thdigging project. When calling 811, homeowners are connected to Tennessee811, which notifies the appropriutility companies of the intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark tapproximate locations of underground lines with flags or spray paint. Once lines have been accurately markedigging can begin around marked linhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120406/DICKSON01/304060094/Governor-gas-authority-remind-residento-be-careful-digging

Taft Youth Center clock ticking, workers scramble (WRCB-TV Chattanooga)The clock is ticking down for employees of the only teen correctional facility in the area. The Taft center is closdue to budget cuts. Pink slips went out last week for the 168 employees. The center has operated in Pikevillenearly a century and has the best rehabilitation success rate in the state. July 1 is the tentative closure dateGovernor Bill Haslam's budget without funding for it passes. Many are scrambling to figure out their next moduring what they say is a very emotional time. "Taft's been good to me, but I thought 37 years would be womore than what we've got," Robert Worthington said. Robert Worthington has dedicated his life to turning kilives around at Taft. "A lot of people say 'oh they're just juvenile delinquents.' No,they're just kids that didn't gebreak," Worthington said. Also known as "Coach Rooster," he says he gives young men, many competing gamembers, that break on his football team where they learn teamwork, self-confidence, and structure. He sathey rise to the occasion.http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/17353939/taft-youth-center-clock-ticking-w orkers-scramble

UT offering course on handling unexploded ordnance (Associated Press)The University of Tennessee is training students how to handle unexploded ordnance in cooperation witMaryville based contractor. The course does not earn college credit, but completion earns a certificatiRelyant, whose contractors dispose of explosive m aterials globally, is the university's partner in the course. TKnoxville News Sentinel ( http://bit.ly/Hs1Dh0 ) reported nearly all of the student taking the course served in military. The only similar programs offered by universities in the United States are at Texas A&M University aColorado State University. Students who graduate from the seven-week course will be Level 1 technicians qualified not only to clear shells from battlefields, but also to clean up hazardous waste.http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38985617?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120407/NEWS21/304070047/267-acres-added-Shiloh-s-battlefield?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120407/NEWS21/304070047/267-acres-added-Shiloh-s-battlefield?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120406/NEWS01/304060011/Shiloh-park-adds-267-acreshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120406/DICKSON01/304060094/Governor-gas-authority-remind-residents-to-be-careful-digginghttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120406/DICKSON01/304060094/Governor-gas-authority-remind-residents-to-be-careful-digginghttp://www.wrcbtv.com/story/17353939/taft-youth-center-clock-ticking-workers-scramblehttp://www.wrcbtv.com/story/17353939/taft-youth-center-clock-ticking-workers-scramblehttp://www.wrcbtv.com/story/17353939/taft-youth-center-clock-ticking-workers-scramblehttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38985617?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120407/NEWS21/304070047/267-acres-added-Shiloh-s-battlefield?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120407/NEWS21/304070047/267-acres-added-Shiloh-s-battlefield?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120406/NEWS01/304060011/Shiloh-park-adds-267-acreshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120406/DICKSON01/304060094/Governor-gas-authority-remind-residents-to-be-careful-digginghttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120406/DICKSON01/304060094/Governor-gas-authority-remind-residents-to-be-careful-digginghttp://www.wrcbtv.com/story/17353939/taft-youth-center-clock-ticking-workers-scramblehttp://www.wrcbtv.com/story/17353939/taft-youth-center-clock-ticking-workers-scramblehttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38985617?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cs


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Clinton firm awarded worker training grant (Knoxville News-Sentinel)Steven D. Elliot, O.D. and Associates Inc. in Clinton has been awarded a $21,000 worker training grant, Tennessee Department of Labor and W orkforce Development said Thursday. In its application for the grant, firm sa id the funding "will provide the training, consulting and the follow-through program needed to position practice for dramatically improved performance (and) retain and add employees." Incumbent Worker Trainprogram allows businesses to use public, private, or its own in-house training provider based on the nature of

training, according to a news release. To qualify for a grant, a business must be in operation in Tennessee foleast one year before application date, have at least five full-time em ployees, demonstrate financial viability abe current on all state tax obligations.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/06/clinton-firm-awarded-worker-training-grant/

TBI probes missing cash at Montgom ery Co. Juvenile Court office (Leaf ChronicFormer probation officer under state investigation A former juvenile probation officer is under investigation by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for alleged embezzlement in the Clarksville-Montgomery County JuvenCourt system. The officer, who was with the Juvenile Court for five years, resigned in July 2011 after allegatiosurfaced that he had been stealing restitution money. According to Kristin Helm, TBI spokeswoman, the agenreceived a request from the district attorney general to open an investigation in September 2011 into money twas discovered missing. The probation officer was allegedly collecting restitution m oney and not forwarding i

the victims the money was intended for, according to Helm. The case is still open and under investigation ashould be turned over to the district attorney general in a next month or two, Helm said. Helm said it is unknohow much money was missing. Elizabeth Black, county spokeswoman, said that following the allegations, audit was ordered of the Juvenile Court system.http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120407/NEWS01/304070016/TBI-probes-missing-cash-MontgomeryCounty-Juvenile-Court-offi ce

Teacher Evaluations Soon to Be Private (WREG-TV Memphis)How your childs teacher is doing in the classroom is a step closer to being none of your business. A new waiting to be signed into law by Governor Bill Haslam would keep teacher evaluations out of the publics reachpassed unanimously in the state senate and house. Tennessee teachers used to only be evaluated every fyears, but recently the state increased the times teachers are evaluated. According to experts, that generat

more interest in how educators are doing. W ith teacher evaluations happening m ore often in Tennessee schooStand For Children executive director, Kenya Bradshaw, says its helping to break ground in improving ychilds education. She cites a recent survey done with Memphis City Schools where more than 80 perceneducators said, the evaluations are m aking them better. Teachers are saying this is really helping them improtheir practice and they are helping them to not just focus on the test they are really helping students to be critthinkers. said Bradshaw. But Bradshaw doesnt believe those evaluations should be for everyone to see.http://wreg.com/2012/04/06/teacher-evaluations-soon-to-be-p rivate/

Solar industry sees proposed state law dimming demand (Memphis Biz Journal)Investments should be taxed fairly, thoughtfully As a statewide solar conference is set to begin in M emphis nweek, the industry is buzzing about state legislation that many feel could slow or derail progress in the usesolar power. The Tennessee General Assembly is currently debating Senate Bill 3296, which would assess so

equipment and machinery that businesses install to generate power at one-third of the equipments cost for purposes. Currently, tangible personal property in Tennessee is assessed at 30 percent of its value. Pubutilities are assessed at 55 percent.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/print-edition/2012/04/06/solar-industry-sees-proposed-stat e-law.html(SUB)

Legislature recognizes MTSU centennial (Daily News Journal)President Sidney A. McPhee and other top officials from M iddle Tennessee State University received a standovation from lawmakers on Capitol Hill Thursday as the General Assembly read into the record a resolutcommemorating the University on its centennial year, according to a news release from MTSU. The resolutdescribed MTSU as No. 1 choice in Tennessee for undergraduates, transfer students, veterans and studeenrolling in summer classes. It also lauded MTSU for generating $896 million in business revenue in t
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/06/clinton-firm-awarded-worker-training-grant/http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120407/NEWS01/304070016/TBI-probes-missing-cash-Montgomery-County-Juvenile-Court-officehttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120407/NEWS01/304070016/TBI-probes-missing-cash-Montgomery-County-Juvenile-Court-officehttp://wreg.com/2012/04/06/teacher-evaluations-soon-to-be-private/http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/print-edition/2012/04/06/solar-industry-sees-proposed-state-law.htmlhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/06/clinton-firm-awarded-worker-training-grant/http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120407/NEWS01/304070016/TBI-probes-missing-cash-Montgomery-County-Juvenile-Court-officehttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120407/NEWS01/304070016/TBI-probes-missing-cash-Montgomery-County-Juvenile-Court-officehttp://wreg.com/2012/04/06/teacher-evaluations-soon-to-be-private/http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/print-edition/2012/04/06/solar-industry-sees-proposed-state-law.html


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Nashville metropolitan area annually $396 m illion in Rutherford County. State Rep. Joe Carr, an MTSU aland prime sponsor of the resolution, told his colleagues in the House that M TSU is crucial to the states growneed for an educated populace and a workforce that will help bolster and strengthen T ennessees economSeventy-eight percent of the schools alumni live in Tennessee, 60 percent w ithin an hours drive of R utherfCounty, Carr said. Simply put, MTSU is one of the states leading sources for college graduates, whichexactly what we need to compete in the 21st-century economy. In fact, it is the No. 1 provider of collegraduates for the greater Nashville area. Carr then referenced the budget proposal now pending before General Assembly to fund a much-needed new science building at MTSU a project intended to better prepstudents for the jobs of tomorrow.http://www.dnj.com/article/20120406/NEWS01/304060025/Legislature-recognizes-MTSU-centennial

State Rep. Gary Moore announces retirement from legislature (City Paper)State Rep. Gary Moore announced Thursday he will retire from his seat in the Tennessee HouseRepresentatives after eight years of service. Moore, who lives in Joelton, represents state House District 5which includes Joelton, Bellevue, Goodlettsville, Madison and Scottsboro. Moore was recently elected P residof the Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council and has served as Democratic Caucus treasurer. He has served the House Consumer and Employee Affairs and Judiciary Committees as well as on various subcommitteMoore has served as a Nashville firefighter for 30 years as we ll as a captain w ith the Nashville Fire Departmfor 11 years.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/state-rep-gary-moore-announces-retirement-l egislature

Rep. Mike Carter has no opponent in race (Times Free-Press/Sher)Rep. Mike C arter, R-Ooltewah? Lucky, likeable or a combination of both are 25 Tennessee legislative candidawho made it through the state's qualifying deadline this week with no opponent in either the Aug. 2 primariesNov. 3 general election. Barring disaster or a very, very unlikely successful write-in challenge, these men awomen are guaranteed election. The luckiest one of them all may well be Republican Mike Carter, of Ooltewaccording to the secretary of state's unofficial list of qualified candidates. The list shows Carter, a businessmand attorney, is the only candidate to qualify for a vacant seat without an opponent. The other 24 are incumbents -- 22 in the 99-member House and two among the 16 Senate seats up this year. That breaks dowlike this: 14 House Republicans and eight Democratic incumbents have no opponents. Among themRepublican House Speaker Beth Harwell, of Nashville.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/07/rep-carter-has-no-opponent-in-ra ce/?local

New D istrict Lines Lead to New Races (Memphis Daily News)This time I waited to be sure, Ian Randolph said just before the Thursday, April 5, deadline for candidates to in the Aug. 2 elections. In Randolphs case, he was filing as a candidate in the Democratic primary for strepresentative District 90. His remark reflected the uncertainty candidates have faced over the last three electcycles because of the redistricting process. Randolph was among those who filed in the Memphis City Counraces in 2011 only to discover they no longer lived in the districts they had filed for. The council approved tnew district lines two days before the filing deadline in 2011. Candidates on the August ballot had more letime. But the redistricting by the Tennessee Legislature has still created some seldom-seen political phenomelike incumbents of the same party running against each other because they are in the same district with nstate legislative district boundaries.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/9/new-district-lines-lead-to-new-races/

Williamson No. 1 in new Tennessee health rankings (Nashville Business JournalWilliamson County has maintained its No. 1 health ranking in the state. Out of Tennessee's 95 countieWilliamson was first overall in health outcomes and health factors, according to the 2012 County HeaRankings and Roadmaps report released this week by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Instituand the Robert W ood Johnson Foundation. The report rated the counties' performance based on two categorihealth outcomes, which measures how long people live (mortality) and how healthy people feel while al(morbidity); and health factors, which measures behaviors (alcohol and tobacco use, diet and exercise, sexactivity), quality and access to care, social and economic factors (education, income, community safety) aenvironmental quality. Williamson also finished first in both categories in 2011 and 2010.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/06/williamson-no-1-in-health-rank ings.html
http://www.dnj.com/article/20120406/NEWS01/304060025/Legislature-recognizes-MTSU-centennialhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120406/NEWS01/304060025/Legislature-recognizes-MTSU-centennialhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120406/NEWS01/304060025/Legislature-recognizes-MTSU-centennialhttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/state-rep-gary-moore-announces-retirement-legislaturehttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/07/rep-carter-has-no-opponent-in-race/?localhttp://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/9/new-district-lines-lead-to-new-races/http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/06/williamson-no-1-in-health-rankings.htmlhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120406/NEWS01/304060025/Legislature-recognizes-MTSU-centennialhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120406/NEWS01/304060025/Legislature-recognizes-MTSU-centennialhttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/state-rep-gary-moore-announces-retirement-legislaturehttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/07/rep-carter-has-no-opponent-in-race/?localhttp://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/9/new-district-lines-lead-to-new-races/http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/06/williamson-no-1-in-health-rankings.html


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Hamilton County to repair courthouse lawn (Chattanooga Times Fre

Press/Haman)Orange construction fences still surround the H amilton County Courthouse lawn where O ccupy Chattanootents and canopies stood from November through March 19. The courthouse lawn remains brownish-green, bin patches. After the county racked up more than $16,000 in legal fees in December and January to file then d

a federal lawsuit against the group, Hamilton County Commission Chairman Larry Henry said the county sowill pay to resod the lawn. But he doesn't know what the total cost of repairing the lawn will be. Henry said doesn't regret having County Attorney Rheubin Taylor call in outside lawyers. "We had to be sure we wprotected from the county perspective," Henry said. "It took som e experts in constitutional law to make sure were protected." Although the Occupy group is now completely gone from the courthouse, not even on tGeorgia Avenue sidewalk where they were evicted on March 19, the group still Tweets, and its Facebook pahas a photo of a sign tacked to the orange construction fence that states, "Mr. Henry, Take Down Your Fence.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/07/hamilton-county-to-repair-courthouse-la wn/?local

KTSC wants to hear from public on tourism (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Witt)Kim Bum pas, interim president of the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corp., plans to hold four public meetings

hear from local tourism officials and the community on what Knoxville tourism does and should look like. Sinthe retirement of former KTSC President Gloria Ray, who made more than $400,000 a year through the publicfunded tourism group, the future of the organization and how it operates have been questioned by local elecleaders and the public. "They're for people who are confused or passionate about anything, past, presentfuture," Bumpas said about the m eetings, "and for people to learn what a destination marketing firm isgeneral." Bumpas said the dates and locations of the forums haven't been determined, but would likely be sethe next week. Like a convention and visitors bureau in other cities, KTSC helps bring groups here conventions, draws special events and helps other local attractions bring in out-of-towners. While there wplenty of events drawn here under Ray, KTSC also took credit for events it had no role in developing. Thoevents factored into her year-end bonus, which caused an outcry from the public over her role and the roleKTSC in the city's tourism landscape.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/07/ktsc-wants-to-hear-from-public-on-tourism/

Anderson mayor recommends how to spend le ftover bond issue mon

(NS/Fowler)After paying for jail expansions, sheriff's cruisers and needed equipment, Anderson County should have mothan $868,000 left over from a bond issue to use for other purposes, County Mayor Myron Iwanski estimatUsing what's left from last year's $14.75 m illion bond issue to pay for upcoming expenses should end the needdip into the county's "rainy-day" fund, Iwanski wrote in a lengthy memo to commissioners. That will allow the fu intended for unexpected expenses to bu ild back up, Iwanski said. The fund, which stood at more than million four years ago, had dipped to less than $1 million last year, prompting a credit-rating agency to issuewarning. Iwanski said prudent use of remaining bond issue m oney should allow the rainy-day fund to grow tomillion within the next three years. In the mem o, he gives an update on how bond issue money is being used asteps taken to cut project costs. He said comm issioners have been "very frugal" in curbing expenses.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/07/anderson-mayor-recommends-how-to-spend-leftover/

Vice President Bob Corker? (Nashville Business Journal)Several recent articles have suggested Bob Corker as a potential running mate as the GOP challenges PresidBarack Obama this fall, and the Republican Tennessee senator did not rule out the possibility Thursday, TChattanooga Times Free Press reports. "I think you wait and see who the nominee is. You see what it is thwant to do, and you weigh those things as to where you m ight be most effective," Corker said in an appearanThursday. As the Free Press notes, Corker didnt say no to running on the ticket during his 62-second responHowever, he said he considered it unlikely that he would be asked to join the GO P ticket as the vice presidennominee, citing geography. Running mates are often picked with an eye on strengthening a cam paign's chancin a swing state, but Tennessee is considered a lock for whoever becomes the Republican nominee. Corker hnot endorsed a candidate for president.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/07/hamilton-county-to-repair-courthouse-lawn/?localhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/07/ktsc-wants-to-hear-from-public-on-tourism/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/07/ktsc-wants-to-hear-from-public-on-tourism/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/07/ktsc-wants-to-hear-from-public-on-tourism/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/07/anderson-mayor-recommends-how-to-spend-leftover/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/07/hamilton-county-to-repair-courthouse-lawn/?localhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/07/ktsc-wants-to-hear-from-public-on-tourism/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/07/ktsc-wants-to-hear-from-public-on-tourism/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/07/anderson-mayor-recommends-how-to-spend-leftover/


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http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/morning_call/2012/04/vice-president-bob-co rker.html

Cohen Gets President's Nod as Filing Deadline Comes (Memphis Daily News)Shortly before the filing deadline of 12 noon Thursday for state and federal offices this year, 9th Distcongressman Steve Cohen, already considered far ahead of potential rivals in his D emocratic primary race, bin campaign finances and in voter support, delivered what might be the coup de grace. Cohens campaiannounced that President Obama, on the very eve of the race, had endorsed the congressman for reelection

the August 2 Democratic primary and beyond. In a statement released by the congressmans cam paign staff, President was unequivocal in his support: Congressman Steve Cohen has w orked with me on jobs bills, heacare, and other issues of importance to the middle class. He also never fails to pitch me on the city of Memphwhether it's Booker T. Washington High School, Memphis basketball, or barbeque. I urge you to vote for SteCohen, a tireless advocate for the 9th District.http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2012/04/05/cohen-gets-presidents-nod-as-filing- deadlinecomes

$7 million allocated to add lands to Tenn., Georgias national forests (TFP/Sohn)Tennessee and Georgia are among 15 states to receive a share of $40.6 million from the U.S. Forest ServiNational foresters in Tennessee are receiving $5 million to complete the $40 million purchase of a 10,000-actract called Rocky Fork to add to the Cherokee National Forest. And national forest service officials in Geor

will receive $2 million to acquire three parcels to add to the Chattahoochee and Oconee national forests. Tmoney was awarded for the projects from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. Jay Leutze, wserves on the board of the Southern Appalachian Highland Conservancy, said the Rocky Fork acquisitionUnicoi and Greene counties has taken five years to fund and has saved a public treasure that includes 1.5 miof the Appalachian Trail. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was the largest undeveloped but privatowned tract in the Appalachians, he said of land that once had been leased to the Tennessee WildResources Area. But that lease had ended, and for a time, the tract went under contract to a developer. If it hbeen lost to development, the public would have lost an area they had com e to love, Leutze said.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/07/7-million-allocated-add-lands-tennessee-and-ge orgi/?local

Droves of TN veterans take advantage of GI Bill (Tennessean/Hubbard)Austin Peay, MTSU reach out to ensure success Jessica Piersons ears used to ring with the sound o f mortar

during the height of the Iraqi invasion in 2005, when she guarded Camp Ba lad from a watchtower. Now at MidTennessee State University, shes getting used to the slap of flip-flops and the drone of professors. The formArmy supply specialist is a little older than her classmates, dresses a little smarter, sits a little straighter sigthat set many of MTSUs 1,029 veterans apart. I really couldnt do what I wanted to do study becausewas all about the m ission, said Pierson, 29. Now shes a hard-working science major who wants to be a medexaminer. There are 7,700 veterans attending Tennessee colleges and universities on the GI Bill, a surge fr3,900 in 2008. The post-9/11 version of the bill passed in 2009 pays for full college tuition, housing, booand a m onthly stipend. Nationwide, more than half a million vets are using it, the largest number in school sinWorld War II. Universities are rethinking how they deliver education and social services to them, and tveterans are having an impact, too, influencing others with their single-minded drive toward getting a degree.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120407/NEWS01/304070034/Droves-TN-veterans-take-advantage-GI-Bodyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Fewer TN veterans are homeless (Tennessean/Bewley)Soon after taking office, President Barack Obama pledged to move every homeless veteran into permanehousing by 2015.Its a goal advocates say is starting to bear fruit in Tennessee. Nearly 1,000 Tennessveterans were homeless on any given night in 2011, according to federal statistics. Thats down from more th1,600 in 2010. Nationwide, the number of hom eless veterans on any given night fell 12 percent last year frabout 76,000 in 2010 to 67,000. Such statistics are based on a single night of counting each year. Advocatattribute the decrease largely to increased funding for federal programs benefiting homeless veterans under Obama administration. Funding for six key initiatives more than doubled between 2008 and 2011, according tFebruary report by the Congressional Research Service. The administration increased its fiscal 2013 budrequest for homeless-veteran programs by 33 percent, and advocates say Congress probably will approve trequest.
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TVA W atts Bar reactor to cost an extra $2 billion (Nashville Business Journal)Tennessee Valley Authority officials said Thursday that completing a reactor at its Watts Bar Nuclear PlanSpring City will take three m ore years, at an additional cost of $2 billion, The Chattanooga Times Free Prereports. The project was first announced in 2007, when it became the first reactor to be licensed for construct

since the Three M ile Island partial meltdown of 1979. TVA's new completion date is late 2015, w ith a total prtag of $4.5 billion. Critics said Thursday's announcement from TVA, along with low prices for natural gas, proof that TVA should abandon or scale back its nuclear ambitions.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/morning_call/2012/04/tva-watts-bar-reactor-to-cos t-an.html

TVAs Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant notches record run (Times Free-Press)The Unit 3 reactor at TVAs Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant will shut down for a scheduled refueling amaintenance outage after setting a plant record for continuous operation of all three reactors. Unit 1 operated114 days, Unit 2 for 302 days and Unit 3 for 188 days. Spokesman Ray Golden said 114 days is three dalonger than Browns Ferrys previous best of 111 days, set in 2011. Browns Ferry Site Vice President KePolson said these records are an important indicator of the plants overall health and the quality and safety of toperation. A nuclear plant is running optimally when all the equipment is in top performance and there is

need for unplanned maintenance and repairs, Polson said in a prepared statement. Unit 3 will be taken offlshortly after midnight today for m aintenance and fuel reloading. The unit 1 reactor of the plant near Athens, Aremains under a red safety flag from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission only the fifth such red rating eissued by NRC.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/07/tvas-browns-ferry-nuclear-plant-notches-record -run/?local

Erlanger Health System lays off 142 more workers (Times Free-Press/Martin)Erlanger Health System is laying off 142 workers as part of the third and final phase of an employee reductiplan that will save the hospital $10.5 million to $11 million a year. The layoffs represent about 3 percentErlanger's 4,700 employees, according to Chief Administrative Officer Gregg Gentry. About 55 percent of taffected employees accepted a voluntary buyout package, 25 percent of the employees had previously beplaced on probation for disciplinary issues and 20 percent were involuntary layoffs, Gentry said. "We are pleas

so many employees took the voluntary separation," he said. "We wanted to make the process as easy possible for everyone involved." Employees taking a voluntary separation and those laid off were given foweeks of severance pay and an additional week for every year of service up to 12 weeks, Gentry said. They ahave the option of purchasing health insurance at a reduced rate for up to a year. Employees who had beplaced on probation were given three weeks of severance pay, he said.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/07/erlanger-health-system-lays-off-142-more-workers/?local

Metro Chattanooga growth beats Tennessee average (Times Free-Press/FlessnerMetropolitan Chattanooga grew faster than most of Tennessee last year, according to government populatestimates released Thursday. The U .S. Bureau of the Census estimates the six-county Chattanooga area add4,150 people during 2011, growing at a pace nearly 50 percent faster than the nation as a whole. AmoTennessee's biggest metro areas, only Nashville grew at a faster pace last year. But in eight count

surrounding Chattanooga in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, the population declined last yeaccording to the census bureau. Among Tennessee's 95 counties, government demographers estimate tpopulation declined in 45 counties, mostly in rural areas outside the state's major metro areas. "OverTennessee grew at just about the same rate as the nationwide average, but two thirds of that growth was in biggest counties and the fastest growth rates were in suburban counties in m etro areas," said Randy Gus tafsdirector of the Tennessee State Data Center at the University of Tennessee. "People want to live in proximitytheir jobs, which are generally in the larger cities. But many would prefer not to live in the larger cities, especiain the South."http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/06/metro-chattanooga-growth-beats-state-average/?businesstnvalley
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TCAP exams' stakes are higher for students (Tennessean)Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment P rogram exams come with higher stakes this year, and Metro NashvPublic School officials want to ensure that parents and students are ready. This years TCAP test scores count as a portion of your childs final grades, Metro officials wrote on the district website, announcing the A25 start of exams. TCAP scores in reading, math, science and social studies for grades 3-8 will count as percent of the final grade for the year. Middle school students enrolled in Algebra I will also take the stAlgebra I end-of-course exam instead of the math section of the TCAP, according to school officials, and t

score will count as the final exam for the course. A new Tennessee Board of Education policy also requires the first time that third-graders scoring below basic on the reading section of the TCAP will not be promotedthe fourth grade unless they finish district-approved intervention course first. For more information or sample tquestions, visithttp://www.mnps.org/Page68008.aspx.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120406/NEWS04/304060052/TCAP-exams-stakes-higher-students?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Charter schools a worry for Kriner Cash (Comm ercial Appeal/Roberts)MCS leader seeks to limit applicants If 17 new charter schools open here in the fall, Memphis C ity Schools SuKriner Cash said he expects to bleed staff as the startups "cannibalize" the city schools, picking at sinewstalent and leaving a weakened system behind. "Everyone is going to cannibalize our top people," Cash sa"With the new evaluation system, we now know who our top folks are. Who do you think they are going to

after with every lure, bait and catch you can imagine?" Besides confusing families with "the array of choiceCash says there is no way "to determine quality, equity and access" among the city's growing charter schooWhile no one knows how many of the charters will actually be able to open, Cash is sounding the drum to lithe number of charter applicants and where they can set up shop. He wants to work out an arrangement whecharters work only in parts of town or schools selected by the school board. If they agree to limit the num ber tapply, the board m ight agree to perks, like rent-free space, he said. Todd Ziebarth, vice president of policy at tNational Alliance for Charter Schools, agrees deals are important but says Cash could be doing more to stthe conversation.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/07/charter-schools-a-worry-for-cash/(SUBSCRIPTION

OPINION

Greg Johnson: State worker rules to shift for the better (Knoxville News-SentinelBarring an unforeseen undoing in the Legislature, Gov. Bill Haslam is on the verge of negotiating a seismic sin state employment policy. This week, the Tennessee State Employees Association agreed to back HaslamTennessee Excellence, Accountability and Management Act of 2012, a bill co-sponsored in the House by RBill Dunn, R-Knoxville. The TEAM Act, as noted here in January, will push performance by state employees areduce the ridiculousness of deciding who to keep when times are tough by who has been on the job the longeIn a compromise reached recently, performance evaluation will be the first thing considered when it comes tito choose which state employees should stay and which should go. Seniority will still factor into the em ploymequation a bit too much for my meritocratic mindset but it will stand behind performance, and that, dreader, is where the big change comes. Pay for performance is the Am erican way, regardless of the Francophmentality that seems to have captivated our nation's capitol.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/06/greg-johnson-state-worker-rules-to-shi ft-for-the/

Times Editorial: Interlude in gun rights (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)The state Legislature's House members may continue to agitate for passage of the bill to allow gun ownersstow their guns in employers' parking lots. But State Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey has declared controversial bill dead for the year. Let's hope he's right. The National Rifle Association and the right-wAmerican Legislative Exchange Council -- the background sponsors of this bill and others like it in stlegislature across the country -- have intimidated, steered and jerked around lawmakers and Tennessecitizenry far too much already. They should take a hit on this bill. The irony of the bill's setback, to be sure, is thit springs from a rare disagreement between two of the most formidable pillars of the Republican-dominaLegislature's right-wing base: the NRA and the gun lobby, and big employers and corporations. If the statbiggest employers weren't so opposed to letting employees bring guns onto their property -- and if the stat
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Chamber of Commerce hadn't lobbied against the bill in behalf of employers and the hope of landing skittfuture job creators -- the bill would have passed in a heartbeat, never mind the public interest in reducing tgeneral presence of guns in a civil society. Employers have good reason to fear giving employees a right to ketheir guns in employers' parking lots. This nation has seen enough random shootings by angry employees ragthrough their place of work to frighten any sane employhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/07/interlude-in-gun-rights/?opin iontimes

Editorial: Right move on gun bills (Comm ercial Appeal)Oh, how Americans appreciate their rights. We love all manner of rights. Like the right to free speech, hatefuill-informed as it might be. The right to any kind of religion, or none. The right of privacy in our homes, on Internet, or when driving in our cars. What makes us squirm is trying to balance our rights with the rightsothers. If you don't believe in abortion, can you demand someone else shouldn't have one? If you don't wantwear a helmet while riding your motorcycle, can someone else make you do it? If you want to take a gun to win your car, but your boss doesn't want that gun in the company parking lot, what then? The National RAssociation and the Tennessee Firearms Association have pushed Tennessee's Republican-dominalegislature hard on this issue, backing bills that would have prevented employers from banning guns in compaowned parking lots. Thankfully, the legislature has actually taken seriously the need to balance an individuaright to lawfully carry a gun with the rights of employers and the larger public. Legislative leaders say the bills not likely to be scheduled for floor votes this year.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/07/editorial-right-move-on-gun-bills/(SUB)

Editorial: Veto science bill (Comm ercial Appeal)Gov. Bill Haslam should heed the appeal of more than 3,000 petitioners and veto a bill that w ould protTennessee teachers who allow students to criticize evolution and other scientific theories. It's bad legislation in21st century world that would allow teachers to help students critique "scientific weaknesses" on matters whethere is no controversy about the science. Critics of the legislation said it is akin to the 1925 Scopes "monktrial," in which an East Tennessee teacher, John Scopes, was convicted and fined for violating a state statuteteaching evolution. The comparison may be a bit of a stretch, but in a time when a firm know ledge of sciencean important element in our students being prepared to compete in the global marketplace, passage of this kof legislation is baffling. There are those who don't accept scientific theory, and that's the trouble with this bTeachers, especially those with strong religious beliefs, could intentionally or unintentionally ignore provscience when teaching their students. Haslam said he w ill sign the bill. He should reconsider.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/06/veto-science-bill/(SUBSCRIPTION)

Clay Bennett Political Cartoon: Evolution (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)http://media.timesfreepress.com/img/news/tease/2012/04/06/120407_Evolution_t618.jpg?ba5b5b122dd3d37cc13d83e92a6a0ec0d5bfa32a

Free-Press Editorial: Fortunate to have Corker (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)With Chattanooga's and Tennessee's U.S. Sen. Bob Corker in Chattanooga this week, speaking to the RotaClub Thursday, we hope Tennesseans realize how very fortunate we are to have Sen. Corker serving us all win Washington. It was natural, we suppose, that a question came up as to whether there is a possibility that SCorker just might be "considered for -- or would accept if offered" -- the U.S. vice presidential spot with t

Republican presidential candidate who will be nom inated this year. Sen. Corker responded to such questionssaying, "There's a time and a place to talk about those kinds of things, and now is not it." He's certainly corre"Sorry to be so evasive," the senator said with a smile. Sen. Corker is a very fine, capable and admirable Usenator. He is up for re-election this year -- and should be re-elected overwhelmingly because of demonstrated merit. But it has been noted that an "unofficial list" of "17 prospective people" are "thinking abochallenging Sen. Corker's re-election. Such is politics. We are most fortunate to have Sen. Corker representus. We should keep him in the United States Senate.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/07/fortunate-to-have-sen-corker/?opinion freepress

Editorial: Suburbs should listen to panel (Commercial Appeal)The commission planning the schools merger is trying to address suburban fears. Opponents can say a lot
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negative things about the merger of Memphis and Shelby County schools, but they can't say those planning marriage have not listened to their concerns or tried to address them. The latest move on that front came frBarbara Prescott, chairwoman of the Transition Planning Commission, which is the entity charged wformulating a plan for the merger. Prescott offered a proposed recommendation to freeze attendance zones afeeder patterns for two years after the two school districts merge. If adopted, the freeze would be in effthrough the 2014-15 school year. If approved by the full commission and the Shelby County Unified SchBoard, the proposal would, for the two years it's in effect, remove a major fear of merger opponents -- uncertainabout where their children would attend school. The Transition Planning Commission's goal is to finalizemerger plan by June 15. The plan has to be approved by the unified school board and the state DepartmentEducation. The merged school system is scheduled to be in operation for the 2013-14 school year.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/07/editorial-suburbs-should-listen-to-panel/(SUBSCRIPTION)

Pam Strickland: Bad idea to let locals enforce imm igration laws (News-Sentinel)Although President Barack Obama has proposed a phasing out of the controversial U.S. Immigration aCustoms Enforcement program known as 287(g), the Knox County Sheriff 's Office is one of two local lenforcement agencies in the country that will get funding for the initiative this spring, ICE has confirmed. Tother is Horry County, S.C., which includes Myrtle Beach. ICE spokesman Temple Black said ICE officials haan April 17 meeting with Knox County Sheriff J.J. Jones to discuss a memorandum of agreement. KCSspokeswoman Martha Dooley confirmed this. Jones referred all other all questions to ICE. . When an agencypart of a 287(g) program, officers from that agency are trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Cenin Charleston, S.C., for four weeks. They then are supervised by ICE agents, "focusing resources on identifyand processing for removal of criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety or a danger to the communiThe program has drawn controversy because local officers have not always been properly supervised, and thhave not always focused on individuals who have been criminals.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/06/pam-strickland-bad-idea-to-let-locals -enforce/

Guest columnist: Health care reform could cause doctor shortage in Tenn (N-S)The new health reform law, if upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, is expected to create 32 million more insurAmericans, according to the Congressional Budget O ffice. The federal government plans to expand M edicaidlow-income adults and subsidize purchases on the health-insurance exchanges when it requires most Americato carry insurance in 2014. However, an insurance card w ill not mean m uch to patients without providers to cfor them. Tennessee would have 566,000 more insured residents because of reform, according to an UrbInstitute analysis. A primary-care physician is the first medical contact for most people. Primary-care physiciashare of the U .S. health-care dollar is only 7 cents. However, primary-care doctors control 80 cents of the heacare dollar by sending their patients to hospitals, referring them to specialists and handing out prescriptions. TU.S. has the about the same number of physicians per capita as other industrialized nations. However, the Uhas far fewer primary-care physicians than specialists. They make up about half the physician work force in mother developed nations, compared with 35 percent in the U.S.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/07/steve-jacob-health-care-reform-could-cause-in/

Editorial: How to Expand the Voter Rolls (New York Times)A country that should be encouraging more people to vote is still using an archaic voter registration system tcreates barriers to getting a ballot. In 2008, 75 million eligible people did not vote in the presidential election, a80 percent of them were not registered. The vast majority of states rely on a 19th-century registration methorequiring people to fill out a paper form when they become eligible to vote, often at a government office, andrepeat the process every time they move. This is a significant reason why the United States has a low voparticipation rate. The persistence of the paper system is all the more frustrating because a growing numberstates have shown that technology can get more people on voter rolls. Theres no reason why every state canautomatically register eligible voters when they have contact with a government agency. The most commmethod, now used in 17 states, electronically sends data from motor vehicle departments to election offices. Tstates allow people to register online, and others, including California, are preparing to do so. In WashingState, for example, anyone with a drivers license or state ID can register over the Internet. The paperlesystems are much cheaper than the old forms and far mo re accurate.http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/07/opinion/how-to-expand-the-voter-rolls.html?_r=1&ref=tod ayspaper(SUB)

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