wed., feb. 1 news summary

8/3/2019 Wed., Feb. 1 News Summary

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2012Taft Employee Says Closing Is Big Mistake (WTVC-TV Chattanooga)Governor Bill Haslam's budget does not include keeping Bledsoe County's Taft Youth Development Center opThat means relocating about 96 teens (88 as of today) and the loss of up to 170 jobs. County Mayor BobCollier says that will be a crucial blow to an already struggling economy. Lieutenant Dale Hannah has workedTaft for almost 33 years and said the cut will force him to retire early. Hannah's the supervisor over first scorrectional officers, but his biggest concern are the teenagers at Taft. Hannah said, "The decision to close TYouth Center, first and foremost, is going to be catastrophic. You're going to take 18- and 19-year-olds and them into an institution with 13-, 14-, 15-year-olds." Meanwhile, an adult prison is under construction near TThe state says it will employ approximately 400 people and many from Taft could apply.http://www.newschannel9.com/news/taft-1008628-hannah-says.html\

TN ECD releases year-end report card; touts 28k new jobs (Nashville Biz JournalThe Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development helped create more than 28,535 joover the last year, according to the departments 2011 Annual Report, released today. The report, available he(PDF), says ECD projects created 28,535 new jobs in Tennessee, representing more than $4 bil lioninvestment.ECD called it one of the m ost productive years in the states history, and a validation of G ov. Bill HaslamJobs4TN economic development plan, which emphasizes growth among existing Tennessee businessMaking Tennessee the No. 1 state in the Southeast for high-quality jobs continues to be a top priority for tadministration, Haslam said in a press release. Our Jobs4TN plan is working. We continue to focus regionalism, existing businesses and key clusters while also pursuing new businesses for Tennessee. I convinced that Tennessee can compete with anyone when it comes to attracting jobs.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/01/31/tn-ecd-releases-year-end-report- card.html

Corporate investment in Tennessee adds 28,500 jobs (Times Free-Press/FlessneTennessee boasted its best year for business recruitment in five years in 2011 during the first year of Gov. BHaslams administration, state officials said Tuesday. In its annual report, the Department of Economic aCommunity Development said Tennessee landed more than $4 billion of new investment last year. Thoinvestments are projected to add an estimated 28,535 new jobs in Tennessee, 14.3 percent more than previous year and the highest number since before the recession hit in 2007. The 2011 investment totalHaslams first year in office was slightly below the $4.4 billion average annual investment during the eight-yeterm of Haslams predecessor, former Gov. Phil Bredesen. But Bill Hagerty, the commissioner for economic acommunity development, said the incentives offered for new and expanding businesses last year were less thhalf as generous as what was offered during the Bredesen administration. In 2011, the average incentive coper job was $2,640, compared with $5,586 when B redesen was governor from 2002 to 2010.http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/01/corporate-investment-tennessee-adds-28 500-jobs/

StartupTN Launches Statewide Resource Network for Entrepreneurship (TNR)Startup Tennessee would like to announce that it has launched the Startup Tennessee Resource Networkdatabase to connect Entrepreneurs, Mentors, Investors, and Business Partners throughout TennessEntrepreneurs with access to resources and personal networks build businesses that create jobs. EveryoneTennessee who wants to build, help or work with startup businesses should join Startup Tennesseewww.StartupTN.com. The Startup Tennessee Resource Network connects entrepreneurs with the ECD RegionaAccelerator for their county who can assist them with launching their business and connect them to the statewresources that are in place to help startup companies launch and be successful. The Startup Tenness
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/taft-1008628-hannah-says.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/01/31/tn-ecd-releases-year-end-report-card.htmlhttp://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/01/corporate-investment-tennessee-adds-28500-jobs/http://www.startuptn.com/http://www.newschannel9.com/news/taft-1008628-hannah-says.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/01/31/tn-ecd-releases-year-end-report-card.htmlhttp://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/01/corporate-investment-tennessee-adds-28500-jobs/http://www.startuptn.com/


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closer to being realized. Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam announced during his state of the state addreMonday night that the new budget he proposes includes some money to help build the $23-mill ion dolveterans center. The future site sits on about 28 acres of land donated by the Williams and Wright brothePlans are to build several clusters of individual buildings for a 100+ bed facil ity giving vets a home-atmosphere while getting the long-term health care they need in their later years. Larry McDaris, Director of Cleveland Bradley County Veterans Affairs Service O ffice, said "the main purpose is to get something in ocommunity to serve Bradley County and surrounding counties where they won't have to drive to KnoxviMurfreesboro or Humbolt Tennessee." M cDaris said during the last nine years they've gotten the political suppneeded to build a veterans home, but the nagging issue is monhttp://www.newschannel9.com/news/veterans-1008631-state-county.html

$23M Possibly Slated for Bradley Co. Veterans Home (WDEF-TV Chattanooga)Twenty-three m illion dollars for a new Veterans Home could be coming soon. It would fund an on-going projecBradley County. For more than 10 years local and state leaders have worked to get a veterans care facilitythe area. According to the Bradley County-Cleveland Veterans Affairs Service, 28 acres of land has bedonated for the center. Now the project has been added to the 2012 proposed state budget. Governor Haslam announced he's slating $330 million for capital projects across the state. And the Bradley County VHome is on the wish list. There's been so much effort put in to this, so much hard work. And it looked dimtimes. But now the sun is beginning to shine, said Korean War Veteran William Norwood. If the $23 millionapproved, the more than 46,000 vets within the neighboring five counties will have a closer place to stay

receive care.http://www.wdef.com/content/news/government/story/23M-Possibly-Slated-for-Bradley-Co-Veterans-Home/SeCVfPquAUef0-T3xMm0xQ.c spx

Science building to bring fundraising challenge (Daily News Journal)Building expected to attract research, students MTSU officials and students are jubilant in the wake of Gov. Haslams move to fund construction of a long-awaited science building on campus, but the university still hsome heavy lifting to do in the form of an $18 million match. With us getting this, it allows us to be a reseaschool, said Joshua W ienczkowski, 24, a senior biology and physiology major from Grand Rapids, Mich., asworked on a lab project Tuesday. MTSUs decaying and cramped science facilities put the university in a Ca22, he said, because it needed to do great research to obtain government grants, but it couldnt conduct research because its labs were outdated. This w ill attract more graduate students and research professors, a

it wil l bring more money to Murfreesboro, Wienczkowski said. I think it wil l make our students mocompetitive. An exuberant President Sidney McPhee said Tuesday the university will have to raise $18 millias part of the $126.7 million the governor proposed for a 250,000-square-foot facility. About $8 million wocome from private donations, and the other $10 million would come from institution funds, mainly student feaccording to the president.http://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/NEWS/302010016/Science-building-bring-fundraising-challenge?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

UTHSC in Memphis says proposed simulation building key to education (CA/SelUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center officials said they'll get to work on the school's multi-disciplinsimulation building "as fast as we can" if the legislature approves a $24.1 million funding request. Gov. Haslam requested the funds for the building in his 2013 budget, which he unveiled during his State of the St

address Monday in Nashville. The simulation facility would be similar to Vanderbilt University's Center Experiential Learning & Assessment, where students and trainees practice medicine on human simulators, smmannequins that can produce real medical symptoms. "In the same sense that pilots have to go in a simulatmodern education says we have to simulate all sorts of medical encounters and medical procedures tphysicians, dentists, nurses and pharmacists go through," said Dr. S teve Schwab, U THSC chancellor. Educatuse these simulators to mimic real-world disasters or emergencies, both in and out of a health care facility.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/31/uthsc-memphis-says-proposed-simulation-building-ke/(SUBSCRIPTION)

No money for ETSU arts center in Haslam's budget (Johnson City Press)No money for an East Tennessee State University fine arts center was included in Gov. B ill Haslams next stbudget, but his plan would move the nearly $40 million project up the list of projects to be built. Meanwhile t
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/veterans-1008631-state-county.htmlhttp://www.wdef.com/content/news/government/story/23M-Possibly-Slated-for-Bradley-Co-Veterans-Home/SeCVfPquAUef0-T3xMm0xQ.cspxhttp://www.wdef.com/content/news/government/story/23M-Possibly-Slated-for-Bradley-Co-Veterans-Home/SeCVfPquAUef0-T3xMm0xQ.cspxhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/NEWS/302010016/Science-building-bring-fundraising-challenge?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/NEWS/302010016/Science-building-bring-fundraising-challenge?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/31/uthsc-memphis-says-proposed-simulation-building-ke/http://www.newschannel9.com/news/veterans-1008631-state-county.htmlhttp://www.wdef.com/content/news/government/story/23M-Possibly-Slated-for-Bradley-Co-Veterans-Home/SeCVfPquAUef0-T3xMm0xQ.cspxhttp://www.wdef.com/content/news/government/story/23M-Possibly-Slated-for-Bradley-Co-Veterans-Home/SeCVfPquAUef0-T3xMm0xQ.cspxhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/NEWS/302010016/Science-building-bring-fundraising-challenge?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/NEWS/302010016/Science-building-bring-fundraising-challenge?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/31/uthsc-memphis-says-proposed-simulation-building-ke/


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governor proposed Northeast State Comm unity College receive money to begin planning a much-needtechnology education complex. In his State of the State address Monday evening, Haslam proposed a $3million increase in construction and building maintenance spending at Tennessee Board of Regents aUniversity of Tennessee schools. One plan had been suggested to fund school capital projects by issuing arou$2 billion in bonds to take advantage of low interest rates. This plan was not put forth. ETSU w as hopeful bond plan would have allowed the school to proceed with the fine and performing arts center, which has beenthe states capital projects list for years. Still, ETSU Vice President for Finance and Adm inistration David Collsaid the school was happy with the governors overall budget plan for several reasons.http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=97965#ixzz1l8BtaAu5

More jail time for domestic abusers on the Governor's agenda (WVLT-TV Knox)Governor Bill Haslam's State of the State Address included some proposals to make Tennessee a safer placHalf of all crimes in the state are those of domestic violence. "In my eyes, he should of got life," said a dom esviolence survivor that didn't want to share her name to keep her abuser from finding her again. She suffethrough eight years of domestic abuse; he served jail time for just six months. "It's just not right that they knowtheir mind, when they get in front of that judge that it's okay. That they can repeatedly do it again," she said of punishment Governor Bill Haslam brought up domestic violence in his State of the State address. He wantspunish repeat offenders with mandatory time. It's an idea that survivors can stand behind. "They should serve time the first, second, third and not get out the fourth," she said.http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/More_jail_time_for_domestic_abusers_on_the_Governors_agend

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Haslam wants mandatory jail time for convicted domestic violent crimes (H-C)The governor also wants mandatory jail time for people convicted of repeated domestic violence crimes. WhAccording to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control 4.8 million women are assaulted or rapedtheir partner or ex-partner every year. The numbers show a staggering trend: one in four women are victimsviolence in their lifetime. Men account for 15 percent of violence victim cases. That's according to the bureaujustice statistics crime data. Local law enforcement think Gov. Bill Haslam's tougher proposal is a great idea, bthey want to know who will pay the bill. "Youre talking about $8.7 to $9 million dollars extra m oney, and overcrowding situation ... its going to be very difficult for us to handle it, said Washington County Sheriff Graybeal. Graybeal wants repeat dom estic offenders to receive the punishment he feels they deserve, but his is already overcrowded.

http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jan/31/governor-haslam-wants-mandatory-jail-time-convicte-ar -1653725/

Tennessee's drug related death rate nearly triples since 1999 (Herald-Courier)Tennessee's death rate from drug overdoses has nearly tripled since 1999 prompting governor Haslampropose expanded regulations. The proposal would require doctors and pharmacists to check a controlsubstance database before writing or dispensing prescriptions. TennCare reported a 48 percent jumpnarcotics prescriptions over the last four years despite efforts to end abuse. Family medicine physician docLisa Broyles said sometimes patients really do need pain medication. Severe arthritis, surgery, hospidegenerative disc disease in the back, said Broyles. However, many times they don't. You either gereputation for writing them or you don't, and I don't have a reputation for writing them, said Broyles. So I do have many people on them. She can check a state drug database to find out if her patient has been prescribpain pills before, but she says it is currently not up to date enough. Current law allows medical practitioners

enter a patient's drug history once a month. If they had gone to another doctor this past week or last week agotten a prescription filled it would not be in the database yet, so I would not know they had gotten a prescriptlast week so I m ight go ahead and fill a prescription for them, said Broyles.http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jan/31/tennessees-drug-related-death-rate-nearly-triples--ar -1653642/

County jobless rate dips (Johnson City Press)During December, Washington County had the fourth-lowest unemployment rate in Tennessee, according to states Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Washington Countys unemployment rate dropped6.6 percent in December, down from 6.9 percent in November and 7.6 percent in December 2010, accordingfigures released by the department recently. New jobs have continued to be created in Washington Counindicating the unem ployment rate decline isnt just a result of people dropping out of the labor force, accordingthe Washington County Economic Development Council. It is great to see Washington County showing a stro
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=97965#ixzz1l8BtaAu5http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/More_jail_time_for_domestic_abusers_on_the_Governors_agenda_138470294.html?ref=294http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/More_jail_time_for_domestic_abusers_on_the_Governors_agenda_138470294.html?ref=294http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jan/31/governor-haslam-wants-mandatory-jail-time-convicte-ar-1653725/http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jan/31/tennessees-drug-related-death-rate-nearly-triples--ar-1653642/http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=97965#ixzz1l8BtaAu5http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/More_jail_time_for_domestic_abusers_on_the_Governors_agenda_138470294.html?ref=294http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/More_jail_time_for_domestic_abusers_on_the_Governors_agenda_138470294.html?ref=294http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jan/31/governor-haslam-wants-mandatory-jail-time-convicte-ar-1653725/http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jan/31/tennessees-drug-related-death-rate-nearly-triples--ar-1653642/


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labor market relative to the area, the state and the country, WCEDC CEO Robert Reynolds said in a nerelease. While it doesnt put us where we need to be yet, I believe its a testament to good results weve beseeing in all sectors of the job market here, and to the quality of our work force. The December figures are seasonally adjusted. They show Washington Countys 6.6 percent rate compared with 8.1 percent in the UniStates.http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=97966#ixzz1l8BfJizS

TDOT reveals plans for busy Cleveland intersection (Times Free-Press/Higgins)A preliminary plan to widen one of Cleveland's busiest intersections, North Ocoee at 25th streets, got its fipublic viewing Tuesday evening. The Tennessee Department of Transportation held a public hearing onproposed project to widen the intersection to seven lanes in each direction. The intersection approaches woinclude four travel lanes, two left-turn lanes and one right-turn lane. The project includes new curbs asidewalks and an updated stormwater drainage system, according to TDOT representatives. Currently 25Street has two 12-foot east- and westbound lanes and one center turn lane. Ocoee Street has single 12-fnorth- and southbound lanes and left- and right-turn lanes. Several dozen people came to look at the maps aleave comments for TDOT to consider before final plans are made for rights-of-way acquisition. Dentists Charand Janice Nicholas looked at how the changes would affect the entrance to their office. "We came mostly information," Nicholas said. "It looks like we will get a turn lane we desperately need."http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/01/tdot-reveals-plans-for-intersecti on/?local

Interstate 40 West Closed in Cocke County Due to Rockslide (State Gazette)Both lanes of Interstate 40 West in Cocke County have been closed following an early morning rockslibetween Mile Markers 450 and 451. Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Geotechnical Engineare continuing to evaluate the slide and are currently developing a plan to stabilize the mountainside. emergency contract will also be initiated to clean-up debris from this morning's slide. There is currently estimate for when I-40 West will reopen. In the meantime, motorists traveling on I-40 West can take the followdetour around the rockslide area: From North Carolina: Motorists are advised to take I-240 West (Exit 53B)Asheville to I-26 West (Exit 4A) to I-81 South (Exit 8A) back to I-40 W est. The detour route is approximately miles.http://www.stategazette.com/story/1810618.html

State Court of Appeals reverses lower court in large tax case (Nashville Post)The State Court of Appeals has reversed a lower courts decision to not tax a nationally recognized educaticompany for conducting online and mail order business with its customers in Tennessee. At issue was nearlymillion in sales and use taxes including other penalties and fees the states Department of Revenue hdetermined that Missouri-based Scholastic Book Clubs Inc. owed on amounts earned over a six-year period. TJan. 27 state Court of Appeals opinion written by Judge David R. Farmer details that courts reasoning reversing the trial courts decision to relieve Scholastic of its mammoth $5.7 million sales and use tax bill. Tcompany booked approximately $34 m illion in revenue from its Tennessee customers from Jan. 1, 2002 throuMay, 31, 2008. Scholastic was represented by David W. Bertoni, partner in the Lewiston, Maine law firm of Bra& Isaacson, and Charles A. Trost, G. Michael Yopp and Christopher Wilson from the Nashville office of WaLansden Dortch & Davis.http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/1/31/state_court_of_appeals_reverses_lower_court_in_large _tax_case

TN anti-bias lawsuit faces dismissal (Tennessean/Gee)A lawsuit challenging a state law that invalidated Metro protections for gay and transgendered individualsfacing a dismissal in Davidson County Chancery Court. Chancellor Carol L. McCoy issued an order in the calast week that gives the plaintiffs 30 days to supply proof that they have been harmed by the Equal AccessIntrastate Commerce Act, which was passed last year and nullified an ordinance the Metro Council passrequiring city contractors to pledge not to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The ldoes not allow local governments to pass anti-discrimination policies more rigorous than the states, which donot mention gay and transgendered individuals. A coalition of activists, Metro Council members, the TennessEquality Project and others sued the state over the law in June, claiming it is unconstitutional because it wfounded in prejudice and violates equal-protection standards.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS03/302010105/TN-anti-bias-lawsuit-faces-dismissal?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=97966#ixzz1l8BfJizShttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/01/tdot-reveals-plans-for-intersection/?localhttp://www.stategazette.com/story/1810618.htmlhttp://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/1/31/state_court_of_appeals_reverses_lower_court_in_large_tax_casehttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS03/302010105/TN-anti-bias-lawsuit-faces-dismissal?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS03/302010105/TN-anti-bias-lawsuit-faces-dismissal?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=97966#ixzz1l8BfJizShttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/01/tdot-reveals-plans-for-intersection/?localhttp://www.stategazette.com/story/1810618.htmlhttp://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/1/31/state_court_of_appeals_reverses_lower_court_in_large_tax_casehttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS03/302010105/TN-anti-bias-lawsuit-faces-dismissal?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS03/302010105/TN-anti-bias-lawsuit-faces-dismissal?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews


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Prosecutors fight against use of Baumgartner file as proof of error (NS/SatterfielTwo wrongs don't make a right. Assistant District Attorney General Leland Price is turning to that adagefighting the use of a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation probe of disgraced former Knox County Criminal CoJudge Richard Baumgartner as evidence to challenge cases over which Baumgartner presided. Price Tuesday filed a m otion in the case of convicted rapist Jayson Bailey. Bailey's attorney, Gregory P. Isaacs, wato use the TBI file as proof Bailey's April 2010 trial was structurally flawed. Price agreed to stipulate the file

contents, rather than force the witnesses named within it to testify, at a hearing in December on w hether the fdefendants in the torture slayings of Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23, should get new triaHe argued then the file showed no proof Baumgartner's misdeeds off the bench robbed the defendants of trials. The state now, however, is refusing to m ake any such stipulation, a move that would force a series of mtrials on Baum gartner's misdeeds and their impact on the cases he handled.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/31/prosecutors-fight-against-use-of-baumgartner-as/

Amazon price tag (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Humphrey)Legislation that will cement Gov. Bill Haslam's deal with Amazon.com will cost the state $22.8 m illion per yea"forgone revenue" while in effect, but it will bring in a like amount afterward, according to a legislative stestimate. The "fiscal note" on HB2370, introduced at the behest of Haslam, does not mention the Internet regiant by name but observes that "one taxpayer w ill meet the criteria specified in this bill exempting such taxpafrom collecting and remitting sales and use tax." The "qualified taxpayer" had $34.2 billion in online U .S. sales

2010, the Fiscal Review Committee note says, and given that Tennessee has 2 percent of the natiopopulation, that would translate into $684 million in Tennessee sales. From that point the fiscal note proje$22,840,600 in "foregone" state sales tax revenue in a full year and pegs the lost revenue for local governmsales tax collections at $9,649,400. Haslam announced in October that a deal negotiated with Amazon exemthe Internet retailer from collecting Tennessee state and local taxes until Jan. 1, 2014, or until Congreauthorizes states to begin collecting sales tax revenue whichever comes first.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/01/political-notebook-amazon-price-tag-end-of-a/

Democrats propose biennial legislative sessions (Associated Press/Schelzig)If Democrats have their way, the Tennessee General Assemb ly would meet only every second year, lawmakedaily expenses would be capped and bill sponsors would have to divulge if their legislation originated wnational groups. Democratic leaders insist their proposals are designed to promote good government. BRepublicans charge the measures are election-year games. Id be glad to look at any suggestions they habut theyre playing politics, House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, said in a recinterview. When they had the pow er to do it, they didnt do anything about that. But House Democratic CaucChairman Mike Turner of Nashville argued that most of the lawmakers sponsoring the current measures didhold leadership positions before Republicans won their majority in the House in 2008. How long do you holdgood idea down just because a party took things a particular way several years ago? Turner said. HouMinority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, said the measure calling for meeting every other year dovetails wRepublican efforts to keep the legislative session as short as possible. Were just moving at such a quick pato get things done around there, and I feel we could move at an even faster pace if we cut out one sessioFitzhugh said.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS02/302010125/Democrats-propose-biennial-legislative-sessions?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Bill to close grant records sent for Senate vote (Associated Press/Schelzig)A Senate committee on Tuesday advanced Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to block public accessbusiness records used to make grant decisions. The Senate Commerce Committee voted 8-0 to approve tmeasure after making a change to allow the State Funding Board to examine the information that wootherwise be shielded from public view. "That's an important piece, because that creates a nice balance betwethe legislative and executive branches of government," said Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, who is carrying tlegislation for the governor. The Funding Board includes the comptroller, treasurer and secretary of state, alwhom are elected by state lawmakers. The panel must approve all large grants proposed by the DepartmentEconomic and Community Development. "The intent of this bill is to allow for the department and the statehave better information when getting into investment opportunities," Watson said. The measure now goes tfull floor vote. Haslam has called for the public records changes as part of his plan to offer more cash incentivfor companies to invest in Tennessee.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/31/prosecutors-fight-against-use-of-baumgartner-as/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/01/political-notebook-amazon-price-tag-end-of-a/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS02/302010125/Democrats-propose-biennial-legislative-sessions?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS02/302010125/Democrats-propose-biennial-legislative-sessions?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/31/prosecutors-fight-against-use-of-baumgartner-as/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/01/political-notebook-amazon-price-tag-end-of-a/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS02/302010125/Democrats-propose-biennial-legislative-sessions?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS02/302010125/Democrats-propose-biennial-legislative-sessions?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews


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http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38469849?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Land rush: Memphis moves to annex reserve area ahead of legislation (CA/Maki)Believing they are in a race against state legislators who want to limit the city's growth, nine of the 13 MempCity Council members Tuesday approved a plan to annex a significant chunk of territory in eastern SheCounty. The full council must vote three more times before the annexation is final. Convening in a remergency meeting, mem bers of the council committee that oversees annexation were reacting to a pair of b

filed in Nashville just before last Thursday's deadline for submitting bills. One, authored by Sen. Mark Norris aRep. Curry Todd, Republicans from Collierville, would remove M emphis' stake in an area east of Cordova to Fayette County line and north of Collierville's existing reserve area. The second bill, by Norris and Rep. RLollar, R-Bartlett, would allow residents of any area proposed for annexation by a Shelby County municipalityvote on whether they want to join the annexing city. In Nashville, Norris said Tuesday evening that he has askthe state attorney general for an advisory opinion on the constitutionality of the bills.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/31/memphis-city-council-may-quickly-annex-areas-targe/(SUB)

Bill could drive wedge between legislators and Occupy protestors (CP/Hale)Just weeks after returning to Capitol Hill, state legislators may be setting the stage for another showdobetween law enforcement and the encamped Occupy Nashville protesters outside their offices. A bill filed Jan.

by Rep. Eric Watson (R-Cleveland) and Sen. Delores Gresham (R-Somerville) would make it illegalmaintain living-quarters on public property that is not designated for residential use. A violation of the statwould be a Class C misdemeanor and call for an action that will be familiar to protesters, press and casobservers who spent their nights on the plaza three m onths ago: eviction of people from the property by appropriate law enforcement agency. When first they met, the state and the occupiers tangled over enforcement of a hastily devised overnight curfew, put in place by the Department of General Services aendorsed by the governor. So far, the O ccupy Nashville response to the bill would seem to indicate that suchepisode could repeat itself. In a letter outlining their concerns with the proposed legislation, which theyve urgsupporters to sign and send to legislators, the group flatly declares their intentions, should the bill become law.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/bill-could-drive-wedge-between-legislators-and-occupy -protesto

Demonstrators threaten to occupy Tennessee Capitol (Times Free-Press/Sher)Occupy Nashville protesters are warning Gov. Bill Haslam, state lawmakers and the highway patrol thatevicted from Legislative Plaza, their members w ill occupy the state Capitol, other public areas and evrestrooms at the Haslam family-owned chain of travel centers. In an "open letter," the protest group denounclegislation they say is designed to oust protesters from the plaza, where members have camped since O ctobThe bill is sponsored in the House by Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland. "If you pass this bill to evict OccuNashville and criminalize our un-housed friends, then you have chosen to escalate the conversation," the lestates. "If you pass this bill, we will prevail in the courts and on the streets." Passing the bill, the letter states, wlead to protesters moving to occupy the state Capitol, other public property and foreclosed homes. Protestealso "will occupy the restrooms of all Pilot Travel Centers." The Pilot Flying J Travel Corp. chain is owned in pby Haslam and other Haslam family members. Haslam spokesman David Smith on Tuesday said he had comment on the threatened action, which protesters say they will take if the legislation passes and Haslam sigit.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/01/demonstrators-threaten-to-occupy-capitol/?local

De-Occupy the Plaza or Let Protesters Stay? Legislators Must Decide (WPL

Radio)A proposal to clear the O ccupy Nashville protest off War Memorial Plaza comes up in a House subcommitWednesday. Occupiers have been camped on what is essentially the roof of the legislatures main office buildsince October. But for some lawm akers the decision to clear the plaza is not a slam-dunk. State RepresentatJon Lundberg says he wanted to visit with the protesters before he had to vote on the De-Occupy Nashville bisubcommittee. So he wandered up to the Legislative Plaza and talked with a half-dozen campers. Lundberg sahe thought most of the inhabitants of the camp were inebriated, or homeless. But there is a group up there, many, but they have a true protest. I disagree, obviously, with what theyre protesting. But I agree vehemenwith their right to protest. Lundberg, a small businessman from Bristol, says he doesnt agree with the ba
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premise of the protesters that government favors business over individuals. Misguided I think they think thwe have created laws for companies to profit unfairly. The East Tennessee Republican says he wants to protthe demonstrators rights. He just wants them off the roof.http://wpln.org/?p=336 10

Hands-on CPR bill moves through Senate (Times-Gazette)A proposal to require hands-on CPR practice in high school resuscitation programs, sponsored by State SeJim Tracy of Shelbyville, has passed the Senate. The m easure was approved 31-0 last week by the full Sena

The companion bill is scheduled to be considered today by the House Education Comm ittee. Advanced wInstead of just requiring instruction in the techniques and skills associated with cardiopulmonary resuscitatithe proposal would require "students learn the techniques and practice the psychomotor skills associated wperforming CPR." Tracy told the Times-Gazette a bill requir ing CPR training had been suggested by American Heart Association. When he looked into the matter, Tracy discovered that students were being tauthe theory of CPR in their lifetime wellness class (known to a previous generation as health class) but actually given any hands-on training in it. "Being a former ag teacher, I believe in hands-on learning," said TraSerious stats According to the Am erican Heart Association website, four out of five cardiac arrests take placehome. Most people who save l ives with CPR save the li fe of a friend or family member.http://www.t-g.com/story/1810363.html

State Workers Afraid to Comment on New Civil Service Rules (WPLN-Radio NashThe states roughly 44,000 employees anticipate major changes if the governor is able to push through overhaul to civil service protection. However, theyre not interested in talking publicly about their concerns.lunchtime at least on sunny days Nashvilles Bicentennial Mall becomes a walking track for state employeSome of those with the hard-to-miss blue ID badges will talk about the coming changes. Fewer will allow thvoice to be recorded. And of those, no one agreed to have their name used. UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Thepeople are crazy. Theyre subject to take our names and have us fired. REPORTER: No, youre protected civil service now right? UNIDENTIFIED W OMAN: Today, but we dont know what tomorrow is going to br[laughs]. The governor does want to make it easier to layoff senior employees, though they could still only fired for cause. The Tennessee State Employees Association is also uneasy with a proposal that would makpossible to recruit for open positions .http://wpln.org/?p=336 12

National disabilities group laments photo ID law (Associated Press)Advocates for the disabled have joined an effort to repeal a Tennessee law that requires photo identificationorder to vote. Jim Dickson is vice president of organizing and civic engagement for the American AssociationPeople with Disabilities. He spoke at a news conference in Nashville on Tuesday that was organized by tgroup Tennessee Citizen Action, a grass-roots organization based on consumer concerns. Dickson says theare "real difficulties" for the disabled to get the documentation needed to get a photo ID. He says at least percent of people with disabilities do not have a current photo ID. Dickson said more than 350,000 disabpeople voted in the 2008 e lection.http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38470363?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Occupy Murfreesboro court hearings delayed again (Daily News Journal)Hearings for a small number of Occupy Murfreesboro protesters cited for illegal camping on the Civic Pla

between December and early January have been rescheduled for a second time, according to city copersonnel. The hearings for members of Occupy were rescheduled for early February after an attornrepresenting the group informed the court of a scheduling conflict. Occupy Murfreesboro members were fcited by MPD officers in the early morning hours of Dec. 6 for violating the city's ordinance on camping astoring property on the Civic Plaza. Those cited early on in the protests were scheduled to appearMurfreesboro City Court Jan. 10, but that date was rescheduled to Feb. 7 due to scheduling conflicts. Anothgroup of protesters received citations with an appearance date of Jan. 31, but those hearings will now also held Feb. 7. Police issued citations to protesters based on Section 10-28 of city code, according to MPD officiahttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/NEWS05/301310018/Occupy-Murfreesboro-court-hearings-delayed-agaiodyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
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Conrad ponders run at Congress (Commercial Appeal/Sullivan)R. Kemp Conrad, who has served as a Memphis City Council mem ber and is a former chairman of the SheCounty Republican Party, said Tuesday he has been asked to consider challenging incumbent U.S. RStephen Fincher in this years Republican primary for the 8th Congressional District. Some people have askme to consider it, Conrad said. He said he has not ruled it out but has to consider business, family, all thothings before making a decision. After redistricting, the 8th District encompasses much more of eastern SheCounty that had been part of Marsha Blackburns 7th District as well as parts of Memphis, including the Pop

Corridor, that had been in the 9th District, making it m ore attractive to candidates from Shelby County. Finchefreshman, is from Frog Jump in rural Crockett County. Conrad pointed out that hes always lived in the 9District and said running in the 8th is a lot to get your arms around. He said he has not set a deadline for whhell make his decision.http://www.comm ercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/01/brief-conrad-ponders-run-congress(SUB)

Insurance Exchange Setup W ould Hinge on Tech Workers (WPLN-Radio NashvilAs states like Tennessee look at creating insurance exchanges under the federal healthcare overhaul, demandspiking for the information technology or IT know-how to set one up. Its stil l an open question whetTennessee even sets up an exchange. Weighing on that are a pending Supreme Court ruling, the presidenelection, and state lawmakers. Theres also plenty of wrangling over guidelines, grant m oney and deadlinwhich falls to one Brian Haile. Haile says theres also a limited talent pool for building an exchange, and plenty

demand from other states. My colleague in another state said if he were as popular in high school as he is wIT vendors and headhunters today, his life would be entirely different. I think what hes trying to say is therereal shortage of talent nationwide to put together a lot of these types of systems. Haile says that means stathat dally could find fewer firms capable of doing the work.http://wpln.org/?p=336 06

Rand Paul's airport run-in raises alarm over scanner accuracy (Tennessean/HaasRand Paul run-in, studies call effectiveness into question Brandon Chapman had just been joking about USen. Rand Pauls run-in with Nashville International Airports body scanners when one of those very samachines sounded an alarm on him last Tuesday. He laughed it off at first it was a false positive somewhon his arm until the machine did it again a few days later in Raleigh, N.C., as he tried to return home. It wmy leg in Raleigh and my arm in Nashville, Chapman said. Chapman took it in stride. But a growing numberhigh-profile cases two in Nashville are calling into question both the accuracy of the millimeter wascanning machines and the appropriateness of the pat-downs used when the machines go off or when travelrefuse the body scans. Most recently, Paul was stopped here when the m achines apparently detected somethon his knee something he said should have been dismissed once he pulled up his pant leg. The KentucRepublican refused the follow-up pat-down of his leg and w as escorted out of the terminal. In July, a C larksvmother was arrested after she refused to let her daughter undergo the scanning and objected to the pa t-downin a disorderly fashion, according to airport security.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS/302010106/Rand-Paul-s-airport-run-raises-alarm-over-scanner-accuracy?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

VW adding 200 jobs at Chattanooga assembly plant (Associated Press)Volkswagen is creating another 200 jobs at its Chattanooga assembly plant as production increases. A plspokesman said in a statement Tuesday that the positions are needed as production capacity increases fromto 35 cars per hour. The new jobs will be integrated into Volkswagen's current two-shift operation and filled full-time Volkswagen employees. The Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga currently employs more than 2,5

people, about 2,000 by Volkswagen and 500 by staffing partner Aerotek. Human resources manager Ryan Rosaid many Aerotek employees will get the VW jobs but that will create openings at Aerotek.http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38469091?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

VW creating 200 new jobs at Chattanooga plant (Times Free-Press/Sher)Volkswagen plans to create 200 new jobs at its Chattanooga plant as it bolsters production from 31 to 35 cper hour, according to the automaker. The new jobs w ill be integrated into VW s current two-shift operation afilled by full-time employees, an official said in a news release. We have had good success hiring local peowho can w ork together as a team to build our cars safely and with the highest quality, said Hans-Herbert Jagexecutive vice president of human resources for VW in Chattanooga. Now, we are excited to have 200 mpeople join our team. The plant currently employs more than 2,500 people, about 2,000 by Volkswagen a
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/01/brief-conrad-ponders-run-congress/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/01/brief-conrad-ponders-run-congress/http://wpln.org/?p=33606http://wpln.org/?p=33606http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS/302010106/Rand-Paul-s-airport-run-raises-alarm-over-scanner-accuracy?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS/302010106/Rand-Paul-s-airport-run-raises-alarm-over-scanner-accuracy?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38469091?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/01/brief-conrad-ponders-run-congress/http://wpln.org/?p=33606http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS/302010106/Rand-Paul-s-airport-run-raises-alarm-over-scanner-accuracy?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/NEWS/302010106/Rand-Paul-s-airport-run-raises-alarm-over-scanner-accuracy?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38469091?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cs


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additional 500 by Aerotek, the companys staffing partner.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/31/volkswagen-creating-200-new-jobs-chattanooga-plant/?loca

Columbus gives Nashville hope for NHL All Star Game (Nashville Biz Journal)When Nashville Predators President Sean Henry was introduced to Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Henry receiva simultaneous salutation and question. When will Nashville host the NHL All-Star game, the mayor wantedknow. It was almost, Hey, how are you, nice to meet you, when are we getting the all star game? I think it w

a run-on sentence, Henry laughed. The inquiry, though, was a fair one, especially now, with the recannouncement that Columbus, Ohio, will host the 2013 All Star Game. In 2001, Columbus finished a marenovation of their convention center, growing the buildings footprint to 1.7 m illion square feet. Largely crediwith getting the city over the finish line, however, is the addition of a new downtown H ilton set to open later tyear, which will give the city an extra 500-plus hotel rooms. The pending opening of Music City Center aassociated hotels downtown is giving some renewed hope that Nashville could land the All Star Game. Heestimated the game could bring more than $30 m illion in visitor spending, 800 members of the m edia and cremore than 7,000 room nights for Music City.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/01/nashville- to-nhl-bring-us-an-all-star.html

Suburban residents feel disconnect, lack of trust with unified schools (CA/BaileyMuch like the 2010 Memphis-Shelby County government consolidation debate, trust has emerged as a facto

suburban residents' opposition to a countywide school merger. The issue was touched upon several timesHouston High last week as the Transition Planning Commission held a session of its listening tour. The outlyopponents don't trust the Memphis C ity Schools group that surrendered the charter. They don't trust that they have a viable voice that can accomplish anything on the unified school board. And they question whether tlarger school system will be responsive when things are needed. Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner even refersthe government consolidation debate from two years ago when talking about trust. He noted that throughthose discussions, merger proponents emphasized repeatedly that schools were not a part of that debate. Thawas only about government. "Then lo and behold," he said, when the election was over and consolidation wdefeated by a strong vote in the suburbs, the city school system surrendered its charter, in effect creatingcountywide system. "It kind of makes me wonder if it was cooking that way all along," Joyner said.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/01/schools-issue-driven-by-trust/(SUBSCRIPTION)

County teachers fare well on evaluations (Ashland City Times)Cheatham C ounty educators have fared well so far under the states new teacher evaluation system. Under evaluation system, observations by principals m ake up half of a teachers score, but a first glimpse at thoobservation scores from across the state shows they are all over the map. A recent open records request froThe Tennessean found that in M urfreesboro City Schools, for example, nearly half of the teachers were givetop score of five, while in Fayette County, only one percent earned the top rating. The ratings data is based 47,000 teacher observations between August and Dec. 13. Some districts did not submit enough observationsbe included in the data. In Cheatham County, .2 percent of teachers received ones on their observations; percent received twos; 23.2 percent earned threes; 42.1 percent received fours; and 29.1 percent received fivThe state had predicted that districts would rate 3-5 percent of teachers as ones; 10-25 percent as twos; 40percent as threes; 10- 25 percent as fours; and 5-10 percent as fives.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/ASHLANDCITY01/302010071/County-teachers-fare-well-on-evaluations

East Tennessee teachers share mixed feelings on new evaluations (NS/McCoy)Dave Gorman was pulled to pursue a career as a teacher. And now 11 years later, it's something the SouDoyle Middle School teacher said he loves doing. "I'm trying to do the best I can. I enjoy what I'm doing, and trying to bring these kids something they need," he said. This year, Gorman and thousands of teachers acrothe state are going through their own learning curve as they adapt to the new teacher evaluation m odel requithis year under the state's First to the Top Act. They are expressing their concerns with the system, whichbased on observations and student data. "Every teacher has their own gifts and things they bring in thteaching," Gorman said. "It's not that cookie cutter. Every day is a new day, and every day is continuouschallenging in ways that make it fascinating. We're just trying to keep up." After two evaluations this school yeand a third fast approaching, Gorman said he isn't against the new model he sees many of its benefits he and other teachers hope their voices are part of the conversation as the state begins to review its first ye

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and prepare for the next.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/01/east-tennessee-teachers-share-mixed-feelings-on/

Fordham Institute Gives Tennessee Science Standards a D (WPLN-Rad

Nashville)A new report gives a near failing grade to the science standards used by Tennessees schools. The FordhaInstitute, a conservative think tank, says the guidelines for teachers dont contain enough substance. Tennessis one of 27 states that earned either a D or F when compared against Fordhams concept of the ideal sciencurriculum. The group specifically knocks Tennessee for avoiding the word evolution in its biology guidelineswants states to clearly treat evolution as a scientific theory that belongs in science classes. Looking mobroadly, the report says the Tennessees guidelines are often too vague. Where the state says fourth gradeshould use age appropriate tools for measuring and comparing solids and liquids, the Fordham Institute worather the state spell out what kind of tools are appropriate for fourth grade, and exactly what measuremethose students should make. The state did revamp its curriculum standards in recent years. According to Fordham Instute, its report is based on the current guide lines.http://wpln.org/?p=336 01

Study says Hamilton County students not so healthy, well (TFP/Carroll)Thirty-five percent of Hamilton County high school students spend at least five hours a day watching televisiplaying video games and scouring the Internet, according to new survey results. But the Chattanooga-Hamil

County Health Department doesn't know how long those kids stare at their iPhones and BlackBerrys. Cellphoactivity wasn't explored in the health department's 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Even without figures cellphone usage, one thing is clear, officials said. "In some children, their most physical activity is indeed wtheir thumbs," Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society Executive Director R ae Bond said. Officials Tuesday shared the survey's health and wellness results, which showed that many students aren't so healand well. Based on self-reported height and weight responses, 27 percent of Hamilton County students aoverweight or obese. Three in four students aren't hitting the U.S. Centers for Disease and Preventiorecommended daily benchmarks for exercise -- 60 minutes of physical activity -- or nutrition -- five servingsfruits and vegetables.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/01/study-says-students-not-so-healthy-w ell/?local

Indiana: Super Bowl prompts Indiana to rewrite human trafficking law (Stateline)In the early morning hours of Super Bowl Sunday last year, Dallas police arrested Anthony Ladell Winn. Th

suspected Winn of forcing two sisters, ages 14 and 20, to travel from Austin to Dallas to work as prostitutes whthousands of football fans gathered for the big game. There was big money to be made during the Super BowWinn said according to police documents obtained by the Dallas Morning News. Winn was charged wattempting to compel prostitution and trafficking of persons. While Winn has yet to stand trial, law enforcemofficials, prosecutors and human rights advocates see his case as an example of an ugly byproduct of hostthe Super Bowl and all of the pre-game parties that go along with it. In the past few years, host cities hareported an influx of sex trafficking activity, and have launched task forces to rescue both children and adufrom coerced prostitution. For Super Bowl XLVI, to be played this Sunday (February 5) in Indianapolis, stofficials are going out of their way to show that human trafficking wont be tolerated. Indiana Governor M iDaniels specifically called on lawmakers in his state of the state address to tighten the states law on humtrafficking before the Super Bowl.http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=6 28677

Maryland: OMalley proposes 6% sales tax on gas (Washington Post)Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley said Monday that he would ask lawmakers to approve an unprecedented tincrease on gasoline, applying for the first time Marylands 6 percent sales tax to every gallon of gas to rabillions of dollars for road and transit projects. The sales tax would be phased in annually in increments ofpercent at the wholesale level, meaning that a gallon of gas that now costs $3.48 at the pum p would increase6cents.If the price of gas rises or falls, the sales tax amount would also. Combined, the three-year increase pgallon could total 18 cents or more, making Marylands combined levy on gasoline more than 41 cents a galand among the highest in the country. OMalley (D) made the announcement during his monthly appearanceWTOPs Ask the Governor and declined to comment further later in the day at his only scheduled public evin Annapolis. During the radio program, OMalley said his full proposal would be sent to the legislature withdays and acknowledged it would not be popular. But he urged lawmakers to consider whether it was a good wto go.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/omalley-proposes-6percent-sales-tax-on-gas/2012/01/30/gIQAiaUrdQ_story.html

Mississippi: Gov. Bryant's budget lops 5.5% (Commercial Appeal/West)Most departments feel decline from last year in $5.49B plan Gov. Phil Bryant's first budget proposal recommen$26 million less than the state is spending this year while fully funding education and cutting most departmeand agencies by 5.5 percent. Bryant also wants to sell the state's jet for $2 million. Bryant outlined his $5.billion spending plan, which recognizes the realities of a slowly recovering state economy and dwindling fededollars, on Tuesday during a speech attended by lobbyists, reporters and a handful of legislators in a Capmeeting room. Legislators will use Bryant's proposal as they craft a budget for the 2013 fiscal year that begJuly 1. The plan they arrive at may or may not reflect Bryant's proposals. "This is the most challenging budI've ever seen, and I've been here since 1992," said Bryant, a former state representative, state auditor alieutenant governor. The best news for fast-growing DeSoto County is in education spending, which worestore high-growth money. "I was pleased to hear Gov. Bryant's budget recommends fully funding high-growschool districts," said state Sen. Merle Flowers, R-Olive Branch. "This will mean over $6 million for DeSCounty."http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/01/bryant-budget-lops-55/(SUBSCRIPTION)

OPINION

Editorial: The right message: Objectives would put state on proper track (

Press)When governors and presidents lay out their plans and agendas for the year, the speeches are always filled wlots of promising, ambitious things sure to antagonize the opposition and delight those who like what they heThat's the case with Gov. Bill Haslam's State of the State address on Monday night. After a full year in offiHaslam is ready for some far-reaching programs and ideas. His speech was loaded with them. Even in le

times, he wants a 2.5 percent raise for state employees. That's nice, but many people in the private sector habeen dealing with recession with no raises for three or more years, as w ell as the prospect their own jobs mibe eliminated. Why should state employees be rewarded in difficult times? Even so, Haslam is proposing sojob cuts to mitigate his requested raises. He wants to eliminate nearly 1,200 state jobs, with about half of thobeing currently filled positions. "Is the current state of our state good enough? I think the answer is no," he sa"I think we can believe in better." The governor's plan relies on more revenue to avoid more drastic cuts. Thaalways a risky thing to do with a budget, but there is some reason to feel optimistic. The economy looks to rebounding and state revenues are moving up. Haslam is banking on an improved economy to generate enoumoney to prevent more job cuts. Let's hope he is right.http://themountainpress.com/view/full_story_free/17352366/article--EDITORIAL-The-right-message--G overnorobjectives-would-put-state-on-proper-track-?instance=main_article_opinion

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Free-Press Editorial: Gov. Haslam lays out slimmed-down Tennessee budg

(TFP)Many public officials find it easy to propose more spending and higher taxes. But Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslshould be commended for proposing in his State of the State speech to legislators on Tuesday an actreduction in the state's budget. Haslam has proposed $30.08 billion in spending -- a 2.5 percent reduction frthe current budget. Under the proposed budget, the number of positions in state government would dropnearly 1,200, from 45,072 to 43,906. Only a little over half of the positions on the chopping block are currenfilled. Some of the cuts would come from closing the Taft Youth Development Center in Bledsoe Countyhouses serious juvenile offenders. State officials say getting it to current standards would cost almost $40 milliSo instead, the teens there would be transferred to other state facilities under Haslam's plan. State workwould get a 2.5 percent pay raise, but the governor would rightly limit civil service protections that make hirand firing cumbersome and inefficient. Also key to Haslam's plan are tax relief proposals. He wants initiallyreduce the sales tax on food from 5.5 percent to 5.3 percent, and to cut it over a three-year period to 5 perceHe also wants to raise the exemption on the death tax on inheritances, from $1 million to $1.25 million, thenraise the exemption to $5 m illion over time. That is vital for Tennessee's economy.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/01/gov-haslams-budget-plans/?opinionfreepress

Editorial: Gov. Bill Haslam's budget is prudent, given slow recovery (New

Sentinel)Gov. Bill Haslam didn't spring any surprises Monday when he announced his proposed budget for the comyear. The total amount of spending will be roughly the same as this year $31 billion. Haslam's theme for State of the State address was "Believe in better." Given the numbers in his budget proposal, he perhaps cohave added, "But make do with the same for now." That shouldn't be taken as a criticism of the budget. With slow pace of the economic recovery and persistently high unem ployment, Haslam is prudent to maintain currspending levels rather than launch expensive new initiatives. The governor does shift money around in second budget. State employee will get 2.5 percent raises, and some positions could receive more after a salstudy is completed. More than 1,100 jobs will be eliminated, however, with 308 being cut as a result of tplanned closure of Lakeshore Mental Health Institute in Knoxville. H aslam also wants to dismantle the cservice system and end the arcane practices of "bumping" and registry hiring, which sensibly would m ake mthe prime consideration in the hiring, pay and retention of employees.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/01/editorial-gov-bill-haslams-budget-is- prudent/

Greg Johnson: Good news, bad news for state's teachers' unions (News-SentineWhile Penny Sutton was understandably exuberant last week over gains made by her organization, ProfessioEducators of Tennessee, another Sevier County teacher has every r ight to be downcast this week. GeSummerford, president of the Tennessee Education Association and Gatlinburg teacher, was a bit agitatedthe education plans Gov. Bill Haslam unfolded in his State of the State address Monday. "TEA is encouragedthe governor's commitment to education funding and a proposed salary increase, but we still have conceabout his education agenda," Summerford said in a news release. "The delay in making changes to tevaluation system and his proposal to change class size mandates do not support our shared goal of improvstudent achievement." Summerford asked for immediate relief from the new state-mandated evaluation procemany teachers view as onerous. Haslam promised to "evaluate the evaluation system" but drew a rhetorical in the sand. "If we're willing to evaluate 10-year-olds, which we've been doing since we started sending ho

report cards, there's not one good reason that adults shouldn't be evaluated, too," Haslam said. "And there's good reason to wait."http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/01/greg-johnson-good-news-bad-news-for-states/

Editorial: Tracy bill on voter ID will help (Daily News Journal)When the state Legislature passed a law in 2011 requiring Tennesseans to show a photo ID in order to volegislators failed to take into consider the ramifications it could have on older voters. In fact, some didnt realthat Tennesseans 60 and older arent even required to have a photo on their drivers license. For some oreason, when Tennessee changed its drivers licenses in the early 1980s from paper to plastic and starputting photos on them, it gave people 60 and above the option not to have a photo. A non-photo was a couof dollars cheaper, and with the advent of mail-in license applications, many seniors just sent in a check areceived a new license without a photo. The result, in the wake of the new voter photo ID law, is that so

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126,000 senior who are registered voters didnt have a Tennessee license acceptable for voter ID purposestotal of 230,000 Tennesseans held a non-photo license, for varying reasons. State Sen. Jim Tracy is hoping toat least a part of this problem by sponsoring a bill requiring those over 60 to have photos on their drivelicenses when they renew or receive a new license. If approved, it would take effect July 1. While we wish state Legislature had tried to solve this problem before it enacted the voter photo ID law, Tracys bill will heseniors by making sure they have a primary form of identification.http://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/OPINION/301310024/EDITORIAL-Tracy-bill-voter-ID-will-help?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Guest columnist: Local GOP off base on zoning (Daily News Journal)Is there something wrong with growing in a manner that allows us, as a county, to prosper by improving oeconomic strength while still preserving the community character and rural landscapes that make MidTennessee so unique? I find the local Republican Party and the Rutherford County Concerned Citizens Property Rights conclusion that the Comprehensive Plan and proposed Zoning Map and Ordinance to be unwarranted and not needed, as it infringes upon a property owners right to sell and profit from the developmof their property rather shortsighted. For starters, none of these documents removes anyones right to conthe use of their property, to benefit from its use, to transfer or sell it or to bar others from their property. Thoare the traditional principles of property rights. Property rights do NOT include unreasonably interfering wanothers private property rights. Property rights also do not require that planners and the rest of the communguarantee that a seller get the highest price when they, sometime in the unknown future, might want to trans

their property to another. There is a hundred and fifty year history of court decisions in this country that harecognized that sensible land use legislation enhances rather than diminishes property rights.http://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/OPINION/301310023/GUEST-COLUMN-Local-GOP-off-base-zoning?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Gail Kerr: The message is out: Business is good in Nashville (Tennessean)Nashville is blessed with an economy diverse enough to keep things going even during the recent recession. TNashville Area Chamber of Commerce wants to get across the message that while not recession-proof, the 1county area of Middle Tennessee was slow to get in one and quicker to get out of it than most places. Today, chamber launches a $130,000 campaign with a feel-good message that youll see on bil lboards andadvertising: Business is Good. The point is to advocate for prosperity at all levels: job and workplarecruitment, support of small and large businesses, and weighing in on public policy decisions. One of the thinwere so lucky with here is the diversity of our economy and our steady growth, said Bert Mathews, presidenthe Mathews Co. and current chamber chairman. Ralph Schulz, president and CEO of the chamber, said theart of the new marketing push is simple: This is a vital place where people should invest. People who lhere dont necessarily notice the obvious: Nashville and its surrounding counties have a deep creativity, loveplace and history, and dedication to change for the good. When Avenue Bank CEO Ron Sam uels, past chairmof the chamber, has visitors come here, they are astonished, he said.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/COLUMNIST0101/302010094/Gail-Kerr-message-out-Business-good-Nashville?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

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http://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/OPINION/301310024/EDITORIAL-Tracy-bill-voter-ID-will-help?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/OPINION/301310024/EDITORIAL-Tracy-bill-voter-ID-will-help?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/OPINION/301310023/GUEST-COLUMN-Local-GOP-off-base-zoning?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/OPINION/301310023/GUEST-COLUMN-Local-GOP-off-base-zoning?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/COLUMNIST0101/302010094/Gail-Kerr-message-out-Business-good-Nashville?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/COLUMNIST0101/302010094/Gail-Kerr-message-out-Business-good-Nashville?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/OPINION/301310024/EDITORIAL-Tracy-bill-voter-ID-will-help?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/OPINION/301310024/EDITORIAL-Tracy-bill-voter-ID-will-help?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/OPINION/301310023/GUEST-COLUMN-Local-GOP-off-base-zoning?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120201/OPINION/301310023/GUEST-COLUMN-Local-GOP-off-base-zoning?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/COLUMNIST0101/302010094/Gail-Kerr-message-out-Business-good-Nashville?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120201/COLUMNIST0101/302010094/Gail-Kerr-message-out-Business-good-Nashville?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews

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