WEDNESDAY,AUGUST21, 2013 Governortoursplantin Camden(JacksonSun)

A year ago, the Jones Plastics and Engineering plant in Camden received an economic development grant from the state to add more machines and, most importantly, more jobs. While on a tour of businesses across the state, Gov. Bill Haslam stopped at the facility Tuesday to see how the money was used. On a tour of the plant, he looked at the new machines and heard news that the facility had hired more employees. Afterward, Haslam gave Ryan Jones, a third-generation owner of the plant, one of the best compliments Jones said he could have received from the governor. Thank you, Haslam said as he shook Jones hand. Thank you for doing what you said you would. Haslam said the purpose of his visit to the facility and his tour in general was to get out and visit as many businesses as possible, of all types and sizes around the state, and get a sense of whats working, particularly in places where the state has gone into partnership with companies. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130821/NEWS/308210015/Governor-tours-plant-Camden (SUBSCRIPTION)

Governorvisits small areacompanyto gaugeeconomy,stateinvestment(L-C)

Gov. Bill Haslam visited Glastonbury Southern Gage Co. Tuesday afternoon in his continuing effort to monitor the states economy. As governor, I want to get out and visit businesses of all sizes and types across the state to try to keep a feel for the economy, and see whos hiring and why, he told a group of local elected officials and company representatives. I especially wanted to go to places where the state has made an investment, to maybe see whats working and whats not working. Southern Gage makes precision threaded rings, cylindrical rings and plugs and a variety of gage pieces for various businesses worldwide, such as the automotive, aeronautical and petroleum industries. It moved into a building in the Stewart Houston Industrial Park in 1999 and now has about 100 employees. The company was formerly located in downtown Erin and was struggling with the space limitations of its building. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20130820/NEWS01/308200040/Governor-visits-small-areacompany-gauge-economy-state-investment (SUBSCRIPTION)

Haslam,HuffmanAnnounce2012-2013RewardSchools(TN Report)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman announced 169 schools as the 2012-13 Reward Schools, the top 5 percent of schools in the state for annual growth and the top 5 percent for academic achievement. The Reward Schools span 52 districts across the state and include 70 schools that serve mostly economically disadvantaged populations. Tennessee continues to set the standard in education reform as we maintain our focus on high levels of achievement and continuous growth, Haslam said at an event held at Percy Priest Elementary, recognized for its overall academic achievement. Our Reward Schools have proven that all students can learn and grow even though their starting lines may be different, a critical part of our effort to prepare our students for the jobs available in the marketplace now and in the future. We are incredibly grateful for the teachers and staff at each of these schools and excited to recognize their efforts on behalf of Tennessee students. http://tnreport.com/2013/08/20/haslam-huffman-announce-2012-2013-reward-schools/

SevenNortheastTennesseeschoolsnamedamongthe best in Tennessee(T-N)

Seven Northeast Tennessee schools, including one in Hawkins County, have been named among the best in Tennessee. Gov. Bill Haslam and Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman Monday announced 169 schools as the 2012-13 Reward Schools, the top 5 percent of schools in the state for annual growth or progress and/or the top 5 percent for academic achievement or performance. Mount Carmel Elementary in Hawkins County and Holston View Elementary in Bristol won for progress, Fairmont and Lake Ridge elementaries in Johnson City for performance, Towne Acres elementary in Johnson City for progress and performance, University School in Washington County for performance and South Greene High School for progress, according to a release from the DOE.http://www.timesnews.net/article/9066405/seven-northeast-tennessee-schools-named-among-the-best-in-

tennessee

TN First LadyHostsFamilyReadingEventat Cedarsof Lebanon(TN Report)

First Lady Crissy Haslam hosted a Read20 Family Book Club event today at Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Lebanon to promote the importance of daily reading. Approximately 90 3rd graders from Southside Elementary School in Lebanon joined Mrs. Haslam by campfire to read the August Book of the Month, Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems by Kristine OConnell George. After the reading event, students visited the parks Nature Center and hiking trails to learn more about Tennessee wildlife and forestry. There are many ways to enjoy reading, and it is important for children to explore different topics and styles of writing, said Mrs. Haslam. Children can grow love for reading by exploring topics that interest them, and sometimes they just need to find the right book! http://tnreport.com/2013/08/20/tn-first-lady-hosts-family-reading-event-at-cedars-of-lebanon/

Tennesseecollegereadinessshort of US marks(AssociatedPress)
This year's Tennessee high school graduates have fallen short of national results for ACT college readiness benchmarks. In English, reading, mathematics and science combined, 18 percent of Tennessee's Class of 2013 achieved college readiness, compared with 26 percent nationally. The results were released Wednesday in the ACT's yearly report, "The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2013." The broadest difference was in math, where 29 percent of Tennessee graduates met college readiness marks, compared with 44 percent throughout the U.S. In science, statewide 27 percent met the mark, while 36 percent were on target nationally. In English, the difference was 58 percent of Tennessee's graduates compared with 64 percent nationwide. For reading, 36 percent of Tennessee students met the benchmarks, compared with 44 percent in the U.S. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/21/tennessee-college-readiness-short-of-us-marks/

Statemovingat snailspacein findingDowntownspace(MemphisBiz Journal)

The state of Tennessee has again punted on deciding where to put 100,000 square feet of office space in Downtown Memphis. Earlier this summer, the state pushed back a decision on where to put 480 Donnelley J. Hill State Office Building workers until Aug. 23. The executive subcommittee of the State Building Commission was supposed to give notice of intent to award on that date, but now has suspended the decision indefinitely. The Tennessee Department of General Services and Jones Lang LaSalle have been looking for two offices spaces, either together or separate, to handle the workers. The group announced the finalists in July. The date for the subcommittees discussion of the leases was changed via addendum on Aug. 16 to a date yet to be announced. However, the states time line shows the lease should begin March 18, 2014. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2013/08/20/state-moving-at-snails-pace-in.html

Cryingmomwith 4 kids standsout to DCSchief makinghomevisits (TN/Wadhwani)

The 25-year-old mother, morbidly obese, answered the knock on her screen door wearing only a black sports bra and ripped underwear. Oh, you forgot to put on your clothes, the DCS caseworker said in a friendly voice. Her boss, Department of Childrens Services Commissioner Jim Henry, stood silently to one side, dressed in khakis and short sleeves instead of his usual suit and tie for his first in-person child abuse investigation. Were here from DCS, maam. Can you get dressed and let us in? Inside the living room, the floor tile was streaked with purple juice. In the kitchen beyond, pots on the stove were crusted with old food. A 2-year-old girl appeared with the hem of her T-shirt under her chin, exposing a large hernia a cone of flesh extending from her belly that her 3-year-old brother kept twisting until she said ow. The girl made her way over to the commissioner and climbed up into his lap, both of them watching for nearly an hour while the caseworker spoke to the childrens mother. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130821/NEWS0201/308210077/Crying-mom-4-kids-stands-out-DCS-chiefmaking-home-visits (SUBSCRIPTION)

UTCeyes600-bedstudentdorm(ChattanoogaTimesFree-Press/Pare)
With a couple hundred UTC students living at the Chattanooga Choo Choo because of a shortage of campus housing, university officials are eyeing construction of a 600-bed dormitory on the site of the nearby Chattanooga State Office Building. "We think we could fill 600 beds right now," said UTC Chancellor Dr. Steve Angle, adding he'd like to see the new dorms up and running for fall 2016. Angle also said the seven-story office building on McCallie Avenue -- most of which was built by Interstate Life and Accident Insurance Co. in 1951 -- would have to be demolished. He said the structure is "quite old and a sick building, and it's not economical to be retained. That would have to come down." Not so fast, says the head of the Chattanooga historic preservation group Cornerstones. "I think the building would be an asset to use," said Ann Gray, who heads the group. "It's a building 2

that makes a statement." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/21/early-plan-calls-for-demolition-of-state/

SmyrnaAirportreceivesnearly$1 milliongrant(Daily NewsJournal)

Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport has received a $978,255 grant from the state Department of Transportation, state officials announced Tuesday. A local match of $51,487 will bring the total for airport work to $1,029,472, officials said. I am very pleased that this grant has been awarded, said Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, in a release. It will be used for paving, marking and lighting taxi lanes for the new aviation development area. I also congratulate our local officials who were instrumental in helping to secure these funds. The grant resulted from a recommendation from the Department of Transportations Division of Aeronautics. Except for routine expenditures, grant applications are reviewed by the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission, which is a five-member board charged with policy planning and with regulating changes in the state Airport System Plan, officials said. http://www.dnj.com/article/20130821/NEWS/308200045/Smyrna-Airport-receives-nearly-1-million-grant (SUB)

I-24 sinkholebringsquickTDOTresponse(Leaf Chronicle)

A sinkhole closed one lane of Eastbound traffic on I-24 near Exit 8/Rossview Road on Interstate 24 Tuesday morning, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. TDOT on-scene spokesman Amy Fiscor noted that it was fortunate for motorists that the sinkhole appeared on the edge of the roadway, allowing repair crews to keep one Eastbound lane open as they excavated the site to determine the extent of the problem. Through most of the day, eastbound traffic was moving well despite the lane closure. Westbound traffic was not affected by the incident. Deanna Lambert, a spokeswoman for TDOT, said the sinkhole was reported by a passing motorist at around 6 a.m. Tuesday. Initially, the hole was just a little sunk in, she said, but then we had to go in there with our machinery to dig around it to actually find the cause. TDOT finally cleared the incident at around 6:15 p.m. Lambert explained that the increase in sinkhole problems in the mid-state region of late has been caused by unusually heavy and frequent rains. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/viewart/20130820/NEWS01/308200016/I24-sinkhole-brings-quick-TDOT-response (SUBSCRIPTION)

SinkholeRepairedAlongI-24 In Clarksville(WTVFTV Nashville)

Crews repaired a sinkhole along the side of Interstate 24 in Clarksville Tuesday after a portion of the roadway had to be shutdown. The sinkhole was reported around 6 a.m. in the eastbound lanes near the Rossview Road exit. The left lane was blocked while the Tennessee Department of Transportation's geotechnical crews were on scene. They were working to fill the approximately 15 to 20 foot sinkhole with rocks. Repair work was finished around 6 p.m. http://www.newschannel5.com/story/23181653/sinkhole-repaired-along-i-24-in-clarksville

TennesseeDemocraticPartyLosesBig Backer AFL-CIO (WPLNRadioNashville)

The AFL-CIO will no longer be giving money to the Tennessee Democratic Party or its affiliates. Delegates of the states umbrella group for labor unions voted this week to stop contributing to partisan groups and redirect the money to individual candidates, even Republicans. Im not saying that were going to go out there and start throwing support to Republicans, says Tennessee AFL-CIO president Gary Moore. But the message is very clear. Were going to support candidates who support the working men and women of this state and understand what it is to struggle. The AFL-CIO hasnt been particularly happy with Democrats anyway. Several have voted against union positions on issues like workers comp and prevailing wages. But Moore says the shift away from Democrats is also a recognition that the GOP is in control of the Tennessee legislature. Nationally, labor leaders have been trying to build bridges with Republicans on issues such as immigration and energy policy. http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/08/20/tennessee-democratic-party-loses-big-backer-afl-cio/

DemocratscreatePACto encourageSaraKyleof Memphisto run for governor(CA)

Supporters of Democrat Sara Kyle have created a new political action committee to raise money and organize a campaign if the Memphis lawyer and former Tennessee Regulatory Authority director and City Court judge decides to run for governor. Kyle said earlier this month she wants to help the party and said she is considering entering the race to challenge Gov. Bill Haslam next year. The Run Sara Run PAC was incorporated by several Democratic activists, including former Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone, state Democratic Party vice chairman Elisa Parker of Franklin and Chattanooga City Councilman Chris Anderson. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/aug/20/democrats-create-pac-to-encourage-sara-kyle-of/ (SUB)

Tennesseestatelegislatorto run againstU.S. Sen. LamarAlexander(AP)

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U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander's efforts to ward off a primary challenge from the right fell short Tuesday with Tennessee state Rep. Joe Carr's announcement that he will mount a tea party challenge for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. Carr, a Murfreesboro business consultant, told WTN-FM host Ralph Bristol that he decided to abandon his challenge to embattled U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais to instead take on Alexander because he considers the senator "the most liberal member of the delegation from Tennessee." The move leaves state Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, as the only major announced opponent DesJarlais will face in the 4th District GOP primary in 2014. DesJarlais, a Jasper physician, is considered vulnerable because of revelations of past infidelities with patients and having encouraged his wife and a lover to seek abortions. In response to the switch to campaign against Alexander, Carr's top campaign strategists, Chip Saltsman, resigned. "It is because of Lamar Alexander that people like you have the honor of serving in the majority of the state Legislature," Saltsman said in his resignation letter to Carr. Alexander is one of Tennessee's most seasoned politicians. He is a former two-term governor who twice ran for president, served as U.S. secretary of education and as president of the University of Tennessee. He also had $3.1 million in the bank for his re-election effort through the first half of the year. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/21/state-legislator-to-run-against-alexander/?local

ChallengerJoeCarr hopesto find chinkin Alexander'spopularity(TN/Garrison)

Waging an insurgency campaign from the far right, Tennessee Rep. Joe Carr announced Tuesday that hes challenging U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander in next years Republican primary, giving tea party activists at least one candidate to take on Tennessees longest-serving statewide politician. But at this point, he isnt necessarily the tea partys consensus pick, and more candidates could surface. Carr also lost his campaign director from his previous race right out of the gate. Carr, R-Lascassas, has ditched his primary campaign against embattled District 4 Rep. Scott DesJarlais, with plans to transfer money raised for that contest to his new one. The frustration of Tennessee voters, he said, compelled him to target a two-term U.S senator he called the most liberal of Tennessees Republican delegation in Washington. That senators public service in Tennessee goes back more than three decades. Alexander, 73, also enjoys the support of the states Republican establishment and a strong fundraising prowess to go with it. Were taking on a Goliath we know we are, Carr told conservative talk show host Ralph Bristol of radio station 99.7 WTN, announcing his plans the morning after The Tennessean first reported his candidacy. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130821/NEWS02/308210135/Challenger-Joe-Carr-hopes-findchink-Lamar-Alexander-s-popularity (SUBSCRIPTION)

ChallengerTo AlexanderSimultaneouslyShuns,AcceptsTea Party Label(WPLN)

Republican Joe Carr says he welcomes Tea Party support for his primary challenge to Senator Lamar Alexander. But the State Representative from Rutherford County says he doesnt want to be pigeonholed as the Tea Party candidate. At a press conference in Murfreesboro on Tuesday, Carr highlighted what he saw as the differences between himself and Alexander. Carr says the Senators stances on issues like immigration, repealing Obamacare, and gun rights arent conservative enough. Its a claim echoed by Tea Party groups in Tennessee. But Carr stopped short of calling himself the Tea Partys man in the Senate race. Im a supporter of the Tea Party movement and its ideals, but this candidacy is much bigger than just being a Tea Party candidate, he said. I covet their support and their help, but we expect to have a broad coalition. Other candidates could challenge Alexander in the Republican primary Several Tea Party groups will host vetting sessions for these candidates, starting later this month. Carr says hell take part. http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/08/20/challenger-to-lamar-alexander-simultaneously-shuns-accepts-teaparty-label/

StateRep. Carr to challengeU.S. Sen. Alexanderin GOPprimary(NS/Humphrey)

State Rep. Joe Carr announced Tuesday he will challenge U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander in the 2014 Republican primary, switching from previous plans to challenge U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais for Tennessees 4th Congressional District. Carr said he was responding to hundreds and hundreds of Tennesseans and some national conservative groups who had urged him to oppose Alexander, the most liberal member of the Washington delegation from Tennessee. Carr said he had raised well over $300,000 for his congressional campaign that will be shifted to his new Senate campaign. Alexander had $3 million cash on hand in his campaign account at last report. This is a David versus Goliath matchup, said Carr, 55, who is serving his third term as a state representative while working as a business consultant on energy efficiency and operating a farm with his wife, Ginny, in Rutherford County. Underdogs do win. Carr said he is a tea party supporter and plans to attend an Aug. 31 audition of candidates by tea party groups talking of uniting behind a single opponent to Alexander in the Republican primary. At the same time, however, Carr insisted he expects to build a broader coalition with a 4

conservative, principled message that goes beyond the tea party. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/20/state-rep-carr-to-challenge-us-sen-alexander-in/

Carr entersGOPprimaryagainstTennesseeSen. Alexander(C. Appeal/Locker)

A state representative from Murfreesboro, Joe Carr, emerged Tuesday as the first Republican primary challenger for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexanders re-election bid next year. Carr announced on conservative Nashville radio talk show host Ralph Bristols program that he is abandoning his challenge against embattled Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais of Tennessees 4th Congressional District and switching to a U.S. Senate race against Alexander, R-Tenn. Immediately after that announcement, former Tennessee Republican Party chairman Chip Saltsman resigned as Carrs campaign manager, saying he supports Alexander and citing Alexanders work on behalf of the GOP. I signed up to help you run for Congress, not the Senate, Saltsman told Carr in a sternly worded letter that Saltsman publicly released. It is because of Lamar Alexander that people like you have the honor of serving in the majority of the state legislature, Saltsman wrote. Carr, 55, a business consultant, was first elected to the state House in 2008 to an open seat from Rutherford County. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/aug/20/tennessee-legislator-challenge-us-sen-alexander/ (SUB)

Carr challengesAlexander(DailyNewsJournal)
State Rep. Joe Carr Tuesday compared himself to the biblical David battling the giant Goliath in announcing he will run against U.S. Lamar Alexander in the Republic primary. This is a David-and-Goliath match-up, said Carr, noting that he faces a giant of a fellow Republican and former Tennessee governor with a well-oiled political machine that stretches throughout the state. Alexander has a lot of money. Carr said during his press conference in Murfreesboro that he decided to run for the Senate and pull out of the race for the U.S. House of Representatives 4th Congressional District because many people were calling and emailing him to urge him to run against Alexander. Carr said hell take the more than $300,000 he raised to run for Congress and use it in a race for the Senate, especially given Alexanders support for an amnesty bill for illegal immigrants. The state representative touts his own record of passing legislation that deals with illegal immigrants in a better way than Alexander supported. http://www.dnj.com/article/20130821/NEWS05/308190068/Carr-challenges-Alexander (SUBSCRIPTION)

Corkerdrawslink betweenforeign,domesticissues(NewsSentinel/Flory)
Bob Corker is rapidly raising his profile when it comes to international relations, and on Tuesday the Republican U.S. Senator from Chattanooga drew a connection between events in far-flung locales and U.S. domestic concerns. Corker was the featured speaker at a lunchtime gathering of local financial services professionals, held at the Foundry near Worlds Fair Park. The senator, who is the senior Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, recently returned from a trip to Turkey, Iraq and Jordan, where he met with officials including Jordans King Abdullah II and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki. The latest flashpoint in the Middle East is Egypt, whose president was recently ousted. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Corker predicted that the U.S. will continue to have an aid relationship with Egypt, but said the crisis is an opportunity for us to re-evaluate that and do it in a little different way. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/20/corker-draws-link-between-foreign-domestic/

ShelbyCountygetsHeadStart grant (AssociatedPress)

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen says Shelby County has been awarded a $3.6 million federal grant to support projects that get children ready to start school. In a Tuesday news release, Cohen says the grant from the Department of Health and Human Services will support Head Start projects that promote school readiness of children from birth until the age of 5 by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development. The grant completes the current year's funding for a total of more than $23 million. Head Start is a federal program that provides health, nutrition, social services and other services to needy children and their families. Shelby County Head Start provides these services to more than 3,000 children. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/21/shelby-county-gets-head-start-grant/

SteveCohentoutsfederalHeadStart grant(MemphisBusinessJournal)
Shelby County has been awarded a $3.6 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to enhance the Shelby County Head Start program. It is estimated Shelby County Head Start provides services to more than 3,000 children in Memphis and Shelby County, including education and cognitive development services. According to a statement, the program has received more than $23.2 million in federal funding this year. Todays funding is an investment in our children, an investment in our families, and an investment in our future, Steve Cohen, District 9 Congressman, said in a statement. Because of this important 5

funding, children from low-income families throughout Shelby County will be healthier and better prepared to learn when they enter school. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2013/08/20/steve-cohen-touts-federal-head-start.html

ReelectionJust Got A Lot TougherFor CongressmanDesJarlais(WPLNRadio)

With State Rep. Joe Carr out of the 4th District congressional race, Republican strategists say the days of embattled incumbent Scott DesJarlais may be numbered. The second-term congressman was trailing both Carr and state Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville in the money race. Tracy is well out in front with more than $650,000 on hand. DesJarlais has less than $90,000. Some political watchers felt his best chance for holding onto the seat was if the vote splintered between the primary challengers. Now, its a clear, head-to-head matchup, assuming no one else enters the race. I just dont even see any path to victory now for Scott DesJarlais at this point, says Gregory Gleaves, former executive director of the Tennessee Republican Party. DesJarlais has been trying to sidestep personal failings related to a decade-old affair. In a statement, he says he plans on running on his record in Congress, no matter who hes running against. Tracys statement takes a jab at the incumbent. He says the people of the 4th District which spans from Murfreesboro to the suburbs of Chattanooga are hard-working, honest conservative folks. He suggests DesJarlais does not share those qualities. http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/08/20/reelection-just-got-a-lot-tougher-for-desjarlais/

Girl vowsto renewconversationwith DesJarlais(NewsSentinel/Collins)

For the record, 11-year-old Josie Molina says the decision to ask U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais how her undocumented father could stay in the United States was hers and no one elses. I felt like I had something to say, so I did, she said. But the young girls videotaped exchange with DesJarlais, who responded that immigration laws need to be followed, left her feeling mad and sad, opened up the congressman to charges of insensitivity and caused his office to issue a statement elaborating on his position. I felt like I owed Ms. Molina an honest answer to her question, DesJarlais, a Jasper Republican, said in the statement released Tuesday. Josie said shes still not satisfied with DesJarlais response and that he hasnt heard the last from her. Im going to talk to DesJarlais, she said. Im going to ask him the same question. The exchange between the congressman and the 11-year-old from Nashville happened last week at a town hall meeting in Murfreesboro and centered on Josies father, Milton Molina, an immigrant from El Salvador who is facing deportation. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/21/girl-vows-to-renew-conversation-with-desjarlais/

Healthlaw drawstwo opposingralliesnearMarshaBlackburn'soffice(Tenn/Page)

Nearly 50 local supporters of the Affordable Health Care Act faced about 40 opponents of the law on Tuesday in front of Republican Congressman Marsha Blackburns office after a nonprofit called Organizing for Action called for a rally to Get Out the Facts about Obamacare. We have a law that has been passed and signed by the president and approved by the Supreme Court; it is already benefiting millions of people today and will help many more in the future, said Charles Hilton, a volunteer organizer with the nonprofit. What we are saying today to the Congress is you need to move on because there are other more important issues to deal with. Blackburn has been part of an effort in the House of Representatives to defund or repeal the health-care law. Blackburn eventually emerged from the historic courthouse where she has an office and gave a brief statement while standing between the two groups. We all share the same goal of increasing access to healthcare, but we have a very different philosophy of how to achieve that goal, Blackburn said. They would prefer a government-centered approach. I prefer an approach that puts the patient at the center and allows them to make the choices that are best for them and their family. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130821/NEWS01/308210139/Health-law-draws-two-opposing-rallies-nearMarsha-Blackburn-s-office (SUBSCRIPTION)

FedsrejectKnoxapplicationto immigrationenforcementprogram(N-S/Hickman)
Local immigrant rights advocates declared victory on word this week that the application by the Knox County Sheriffs Office to the controversial 287(g) immigration enforcement program has been rejected by federal officials. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Executive Associate Director Thomas D. Homan attributes the decision to budgetary constraints in a letter to Knox County Sheriff Jimmy J.J. Jones. Due to resource concerns, including the impacts of sequestration, ICE is limiting 287(g) participation to those law enforcement agencies with existing (memorandums of agreement,) reads the letter, obtained by News Sentinel. ICE spokesman Bryan Cox, who confirmed the authenticity of the undated letter Tuesday, emphasized that rather than singling out the Knox County Sheriffs Office, the agency has chosen to not expand the program to any new applicants for the time 6

being. The program, which trains and authorizes local police to enforce federal immigration laws, currently includes partnerships with 36 state and local agencies among 19 states. As of Tuesday afternoon, however, Jones said he had yet to receive ICEs letter and declined to comment. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/20/feds-reject-knox-sheriffs-application-287g-immigra/

StatesBracefor NewRoundof SequesterCuts(Stateline)

States have been forced to gear up for a potential second round of across-the-board federal spending cuts after Congress left for its summer recess without a budget deal. Another round of sequestration would reduce federal spending on everything from Meals on Wheels to Head Start, leaving states with approximately $4.2 billion less in federal dollars for the 2014 fiscal year starting Oct.1, according to Federal Funds Information for States. FFIS is a Washington group that helps states manage their federal money. On average, the federal budget accounts for about 30 percent of state revenues, making it the largest single source of money for many states. About 90 percent of the federal dollars come in the form of grants. About three-quarters of that money would be subject to sequestration, according to an FFIS report. Preliminary estimates by FFIS are that if Congress fails to pass appropriations bills and the government is run on the same budget levels as the year before, states will face about $4.2 billion in federal funding cuts. http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/states-brace-for-new-round-of-sequester-cuts-85899499021

EmployerHealthCoveragePremiumsRiseSlowlyAgainThis Year(Wall St. Journal)

Premiums for employer health coverage rose relatively slowly again this year, but the 4% increase in the cost of a family plan was still enough to push it above the $16,000 mark for the first time, according to a major survey. The increase, to an annual total of $16,351 from $15,745 in 2012, represented the same rate of growth as last year, which likely reflects employees' continued tendency to limit their use of medical care, said Gary Claxton, vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation. The nonprofit performed the annual poll of employers along with the Health Research & Educational Trust, a nonprofit affiliated with the American Hospital Association. Though the survey had shown a sharper jump in 2011, the general trend in recent years has been similar to 2013, with the annual increase for family plans amounting to 3% in 2010 and 5% in each of the three previous years. Early in the previous decade, the survey showed double-digit increases. "We got used to seeing pretty big rates of growth for some years there, and not recently," said Mr. Claxton. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323423804579024583989010644.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

TVAto holdpublicboardmeetingin Knoxville(AssociatedPress)

The Tennessee Valley Authority is holding a public board meeting in Knoxville on Wednesday. Topics that will be discussed include the 2014 fiscal year financial plan and budget. The meeting takes place in the TVA West Tower Auditorium at 400 West Summit Hill Drive. A public comment session begins at 8:30 a.m. Anyone wishing to speak must register either online or at the meeting site beginning 15 minutes before the session. More information and the full agenda are available on the TVA website or by calling (865) 632-6000. TVA is the nation's largest public utility, serving 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/21/tva-to-hold-public-board-meeting-in-knoxville/

Xeroxlooksto hire 110 (NashvillePost)

Xerox plans to hire 110 people for its Nashville customer care center in the coming two months. The hirings are the global company's third such move during the past 18 months. The openings Xerox needs to fill are full-time customer care specialists for a specific project that is expected to last for up to six months. Xerox is looking for high school graduates with at least one year of customer service experience. Xerox, which is hosting a job fair Thursday at 545 Marriott Drive, employs about 900 people near Nashville International Airport. In 2012, it announced expansions of 60 and 100 jobs. http://nashvillepost.com/news/2013/8/20/xerox_looks_to_hire_110

Report:GunmakerRemingtonscoutssites in MiddleTennessee(N. Biz Journal)

Gun maker Remington Arms Co. is reportedly looking at sites in Middle Tennessee for a manufacturing plant, The Tennessean reports. Remingtons gun factory in Ilion, N.Y., where the company was founded, has been under fire since the elementary school shootings in December in Newtown, Conn Earlier this year, the state of New York banned the sale of semiautomatic rifles, many of the types made at the Remington plant. The company has looked at sites near Nashvilles airport, Lebanon and Clarksville, according to The Tennessean, which cited people 7

familiar with Remingtons exploration of sites. Company officials didnt return calls. The NBJs sister publication in upstate New York, the Albany Business Review, profiled the town of Ilion after the shooting and the impact the 1,200-employee Remington factory has on the its economy. The plant manufacturers several types of semiautomatic weapons, including the Bushmaster rifle, the brand of assault weapon used in the December killings. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/morning_call/2013/08/gun-maker-remington-scouts-nashville.html

Hutcheson,Erlangercut ties (ChattanoogaTimesFree-Press/Omarzu)

Hutcheson Medical Center plans to part ways with Chattanooga-based Erlanger Health System. "We're breaking up, but we're still going to be friends," said Chad Young, attorney for Catoosa County, Ga. A management team from Erlanger led by CEO Roger Forgey has run the Fort Oglethorpe hospital under an April 2011 agreement. But officials from Hutcheson's board of directors met for about four hours in closed session Monday night and then announced Tuesday afternoon that the two hospital systems were negotiating to end their partnership -- though Erlanger officials said they were only made aware of the board's latest decision after a news release went out. "The management agreement has not met the expectations of Hutcheson's Board of Directors or the leaders of Walker, Dade and Catoosa counties," Hutcheson Medical Center's board Chairman Corky Jewell said in the news release. "A continuation of the agreement would not add value to the hospital." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/21/hutcheson-erlanger-cut-ties/?local

Pilot FlyingJ plaintiff called'shell company'(Tennessean/Roche)

Corporation isn't a trucking company or a Pilot client, filings say The man who formed the corporation now seeking to settle multiple suits against Pilot Flying J heads a trucking association of which Pilot is a member and major contributor. Lane Kidd, an Arkansas resident, filed incorporation papers for National Trucking Financial Reclamation Services LLC on April 22, just days after the FBI conducted a widely publicized raid on Pilots Knoxville headquarters. Two days later, National Trucking filed the class-action suit leading to the proposed settlement. That led other trucking companies to argue in court filings that Kidds firm was a shell company, hastily conjured in Arkansas for resolving the civil cases against Pilot, which has been accused by federal authorities of cheating trucking companies out of promised rebates. Kidd also is the head of the Arkansas Trucking Association, which counts Pilot as a major contributor and a member. In fact, the two corporations share the same office suite in Little Rock, according to corporate and tax records. The relationship between Kidd and Pilot comes to light as lawyers for some trucking companies question the so-called global settlement, defined as one that would settle all civil claims against the company. In one filing this week in Knoxville, Drew McElroy, the attorney for Atlantic Coast Carriers and three other trucking firms, charged that National Trucking was a shell corporation that shouldnt qualify to be part of the class action. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130820/NEWS21/308200095/Pilot-Flying-J-plaintiff-called-shell-company(SUBSCRIPTION)

Metroapprovesnewcharterschoolin East Nashville(Tennessean/Fingeroot)

Vote comes amid concerns over financial impact After hearing a passionate plea against sacrificing Nashvilles poorest children to budget woes, the Metro school board Tuesday approved a charter school for the east side of town. Three board members argued against the approval of another charter school for Nashville only because of the financial implications more charter schools could have on the districts budget next year. But the board voted 53 to approve the Explore Community School after an impassioned plea from member Elissa Kim. How can we not bring this opportunity to my kids in East Nashville? Kim asked. To me, its about justice. The new charter school, serving grades K-8, will be the second one operated by the Martha OBryan Center, a community organization dedicated to helping poor families. Its first school East End Preparatory, which serves grades K-5 has been very successful with some of the citys poorest children, Kim said. East End kindergarten students perform better in math than 96 percent of the kindergartners in the nation, Kim said, and in reading, they outperform 84 percent of their peers nationwide. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130821/NEWS04/308210131/Metro-approves-newcharter-school-East-Nashville?nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

After Tragedy,SchoolsTurnto Technology(Wall StreetJournal)

Ever since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut last December, school officials across the country have debated how best to improve safety, including whether to arm teachers. The debate intensified Tuesday when a gunman walked into a DeKalb County, Ga., elementary school, barricaded himself in the front office and fired multiple shots at police before being taken into custody. No one was injured. Many schools are opening their doors this semester with an option less controversial than arming teachers: panic buttons. At least 8

400 schools in a dozen states, from California to Maine, are adding the devices, according to administrators. "It's basically a common-sense approach. Businesses have these buttons all over the place," said Mario Civera, a county council member in Delaware County, Pa., which is installing panic buttons in its 237 schools. Panic buttons are installed under desks, in school front offices or on pendants around administrators' necks. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323455104579015183083985974.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Memphismanarrestedfor violatingstate'sTB laws(CommercialAppeal/Callahan)

A 38-year-old Memphis man has been arrested for violating the states tuberculosis control law, but public health officials are refusing to discuss the matter. Memphis police took Sean Martin into custody a little after 6:30 p.m. Monday, more than a month after the warrant was issued for his arrest. According to a police affidavit, the violation occurred July 17, 33 days before his arrest. According to the affidavit, Martin was taken to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. No bond was set. The affidavit indicates that a supporting document from Dr. Helen Morrow with the Shelby County Health Department has more details on what Martin did. When asked for a copy of the affidavit, Health Department director Yvonne Madlock refused to release it, saying it violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act that regulates personal medical privacy. The document was filed with the court under seal. The state law under which Martin was arrested allows a judge to order the arrest and examination of a person to determine whether or not they are infectious, where there is a showing of reasonable cause on the basis of sound clinical and epidemiological evidence to believe the person has infectious tuberculosis. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/aug/20/memphis-man-arrested-for-violating-states-tb-to/ (SUB)

OPINION Gail Kerr: Joe Carr maynot win Senaterace, but he will makean impact(Tenn)
Realistically, Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander doesnt have much to worry about. Yes, tea party candidate state Rep. Joe Carr, R-Lascassas, jumped in to run against him. But no one except the truly politically naive believes Carr can possibly beat the popular former governor and presidential candidate. Lamar will certainly take him seriously, because hes a serious politician, said John Geer, chairman of Vanderbilt Universitys political science department. But theres also a sigh of relief because its not something that is likely to become a serious threat. This was somebody who was having trouble getting traction in a congressional race with a flawed incumbent. Alexander is not a flawed incumbent. Hes a formidable incumbent. Carrs sudden announcement does have ramifications. First, Carr is not the consensus candidate of the tea party. Which is ironic. Here they are scraping the land for a candidate willing to throw himself on the fire and take on a giant like Alexander, and they dont get a guy they wanted. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130821/COLUMNIST0101/308210074/Gail-Kerr-Joe-Carrmay-not-win-Senate-race-he-will-make-an-impact?nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial:Corkerdeservespraisefor standon mortgageindustry(NewsSentinel)

Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker is tackling mortgage industry reform with a bipartisan pragmatism that should earn him elevated respect on Capitol Hill and in the Volunteer State. The second-term Republican helped craft 9

legislation that would phase out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, replacing the government-sponsored, privately traded corporations with a new government entity that would better protect taxpayers in an economic crisis. Doing nothing, Corker told the News Sentinel Editorial Board on Tuesday, is not an option: Our enemy is inaction. The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, offers a framework to reform the secondary mortgage market. With bipartisan backing and support from the White House, the measure is a sign that Washington is working again, at least on some issues. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee mortgage securities, which are created when individual mortgages are bundled together and sold to investors. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/21/editorial-corker-deserves-praise-for-stand-on/

GregJohnson:ImmigrationdominatesRoe'sSeviertownhall event(NewsSentinel)
There were flare-ups, if not quite fireworks, when U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-Johnson City, held a wide-ranging town hall at Northview Academy in Sevier County on Monday night. Tea party-types occupied the front row, there to encourage Roe to defund Obamacare Roe said it cant be done and a white-clad pro-immigrant crowd sat to the physical right of the tea party. Immigration turned out the big topic. Roe said amnesty didnt work in 1986 and detailed how the House Judiciary Committee has voted to increase STEM visas, allow state and local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, establish an agricultural guest worker program and expand the use of E-Verify. The Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill with a path to citizenship. Question time brought sparks. Roe heard heartfelt stories about immigrant families, immigrant veterans and immigrants who work hard and pay taxes. Immigrants expressed love for America and asked Roe to support comprehensive reform. All that was too much for one attendee. His voice rising and face flushing, a middle-aged man said he had lost his job because of illegal immigration. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/20/greg-johnson-immigration-dominates-roes-sevier/

FrankMunger:Y-12 nukeoperationsdue for scrutiny(NewsSentinel)

Detailed information about the safety of Y-12s nuclear operations could be available for public consumption and discussion at a federal safety board hearing scheduled for Oct. 22 in Knoxville. The two-session, daylong hearing of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center beginning at 8 a.m. A similar hearing was held last fall in Knoxville, but the boards planned agenda was whittled down significantly in advance of the hearing. That apparently was due to sensitivities following the July 28, 2012, security breach at the Oak Ridge nuclear weapons plant. Key officials at Y-12 were still focusing their time and resources on the security response and unable to prepare for testimony on the plants nuclear operations. Some folks may remember that last years field hearing spotlighted problems with the Uranium Processing Facility. At the meeting, the National Nuclear Security Administration confirmed that the early design for the UPF building was not big enough to accommodate all of the necessary processing equipment and space for operations and maintenance. Because of that, the NNSA and its contractor had to redo much of the projects design adding at least $500 million to a price tag that was already estimated at somewhere $4.2 billion and $6.4 billion. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/21/frank-munger-y-12-nuke-operations-due-for/ ###

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