MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011 New teacher evaluation methods force educators to adapt (City Paper/Greenberg)

Change is hard. Thats been the company line from state officials from Gov. Bill Haslam to Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman with regards to new teacher evaluation methods that some say are the root of frustration and low-morale in schools across the state. The one-size-fits-all evaluations require multiple observations from principals (and additional pre-observation and follow-up sessions), judge teachers based on standardized test scores and emphasize lengthy, teach-to-the-test lesson plans. In short, the profession of teaching has changed in Tennessee, and local colleges that offer education majors and teacher licensure tracks are attempting to adapt. Trevecca Nazarene Universitys School of Education is the largest academic program on campus and it graduated 57 teachers who took jobs in Davidson County classrooms in 2010. Esther Swink, the dean of Treveccas School of Education, said the political pressures placed on todays teachers are forcing her department to rethink its entire mission. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/new-teacher-evaluation-methods-force-educators-adapt

State legislators gear up for battle over school voucher programs (TFP/Sher)
Tennessee's House and Senate Republican leaders could be at odds next year over legislation requiring school voucher programs in Hamilton County and Tennessee's three other largest school systems. Republican Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey says he is fired up about new legislation that retools a bill to let children from lower-income families use taxpayer dollars to attend private and religious schools. "Something I am big on is starting at least a pilot project for school choice here in Tennessee," said Ramsey, the Senate speaker, who calls vouchers "educational scholarships." "If you have children trapped in failing schools and their parents don't have the means to allow them to go to an alternative, then we need to start with a small pilot project [in the four largest systems] ... and be able to allow those students to have some choice," Ramsey said Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has said he's still weighing the voucher proposal. Speaking to the Nashville Rotary Club last week, Haslam said he believes vouchers will be "one of the most contentious issues" when state lawmakers come back into session in January. It is "incumbent upon us to at least do our homework and see how would the voucher system affect existing systems," Haslam said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/14/state-legislators-gear-up-for-battle-over/?local

Block grants awarded to Middle, West Tennessee communities (Biz Clarksville)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty recently approved more than $23 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to assist with infrastructure improvements in Tennessee. The pair announced recipients of the grants in West and Middle Tennessee today East Tennessee grant recipients will be announced at a later date. As we work to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs, the proper infrastructure must support existing and future businesses, Haslam said. I am pleased the state of Tennessee is able to partner with our local communities to make these projects a reality. The funds were allocated under a procedure authorized by the Tennessee General Assembly. Community development is essential in growing the economy and creating a business friendly environment, Hagerty said. CDBG grants allow communities to take the steps needed that will ultimately encourage existing businesses to expand and future companies to relocate and invest in Tennessee. http://businessclarksville.com/2011/11/13/block-grants-awarded-to-middle-west-tennessee-communities-35856/

New hotline number created for reporting sex trafficking (Nooga)

The qualities that make Tennessee a desirable location for businessesproximity to large cities and a network of interstate roadsare the same factors that draw the people whose business is human sex trafficking. A recently released report by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation showed that human trafficking and sex

slavery is more common in Tennessee than authorities have believed, TBI director Mark Gwyn. The city's geographical position to Atlanta and the large number of interstates that cross the state are conducive to a traveling business, the study says. "In Tennessee, 85 percent of the (99) counties reported at least one instance of human sex trafficking in the last 24 months," Gwyn said during the launch of a publicity campaign for a new hotline number for victims. "Over 70 percent of those cases were minors." The number of cases reported in Hamilton County were between 26 to 50 cases in that period, according to the study, a fact that surprised Chattanooga Police Chief Bobby Dodd. "The study took us by surprise," Dodd said. "W e're concerned that this is happening here but it's not being reported to us." The Women's Fund of Greater Chattanooga coordinated a coalition of local organizations that provide services for victims to join in getting the word out about the 24-hour, seven-days a week hotline, mandated by the state legislature in 2010 as part of an effort to combat human trafficking. http://www.nooga.com/20684_new-hotline-number-created-for-reporting-sex-trafficking/

TBI survey reveals sex trafficking in Hamilton County (Times Free-Press/Burger)

A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation survey reporting more than 100 cases of human sex trafficking in Hamilton County by an unnamed social service organization may have inflated the number of cases that occurred locally. The TBI survey is a sharp contrast to the number of sex trafficking cases investigated by local law enforcement -zero. "I'm really surprised none of these have been reported through Chattanooga Police Department. I can see how some of them have occurred. I just don't see how hundreds of them could have been reported here and not one person said, 'We may want to call the police as well,'" said Chattanooga Police Chief Bobby Dodd, recalling when he first learned about the survey. However, employees from social service organizations including the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, and Parkridge Valley Hospital each reported cases. Some of those cases involved minors. When asked why local authorities were not contacted, officials at DCS and Parkridge Valley Hospital said they sometimes serve clients who reside out of state or out of the Chattanooga area and that criminal investigations were opened elsewhere. Officials at both organizations said they did not know who participated in the survey within their agencies. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/14/tbi-survey-reveals-sex-trafficking-in-county/?local

Marion Bridge construction project causes traffic problems (TFP/Lewis)

The traffic problems caused by a major bridge construction project at Interstate 24's exit 152 here may have no easy answers. Crews on the Tennessee Department of Transportation project are raising the two spans of the bridge to address clearance issues with tractor-trailers that pass under the interstate on U.S. Highway 72 on their way to South Pittsburg, Tenn., and Alabama. Vice Mayor Rex Pesnell, who owns a business inside the construction zone, said he's concerned a bad situation could become worse during the holiday season. "There's been many times during the peak hours that traffic has become just terrible," he said. "I don't know if this is a liability that we should take on, or if we should just deal with it." Pesnell said he thought having officers in place to regulate traffic during peak hours might help, but Kimball Police Chief Tommy Jordan said the city doesn't have any certified officers to do the job. "Anyone who regulates traffic has to be certified," he said. "I'm not sure that we could [direct traffic] during construction hours, but after hours we could. We'd have to get them certified, though." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/14/traffic-challenge/?local

$1.2M loaned to Bell Buckle (Times-Gazette)

The water and sewer problems which have plagued the Town of Bell Buckle may soon be eased, with help from a pair of low-interest loans awarded by the state's Revolving Fund Loan program. The award was a highlight of Tuesday's meeting of the board of mayor and alderman. The town will receive $1.2 million for projects that include wastewater treatment plant upgrades and collection system rehabilitation, as well as a project that includes the Wartrace road waterline rehabilitation. The projects will be funded with a pair of 20-year loans totaling $1 million with an interest rate of 1.26, with a total of $200,000 in principal forgiveness that will not have to be repaid. "Mayor, I gave you my word back in September of last year that we would fix the water line and sewer problems," said Alderman Jenny Hunt, who chairs the towns water and sewer board. "At this time I can finally say I think we've kept our promise." "I don't think there is anybody better we could have had to marshal these projects in," said Mayor Dennis Webb in commending Hunt's efforts to secure the funding for the town. "It seems like every time you talk to somebody they have rusty water, they are upset about the [water] rates." Through the SRF program, communities, utility districts, and water and wastewater authorities can obtain loans with lower interest rates than most can obtain through private financing. Interest rates for loans can vary from 2

zero percent to market rate based on each community's economic http://www.t-g.com/story/1783847.html index.

Memphis, Jackson liquor-store ordinances might be picked up (C. Appeal/Locker)

City ordinances recently approved by Memphis and Jackson, Tenn., that ban people under age 21 from retail liquor stores without a parent, legal guardian or spouse may become a state law too. The Memphis City Council passed the ordinance in September, and on Tuesday, the Jackson City Council voted unanimously on the first of two required readings to pass its ordinance. If approved next month on the second vote as expected, it would go into effect immediately. State Rep. Jimmy Eldridge, R-Jackson, said he's drafting a similar bill that he will present to the legislature when it reconvenes in January. If approved there, the law would be statewide and the first such state law in the nation, according to Bob Lindsey, owner of Lynnwood Wine and Spirits in Jackson and president of the Jackson Wine and Spirits Retailers Association. "We want to build support for this statewide," he said. Lindsey said all 12 of Jackson's liquor store owners supported the bill there and asked the council to enact it. He said that young people below the legal drinking age often come into liquor stores, pick out what they want to buy and have one or two friends 21 or older actually purchase it. The legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21. www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/nov/14/state-eyes-tougher-liquor-store-law/

Hearing scheduled for Occupy Nashville protesters (Associated Press)

Occupy Wall Street protesters who were arrested and cited last month for trespassing on state Capitol grounds are hoping to get their citations dismissed during a hearing in Nashville. General Sessions Judge Dianne Turner will consider a motion for relief filed by some of the protesters on Monday morning. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam's spokesman said last week prosecutors were asked to drop charges against dozens of Occupy Nashville protesters. Spokesman David Smith said the decision to dismiss the charges against 55 protesters was made in light of a federal judge's ruling that the state couldn't enforce the new curfew on the grounds around the state Capitol. State troopers arrested protesters the nights of Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, but both times a Nashville magistrate refused to jail the protesters. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37935685.story

Many Tennesseans favor more taxes on wealthy (Tennessean/Sisk)

Most say cuts alone won't be enough Large majorities of Tennesseans favor taxing the wealthy especially millionaires a statewide poll conducted by Vanderbilt University has found. More than two-thirds of state residents say they support higher income taxes on millionaires as part of next years budget, and nearly as many say they would support raising taxes on people who make $250,000 a year or more. The idea of raising taxes on millionaires was popular even among families considered upper middle class. With the economy dragging and the nation facing $15 trillion in debt, Tennesseans appear to believe that spending cuts alone will not right the countrys finances. Business and industry prosper whatever the rate is, said Bill Freeman, a Nashville real estate investor and a Democratic activist. Everybody sees the need that we have and the hole we find ourselves in. Democrats this year have proposed higher taxes on households that make more than $250,000 a year and on those that make more than $1 million. Supporters say a fair debt-reduction plan must include higher taxes on the rich as well as cuts to government services. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111114/NEWS02/311140039/Many-Tennesseans-favor-more-taxeswealthy?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Tennesseans remain mostly sour on economy (Tennessean/Sisk)

Tennesseans have not grown more optimistic about the economy this year, even as they say their personal fortunes have improved, according to surveys. The portion of Tennesseans who say they expect to be better off in a years time has remained at about 25 percent since January, and the share who say they will be worse off has dropped by only about 5 percentage points, pollsters at Vanderbilt have found. Tennesseans views have not changed appreciably, even though the portion of people who say they are better off now than they were a year ago has grown to 11 percent from 5 percent in January. The economy is not better and the public understands that, said John Geer, a professor of political science at Vanderbilt and a co-director of the poll. There needs to be some good economic news before these numbers will move. Optimism was greatest among Latinos, with 43 percent saying they expect to be better off in a years time. Latinos also were the most likely to say their economic situation had improved, with 18 percent saying they were better off. African-Americans also were more likely than the general population to express optimism. Thirty-eight percent said they expect to be better off in a 3

years time. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111114/NEWS02/311140038/Tennesseans-remain-mostly-sour-economy? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Feds short of disaster funds to rebuild roads (Stateline)

It has been three months since Tropical Storm Irene washed out roads all across Vermont, but in the town of Roxbury, it is still difficult to get around. Two bridges on the main road through the town of 700 are still out, and are not expected to be repaired until the middle of December. In the meantime, drivers must use back roads to get to the nearby town of Randolph, a mild inconvenience now that could become a major issue as winter settles in. Shawn Neun, chairman of the Roxbury select board, says snow would make using back roads more hazardous, and it would just make it (take) longer. Vermont officials estimate that it will take $175 million to $250 million in total to repair the damage from Irene. That is more than a third of what the state planned to spend on all transportation projects this year. Thanks to a presidential disaster declaration, the federal government will pick up a large share of that tab. But Vermonts money has been slow in coming. That is because 2011 has set a record for the number of declared disasters in a year: Some 39 states are waiting for money to help rebuild their disaster-damaged roads. The requests are stacking http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story? up. contentId=613150

Health care law in Supreme Court sights (Commercial Appeal)

Justices may agree as soon as today to take up Fla. Case After a year and a half of legal skirmishing, President Barack Obama's beleaguered health care law has arrived at the Supreme Court, riding a surprising winning streak and carrying a constitutional stamp of approval from prominent conservative judges. Only three of the 12 appellate judges who have reviewed the law have decided it is unconstitutional to require all Americans to have health insurance. Not a single appeals court judge has said the entire law must be tossed out, the position advocated by Florida and 25 other Republican states leading the legal assault. The Supreme Court is expected to announce as soon as today that it will hear the Florida case, the largest and broadest challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The string of appellate victories might not predict how the Supreme Court will decide the case, but some legal observers believe the recent decisions lay out a road map for preserving the law that may appeal even to some of the Supreme Court's more conservative members. "They show that smart, principled conservatives can decide this is within the broad reach of Congress' power, even if they might think it is bad policy," said Richard Garnett, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame who was a clerk to former Chief Justice William Rehnquist. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/nov/14/health-care-law-in-supreme-court-sights/

Online guide promotes East Tenn. tourism worldwide (News-Sentinel/Simmons)

East Tennessee's best kept travel secrets now are available to a worldwide audience just by clicking a mouse. For the last two years the National Geographic Society and communities and businesses across the Tennessee Valley have been working to develop an online guide that showcases the region's natural, cultural and historic attractions. The new interactive guide titled "Where Rivers and Mountains Meet" goes online Tuesday with a celebration starting at 10 a.m. and hosted by the East Tennessee History Center in Knoxville, one of the sites showcased in the guide. The event is expected to be attended by tourism officials and businesses across the Tennessee Valley that voted online for the 600 sites selected for the guide. Jane Fowler, MapGuide coordinator for the Southeast Watershed Forum, said Tennesseans can continue to go online to nominate their favorite landmarks, events and special places. "This is a living site," Fowler said. "We want it to continue to develop and grow." The new MapGuide can be accessed at www.TennesseeRiverValleyGeotourism.org . http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/nov/14/online-guide-promotes-east-tennessee-tourism/

Chattanoogas 48-hour launch propells busines ideas (Times Free-Press/Smith)

Chattanoogas 48-hour launch propelled moneymaking ideas from concept to creation over the weekend, culminating in two dozen pitches at downtowns Track 29 venue as a crowd of more than 100 tweeted their approval. Dreamers, developers and local investors spent two sleepless nights hammering out the next big thing, borrowing ideas and talent from each other as the sun rose and set. Bullpens of 20-somethings toiled in shifts at the offices of CreateHere on Main Street, the eerie white glow of their laptops providing most of the light in the whiteboard-lined rooms. It wasnt only a race against time, it was a coffee- and beer-fueled rush to beat the team at the next table for a shot at $10,000 in cash and business services. Theres nothing like an idea and beer to 4

energize you, said City Councilman Andra McGary, whose wardrobe evolved from a pressed suit on day one to a white sweatshirt at Sundays final presentation. McGarys concept of an online open-budget app received a helping hand from local programmers, designers and social media experts, who coded his project into existence overnight. In fact, free labor is one of the main draws for the event, where geeks come to play at the characterand resume-building experience. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/14/chattanoogas-48-hour-launch-propells-busines-ideas/?local

Layaway's cost has senator worried (Associated Press/Gormley)

The return of layaway plans this holiday shopping season is raising concern that the break from credit cards might actually cost consumers far more. For example, a rock n roll Elmo doll that requires a $5 layaway fee and a 10 percent down payment for a month can equal a credit card that charged more than 100 percent interest, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said Sunday. Schumer is asking major retail associations to direct their members to more clearly present their layaway fees to customers. The Democrat says the ultimate cost of a layaway with a $5 fee can equal 40 percent interest over a month or two for many common purchases compared to the annual rates of most credit cards. He said if stores dont better present the cost of layaway purchases, he will ask the Federal Trade Commission to determine whether the increasing use of layaway is a deceptive or misleading business practice. Historically, stores started dropping layaway plans in the 1990s in part because of these costs and inconveniences. But its wrong to compare layaway fees to credit cards and the fees are already clear, a major retail association says. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111114/BUSINESS01/311140047/Layaway-s-cost-has-senator-worried? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Alabama: On the Rise in Alabama (New York Times)

Alabamas ruling class has dug in against the storm it caused with the nations most oppressive immigration law. Some of the laws provisions have been blocked in federal court; others wont take effect until next year. But many Alabamans arent waiting for things to get worse or for the uncertain possibility of judicial relief or legislative retreat. They are moving to protect themselves, and summoning the tactics of a civil rights struggle now half a century old. The law was written to deny immigrants without papers the ability to work or travel, to own or rent a home, to enter contracts of any kind. Fear is causing an exodus as Latinos abandon homes and jobs and crops in the fields. Utilities are preparing to shut off water, power and heat to customers who cannot show the right papers. Alabama is far from alone in passing a law whose express aim is misery and panic. States are expanding their power to hasten racial exclusion and family disintegration, to make a particular ethnic group of poor people disappear. The new laws come cloaked in talk of law and order; the bigotry beneath them is never acknowledged. But if there is any place where bigotry does not go unrecognized, it is Alabama. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/opinion/on-the-rise-in-alabama.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

Pennsylvania: Push to Toughen Abuse Law (W all Street Journal)

Penn State Scandal Revives Bill Requiring Calls to Police of Suspected Incidents State lawmakers are expected Monday to press for passage of legislation to toughen requirements for reporting child sexual abuse following the Pennsylvania State University scandal in which at least two adults allegedly witnessed abuse and didn't report it to law-enforcement authorities. State Sen. W ayne Fontana, a Democrat from Pittsburgh, said he would ask Senate leaders to move a bill he first introduced in 2005 that would amend state law to require any professional who works with children to report suspected child abuse to police. Under existing state law, "a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility or agencyshall immediately notify the person in charge" about suspected child abuse. The person in charge ultimately has the responsibility to report alleged incidents to government authorities. "Everyone should be held to the same standard of reporting abuse of children," said Mr. Fontana. He said his proposal would have ensured police would have learned of the allegations of child sex abuse leveled at former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, whose attorney has said his client is innocent. "Unfortunately something bad has to happen before something becomes relevant," he said. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204190504577036513196362348.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

OPINION Editorial: Getting teacher evaluations right is vital for improvement (N-S)
Teacher evaluations under a new system adopted last session by the Tennessee Legislature will be a valuable asset in determining the competence and performance of those charged with educating the state's young people. In that respect, we strongly and unequivocally favor an evaluation system that will help improve teacher performance with the broader goal of improving education in Tennessee. Nevertheless, the big change coming to the numerous and varied local education systems throughout the state requires that public officials and educators get it right. And getting it right might require what one lawmaker has called "a neutral year," whether by general agreement or legislation. "I think everybody should just relax and let's get through this first year because this is a learning process," said House Education Committee Chairman Richard Montgomery, a Sevier County Republican. "We do need a neutral year." Said House Democratic leader Craig Fitzhugh of Ripley, "We've got a major problem. W e're going too fast." Under the previous system, most teachers faced an evaluation of their work only twice in a 10-year period. Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman accurately called that system inefficient. "We owe it to our teachers to have people in there observing them and offering them feedback," he said last week. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/nov/14/editorial-getting-teacher-evaluations-right-is/

Editorial: Go slow on public school voucher recommendations (Jackson Sun)

Gov. Bill Haslam should err om the side of caution in deciding his position on school vouchers. He has said he will offer his position by the end of the year, after additional careful study. The concept of public school vouchers is loaded with pitfalls, and could create more problems than it solves. The better solution is to find alternatives within the public school system, and to improve underperforming schools. People like the idea of school vouchers because it appears to offer a way out of a failing school environment. Students should be given every opportunity to succeed in school. If the school can't provide an adequate education, the argument goes, let the student take his or her school funding and go elsewhere, typically to a private school. But the argument is driven more by frustration than by logic. Some proposals already on the legislative table in Tennessee would offer students a $5,000 voucher to be used at a private school in several large cities in Tennessee. Unfortunately, there aren't many private schools where $5,000 will cover tuition and other school expenses. Most of the students who would be eligible for a voucher come from poor families. Where would the extra money come from? And cost is only the first obstacle. What about transportation? Private schools typically require students to be brought to school and picked up by parents. That would be a challenge for many poor parents. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20111114/OPINION01/111140303/Editorial-Go-slow-public-school-voucherrecommendations

Gail Kerr: Action against deficient New Life Lodge overdue (Tennessean)
The biggest question is: W hat took them so long? The Tennessee Department of Mental Health suspended all admissions at New Life Lodge last week, effectively shutting it down for at least four months or until a state investigation is complete. New Life is a Dickson County residential drug rehab center, the largest in the state. Tennessean investigative reporters Nate Rau and Walter F. Roche Jr. began looking at the facility last summer, after it came to light that two patients had died. The first was a man who, New Life reported to the state, stopped breathing and was rushed to Horizon Medical Center in July 2010. The next month, patient Lindsey Poteets health was failing when she was put in a van and driven 30 miles to Saint Thomas Hospital, even though Horizon was much closer. The van driver called 911 when Poteet became unresponsive. The driver told the operator she did not know how to tell if Poteet was breathing. The patient died the next day. Another incident involving a 6

patient wrongly placed in the detoxification unit also came out after Poteets death. Department of Childrens Services officials are investigating the death of another patient, 18-year-old Savon Kinney. He died last month, nine days after being released from New Life. His family says he was given the wrong medications. He was diabetic. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111114/COLUMNIST0101/311140040/Gail-Kerr-Action-against-deficientNew-Life-Lodge-overdue?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Editorial: Politics infuse the process (Commercial Appeal)

To the victors belong the maps: Chances for reform of redistricting are slim, but a few states have shown that it can be done. Politicians are people. To some degree, Tennessee's legislative districting plan, which is drawn by politicians, is always going to be a "crazy quilt without rational basis," as a Supreme Court justice once described it. The once-a-decade process described by The Commercial Appeal's Richard Locker in his Sunday Viewpoint cover story is designed to equalize the populations of legislative districts based on U.S. Census data and produce new maps that will pass constitutional muster. But it also allows for the consolidation of power by the party in power. It is one of the best current illustrations of the adage "To the victor belong the spoils." No one can expect the party that holds the reins of state government -- be it Democratic or Republican -- to have any desire to change that system. And it should be no surprise that some Democratic legislators will find themselves in the same district when new district maps are revealed to the public and approved by the General Assembly in January. Any efforts to reform that system will require considerable public support. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/nov/14/editorials-politics-infuse-the-process/

Free-Press Editorial: U.S. may face new debt-induced credit downgrade (TFP)
What does it mean if you have a poor credit rating? For one thing, it means there is doubt about your ability to repay money that you borrow. The lower your score goes, the more doubt there is. A good credit score, by contrast, often means you have paid your bills on time, and that you have avoided excessive debt. Those principles apply not only to individuals but to governments. The government of Greece, for instance, has borrowed and spent its way to financial catastrophe. So there has been understandable hesitation on the part of other European countries about lending Greece more money. Fortunately, the U.S. government is not in quite the horrible condition that Greece is in. But it was still a shock back in August when Standard & Poor's downgraded the United States' credit rating for the first time in our history. That followed an earlier downgrade by Egan-Jones Ratings Co., and expressions of serious concern by two other ratings agencies: Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings. The downgrades were an embarrassing symbol of our country's unwillingness to get a handle on our appalling $14.9 trillion debt. So what are we doing now to address the debt, which is costing us hundreds of billions of dollars in interest payments each year? http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/14/us-may-face-new-debt-induced-credit-downgrade/? opinionfreepress

Times Editorial: Drug shortage threatens lives (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

A persistent shortage of many prescription drugs, especially some widely used antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs and medicines often employed to save lives in emergency rooms, is causing growing alarm among doctors and their patients. The problem is not new, but it is growing worse and beginning to adversely affect the treatment and even survival of patients. Broad-based efforts to remedy the problem are underway, but there is no quick answer at hand. The Food and Drug Administration maintains a list of what it terms "medically important" drugs that are in short supply. Currently, the agency reports that about 180 prescription medicines are in short supply. A majority on the list are hard-to-manufacture, often injectable, generic formulations that require considerable effort to be kept sterile. As a result, many manufacturers have stopped producing the cheaper, generic, opting instead to manufacture far more profitable branded drugs. The result is predictable. A June survey by the American Hospital Association of 820 members found that almost all had experienced a shortage of at least one vital drug in the previous six months and that about half had shortages of 21 or more prescription medications. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/14/drug-shortage-threatens-lives/?opiniontimes

Columnist: Vouchers for Veterans (New York Times)

American health care is remarkably diverse. In terms of how care is paid for and delivered, many of us effectively live in Canada, some live in Switzerland, some live in Britain, and some live in the unregulated market of conservative dreams. One result of this diversity is that we have plenty of home-grown evidence about what works and what doesnt. Naturally, then, politicians Republicans in particular are determined to scrap what 7

works and promote what doesnt. And that brings me to Mitt Romneys latest really bad idea, unveiled on Veterans Day: to partially privatize the Veterans Health Administration (V.H.A.). W hat Mr. Romney and everyone else should know is that the V.H.A. is a huge policy success story, which offers important lessons for future health reform. Many people still have an image of veterans health care based on the terrible state of the system two decades ago. Under the Clinton administration, however, the V.H.A. was overhauled, and achieved a remarkable combination of rising quality and successful cost control. Multiple surveys have found the V.H.A. providing better care than most Americans receive, even as the agency has held cost increases well below those facing Medicare and private insurers. Furthermore, the V.H.A. has led the way in cost-saving innovation, especially the use of electronic medical records. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/opinion/krugman-vouchersfor-veterans-and-other-bad-ideas.html?ref=todayspaper ###