WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 Mountaintop removal ban killed in Tenn.

House (Associated Press/Schelzig)

A House subcommittee Tuesday killed a bill seeking to ban mountaintop removal coal mining in Tennessee. The House Conservation Subcommittee voted 6-4 to send the measure sponsored by Rep. Mike McDonald to a study committee after the Legislature adjourns for the year. Republican Rep. Richard Floyd of Chattanooga made the motion to put off a vote on the bill because he said the panel needed more information about the measure. McDonald, a Portland Democrat who is retiring from the Legislature this year, noted that versions of the bill have been before Tennessee lawmakers since 2008, and that opposing views have had ample opportunity to be heard. A busload of members of the mining industry crowded into the hearing room in black tshirts reading "Legalize Coal." Earlier in the day they held up signs near the entrance of the legislative office complex. "We're here to rally for our jobs," said Barry Thacker, president of Knoxville-based Geo Environmental Associates Inc. "We just don't understand how folks in this type of an environment would want to take our jobs from us." http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38900295?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

TN mountaintop mining bill sidelined for more study (Tennessean/Sisk)

State lawmakers sent a bill that would ban mining at high elevations in Tennessee to summer study, likely killing the measure for the year. A subcommittee of the House Conservation and Environment Committee voted 6-4 Tuesday to set aside the Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act, which would ban mining practice known as mountaintop removal. Tennessee lawmakers have repeatedly turned down such a ban in recent years. Lawmakers said they have heard intense arguments from the coal mining industry and environmentalists since a ban on mining above 2,000 feet was first proposed in 2008. But they said they are no closer to resolving the issue. We dont have all the information we need, said state Rep. Richard Floyd, R-Chattanooga. This is an important bill for this state, and weve got to get it right. This is not smoke and mirrors. House Bill 291 would have banned surface mining at high elevations except for existing mines that have already been permitted. Tennessee produces less than 1 percent of the nations coal, but the industry employs about 1,000 people high up on the Cumberland Plateau near the states border with Kentucky. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/NEWS0201/303270079/TN-mountaintop-mining-bill-sidelinedmore-study?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

State Mountaintop Mining Ban Killed in Committee (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

A proposal to ban blowing up mountaintops to mine coal in Tennessee died Tuesday in the state legislature. The Scenic Vistas Protection Act would have made it illegal to cut away ridgelines above 2000 feet. Portland Democrat Mike McDonald says without mountains Tennessee wouldnt be the same state. He argues the bill would protect ecosystems, peoples health and jobs. That was disputed by coal-company workers. Dozens wearing hard hats and shirts with slogans like Legalize Coal picketed the legislature, saying the proposed ban would cost jobs. Among them was Jeff Slone, a pastor who works for an engineering company: The resources that are here were provided by God for the use of man. And what is more important, really, the environment or peoples jobs? A House subcommittee sent the proposal to a summer study committee, effectively killing it for the session. And McDonald, the House sponsor, wont come back to fight another round he announced his retirement last week. http://wpln.org/?p=35484

MTSU student vows to continue fight to save state's mountains (DNJ)

Legislature won't consider Scenic Vistas Protection Act this year MTSU junior Kayla Connelly says she will

continue the battle to save Tennessees mountain ridges despite a legislative setback Tuesday that killed a measure to stop mountaintop removal coal mining. As long as there are mountains in Tennessee, Ill still be fighting for them, Connelly, 21, a studio art major, said Tuesday afternoon. Dubbed the Scenic Vistas Protection Act, the bill would have prohibited mining that changes ridge lines more than 2,000 feet above sea level President and co-chair of Students for Environmental Action at MTSU, Connelly was disappointed that the House Conservation Subcommittee sent the bill to a summer study panel, defeating it for the year, but said she will resume the push for it in 2013 and in the meantime make it an election issue. The Mt. Juliet High School graduate said she and S.E.A. members made the mountaintop coal mining legislation a priority this school year, giving out information on campus, passing petitions and lobbying on Capitol Hill. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120328/NEW S/303280027/MTSU-student-vows-continue-fight-save-state-smountains?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Guns in parking lots measure sent for Senate vote (Associated Press/Schelzig)
A measure to eliminate the rights of businesses, schools and universities to bar employees from storing firearms in parked vehicles is headed for a full Senate vote. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-1 on Tuesday to advance the bill after Chairwoman Mae Beavers, R-Mount Juliet, refused a request to hear from representatives of FedEx Corp. or other large employers that oppose the bill. "I don't know that any more testimony is going to change anybody's mind," Beavers said. The original version of the measure sponsored by Sen. Mike Faulk would have applied to any person with a legal firearm, but the Kingsport Republican narrowed the scope of the bill by having it apply only to the state's 344,000 handgun carry permit holders. The bill was subsequently expanded by Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, to cover anyone with a Tennessee hunting license as long as they are at least 21 years old. Unlike handgun carry permits, hunting licenses require no training or background check http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38902419?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

House Unanimously Passes Two of Haslams Top Anti-Crime Priorities (TNR)

Legislation to keep Tennesseans safe from criminal gang activity is on its way to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature. Representative Barrett Rich (RSomerville) was given the responsibility of guiding two of Haslams top anti-crime priorities through the House of Representatives because of his deep understanding and professional experience in law enforcement matters. The key bills passed the House unanimously Monday evening. The first bill, House Bill 2390, establishes enhanced punishment for crimes of force or violence committed while acting in concert with two or more other persons. The second piece of legislation, House Bill 2388, takes a hard line against criminals with a felony history by increasing their punishment for unlawful possession of a firearm. These bills are a vital addition to the crime-fighting tools law enforcement personnel use to keep our streets safe, said Rep. Rich. http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/03/27/house-unanimously-passes-two-of-haslams-top-anti-crime-priorities/

Two Tennessee bills to fight gangs headed for Gov. Haslams signature (TFP)
Two key elements of Gov. Bill Haslams anti-crime package are headed to his desk after the House took final action on the measures Monday night. The House voted 91-0 to boost penalties for violent crimes committed by groups of three or more people. The other bill increases penalties for gun possession by people with previous felony convictions. It was approved on a 95-0 vote with no debate. Both bills are intended to combat violent crime and, in particular, criminal gangs. http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/27/two-tennessee-bills-fight-gangs-headed-gov-haslams/? breakingnews

Rep. Rich Guides Two Top Anti-Crime Bills to Full Passage in Legislature (WNW S)
Legislation to keep Tennesseans safe from criminal gang activity is on its way to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature. Representative Barrett Rich (RSomerville) was given the responsibility of guiding two of Haslams top anti-crime priorities through the House of Representatives because of his deep understanding and professional experience in law enforcement matters. The key bills passed the House unanimously Monday evening. The first bill, House Bill 2390, establishes enhanced punishment for crimes of force or violence committed while acting in concert with two or more other persons. The second piece of legislation, House Bill 2388, takes a hard line against criminals with a felony history by increasing their punishment for unlawful 2

possession of a firearm. These bills are a vital addition to the crime-fighting tools law enforcement personnel use to keep our streets safe, said Rep. Rich. http://www.wnws.com/news/16887-rep-rich-guides-two-top-anti-crime-bills-to-full-passage-in-legislature

Tennessee schools showing improvements, reform leader says (TFP/Higgins)

Tennessee schools still have work to do but are well along in making needed changes, according to an official with of an education reform group Sharon Roberts of SCORE (State Collaborative On Reforming Education) spoke Tuesday to educators and public officials from the five counties -- Bradley, Polk, McMinn, Meigs and Monroe -- in Cleveland State Community College's service area. "No, we are not where we need to be, but that's why SCORE exists," Roberts said before the annual luncheon of the Hiwassee-Ocoee Regional P-16 Council. The council considers prekindergarten through college-level students -- the P-16 part of the name -- explained Jerry Faulkner, vice president for academic affairs at Cleveland State. Similar regional groups exist statewide, he said. "The idea is to make a seamless transition through each level of education," Faulkner said. Roberts said the goals of SCORE -- organized by Tennessee's former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist -- are to make sure every state child who graduates from high school is career- or college-ready. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/28/schools-showing-improvements-reform-leader-says/?local

Local artist's work hangs in Governor's Mansion (Tennessean)

Gallatin artist Dr. Joel Knapp of Gallatin, retired dentist and 40-year oil painter, was recently commissioned to paint the seasons of Tennessee to hang in the ballroom of the Governors Mansion. The 4-by-5-foot paintings depict various places in Tennessee, including a scene of Bugg Hollow Road in Sumner County. Gov. Bill Haslam held a reception for Knapp in the ballroom on March 15. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/GALLATIN06/303280043/Local-artist-s-work-hangs-Governor-sMansion

State fines coal company $50,000 for 'black water' release (News-Sentinel/Fowler)
A coal company is being fined for illegally dumping more than a million gallons of "black water" into an Anderson County river that's home to a fish and a plant on the federal list of threatened species. The fines from the state's Department of Environment and Conservation could total $196,000 unless Premium Coal Inc. begins quickly taking steps to upgrade its coal-washing operations in the remote Devonia community. Regardless, the company must pay a base civil penalty of $50,000, according to TDEC's order. Premium officials could not be reached. Local phone numbers for Premium Coal and the Baldwin Coal Preparation Plant have been disconnected. The company didn't report the discharge of coal slurry into the New River in early January, and officials only learned of the mishap from citizen complaints, state officials said. The discharge coated rocks and plants for several miles downstream and significantly boosted the amount of iron and suspended solids in the river for several weeks. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/28/state-fines-coal-company-50000-for-black-water/

Local woman charged with TennCare fraud (Leaf Chronicle)

A Clarksville woman was one of two Tennesseans charged in separate cases with TennCare fraud, both involving prescription drugs. The Office of Inspector General today announced the arrests of 54-year old Debra D. Cothran of Clarksville and Leslie Larome Howard, 22, of Franklin. The arrests were assisted by Williamson, Stewart and Montgomery counties Sheriffs offices, according to a news release from state finance and administration spokeswoman Lola Potter. Debra D. Cothran was indicted on one count of TennCare fraud on Monday for using TennCare benefits to obtain Hydrocodone, while apparently intending to sell a portion of the prescription, Potter said. Cothran gave a 562 Skyview Circle address. She has already made her $1,000 bond. Leslie Larome Howard was indicted on two counts of TennCare fraud, with charges saying he twice presented fraudulent prescriptions for the painkiller Hydrocodone and used TennCare benefits to pay for the fraudulent prescriptions, Potter said. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120328/NEWS01/303270070/Local-woman-charged-TennCare-fraud

TEAM Act nears vote amid TN workers' protest (Tennessean/Sisk)

The battle over reforming Tennessees civil service laws entered its final stages Tuesday after a last-ditch lobbying effort by state workers. A Senate committee sent Gov. Bill Haslams plan to overhaul Tennessees civil service system to the floor, and its counterpart in the state House of Representatives said it would do the same next week, despite criticism from the Tennessee State Employees Association. The moves came after about 150 state workers rallied near the Capitol to oppose Haslams plan, the Tennessee Excellence, Accountability and Management Act, or TEAM Act, which would represent a dramatic change in the states process for hiring, firing and laying off workers. Participants said they came to Nashville in the hope of slowing down the bill long enough to preserve seniority and civil service protections that they credit with putting an end to the cronyism and patronage that once marked Tennessee politics. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/NEWS0201/303280067/TEAM-Act-nears-vote-amid-TN-workersprotest?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

TEAM Act Advances as State W orkers Dig In (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Governor Bill Haslams proposed civil-service overhaul gained some ground in the state legislature Tuesday. But the state workers union is trying to make its opposition known. More than a hundred members of the Tennessee State Employees Association rallied yesterday near the state capitol. Union officials worry the governors proposal will usher in unfair hiring practices and cronyism. Betty Davis works at a state mental health institute in West Tennessee. Davis worries the move also marks a slide toward privatization, driving out experienced workers. Why not give the state employees that already have these jobs a chance? Keep these state employees in their positions without the threat of feeling like their jobs are in jeopardy. The proposal moved out of a Senate committee yesterday and is now on its way to a floor vote. But on the House side lawmakers put off dealing with the measure one week. http://wpln.org/?p=35498

Bill to let students express religious viewpoint (Associated Press)

A proposal that would prevent students from being discriminated against for expressing their religious beliefs is headed for a House floor vote after passing a key House committee on Tuesday. The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Andy Holt of Dresden was approved by the House Education Committee on a voice vote. The companion bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. Holt said he proposed the legislation after talking with a concerned school board member in his district. He said the proposal would allow school districts to develop a so-called "student speaker policy" for school officials to follow. Holt said he's working with the Tennessee School Boards Association on what options the school districts will have. Democratic House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh said he opposes the legislation because doesn't like mandating what school districts should do in this case. "I think we've got a pretty good system in place now," Fitzhugh said. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38904055?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Tennessee bill would expand students' religious rights (Times Free-Press/Sher)

Local school boards would be required to let select students voluntarily express their "religious viewpoints," be they Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Wiccan or atheist, at football games, school assemblies and graduation ceremonies under a bill moving in the House. The "Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act" passed on the House Education Committee on Tuesday on a voice vote after a motion to put it in summer study was tabled. Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, the bill's sponsor, said his legislation is needed to protect students. If anyone has issues with the bill, Holt said, "then you're expressing your problem with the First Amendment and not with my bill." The bill has not started moving yet in the Senate. Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, said students are already allowed to pray and have Bible clubs under a bill he passed in the mid-1990s. The American Civil Liberties Union in Tennessee warns that Holt's bill would subject children "to unwarranted prayer and proselytizing in a variety of inappropriate settings, including the classroom, school-day assemblies and school events." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/28/bill-would-expand-students-religious-rights/

Student Speeches on Religion Nearing House Floor Vote (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

A proposal to let some Tennessee students make religious speeches at school is on its way to a floor vote in the state House of Representatives, despite fears it could have unintended consequences. The bill aims to give 4

Christians more opportunities to express their beliefs, says sponsor Andy Holt a Republican from Dresden. But the measure might not work as advertised, according to Chuck Cagle, a lawyer for the state Organization of School Superintendents. Cagle spoke Tuesday to the House Education Committee. Those religious activities dont [just] cover those of us who are Protestant they cover everybody. They cover the Wiccans, and those of Jewish faith. And the Seventh Circuit [U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals] has even recognized atheism as a religion. Only high-achieving students would be eligible to make such speeches. Meanwhile a Senate version of the measure is up in that chambers Education Committee Wednesday. http://wpln.org/?p=35488

Ticket brokering on tap for Tennessee legislature (Memphis Business Journal)

The Tennessee Legislature is currently exploring two bills that could potentially eliminate the exchange or sale of event tickets throughout the state. The bills are dubbed the Fairness in Ticketing Act of 2012. They include provisions that say Ticketmaster , which has control over most concert and event ticket sales in Tennessee, would be able to take away purchasers tickets without cause and without a refund. Those provisions were filed as bill amendments this week. Opponents of the bills believe they will give Ticketmaster control of what fans do with tickets theyve bought, including reselling or giving tickets away as gifts. We agree with the bill sponsors that consumers deserve protection from deceptive ticket practices, Jon Potter, president of Fan Freedom Project, an organization that monitors the ticketing industry, said in a statement. But this bill is a wolf in sheeps clothing, and is a blatant attempt by Ticketmaster, concert producers and teams to monopolize the ticket resale market. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/03/27/ticket-brokering-on-tap-for-tennessee.html

Concert-ticket battle heating up in TN legislature (Tennessean/Marsteller)

A consumer group is criticizing proposed state legislation governing ticket sales to concerts and sporting events, saying it could prevent or limit ticket-buyers from reselling or giving them away. The Fairness in Ticketing Act would give brokers such as TicketMaster unprecendented power to control the secondary ticket market in violation of consumer-protection laws, the Fan Freedom Project contends. The advocacy group, based in Washington D.C., has scheduled a 2 p.m. press conference at Legislative Plaza today to air its concerns about the bill. A Senate committee is scheduled to consider the measure an hour later. The group says the bill sponsored by Rep. Ryan Haynes (R-Knoxville) would allow Ticketmaster and other sellers to revoke a sold ticket for no reason and without a refund. It also could place unreasonable restrictions on or prohibit ticketholders who want to sell or give away their tickets because they cant make the show. Haynes says the bill is aimed at reining those who unfairly use automated methods to scoop up large blocks of tickets when they go on sale, then resell them at higher prices. There is nothing in the measure that would prohibit an individual from reselling or giving away a ticket, he said. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120327/BUSINESS01/303270076/Concert-ticket-battle-heating-up-TNlegislature

Senate to vote on lottery scholarship bill (Associated Press)

A proposal that would make cutting some students lottery scholarships in half contingent on revenues is headed for a floor vote in the Senate after a legislative committee approved the measure 9-2 on Tuesday. The legislation sponsored by Republican Sen. Dolores Gresham passed the Senate Finance Committee. The companion bill was delayed until next week in the House Education Committee. An original proposal sought to reduce by 50 percent the award for students who do not meet both standardized testing and high school grade requirements. A special panel of lawmakers recommended the proposal in November. Right now, students can get a scholarship worth $4,000 for each of four years if they either earn a 3.0 grade point average in high school or score a 21 on their ACT college entrance exam. Under the new legislation, the lottery scholarship requirements wont change if lottery proceeds of at least $10 million or more are maintained through 2015. We want them to sustain $10 million a year improvement, Gresham said. It could be a dollar more; it could be two dollars more. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/NEWS0201/303280085/Senate-vote-lottery-scholarship-bill? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Tennessee: Bills aimed at synthetic drugs on the move (Times Free-Press/Benton)

Lawmakers introduced a number of pieces of legislation this session to bolster laws against synthetic drugs in Tennessee after some in local law enforcement expressed concerns that current laws allowed room for the bad guys to duck the state code. Until state and federal laws enacted over the last year or so cut into availability, 5

convenience stores and "head shops" across the state openly sold synthetic marijuana under names such as Spice, JH/Kush and K2. Synthetic cocaine and ecstasy also were sold as "bath salts" under names such as Ivory Wave, Cloud 9, White Lightning and Molly's Plant Food. Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, one of several lawmakers pitching legislation at the problem, said officials are trying to keep up with changes that distributors and manufacturers make to get around the current laws. State laws now ban specific ingredients in the synthetic drugs and makers simply change the formula to avoid the law. "All [synthetics manufacturers] have to do is change one of the chains in the compound and it becomes a new compound that is not illegal," Sexton said. "You're always fighting the technology." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/28/bills-aimed-at-synthetic-drugs-on-the-move/?local

Municipal schools to get key Tennessee House panel vote (C. Appeal/Locker)
Legislation to repeal Tennessee's 14-year-old ban on new municipal school districts is set for a key House committee vote today, and even its opponents say it's likely to pass. The bill plays a role in the push by Shelby County's suburbs to create their own school districts and avoid the Memphis and Shelby County school systems merger set to go into effect for the 2013-14 school year. But it may not restore the May 10 referendums in Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown and Lakeland. The votes were called off last week by the Shelby County Election Commission after state Atty. Gen. Robert Cooper opined that no major work toward new municipal school districts -- including referendums, hiring staff and building construction or improvements -- can occur until the merger is complete next summer, under the provisions of last year's state law setting up the merger process. As written, the bill would repeal the prohibition on new municipal school districts statewide effective next Jan. 1. And that's only seven or eight months earlier than the ban would have been lifted in Shelby County under last year's law. The effective date could be amended, but there has been no movement to do so. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/28/municipal-schools-to-get-key-panel-vote/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Scientists lobby for governor to veto Tennessee evolution bill (CA/Roberts)

Teachers may have option to criticize accepted theory Science teachers in Tennessee may soon be free to criticize scientific thinking on evolution, global warming and human cloning, based on a bill that passed the House late Monday. Scientists, including a world-renown influenza expert at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and leaders of the National Center for Science Education, are pushing Gov. Bill Haslam for a veto, saying the bill will take Tennessee back to the laughingstock days of the Scopes trial. Haslam spokesman David Smith expects Haslam will sign it. "Like all bills on the way to his desk, he'll review it when it gets there, but I anticipate he'll sign it," Smith said in an e-mail Tuesday. Louisiana is the only state with a similar law. It passed in 2008. HB368 passed a critical juncture Monday when the House approved 72-23 changes made last week by Senate bill sponsor Bo Watson, R-Hixon. "Most people who look at this with an open mind will see it calls for helping students develop critical thinking skills and using objective scientific facts," said House sponsor Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/28/scientists-lobby-for-evolution-bill-02/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Medical Marijuana Bill Advances in Tenn. House (Associated Press)

A proposal to legalize medical marijuana is advancing in the state House. The House Health Subcommittee approved the measure on a voice vote on Tuesday after similar measures had quickly failed in previous years. Democratic Rep. Jeanne Richardson of Memphis, the bill's main sponsor, said the measure would create the toughest access standards among the states that have enacted similar laws. In Richardson's words: "Medical cannabis is no longer a radical idea this is not Cheech and Chong with a bong." Republican Rep. Joey Hensley, a Hohenwald physician, raised concerns that doctors aren't trained on how to prescribe marijuana. The companion bill has yet to be scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Government Operations Committee. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/28/medical-marijuana-bill-advances-in-tenn-house/

Effort to Repeal Voter ID Law Fails in Tenn. Senate (Associated Press/Johnson)

A proposal to repeal Tennessee's new voter ID law has stalled in the Legislature after being killed by a Senate panel on Tuesday. Members of the Senate State and Local Government Committee voted 3-6 against the measure sponsored by Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Lowe Finney of Jackson. The companion bill was to be heard in a similar committee later in the House. The law requires a photo ID in order to vote. Supporters say it's needed to protect the ballot box from fraudulent voting. "Our world has changed ... since 9/11", said 6

Republican Sen. Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro, a member of the committee and sponsor of the new law. "To board a plane you have a photo ID, to pick up your child at school you have to have a photo ID. This is a tool to help." State Elections Coordinator Mark Goins said he favors the new law because it does provide a tool that wasn't there before to more thoroughly identify the person seeking to vote. "It's kind of like when you're speeding, you need a radar gun to prove that someone's speeding," he said. "This is basically a radar gun if someone comes in now we've got their photo to compare." http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/28/effort-to-repeal-voter-id-law-fails-in-tenn-senate/

Road signs to honor Vietnam vets (Gallatin News Examiner)

Legislation would recognize Sumner's Vietnam War fallen State Rep. Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville) announced on Saturday legislation that would place a sign along Vietnam Veterans Boulevard for every soldier from Sumner County who died during the Vietnam War. Maggart, a co-sponsor of the bill, said she fully expects the bill to pass with ease. It will show that the people of Sumner County honor and respect their servicemen, and that we appreciate what they gave for our country, she said. House Bill 2329, which was introduced by State Rep. Mike McDonald (D-Portland), was announced at a W elcome Home event in Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9851 for Vietnam Veterans, although the local chapter emphasized the welcome was for veterans of all wars. There are currently two signs already up along the 17-mile bypass honoring Maj. Benjamin C. Hartman and Spc. 4th Class Danny S. Young. Twenty-five soldiers from Sumner County died in the Vietnam War. The signs will be evenly spaced apart and will cost $150. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/GALLATIN01/303280074/Road-signs-honor-Vietnam-vets

Mike Carter enters House race for District 29 job (Times Free-Press/Poulisse)
Mike Carter, a local businessman and Hamilton County Republican with a history in public service, has announced his candidacy for state representative in the newly drawn District 29. "It is not enough to run as a Republican, we must govern as Republicans, reassert the American dream and make it available to all citizens," Carter said in a prepared statement. A portion of the previous District 29 ended up in the predominately black District 28 after redistricting. The newly drawn District 29 is predominately Republican and 15 to 20 percent black. "It's going to be a very difficult area, but I think he can pull all people together to have no division," said Bobby Wood, campaign manager for Carter. According to the Hamilton County Election Commission's website, Carter picked up his petition for the position on Feb. 2 and returned it Monday, the same day he officially announced his candidacy to the Pachyderm Club, the local GOP group. Carter said he had to wait for the new redistricting maps to know exactly what precincts would be in the district he planned to run for. "It was the time to do it," Carter said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/28/carter-enters-house-race-for-district-29-job/?local

Timothy Hill announces nomination (Bristol Herald-Courier)

Blountville businessman Timothy Hill announced his is seeking the Republican nomination for State Representative in district three. Hill last ran for the seat in 2010, where he lost to representative Scotty Campbell. Campbell announced last week that is not seeking re-election. Since launching his campaign, Hill has raised more than $25,000. District three represents portions of Sullivan, Carter, and all of Johnson County. http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/27/timothy-hill-announces-nomination-ar-1798984/

Williams to seek re-election again as an independent (Johnson City Press)

For the first time in his career, 4th District Rep. Kent Williams will be campaigning outside of Carter County when he seeks a fourth term in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Williams has announced he will be a candidate, but he will once again be required to run as an independent after being elected as a Republican during his first two terms. Williams is a member of the Commerce Committee and the State and Local Government Committee. He served as speaker of the house in 2009-10. Williams said he hopes to continue working to get the proposed Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency state-of-the-art fish hatchery built next to the Watauga River in the Cherokee Industrial Park. He also will continue working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation on the Highway 91 improvement project. With groundbreaking scheduled for several state projects in the coming months, Williams said he has worked hard to ensure that state funding does not stop at Knoxville as it had for too many years in the past. http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=99239#ixzz1qPJj0gU4 7

Tennessee added fifth-most government jobs since recession began (MBJ)

Tennessee is among the nations top five states for adding government jobs through the recession. Twenty states and D.C. currently have more federal, state and local government workers than they did at the beginning of 2008, according to a new analysis by On Numbers, a Memphis Business Journal affiliate. Tennessee ranks fifth among them, adding 11,700 positions in the four-year period, an increase of 2.75 percent. Tennessee registered 437,200 total government jobs in January 2012. On Numbers used raw data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to compare government employment in January 2008 with the same month this year. All figures have been seasonally adjusted. The recession officially began in December 2007, one month before the start of the study period. Leading the way is Maryland, which added 26,400 government positions for a 5.45 percent increase. Virginia, the District of Columbia and Colorado rounded out the top five. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/03/27/tennessee-added-fifth-most-government.html

State budget cuts may impact Henry County family programs (P. PostIntelligencer)
Local school workers are wondering why two area programs designed to help children succeed in school are in danger of being lost. Three million dollars in grant funds generally earmarked for Tennessees 103 Family Resource Centers are not included in the states 2012-13 budget as proposed by Gov. Bill Haslam. This cut would probably mean the end of two local programs the Henry County School Systems Family Resource Center (FRC) and the Paris Special School Districts Family Enrichment Center (FEC) if approved by the General Assembly this spring. We say that when youve seen one family resource center in the state of Tennessee, youve seen one family resource center, because they are all different, Donna Vaughn, FEC director, explained. When the program was started in 1993 by the state, grants were given to school systems to be used in the best way for that community. Vaughn explained that when the PSSDs program was being developed, school leaders felt the emphasis should be on preparing students for kindergarten. http://www.parispi.net/articles/2012/03/27/news/local_news/doc4f71ec1956f37646153904.txt

Many start college but don't graduate (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Trevizo)

Ike Plemons' higher education road has taken many turns and traveled through four different schools since he graduated from high school in 1996. At the end of the 15-year journey, the Cleveland, Tenn., native finds himself still without a college degree, holding more than 140 college credit hours and owing $50,000 in student loans. But despite all the challenges, getting a bachelor's degree is still a very important goal, he said. "If given a choice, people would choose a career over a job because you have applicable skills you can take from employer to employer," said the 34-year-old who works selling fireworks. "Without a degree or specialized training, I'm limited." There are more than 700,000 people in Tennessee who have completed some college without earning a degree, and experts say the state should focus on that group to achieve a national goal of 60 percent of adults having a college certificate or degree by 2025, a number set by the Lumina Foundation, a private foundation committed to enrolling and graduating more students from college. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/28/many-start-college-but-dont-graduate/?local

Nashville may extend smoking ban around hospital grounds (Tennessean/DeVille)

Bill would increase zone around hospitals A pending Metro Council bill could snuff out smoking on all hospital grounds and the public property surrounding them. The legislation would prohibit smoking within 50 feet of hospital entrances and the public right of way, including sidewalks. Several local hospitals Baptist, Saint Thomas and Vanderbilt, including Monroe Carell Jr. Childrens Hospital want an even stricter limit and have asked the Metro Council to ban smoking within 200 feet of their entrances. The specific locations where the hospitals are seeking an additional buffer of 150 feet are built into the ordinance. The new rule, if passed, would apply to all smokers, including employees, visitors and patients. Baptist, Saint Thomas and Vanderbilt all have been smoke-free campuses since 2008. But since that policy was implemented, smokers have congregated on the sidewalks and public rights of way, officials said. We have no authority to ban smoking on the sidewalk, said Nancy Anness, vice president of advocacy, access and community outreach for Saint Thomas Health. Unfortunately, many sidewalks are very close to some of our hospital entrances, so it is impacting patient safety. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/DAVIDSON/303280035/Nashville-may-extend-smoking-banaround-hospital-grounds?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News 8

Major disaster drill is Wednesday in Nashville (Associated Press)

A multi-county disaster drill W ednesday in Nashville will evaluate the ability to respond to a catastrophic event. Organizers say the event at LP Field may be the largest local disaster drill since 2006. Representatives from Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Williamson and Rutherford counties will participate, along with several others from local, state and federal government agencies. Dozens of volunteers will act as injured patients. Organizers said the exercise will demand a unified emergency response from police, fire, emergency medical services and other specialty responders. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38905863?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Jim Cooper touts his own U.S. budget proposal (Nashville Business Journal)
Nashville's congressman is officially wading into the debate over the federal budget and the nation's deficit. U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, a Democrat, has introduced a "Simpson-Bowles Budget" alongside Rep. Steve LaTourette, an Ohio Republican, and others. The budget draws on recommendations by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, co-chaired by former Sen. Alan Simpson, an Ohio Republican, and Erskine Bowles, a Democrat "The budget debate so far has been completely partisan, and our proposal is the only one with support from both parties," Cooper said in a statement. "Republicans and Democrats need to get serious about our deficit and this is the only real plan that will restore America's financial strength." Cooper's fact sheet of his budget proposal is available here. His budget amendment is available here. The business community saw how budget and deficit negotiations can have severe economic implications, with last year's debt ceiling standoff spurring major market jitters. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/03/27/jim-cooperdemocrat-tennessee-deficit.html

Rep. Jim Cooper's budget plan includes $4 trillion cut in national debt (TN/Bewley)
Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper of Nashville has filed a bipartisan budget plan that would cut the national debt by $4 trillion over the next 10 years the amount many economists say is needed to begin to curb the countrys $15 trillion debt. The budget, an alternative to those released by House Republicans and President Barack Obama, is based on recommendations of the Bowles-Simpson Commission, the debt-reduction panel appointed by Obama in 2010. It could get a House vote as early as today, according to Cooper and the five other congressmen who filed the proposal. The budget debate so far has been completely partisan, and our proposal is the only one with support from both parties, Cooper said. Lots of folks have paid lip service to bipartisanship, and this is their chance to prove it. The other congressmen who filed the plan are Democratic Reps. Kurt Schrader of Oregon and Mike Quigley of Illinois, and Republican Reps. Steven LaTourette of Ohio, Charlie Bass of New Hampshire and Tom Reed of New York. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/NEWS02/303280090/Rep-Jim-Cooper-s-budget-plan-includes-4trillion-cut-national-debt?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Congress sends Fincher's startup investment bill to Obama (C. Appeal)

Despite warnings that less government oversight might mean more investment scams, Congress on Tuesday sent President Barack Obama legislation he endorsed making it easier for startups to raise capital without running afoul of federal regulations. The legislation, backed by Silicon Valley and the high-tech industry, is on course to be one of the few achievements this year for a Congress mired in partisan divisions and primed for the fall elections. The strong 380-41 vote in the House overshadowed misgivings among some Democrats and Democratic allies -- including unions and consumer groups -- that the bill backpedals on investment protections put in place after the dot.com excesses and Wall Street meltdown and could lead to fraud and abuse. The Senate passed the bill last week on a 73-26 vote after attaching an amendment that tightened rules for seeking out investors on the Internet. All "no" votes in the House and Senate came from the Democratic side. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/27/congress-sends-finchers-startup-investment-bill-ob/ (SUB)

3rd District Democrats chide GOP on campaign spending (TFP/Carroll)

The two Democrats vying for U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's job say their chances are realistic. "I don't think this is a Republican district," Chattanooga businessman Bill Taylor told a roomful of students Tuesday at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. "I'm in it to win it, and I think it can be done." Taylor described Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District as "very winnable" despite the past two decades of reality -- nine straight Republican triumphs, including Fleischmann's 2010 win. The last Democratic victory came in 1992 when former U.S. Rep. Marilyn Lloyd of Chattanooga won her 10th and final term. Taylor was speaking at a candidate forum 9

hosted by the Hamilton County Young Democrats. He and his Democratic primary opponent, Maynardville, Tenn., physician Mary Headrick, are fighting for the chance to face Fleischmann or one of his four Republican primary challengers in November's general election. "I think Bill and I both think we're on a paved road with the yellow lines and the white lines and that we see the country being diverted onto a cow path with a cliff on the end," said Headrick, an acute care physician from Maynardville. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/28/3rd-district-democrats-chide-gop-on-campaign/?local

Weston Wamp's use of GOP email questioned (Times Free-Press/Carroll)

On March 22, the Hamilton County Republican Party passed a policy that allows qualified candidates to use party resources to promote campaign events. Four days later, W eston Wamp requested help. Staffers for Wamp, son of former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, used the county GOP's computer servers and master list of 2,700 email addresses to publicize an open fundraiser held Monday night in honor of the congressional candidate's 25th birthday. The younger Wamp's opponents say the county Republican Party -- publicly neutral in a contested primary -- told them nothing about the new policy or how they could benefit from it. Weston Wamp is one of four Republicans challenging U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, the man who succeeded Zach Wamp in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District. Allison Brewster, Weston Wamp's aunt and Zach Wamp's sister, is vice chairwoman of the Hamilton County Republican Party and a member of the executive committee that approved the new policy. Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Marty Von Schaaf said Brewster wasn't involved with writing the new policy or getting the word to her nephew's campaign. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/28/wamps-use-of-gop-email-questioned/?local

TN studies health exchange despite legal distraction (Tennessean/W ard)

As the guy leading work on Tennessees health insurance exchange, Brian Haile is watching intently as U.S. Supreme Court legal arguments wrap up today to determine whether the federal health reform law is constitutional. Haile says hes fascinated by the legal debate, but he also considers the case a distraction to state planning efforts that eventually will determine whether Tennessee sets up an exchange of its own to offer insurance or allows the federal government to operate the one planned here. Actually, Gov. Bill Haslams administration hopes the high court throws out the federal health reforms (derided by critics as Obamacare) as unconstitutional. But state authorities also see a need to keep their planning process going forward in case the reforms stay in place. Many argue that if an exchange must be created, it would be better for the state to run it since local officials presumably have a better grasp of Tennessees insurance market than federal bureaucrats. So far, state officials have received $4.85 million in federal grants to fund the planning including actuarial studies. Consumers would be able to buy coverage on the exchanges, including subsidized plans for people with limited incomes. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/COLUMNIST03/303280107/Getahn-W ard-TN-studies-healthexchange-despite-legal-distraction

Judge: No plans to close federal buildings (Jackson Sun)

The U.S Courts System is not considering closing the Ed Jones Federal Building or the U.S District Courthouse in Jackson. The federal agency is considering closing only certain areas within the Ed Jones Federal Building but no offices or courtrooms within the newer courthouse the U.S. District Courthouse/Western District of Tennessee/Eastern Division, which is 50 feet away from the Ed Jones building. The Ed Jones Federal Building appeared last week on a list of 60 courthouses or federal buildings across the nation that are being surveyed by the Judicial Conference Committee of the United States to see if it can close all or portions of its offices in those buildings in an effort to reduce annual costs. The U.S. Courts System pays the federal government about $250,000 annually to rent the historic courtroom and other spaces in the Ed Jones building from the governments department of General Services Administration, said David Sellers, assistant director for Public Affairs at the Administrative Office of the United States Courts in Washington, D.C. What this exercise is geared at is the potential closure of what we call no resident court facilities, Sellers said. Those buildings with a courtroom but no circuit court or bankruptcy or district judge or magistrate who reside there. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120328/NEWS/303280009/Judge-No-plans-close-federal-buildings

College Tests Get New ID Standards (W all Street Journal)

The organizations behind the SAT and ACT college-entrance exams said Tuesday they are imposing stricter 10

security measures for test-takers nationwide in response to a cheating scandal that erupted in New York. In one of the most significant changes, students registering for college-admissions tests that take place in the 2012-13 school year will have to upload or mail photos of themselves that will be printed on tickets. The tickets will then be checked against a photo identification on the day the test is given. The College Board and ACT also have eliminated a standby option for taking exams. All students must sign up ahead of time and can't switch locations or tests. "We believe these new enhancements will effectively eliminate the issue of test-taker impersonation," College Board spokeswoman Kathleen Fineout Steinberg said. The College Board owns the SAT. The tighter controls come after the arrest late last year of 20 students from Long Island. Prosecutors alleged that 15 highschoolers paid five college students between $500 and $3,600 per test to take the SAT or ACT for them between 2008 and 2011. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303404704577307601291366574.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Justices consider severability and Medicaid (Stateline)

In the morning, the court will hear 90 minutes of oral arguments on the question of whether all or parts of the health law must be struck down if the requirement that almost everyone purchase health insurance is found unconstitutional. In the afternoon, attorneys will have one hour to present arguments on the question of whether Congress exceeded its power by coercing states to substantially expand Medicaid coverage. Severability The sprawling Affordable Care Act includes many provisions that have little or nothing to do with the individual mandate. For example, insurance companies must allow parents to keep their adult children on their policies until they reach the age of 26. Chain restaurants must disclose nutritional information about the food they serve, and doctors and hospitals must change the rates they charge Medicare, the federal health program for seniors. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th circuit, whose decision the high court is hearing on appeal, held that the lions share of the health law had nothing to do with private insurance or the individual mandate. It struck down the mandate and upheld the rest of the law. http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=641803

States' anti-illegal immigration bills hit roadblocks (USA Today)

Republican state legislators are struggling to pass laws this year that would give local police more powers to crack down on illegal immigrants. After Arizona passed its landmark illegal immigration bill in 2010, legislators in Utah, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Indiana followed and passed similar laws last year. But portions of all those laws have been blocked by federal courts and will face costly legal challenges, which could ultimately be decided when the Supreme Court reviews Arizona's law next month. Republican lawmakers say the threat of those lawsuits, some led by the Department of Justice, is one reason legislative leaders have put the brakes on immigration bills, or abandoned them altogether, as they wait to see how this election year plays out. "Legislators are much better informed on the issue. I think that legislators have been watching what's happening on the national level. The probability of that happening in Virginia is slight," said Virginia state Majority Leader Tommy Norment, who was the only Republican who voted against a state immigration law when it died in a Senate committee last month. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-03-20/states-illegal-immigrationbills/53810314/1?loc=interstitialskip

TVA replacing Browns Ferry sirens (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Sohn)

One lesson learned from the region's tornadoes over the past year is resulting in a sirens upgrade for all three TVA nuclear plants, beginning with Browns Ferry near Athens, Ala. "The severe weather in this area over the last year is a reminder of the importance of the sirens to the safety of the community," said Browns Ferry site Vice President Keith Polson in a prepared statement. The new sirens run on conventional electrical service, but feature a battery backup designed to keep them operating for up to seven days if power is interrupted, as it was for several days after last April's tornadoes. The Tennessee Valley Authority is replacing all 100 emergency sirens with units equipped with battery backups in a 10-mile radius of Browns Ferry. When the Browns Ferry project is finished in late spring, TVA will replace the sirens around Sequoyah in Soddy-Daisy and around Watts Bar near Spring City, Tenn. The sirens' tally for all three plants is about $7 million, TVA said. At Browns Ferry, contractor crews will replace sirens at the rate of four to six a day and be working six days a week in Lauderdale, Limestone, Lawrence and Morgan counties of North Alabama, the release said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/28/tva-replacing-browns-ferry-sirens/?local

Knoxville economy recovering faster than most cities (News-Sentinel/Harris)

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Knoxville is recovering from the Great Recession faster than most other cities, but weak housing prices continue to be a drag on the local economy, according to a Brookings Institution report released today. Metropolitan Knoxville's overall economic performance since the recession ended places it among what Brookings describes as the second-strongest 20 local economies in the nation, according to the MetroMonitor report. Twenty other cities, including Nashville, are in what the report labels the strongest metros. Job creation and increased production are Knoxville's strengths, the report says. Employment in the metro region has increased 3.4 percent since the recession ended, the 16th best metro performance in the country. Manufacturing employment in the Knoxville region has increased 3.5 percent in the last two years, 30th best in the country. Rhonda Rice, executive vice president of the Knoxville Chamber, said the report shows the stable, steady growth of the regional economy. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/28/knoxville-economy-recovering-faster-than-most-citi/

Knoxville tourism job generating interest (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Flory)

A scandal over lavish executive compensation made for bad publicity, but it apparently hasn't hurt the recruiting effort for Knoxville's top tourism organization. At a Tuesday meeting of the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corp. board, board member Chris Protzman said he has been "getting deluged with resumes" to fill the vacancy left by ousted president and CEO Gloria Ray. KTSC is searching for a new leader after the departure of Ray, who retired in the face of intense criticism over a compensation package that exceeded $400,000, including bonuses. While her compensation had been outlined in public documents, it came as a surprise to the KTSC board, as well as city and county officials. Protzman is heading up the board's search committee, and said Tuesday that he has met with Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero. The vast majority of KTSC's revenues are derived from service contracts with the city and county. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/27/knoxville-tourism-job-generating-interest/

Hamilton County Schools seek $15 million budget boost (Times Free-Press/Hardy)
Hamilton County Schools officials are proposing a total budget of $383 million for the next fiscal year -- about $15 million more in spending than the current budget year. School leaders laid out their proposal Tuesday evening to the school board's finance committee. While they expect some revenues to increase next year, the budget would require cuts in some areas because of impending spending increases in other areas. Christie Jordan, the school system's director of accounting and budgeting, said about $12 million in cost increases were "unavoidable." Proposed increases in spending include: $5 million in employee salary increases. $4 million to fund health insurance increases. $1.7 million that's expected to flow through to charter schools as they continue to add enrollment. $462,500 to help fund a new science, technology, engineering and math school, which will also receive funding from a state grant. $420,000 in extra transportation costs. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/28/schools-seek-15-million-budget-boost/?local

Millington told starting municipal schools possible (Commercial Appeal/Silence)

Consultant says to ignore cynicism of plan There's a lot of uncertainty about starting a municipal school district, but an education consultant told Millington residents Tuesday night that they can still do it, if they want to. "Folks, it's OK to be skeptical," Jim Mitchell, with Southern Educational Strategies, told a crowd of about 70 at the Millington Civic Center. "But don't listen to the cynics." Mitchell, a former Shelby County Schools superintendent and former principal of Millington Central High School, told residents the law is clear that they can create a municipal district, although it isn't so clear when they can do it. An opinion issued last week by the state attorney general says suburban cities may not proceed with referendums on the matter prior to the official merger of SCS and Memphis City Schools, which is scheduled to be complete by the summer of 2013. "Whether that ruling will stand, I don't know," Mitchell said. "But there are many who disagree with the attorney general's opinion." Last week, in the wake of the attorney general's opinion, the Shelby County Election Commission voted 5-0 to deny requests from Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown and Lakeland to hold referendums on May 10 to authorize the formation of municipal districts. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/28/millington-told-schools-possible/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

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OPINION Gail Kerr: TN's estate tax puts unfair burden on families (Tennessean)
Brandon W hitt of Rutherford County works 1,700 acres of hogs and row crops side by side with his father-in-law, sixth generation farmer John L. Batey. If the Tennessee legislature doesnt repeal the states estate tax, their way of life will not make it into the hands of Bateys three children and eventually, W hitts three children. Paying the so-called death tax would probably wipe them out. Were highly in support of eliminating it, Whitt said. Its the way of life you want to protect, and the heritage. I couldnt do anything else. You go into farming because you have a passion, not because its the best moneymaker. Tennessee lawmakers are debating a governor-backed proposal to phase out the states so-called death tax by 2016. Gov. Bill Haslam argues that the inheritance tax drives older Tennesseans to move to Florida to avoid their children having to pay it. Hes repeatedly declined to name names of who has actually done that. But theres a much more concrete argument for killing the death tax: fairness. It is not fair that people like Whitt should have to pay taxes on land and equipment that have already been taxed. And, the way the law is now, would be taxed yet again when his children inherit it. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/COLUMNIST0101/303280088/Gail-Kerr-TN-s-estate-tax-putsunfair-burden-families?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Guest columnist: Broad support base is needed to close achievement gap (Tenn)
Teachers' innovation, not uniformity, is key In a Feb. 20 New York Times article entitled, States Try to Fix Quirks in Teacher Evaluations, Tennessees new teacher evaluations figured prominently. The Times reporter traveled across Tennessee, interviewing state leaders, principals, teachers all who described the promise, pitfalls and potential to improve teacher quality with an evaluation framework. Daniel Weisberg, executive vice president at The New Teacher Project, noted, If you dont solve the problem of teacher quality, you will continue to have an achievement gap. Meanwhile, Grover Whitehurst, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former U.S. Department of Education official during the Bush administration (2002-08), expressed serious concerns, saying, Theres a lot we dont know about how to evaluate teachers reliably and how to use that information to improve instruction and learning. Uh-oh. In the meantime, as leaders work to get this element right, lets not lose focus of the bigger, broader goals of reform in Tennessee and elsewhere: results that reduce the achievement gap. To punctuate this point, policymakers should examine the immensely impressive student achievement in the Department of Defense Education Activity the schools that serve the children of military personnel who live on U.S. military bases. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/OPINION03/303280081/Broad-support-baseneeded-close-achievement-gap?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Guest columnist: Friends of TN mountains must step up (Tennessean)

Yesterday, Tennessee lawmakers punted on legislation they should have passed that would have made Tennessee the first state in the nation to ban the destruction of its states scenic mountain vistas by coal mining. The Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act, banning mountaintop-removal mining of any peak higher than 2,000 feet, deserved broad bipartisan support. The bills sponsor, Rep. Mike McDonald, D-Portland, moved the bill to a summer study committee, effectively delaying for at least one more year the effort to prevent the destruction of some of Tennessees most beautiful mountains. The Scenic Vistas Protection Act would prohibit one method of coal mining called mountaintop removal on peaks taller than 2,000 feet. Mountaintop removal is exactly what it sounds like: Mountains are blasted apart with high explosives, the coal extracted from 13

the rubble. The process removes 500 feet or more of the summit to get at buried seams of coal. The earth from the mountaintop is dumped in neighboring valleys, devastating forest habitat, polluting streams with sediment and toxic compounds, and destroying the scenic beauty of mountain landscapes. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/OPINION03/303280082/Friends-TN-mountains-must-step-up? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Clay Bennett Political Cartoon: The Textbook (Times Free-Press)

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Times Editorial: Buying politicians full-time (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

Tennessee's Republican-dominated Legislature should be deeply embarrassed and ashamed by its unbridled rush to soak up PAC and corporate cash -- money that typically comes laden with the obligation of awarding legislative favors and bills designed by and for special interest lobbies. It has just gotten a C-minus in lobbying disclosure, a C-minus in political financing and a D-minus in ethics enforcement in a comprehensive new report issued by the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity, which grades the performance of state governments. (It also got an F for its excessively partisan decennial redistricting, which flagrantly pitted so many incumbent Democratic lawmakers against each other in pending fall elections.) All that's bad enough. It tells you that our overly partisan lawmakers are being bought and led by lobbyists, smothering opposing voices, and muffling any possible flack from its hamstrung ethics committee, which has not publicly released any complaints it might have received since its establishment in 2006 in the wake of the Tennessee Waltz scandal. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/28/buying-politicians-full-time/?opiniontimes

Free-Press Editorial: An unfortunate controversy (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

Our Tennessee Legislature unfortunately, and unnecessarily, has been involved again in an unproductive controversy about the theory of evolution. The state House of Representatives Monday night voted 72 to 23 for a bill apparently designed to protect teachers who discuss the subject of evolution. The bill now goes to Gov. Bill Haslam. The bill apparently bars the Tennessee Board of Education and local education officials from prohibiting teachers in public schools from helping students understand, analyze, critique and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories. State Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, says students should be encouraged to challenge current scientific thought and theory. Students should be encouraged to debate, to improve their creative thinking skills and to improve their communications skills. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/28/unfortunate-controversy/?opinionfreepress

Frank Munger: ORNL exec praises unions for commitment to lab (News-Sentinel)
After Oak Ridge National Laboratory's union workers last week approved a three-year contract extension, ORNL Deputy Director Thomas Zacharia praised the hourly employees for their cooperation and commitment to the lab. The agreement to extend the contract included some cost-cutting measures, including changes in some benefits and a reduction in this year's scheduled 4 percent pay raise. Some of the changes are similar to those already enacted among salaried employees as the lab attempts to deal with tight budgets and rising pension costs. Zacharia said laboratory management genuinely appreciated the cooperation of hourly workers. The contract extension puts in place some cost reductions that had already been implemented among salaried workers at the lab. "It is a commitment to Oak Ridge National Laboratory," Zacharia said. "We've all worked very hard in the past year to position this laboratory for a vibrant future. Ultimately, we are all staff members of the same organization. We have a collective destiny to move forward." The leadership of the Atomic Trades and Labor Council had recommended approval of the contract extension, which was a pretty contentious issue among the workers. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/28/ornl-exec-praises-unions-for-commitment-to-lab/

Editorial: We all pay for the uninsured (Commercial Appeal)

The fallacy of criticism about the health care reform act is we all pay for medical care for uninsured individuals. The heated and at times hyperbolic rhetoric over the evils of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act clouds over these facts: While America's health care system may not be totally broken, it is in need of major repair. As long as the status quo continues, Americans will continue to pay a stiff price through rising health 14

insurance premiums and higher deductibles. And our tax dollars will continue to cover hundreds of millions of dollars in medical costs for uninsured individuals who seek help in hospital emergency rooms or who have to be hospitalized. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to wrap up three days of oral arguments today over the constitutionality of the two-year-old health care reform law, which has been one of President Barack Obama's major legislative achievements. The court is being asked to rule on whether the law's requirement that uninsured people purchase insurance is constitutional. A decision from the justices is expected sometime this summer. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/28/editorial-we-all-pay-for-the-uninsured/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Columnist: Insurers and the Supremes (Wall Street Journal)

The industry's role comes with risksnamely congressional underfundingbut stop calling it insurance. Insurers were never the enemy of ObamaCare that it suited President Obama to pretend. That much is clear from their stance in this week's Supreme Court case. In a brief filed by America's Health Insurance Plans, the industry's main trade group, along with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, insurers conspicuously fail to take issue with the individual mandate or any feature of ObamaCare. Their sole concern is a question that will animate Wednesday morning's oral argument"severability," or whether the individual mandate can be struck down without invalidating the rest of the law. Insurers choose their words carefully, but in effect they note that ObamaCare doubles down on the policies that have already made the industry's product an unaffordable, overpriced luxury for millions of Americans. Without a mandate to force customers to buy it anyway, the new law will just provide a powerful new incentive for Americans to skip coverage unless and until struck by one of those "pre-existing conditions" the law requires insurers to pay for. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303816504577307353171948764.html?mod=ITP_opinion_0 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial: The Supreme Courts Momentous Test (New York Times)

In ruling on the constitutionality of requiring most Americans to obtain health insurance, the Supreme Court faces a central test: whether it will recognize limits on its own authority to overturn well-founded acts of Congress. The skepticism in the questions from the conservative justices suggests that they have adopted the language and approach of the insurance mandates challengers. But the arguments against the mandate, the core of the health care reform law, willfully reject both the reality of the national health care market and established constitutional principles that have been upheld for generations. The Obama administration persuasively argues that the mandate is central to solving the crisis in Americas health care system, which leaves 50 million people uninsured and accounts for 17.6 percent of the national economy. The challengers contend that the law is an unlimited and, therefore, unconstitutional use of federal authority to force individuals to buy insurance, or pay a penalty. That view wrongly frames the mechanism created by this law. The insurance mandate is nothing like requiring people to buy broccoli a comparison Justice Antonin Scalia suggested in his exasperated questioning of Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. Congress has no interest in requiring broccoli purchases because the failure to buy broccoli does not push that cost onto others in the system. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/28/opinion/the-supreme-courts-momentous-test.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper (SUBSCRIPTION) ###

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