TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2012 HomeServe USA adding 120 Chattanooga jobs (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

HomeServe USA, a provider of home repair service programs, plans to add to its Chattanooga call center operation and create 120 jobs, officials said today. W ith the additions, HomeServes head count in Chattanooga is to reach almost 300 people in the city, according to the company. The Chattanooga facility, located at 1232 Premier Drive, services the Continental U.S. and Canada. We have placed a renewed emphasis on helping existing industries grow right where they are, as this is essential to reaching our goal of becoming the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high-quality jobs, said Gov. Bill Haslam in a statement. Interested applicants can apply online at www.homeserveusa.com/Careers.html and the company is holding a job fair this week at its local facility. http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/16/homeserve-usa-adding-120-chattanooga-jobs/? breakingnews

Measure for selecting judges advances in Senate (Associated Press)

A proposal that seeks to amend the state constitution to change the way appeals judges are selected passed the Senate on Monday night The resolution sponsored by Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville was approved 21-9. It would give voters three options for selecting judges: contested elections, a federal-style plan, or a plan similar to the current one. Under the current Tennessee judicial selection method, a commission nominates judges, the governor appoints them and voters cast ballots either for or against keeping them on the bench. Norris said some type of plan is necessary because the current plan is scheduled to "sunset," or end, and "this is the last opportunity Tennesseans have to get this on the ballot in 2014." However, opponents say the legislation is unnecessary. "I think this is doing something that we can already do," said Democratic Sen. Andy Berke of Chattanooga. "The current constitution authorizes us to have the Tennessee plan." http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=39058063.story

Senate Approves Judge Appointment Proposal Much Like Govs Preference (WPLN)
Last night, the Tennessee Senate approved a proposal for naming state judges a first step in making a change to the state constitution. And it was the one that most resembles the current system. Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris says his resolution would give lawmakers leeway to set up a system much like todays method the governor appoints judges, they later stand for retention in an unopposed, yes-no vote by citizens. Governor Bill Haslam said it is his desire to pass a constitutional amendment to write the current method called the Tennessee plan into the constitution. Last nights 21 to 9 vote was not the final word on judges by the upper chamber. A competing plan will be up for a vote in the Senate later this week. Senator Norris says he welcomes the competing plan. He argues that more than one proposal for naming judges may be in order, because a resolution must pass the next General Assembly by a two-thirds majority before it can be on the ballot in 2014. http://wpln.org/?p=36042

House passes ban on synthetic drugs (Associated Press)

The House passed a bill that would make it a felony to make or sell synthetic drugs often called bath salts that imitate controlled substances The bill passed unanimously during the House floor session on Monday. Sponsor Rep. Jon Lundberg, a Republican from Bristol, said the drugs have hit his district in northeast Tennessee hard after Virginia banned the drugs and people have been crossing state lines to purchase the drugs in stores in Tennessee. Lundberg said the drugs are not marketed for ingestion and can be purchased in convenience and

tobacco stores. The bill would also allow authorities to declare the stores where the drugs are sold as public nuisances. The Senate has not yet passed its version of the bill. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=39057985.story

Hundreds To Attend Tennessee Prayer Breakfast At Lipscomb (W TVF-TV Nashville)

State and local officials will take part in the 38th annual Tennessee Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday morning. It will start at 7 a.m. at Allen Arena at Lipscomb University. Each year, organizers said 500 to 800 guests attend from around the state representing government, business, education, and churches. Among the participants will be Governor Bill Haslam along with First Lady Crissy Haslam. The Prayer Breakfast, formerly known as the Governor's Prayer Breakfast, is Tennessee's version of the National Prayer Breakfast. The event is held annually in Nashville prior to the conclusion of Tennessee General Assembly's legislative session as an effort to encourage state leaders through prayer. The event is presented and produced by the Citizens' committee-- a volunteer group made up of business and ministry leaders as well as elected officials. http://www.newschannel5.com/story/17495139/hundreds-to-attend-tennessee-prayer-breakfast-at-lipscomb

Call 811 before you dig (Crossville Chronicle)

Gov. Bill Haslam has issued a proclamation announcing April as Tennessee Safe Digging Month. The proclamation reminds Tennessee homeowners to call 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects. April marks the start of spring digging season, so Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, Tennessee811 and Gov. Haslam are encouraging homeowners to call 811 before they dig to prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenient outages. A utility line is damaged by digging once every three minutes nationwide, and one-third of these incidents are caused by failure of the professional excavator or homeowner to call 811 before beginning their digging project. When calling 811, homeowners are connected to Tennessee811, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags or spray paint. Once lines have been accurately marked, digging can begin around marked lines. We join the governor in strongly encouraging individuals and companies to call 811 before they begin digging, said Kathy Quartermaine, Tennessee811 Marketing & Education Manager. http://crossville-chronicle.com/local/x1789086509/Call-811-before-you-dig

Tennessee Seeking to Bolster Business Ties with China, South Korea (TN Report)
A trade mission to China and South Korea, underway this week by state economic development officials and nearly a dozen health care-related companies in Tennessee, looks to build on the states already productive trade relationships with east Asian countries. Through the mission, which will be led by Bill Hagerty, commissioner for the Department of Economic and Community Development, the state intends to help increase exports by small- and mid-level businesses in Tennessee. The participants will attend business meetings arranged by the U.S. Commercial Service, a component of the Department of Commerce, as well as an exhibition of health care-related products and services in the Asia-Pacific Region, the China International Medical Equipment Fair. Last year, Tennessee exported roughly $30 billion dollars in goods; however, fewer than two percent of all Tennessee companies are exporters, Hagerty said in a press release released in late January by ECD. This trade mission will allow participants to be introduced to potential distributors and customers in the rapidly growing Asian market and explore new sources of revenue. http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/04/16/tennessee-seeking-to-bolster-business-ties-with-china-south-korea/

Veterans, labor center merge in Cookeville (Associated Press)

The Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs is moving its Cookeville field office to the state Department of Labor's Career Center, the third location where the two offices have been merged. The new consolidated center will open on Tuesday in Cookeville and officials say in a news release that the relocation will make it easier for veterans to access resources from each department. VA Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder said in a statement that moving the veterans center into the career center will be more effective and efficient. Veterans' services will include assistance with employment, filing for service-connected or pension benefits, filing for home loan guarantees, education resources and information on burial benefits. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/17/veterans-labor-center-merge-in-cookeville/ 2

$80 million U.S. Highway 27 redesign on hold (Times Free-Press/Sher)

Tennessee has yanked the emergency brake on the downtown half of the U.S. Highway 27 construction project. State transportation officials have planned for five years to spend about $80 million to widen the Olgiati Bridge and rebuild the aging highway between the bridge and Interstate 24 by 2016. But the state has sent those blueprints to planning purgatory until local and Tennessee officials can agree on the details. "We don't build roads unless we have consensus with local leaders," Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer said. "We're going to take a step back, which is why we pulled it from the three-year plan, and we're going to re-look at the MLK intersection and Fourth Street intersection to make sure that we have an agreement." There is $9 billion worth of TDOT projects in the pipeline, but the agency has only $900 million to spend on road construction in any given year, he said. "Since that's the case and I have limited capacity, I'm not going to put roads where people don't want them," he said. "We're going to put them where they're embraced." Though workers will continue the $102.5 million project north of the bridge to Signal Mountain Boulevard, the state's decision temporarily ends local hopes of widening the Olgiati Bridge and U.S. 27 through downtown unless a compromise is hammered out. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/17/a1-us-27-redesign-on-hold-chattanooga/?local

TDOT reverses I-75 decision on contract award (News-Sentinel/Jacobs)

Original bid winner gets job after all The state giveth and the state can taketh it back. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has reversed a decision made last week providing an emergency job to repair a sliding slope along Interstate 75 near the Stinking Creek interchange in Campbell County. The lowest of the six submitted bids was $9,334,340.21 from Elmo Greer and Sons LLC of London, Ky. For a couple days, Elmo Greer and Sons appeared to be the winner of the bid opened April 10. But on April 12, TDOT officials noted the Kentucky firm did not have a certificate of authority to operate in Tennessee. TDOT then awarded the repair work to the next lowest bid of $9,439,680.70, which was submitted by Charles Blalock and Sons Inc., which is based in Sevier County. TDOT spokeswoman B.J. Doughty said Monday officials with the Tennessee Secretary of State indicated it would take a while for Elmo Greer and Sons to obtain the certificate. "We were very concerned with the time and that slope," Doughty said, so TDOT awarded the contract to Charles Blalock and Sons. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/16/tdot-reverses-i-75-decision-on-contract-award/

Intersections on road to improvement (Leaf Chronicle)

Construction continues on improvements to three intersections on Madison Street and Riverside Drive. The Clarksville Street Department, in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, is reworking Riverside and Cumberland Drive, Madison and Richview Road and state Highway 76 and Madison. Chris Cowan, the traffic engineer for the Street Department, said most of the construction at Richview and Madison has been finished. Weve actually widened and added the second lane that we were planning on having at that intersection, he said. We have put some additional signage out there and paint markings on a temporary basis to help educate the public because there is some change in lane configuration. He said the Street Department has designated one of the lanes for turning left and added another as a shared second left turn lane and to go straight as well. Over the weekend, he said, he drove through to see how the new lanes were handling. He said hes also tested the intersection during peak traffic hours in the week. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120416/NEWS01/304160033/Intersections-road-improvement

Proposal outlines UTC campus growth for 10 to 15 years (Times FreePress/Hardy)

After Monday night's fourth meeting with community members, UTC officials are preparing to seek government approval for the university's new master plan that will provide an outline for its real estate growth in the next 1015 years. The plan aims to introduce more housing and parking for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's growing student population, centralize academic buildings on the campus, increase grounds for non-varsity sports and reduce campus carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030. The school is likely to expand student housing farther down Vine Street and may buy some properties along M.L. King Boulevard, according to the plan. "There's certainly some urgency in our housing situation," said UTC spokesman Chuck Cantrell, after the school had to board some students in hotels at the beginning of this year. He said UTC's population is expected to rise to 12,000 students next fall, and the school will have to accommodate 15,000 within the lifetime of the 3

proposed plan. Officials and planners emphasized the proposal needs to be fluid so the university can respond to properties that may come on the real estate market in coming years. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/17/utc-proposal-outlines-campus-growth-for-10-to-15/?local

Admissions to Bristol nursing home suspended (Bristol Herald-Courier)

Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, has suspended new admissions of residents to Bristol Nursing Home effective April 13, 2012, and imposed a one-time state civil monetary penalty of $3,000. The federal civil penalty has been imposed at $5,800 a day until the violations are corrected. A special monitor has been appointed to review the facilitys operations. Bristol Nursing Home, a 120-bed licensed nursing home located at 261 North Street in Bristol, was ordered not to admit any new residents based on conditions found during a complaint investigation and annual survey conducted March 26 March 31, 2012. The investigation was completed March 31. During the inspection, surveyors found violations of the following standards: administration, performance improvement, nursing services and resident rights. The Commissioner of Health may suspend admissions to a nursing home when conditions are determined to be, or are likely to be, detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents. The order to suspend admissions remains effective until conditions have been and continue to remain corrected. A copy of the order must be posted at the public entrance where it can be plainly seen. The nursing home has the right to a hearing regarding the suspension of admissions before the Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities or an administrative judge. http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/apr/16/admissions-bristol-nursing-home-suspended-ar-1846697/

Tennessee Lottery has 3rd-quarter record (Associated Press)

The Tennessee Lottery raised a record $89.9 million for education in the third quarter. It exceeded the old record of $79.6 million in the third quarter of 2006. Lottery officials credited a world record Mega Millions jackpot of $656 million on March 30 and increasingly popular instant games. Keith Simmons, chairman of the board for the 8year-old lottery, said the games are on track for a record year. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=39054455.story

Capitol Hill Conversation-Legislators Projects (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Last week, the House approved Governor Haslams plan for a modest cut in the states grocery tax. They also passed the Governors proposal to raise the exemption level on the inheritance tax. The Haslam Administration pushed for these tax cuts because the state has been bringing in more revenue than projected. But lawmakers have their own designs for the excess revenue, and they hope to get some of them into the budget. WPLNs Bradley George talks about those ideas with Capitol reporter Joe http://wpln.org/?p=35950 White.

Lottery scholarship bill passes Senate 20-10 (Associated Press/Johnson)

A proposal that would make cutting some students' lottery scholarships in half contingent on lottery revenues passed the Senate 20-10 Monday evening, despite criticism that the increase in revenues may not be consistent. The legislation, sponsored by Republican Sen. Dolores Gresham of Somerville, was approved 20-10. The companion bill is awaiting a vote 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 won't change if lottery proceeds match, or exceed, the previous year's through 2015. Tennessee Lottery officials said in a news release earlier on Monday that proceeds have reached $234 million, or were up $22 million, over this time last year. That means proceeds next year must be at least $22 million to keep from triggering Gresham's proposal. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=39057585.story

TN Senate approves cuts to lottery scholarships (Tennessean/Sisk)

The state Senate approved a plan to reduce lottery scholarships for some students, which Republican lawmakers said was needed to keep the program from eventually becoming insolvent. The Senate voted 20-14 for a plan to halve HOPE scholarships to students who do not meet both of the programs ACT and grade-point average requirements. The change still has to pass the state House of Representatives. If it is signed into law, 4

about 5,200 students a year would receive awards that had been reduced to $2,000 from the current $4,000. The vote largely fell along party lines, as Democrats argued that no changes are needed to the HOPE program, which is running a surplus. But Republicans have pushed for some sort of limit on awards, citing long-range projections that show scholarships outstripping the lotterys growth. To me, its classic Aesops Fables, The Grasshopper and the Ant, said Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, the bills sponsor. Tennessee currently awards a scholarship of $4,000 to any high school student in the state who scores at least a 21 on the ACT and earns at least a 3.0 grade-point average in high school. The plan would cut those awards in half if a student hit one of those two benchmarks, saving the state about $17 million a year in awards when it went into effect in four years. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120417/NEWS0201/304160074/TN-Senate-approves-cuts-lotteryscholarships?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Tennessee Senate OKs scholarship cuts unless revenues rise (TFP/Sher)

The Senate approved legislation Monday that could slash lottery scholarships in half for several thousand college students in 2015 if proceeds from the games don't exceed this year's record-breaking net profits. The Republican-sponsored bill passed on a mostly partisan 20-10 vote with Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, and other Democrats questioning why the legislation even is needed. The House version remains in committee and would have to pass both chambers in identical form before going to Republican Gov. Bill Haslam to consider. The bill, sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairman Delores Gresham, R-Somerville, changes requirements to obtain a $4,000 lottery-funded Hope scholarship, contingent on net lottery proceeds for education in each of the next three state budget cycles. Under current law, students can qualify for a full Hope scholarship if they have a 3.0 grade-point average or score a 21 or above on their ACT. The bill changes that to say that, beginning in the 2015-2016 academic year, students must have both a 3.0 GPA and score at least a 21 on the ACT. If they don't, their scholarships would be reduced from $4,000 to $2,000. Home-schooled students only would have to meet the 21 ACT requirement and must score at least a 21 on two of the test's four parts. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/17/tenn-senate-oks-scholarship-cuts-unless-revenues/?local

Vote could make it harder to get scholarship in Tennessee (C. Appeal/Locker)

Despite a scholarship reserve fund of nearly $400 million, Republicans in the state Senate approved a measure tonight that will make it more difficult for students to win a full $4,000-a-year Hope Scholarship starting in 2015 if the lottery doesnt produce record proceeds in each of the next three years. The House version of the bill is awaiting committee review, and bills must pass both chambers in identical form before they become law. Since Tennessees lottery scholarship program began in 2004, students have qualified for a full scholarship by achieving either a 21 ACT test score or a 3.0 high school grade-point average. But if the bill sponsored by Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, becomes law, students will have to achieve both standards to qualify for a full $4,000-per-year Hope grant, starting with freshmen entering college in the fall of 2015, if three financial triggers arent met: First, the lotterys net proceeds for scholarships in the current fiscal year, 2011-12, must exceed net lottery proceeds for 2010-12 by at least $10 million. Then, net proceeds for fiscal years 2012-13 and 2013-14 must meet or exceed the net lottery proceeds of 2011-12. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/16/vote-could-make-it-harder-get-scholarship-tennesse/ (SUB)

Senate Trims Scholarship Amounts Or Not, If Enough Lottery $ Comes In (W PLN)

The Tennessee Senate voted tonight to cut some lottery scholarship awards in order to build up lottery reserves. But the measure has an escape clause that leaves the scholarships untouched, if the lottery continues to bring in additional money each year. With lottery revenues showing a ten million dollar uptick this year, state senators agreed to a trigger clause if lottery proceeds continue to grow at that ten million dollar rate for the next three years, the planned cutback doesnt take affect. Otherwise many students will have their award cut in half, from $4,000 a year to just $2,000. Dresden Democrat Roy Herron railed against the bill, even with its escape clause. He says thousands of students from family with limited resources wont be able to stay in school with only half a scholarship. Ladies and Gentlemen, its gonna hurt. It makes a difference. It doesnt make any difference to our children. Not a man or a woman in this room, it wont affect a one of us, not a single one of us. But it will affect thousands of those we represent. Under the plan, students with a high college entrance exam and high grades would get the full amount. Students who only hit one of those marks would get a half-scholarship. http://wpln.org/?p=36046

Foreign charter school limit heads to governor (Associated Press)

A bill seeking to limit the number of foreign workers at Tennessee charter schools is on its way for the governor's consideration The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Judd Matheny of Tullahoma passed the House on a 63-29 vote on Monday. The Senate passed its version last week on an 18-13 vote. Under the bill, a chartering authority would not be allowed to approve a charter school application if the school plans to hire 3.5 percent of foreign workers from H1B or J-1 visa programs. The bill would allow exemptions to the limit for foreign language teachers. Supporters said the measure is intended to encourage charter schools to hire from within Tennessee first, though the bill makes no mention of state lines. Rep. Rick Womick, a Republican from Murfreesboro, said state funds are going to charter schools and American workers should have a priority over foreign employees. "This is a jobs bill for Tennessee teachers," Womick said. "They get preference in hiring over any foreign workers." But Rep. Mike Turner, a Nashville Democrat, said Matheny has been led astray on the purpose of the bill, which Turner said was originally written to target certain charter schools that are operated by foreigners. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=39058135.story

Legislature Passes Limits on Foreign Staffers at TN Charter Schools (TN Report)

The Tennessee Legislature has approved a bill limiting the number of non-U.S. citizens any Volunteer State charter school can hire while still maintaining eligibility for public funding. Senate Bill 3345, which passed in the Tennessee Senate last week and in the House of Representatives on Monday night, would also require charter schools to disclose all their funding sources in addition to capping the number of foreign citizens on staff at 3.5 percent of the total number of the schools employees. House proponents of the measure portrayed it as a common-sense effort to increase charter-school transparency and encourage the hiring of American citizens as teachers preferably Tennesseans. It simply puts more accountability in the charter school process, said House Speaker Pro Tem Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma, the bills sponsor. The measure contains an exemption for foreign-language teachers who, if by hiring them, would cause a charter school to break the cap, Matheny added. The measure passed April 12 in the Senate on an 18-13-1 vote. It cleared the House on a 63-29-1 vote. In both chambers votes were cast mostly along party lines, with Republicans for it and Democrats against. http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/04/16/legislature-passes-limits-on-foreigners-in-tn-charter-schools/

Tennessee Senate delays municipal school district bill to Thursday (CA/Locker)

The state Senate on Monday postponed until at least Thursday action on a bill that would allow the Memphis suburbs to hold referendums this year on creating new municipal school districts. Sen. Dolores Gresham, RSomerville, agreed to defer the bill to Thursday at the request of Sen. Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, to give the Shelby County legislative delegation time to discuss the issue at its weekly Wednesday meeting. Gresham is the Senate sponsor of a bill that requires annual performance evaluations of the directors of local school systems. But earlier this month, the Senate added to that bill an amendment by Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, that sets out the procedure for calling referendums within municipalities on whether to establish new municipal school districts. The amendment would allow such referendums this year, before the state's 14-year-old ban on new municipal districts is lifted next year. But the House last week refused to concur in the municipal-district amendment, which sent the measure back to the Senate because both chambers must approve bills in identical form before they can become law. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/16/tennessee-senate-delays-municipalschool-district/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Volkswagen speaks out against guns in parking lots (Associated Press/Schelzig)

The head of Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant is speaking out against a bill pending in the Tennessee General Assembly to strip employers of the right to ban firearms on company property. The proposal headed for vote in a House committee on Tuesday morning would allow people to store legally-owned firearms in vehicles parked at work regardless of their employers' wishes. "That's a sort of thing that makes us a bit nervous," Frank Fischer, the CEO and chairman of Volkswagen Chattanooga, said in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday. The guns-in-parking-lots measure is a rare instance where the German automaker has been at odds with Tennessee lawmakers, he said. "On the whole, the cooperation and mutual understanding has been excellent," Fischer said in German. "The only thing we see critically as a company is the guns law. "We would not welcome people being able to carry weapons on factory grounds, probably just as little as the state House or Senate would like people to enter their building armed." Fischer and other VW executives on Monday hosted a reception in Nashville for state lawmakers and Republican Gov. Bill Haslam. Supporters of the measure backed by the National Rifle Association say they consider vehicles an extension of workers' private property, even if they are 6

parked on company lots. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=39059047.story

Sponsor: Horse slaughter bill not likely to pass (Associated Press/Schelzig)

The sponsor of a bill seeking to attract horse slaughter facilities said the bill likely will not pass this year. Rep. Andy Holt said that chances were not good for the bill to pass, but he remained committed to bringing the industry to Tennessee. The Senate version of the bill was taken off notice last week and Holt took it off the schedule for the House floor on Monday. He said an amendment that would require hefty deposits for anyone to mount a legal challenge to the facilities was removed from the bill, but he was also working on adding animal treatment guidelines. "I am not into rushing stuff through," he said. "We want to make sure all the interested parties have a chance to express their grievances with these bills." Holt said he wants to add protections for the horses and horse owners. "The amendment we are working on right now actually sets up guidelines for animal treatment and for the procurement of these animals," he said. Holt, a Dresden Republican, has said his bill would create a humane way to cope with unwanted horses that are sometimes left to starve. But Democratic Rep. Janis Sontany of Nashville said slaughterhouses are seeking a different population of horses. "They don't want old or sick horses for slaughter," she said. "They want healthy horses." http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=39056019.story

Horse slaughterhouse bill fades in TN House (Tennessean/Gonzalez)

Controversial bills to bring more horse slaughter facilities to Tennessee and protect religious expression in schools were tabled Monday, leaving no guarantees that either will come up again this year. The sponsor of both, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, asked that the proposals be held on the desk, a move that neither sends the bills back to committee nor reschedules another time for a vote. It leaves open the possibility that they can be discussed again but, in the short time remaining this legislative session, makes both long shots for passage. Afterward, Holt said he may not have explained his bills well enough to convince his colleagues to support them. If we cant get the job done this year, it looks like I just need to work harder and be better at explaining my position for next time around, Holt said. The technical maneuvers came at the start of Mondays evening session, beginning with HB 3619, which would have created incentives to encourage horse slaughtering operations to locate in the state. The bill had already lost steam after a similar measure was withdrawn in the Senate. Less than a minute after sending the horse slaughter bill to legislative limbo, Holt moved to table the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act, HB 3616, which would have protected school districts when students pray openly or make other expressions of faith. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120417/NEWS0201/304170003/Horse-slaughterhouse-bill-fades-TNHouse?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Lawmakers Weigh More Regulation of Cosmetic Laser Operators (WPLN-Radio)

For about a year Tennessee lawmakers have listened to testimony from people burned by cosmetic lasers, tools used in spas to remove body hair, rejuvenate skin, and erase sun damage. Lawmakers turned down the idea of putting doctors in closer charge of the procedure, but left another route open. Nichol Thompson teaches cosmetic laser operation at a Knoxville school that is part of Tennessee School of Beauty. She was at the state capital last week picketing as lawmakers tried to find an answer to consumer complaints. She says it would be better if laser techs were certified by the state. As of right now there is zero hours or regulations or certifications for lasering, or who can do it. She lobbied Representative Joey Hensley, a Hohenwald Republican whos also a doctor. I would certainly agree with that, that there does need to be a certification. Too many lasers are just purchased by somebody, and they start using them, and theyre not trained to do em, and lasers can cause a lot of damage. Hensley had introduced a bill to require physicians be in the room when lasers are used. http://wpln.org/?p=35961

Cut to TN gift tax urged (Tennessean/Sisk)

Economist Laffer tells lawmakers levy drives rich retirees from state Economist Arthur Laffer urged Tennessee lawmakers on Monday to follow up on their plans to phase out the estate tax with a cut to the states tax on gifts, which he said curbs economic growth. Laffer told the legislatures Joint Fiscal Review Committee that the states 7

gift tax should be eliminated immediately. The Nashville-based economist has been pushing for repeal of Tennessees estate and gift taxes, which he says cause rich retirees to move to states where they can pass on their wealth to heirs tax-free. Tennessees performance has been very poor, and the reason its been poor in my view is because of the gift and estate tax, he said. Youre taking that very small group of people, the crme de la crme of the job creators, and forcing them to leave. By doing that, youve really held down the growth rate. Tennessee imposes a levy of as much as 9.5 percent on estates worth more than $1 million, and Laffer, a private sector economist who moved to Tennessee six years ago, has argued that tax on inheritances drags down the economy. Tennessee collects about $100 million a year from the estate tax, but Laffer and a partner wrote a research paper, presented to lawmakers in November, that claimed Tennessee would bring in far more through increased sales tax revenues if the state were to do away with the estate tax. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120417/NEWS0201/304160063/Cut-TN-gift-tax-urged?odyssey=tab| topnews|text|News

Mallicote ahead of Shipley in campaign contributions (Times-News)

Tennessee 2nd House District GOP challenger Ben Mallicote is showing more campaign cash on hand than incumbent Republican state Rep. Tony Shipley, according to first quarter disclosures. Mallicotes disclosure also noted he has loaned his campaign $5,000. Shipley and Mallicote are scheduled to face off in the August GOP primary, with the winner facing Democrat Bruce Dotson in the November general election. Those disclosures, filed with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance, show Mallicote with a quarter-ending balance of $23,740 compared to Shipleys $18,005. Unlike Mallicote, Shipley is barred from taking in campaign contributions while the legislature is in session. Mallicote, a former Kingsport alderman and downtown attorney, raised $22,569 and spent $3,828 during the quarter. Mallicote pointed out his local donor base included Pals Sudden Service founder Pal Barger, businessman Sam Anderson, and the developers of The Edinburgh subdivision. In contrast, Mallicote noted Shipley has received campaign contributions from political action committees (PACs). http://www.timesnews.net/article/9045382/mallicote-ahead-of-shipley-in-campaign-contributions

Rules being made for use of War Memorial Plaza (Associated Press)
The state is seeking comment from the public on proposed rules regarding the use of the War Memorial Plaza across from the state Capitol. The Department of General Services held a hearing on Monday to discuss the rules. The hearing follows the signing of a new law by Gov. Bill Haslam that aims to keep Occupy Nashville protesters from staying overnight on the plaza. The law prohibits camping on state property that is not specifically designated for it. Thad Watkins is general counsel for the General Services Department. He said all written and verbal comments will be reviewed before the rules are adopted. He said they will then be reviewed and approved by the state attorney general and sent to the secretary of state's office where they will be on file for at least 90 days before taking effect. http://www.wdef.com/news/state/story/Rules-being-made-for-use-of-War-MemorialPlaza/C6zw1CAFRkudEwmlQ60yLw.cspx

Occupy Nashvilles Tents Nashville)

Gone, But Rules-Change Moving

(WPLN-Radio

State officials are still pushing the rules-change that Governor Bill Haslam wanted in order to evict Occupy Nashville. It would add another way the state could keep occupiers from planting tents on the plaza outside the capitol, on top of the law Haslam signed last month. Kicking out Occupy Nashville wasnt easy for the state, since it cant legally step on free-speech rights in the process. The rules-proposal (pdf) spells out details, like how occupiers and others would need permission to use the plazas electrical outlets. But protester Michael Custer argues its all part of a big violation of the right to protest: The state should see fit to accommodate that right. And when it sees a bunch of protesters out there, bring us extension cords! Tell us where to plug in so we dont damage anything. When the state first tried to evict Occupy Nashville last fall it was slapped down in court, and left with a couple of options. State lawmakers went ahead with a kind-of legislative camping ban, even though Haslam said he preferred the slower rules-change, which is open for public comment through Wednesday. http://wpln.org/?p=36038

Bradley County allocates wheel tax dollars (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Leach)

Bradley County commissioners have decided exactly how revenues from a proposed wheel tax will be spent. On Monday, commissioners voted 13-0 to allocate revenues from a proposed $32 wheel tax -- assessed each time a vehicle is registered in the county -- to pay for $32 million in new capital projects for the county and Cleveland 8

school systems. However, any revenues in excess of those required to fund the new projects may be allocated to the county's existing $67 million in education-related debt. The proposed wheel tax will appear on the Aug. 2 ballot as a referendum item. "My wish is that the commission would get behind this and support it," said Commissioner Jeff Morelock. "I plan to." The Bradley County Education and Finance Committees offered the wheel tax proposal in response to $21 million in capital funding requests made by Bradley County Schools. Proposed projects include renovations to Lake Forest Middle School, an eight-classroom pod for Walker Valley High School and a new elementary school for southern Bradley County. Fully funding the county school projects means Cleveland City Schools will receive nearly $11 million. Under an agreement between the two school systems, based on student populations, the city school system receives $1 for every $2 raised for the county system. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/17/bradley-county-allocates-wheel-tax-dollars-tn/?local

Council members have short wish lists for 2012-13 budget (News-Sentinel/Witt)
About $2 million needed to cover a shortfall in the city employees pension fund overshadows any wish list Knoxville City Council members have for the 2012-13 budget. "There's not going to be new money for new things, but obviously we can shift funding around priorities," said 3rd District Councilwoman Brenda Palmer. She, like other council members, said codes enforcement and building new sidewalks were high on her list for funding next year. City Council this month passed four ordinances to strengthen the city's fight against blight. One ordinance added a position for an administrative hearing officer. Other rule changes sharpened the city's tools to fight blight. Fully funding those would cost up to $195,000, city staff said. With unplanned pension costs looming, new money may be tough to find in the budget. The city faces years of rising pension obligations, in part because the investment market has failed to meet expectations on return. Mayor Madeline Rogero, who will present her 2012-13 budget recommendation April 27, has said she plans no property tax rate increase. The budget, mostly through increased sales tax collections, could rise to near $178 million from its current $172 million. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/17/council-members-have-short-wish-lists-for-2012/

Memphis Mayor A C W harton to seek tax increase for schools (C. Appeal/Maki)
47-cent hike to cover court-mandated funding Memphis Mayor A C Wharton today will call for a 47-cent property tax increase to cover the cost of court-ordered, state-mandated school funding. "It's all about the schools," Wharton said Monday of the proposal he will present to Memphis City Council. "We will not ask for a tax increase to run city government. The budget I present will be clear. We'll operate city government on the same amount we used last year." Because the city's legally mandated funding of Memphis City Schools expires with the merger of city and Shelby County Schools in 2013, Wharton said the tax increase he's proposing will be for just one year. "This is truly the terminal year for school funding," W harton said. The city's current overall tax rate is $3.19 per $100 of assessed value, which includes $3.01 for city operations and 18 cents for Memphis City Schools. The budget Wharton will present to the City Council will call for a combined tax rate of around $3.66, with $3.01 for city operations and the rest for schools. "It's not inefficiency, bloat or waste that's driving the cost of government. It's the declining value of property and school funding, pure and simple," he said. "W e have kept the cost of government down, but we are still obligated to fund the school system." http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/17/wharton-to-seek-tax-increase-for-schools/ (SUB)

Wharton Presents Budget to Council (Memphis Daily News)

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. takes his budget proposal to the Memphis City Council at the Tuesday, April 17, council session. Faced with a $37 million gap between expenditures and revenue in the fiscal year that begins July 1, Wharton is expected to do what he has done in past budget presentations offer the council a menu of options. The meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall, 125 N. Main St., with Whartons address at the top of the agenda. Everything is on the table, W harton said last week as he prepared for the council presentation, which will be followed by budget committee hearings that begin April 28 and end May 22. Council members rejected the idea of an 18-cent, one-time-only property tax hike in March to plug a $13.2 million dollar hole in the current fiscal years budget. The Wharton administration originally estimated it was $15 million of red ink but revised the dollar amount down the day of the council vote. Instead of the tax hike, the council used $10 million from the citys reserve fund and $3.2 million from a voluntary buyout program for city sanitation workers that hasnt been activated by the city. 9

http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/17/wharton-presents-budget-to-council/

TN Bankers Welcome Proposed Tweaks to Dodd-Frank Act (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Senator Bob Corker says the recent Wall Street reform needs of a few technical corrections that he believes could have bipartisan support. He certainly has the backing of Tennessee bankers. While he negotiated parts of the highly complex Dodd-Frank legislation, ultimately Corker couldnt pull himself to also vote for it. His original objections aside, the Republican Senator says there are rules that just need some tweaks. The way Corker interprets one provision, even rule-following loan officers could be on the hook when one of their borrowers defaults. Rodney Robinson of the Tennessee Mortgage Bankers Association calls it crazy. If we have dotted all of our is and crossed all of our ts and verified that the information was accurate and the borrower qualified, we cant control what happens in the future. According to the bankers association, such regulation would limit the number of loans made to high-risk borrowers. One of the most widely accepted changes is to shield sensitive financial documents that banks would hand over to the newly-created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. http://wpln.org/?p=35917

Cooper: Putting Budget Off To Lame-Duck Session Is Chickening Out (WPLN)

U.S. Representative Jim Cooper complains many in Congress dont want to take on the messy federal budget until after this falls election. Cooper says the conventional wisdom is theyll work out a deal in the less political lame-duck session afterward, but he warns they shouldnt wait. Cooper says delaying a compromise until after election day is a move with political convenience in mind, and not much else. What theyre really saying is We dont ever want to take responsibility today. We always want the problem to be solved by the next group, the next year. Because, theyre chickening out. At the end of this year several federal budget issues will come to a head. If nothing is done, automatic cuts will slice into defense, and the Bush tax cuts and a payroll tax holiday will both expire. Last week Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, a Republican, said he thinks mounting gridlock in Washington will soon hit a breaking a point, and lead to a bipartisan deal, no matter whos elected. http://wpln.org/?p=36011

Scott DesJarlais, Eric Stewart spar over handling of money (TFP/Sher)

Now that their latest financial disclosures are filed, U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., and his Democratic challenger, state Sen. Eric Stewart, D-Belvidere, are turning their attention to more important things. That would be attacking each other. DesJarlais's campaign Monday issued a release that charged Stewart "gets 'F' grade in fiscal responsibility." The release cites a 2010 state Registry of Election Finance report that, among other things, took Stewart to task for failing to report $1,562.62 in contributions from individuals or groups as well as $12,330.73 in contributions he himself made to his 2008 Senate campaign. "While liberal Democrat Eric Stewart is trying to mislead voters into thinking he is a deficit hawk, reality clearly shows that he is irresponsible and sloppy when he manages even small budgets under his direct control," said DesJarlais campaign manager Brandon Lewis in a news release. "It's hard to imagine having someone represent the Fourth District on federal budgetary issues in Washington who lacks the ability to balance their own bank account," Lewis said. Stewart in a statement acknowledged his 2008 state Senate campaign "made some mistakes. I took responsibility for them," worked with state officials and "made the appropriate corrections," he said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/17/desjarlais-stewart-spar-over-handling-of-money/?local

Chuck Fleischmann holds cash-on-hand lead (Times Free-Press/Carroll)

Nearly half the contributions to Scottie Mayfield's congressional campaign came from individuals living in incumbent U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's home county of Hamilton. But four months before Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District Republican primary, Fleischmann, with the help of $390,874 from industry-backed political action committees, maintains a sizable cash-on-hand lead over Mayfield and two other GOP challengers. The figures emerged from a Chattanooga Times Free Press analysis of newly filed campaign finance disclosures documenting the year's first fundraising period. Between Jan. 1 and March 31, Mayfield raised $450,648; Fleischmann collected $207,048; and Weston Wamp raked in $175,133. An Athens, Tenn., dairy executive and political newcomer who lives an hour away from Hamilton County, Mayfield spent his debut fundraising quarter collecting about $207,000 from residents of Chattanooga, Ooltewah, Signal Mountain or the Tennessee side of Lookout Mountain, disclosures show. Fleischmann, of Ooltewah, raised about $46,000 from Hamilton County 10

residents, or a little more than one-fifth of what Mayfield raised in the same timeframe. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/17/chuck-fleischmann-holds-cash-on-hand-lead/?local

Three Congress members from TN paid salaries to relatives (Associated Press)

A study by a Washington, D.C.,-based nonprofit found that three Tennessee Congress members, including Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood, used campaign money to pay salaries to their relatives. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that the three were among 82 members whose families benefited from their positions in government over the past two election cycles. The numbers come from a report by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. In Tennessee, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, an Ooltewah Republican, paid his college-aged son $4,652 from campaign funds to accompany him on the campaign trail during the 2010 election cycle. Fleischmann said his sons low-paying, entry-level job involved three months of traveling with me, seeing me make speeches and helping me meet with potential voters. When we started this campaign in 2009, it was very, very lonely, Fleischmann said. I was learning how to campaign at the time because I was a political newcomer. Knoxville Republican U.S. Rep. John Duncan paid his sister, son and niece a combined $7,600 for work on compiling and filing financial disclosures, which a spokesman said was a bargain. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120417/NEWS02/304170008/Three-Congress-members-from-TN-paidsalaries-relatives?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

TN freshmen top veterans in fundraising (Tennessean/Bewley)

First-term Republican Reps. Stephen Fincher, Diane Black and Chuck Fleischmann are outpacing the states veteran lawmakers in fundraising this year, according to new campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. Fincher, of Frog Jump, brought in $268,693 during the first three months of the year, while Black, of Gallatin, raised $257,748. Fleischmann, of Ooltewah in East Tennessee, raised $207,048. The delegations senior House members raised much less during the first three months of the year. For example, Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood brought in $144,853, and Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper of Nashville raised $74,015. Blackburn and Fincher had more money at the end of the quarter than most delegation members more than $1.2 million each. Bruce Oppenheimer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University, said freshman lawmakers often raise money more aggressively than more senior lawmakers because their seats are usually more vulnerable. If youre going to have a real challenge, either in the primary or in the general election, it very likely will come after your first term, especially in seats that you took away from the other party, Oppenheimer said. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120417/NEWS02/304170007/TN-freshmen-topveterans-fundraising?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Congressional race heats up over audit (Daily News Journal)

Stewart acknowledges mistakes, blasts DesJarlais State Sen. Eric Stewart said Monday he paid a $100 fine in 2010 for inaccurate campaign finance reporting following a Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finances audit. Stewart, a Belvidere Democrat seeking the 4th Congressional District seat, responded to a statement by his Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, that used the state audit to challenge his business acumen. Rutherford County will move into the 4th from the 6th District in 2013. With regards to our campaign disclosures from over three years ago, our campaign made some mistakes. I took responsibility for them, worked with the Registry (of Election Finance) and made the appropriate corrections, said Stewart. DesJarlais issued a release Monday pointing out that Stewart failed to report contributions he received in his 2008 state Senate campaign, overstated contributions that were reported and failed to properly maintain campaign records or follow campaign finance statutes. The audit found Stewart didnt report contributions totaling $13,893 he received in his 2008 campaign, a violation of state law. It also determined he overstated reported contributions by $4,200, another violation. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120417/NEW S/304160032/Congressional-race-heats-up-overaudit?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

States pick sides in Arizona immigration case (Stateline)

The U.S. Supreme Court case over Arizonas latest anti-immigration law, scheduled for a hearing next week, hinges largely on the question of where states power over immigration ends and federal power begins. But in a sign of how contentious the case is, many states are supporting the federal government instead of Arizona. Eleven states, all represented by Democratic attorneys general, warned the justices that Arizonas law reached 11

too far and undermined the immigration policy of the United States. However much Arizona may disagree with federal policies on immigration enforcement, they wrote in a friend-of-the-court brief, it cannot operate its own unilateral removal policy outside of any federal oversight. The case, Arizona v. United States, centers on a law passed by Arizona lawmakers two years ago, known as Senate Bill 1070. The measure requires local police to check the immigration status of a criminal suspect if they have reasonable suspicion that the suspect is in the country illegally. The Obama administration sued to block the law, and most of the law is on hold during the appeal. Sixteen states support Arizonas position. Of those, all but W est Virginia are represented by Republican attorneys general. They say that Arizonas law does not interfere with federal immigration policies, and in fact, the measure helps the federal government enforce its own immigration laws. http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=645632

Report: Smyrna likely choice for Infiniti's new electric car (Nashville Biz Journal)
Infiniti's first all-electric vehicle, revealed earlier this month at the New York International Auto Show, will likely be built in Smyrna, Tenn., alongside Nissans Leaf, according to reports. Infiniti has not named a production location for the vehicle now being called Infiniti LE concept. However, two Nissan spokesmen told The Chicago Tribune that the plant in Smyrna was the front runner for the vehicle, which will go on sale within 24 months. Nissan is on track to start producing Leafs in Smyrna by December, three months after its new 1.3 million-square-foot battery plant comes online next door. Overall, the car maker has spent more than $1.4 billion upgrading its Middle Tennessee facilities. That capital investment will eventually lead to hiring 1,300 additional workers to produce the Leaf and lithium ion battery packs. The Smyrna plant will be able to produce as many as 150,000 Leafs and 200,000 battery packs per year. The Infiniti electric vehicle will feature the same 24-kWh lithium-ion battery as the LEAF, according to plugincars.com. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/16/report-smyrnalikely-choice-for.html

Nissan's Smyrna plant may make new electric Infiniti (Daily News Journal)
Spokesman can't confirm report After the new zero-emissions Infiniti LE Concept made its first appearance at the 2012 New York International Auto Show in New York earlier this month, there have been questions about where the car will be built. Though not expected to be rolling onto showroom floors for about two more years, some have speculated that it would make sense for the car to be built in Smyrna alongside the all-electric Nissan Leaf, which is slated to be produced here starting in December. The Chicago Tribune recently reported that two Infiniti spokesmen said the Smyrna plant would be a good fit for the new Infiniti. Paired with the plans for the Leaf is also the fact that the Smyrna plant made history this year when it began producing the Infiniti JX, the first luxury crossover to be built in Tennessee and the only Infiniti to be manufactured outside of Japan. According to infinitinews.com, the Infiniti LE Concepts battery pack will be a 24-kWh lithium-ion design the same as the Nissan Leaf. But Nissan spokesman Steve Parrett said hes heard nothing that would suggest that the Infiniti LE would be made here. What is clear is that Nissan and Infiniti are ramping up electric efforts. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120417/NEW S01/304170017/Nissan-s-Smyrna-plant-may-make-new-electricInfiniti?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Knox

Schools

unveils

preliminary

technology

upgrade

plan

(News-

Sentinel/McCoy)
Knox County Schools has a plan to put an electronic device whether it's an iPad, laptop or tablet into the hands of every student within the next five years. At the Knox County school board's mid-month meeting Monday, the system's chief technology officer laid out the preliminary plan and goals to implement technology into its 88 schools. The three goals, Gail Byard said, are to support instruction both in and outside of the classroom; establish and maintain a robust infrastructure in the district; and provide comprehensive and reliable management information systems. In its five-year plan, which is contingent on the district receiving an additional $35 million in funds, the first year would be devoted to infrastructure and planning, then the district would begin its implementation at the high school level. Byard said the plan includes areas of responsibility, outcomes and evaluation measures. "My picture of this plan is somewhat like the strategic plan that we would at least annually re-evaluate, analyze the data that we have," she said. "And hopefully enlist the accountability office in helping us go from year to year and make this a live and living document." http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/17/knox-schools-unveils-preliminary-technology-plan/

School board tackles budget, name (Commercial Appeal/Kelley)

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It's often referred to as the "unified school board," so why not make it official: the "Unified Shelby County School Board"? That's the proposition up for discussion today, if necessary, at the Shelby County School Board's monthly work session. The 23-member panel is frequently referred to as the "unified board" because it is, temporarily, the governing body for both Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools, which are scheduled to merge in the fall of 2013. Eventually, a board reorganization plan that emerged as part of a consent agreement in U.S. District Judge Samuel 'Hardy' Mays' court last year will whittle the number of board members to somewhere between seven and 13. Meanwhile, the budgets for MCS and SCS for the fiscal year 2012-13 also are up for review today. Other resolutions on the agenda include a proposal to "work with all duly elected municipal Boards of Education within Shelby County to arrive at agreements between the Shelby County Board of Education and the respective duly elected municipal Boards of Education" regarding the sale or lease of surplus school buildings that are located within those municipalities. Suburban leaders, with the assistance of allies in the state legislature, have been racing to get independent municipal school districts in place by the time the new unified district is set to open. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/17/board-tackles-budget-name/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Three finalists for Roane school chief's job picked (Knoxville News-Sentinel)
Interviews for the three finalists for the Roane County school directors job are scheduled April 28, Wayne Qualls said Monday. Qualls, hired by the Roane County Board of Education to oversee the selection process, said board members late Friday picked the finalists from a list of 10 semifinalists. They are: Gary Aytes of Wartburg, Tenn., a central office supervisor in the Roane County School System; John Green, principal of Madison County Schools in Madison, Ala., and a former area superintendent for the 53,000-student Gwinnett County, Ga., school district; Donald Andrews, superintendent of the 19,000-student Randolph County School District and a resident of Asheboro, N.C. A decision on the successor to Roane County School Director Toni McGriff is expected in a board meeting soon after the April 28 interviews, Qualls said. McGriff is retiring June 30 as head of the 7,500-student school system. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/16/threwe-finalists-forroane-school-chiefs-job/

Odom named new RCS director (Daily News Journal)

The Rutherford County Board of Educations search for a new director of schools came to an end Monday night when it unanimously selected Don Odom as the districts next leader. Odom, a 43-year educator, was selected from a pool of 17 candidates that was narrowed down to four. He currently serves as the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for county schools. Shortly after the vote, the boardroom was filled with applause by nearly a dozen principals, several current and retired educators eager to see the outcome of the three-month selection process. Board members cited Odoms longevity with the system, leadership skills and passion for education as grounds for their votes. My heart is here; your heart is here, Odom said, addressing the board after the vote. We have a high achieving school district. Its not a one-person accomplishment for Rutherford County to be where we are. Its a lot of people working together. Other finalists included Paula Barnes, assistant superintendent of student services and human resources for county schools; Stan Curtis, director of transportation, maintenance and custodial services for Cheatham County Schools; and Donna W right, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Knox County Schools. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120417/NEW S07/304170021/Odom-named-new-RCS-director?odyssey=tab| topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Alabama: Alabama Digs a Deeper Hole (New York Times)

A new legislative session has given Alabama lawmakers an opportunity to repeal the cruel, destructive and embarrassing immigration law they passed last year the worst in the nation. It looks as if theyre blowing it. The Legislature, with the support of Gov. Robert Bentley, who signed the bill into law, seems determined to tinker at the margins. A new bill would remove a few sections of the law that have been blocked in court but hangs on to others. It still seeks to use police as immigration agents, criminalize acts of charity toward undocumented immigrants and nullify contracts the undocumented sign. And it retreats not an inch from its sponsors goal of solving Alabamas problems through mass immigrant expulsion. The law, H.B. 56, has uprooted immigrant families, driving workers out of state and underground. It has saddled government agencies with litigation and burdened citizens with maddening red tape. And it has raised the risk of racial profiling and other police abuses while reinvigorating Alabamas reputation for bigotry. The changes under the new measure will do little to end the abuses and inconveniences created by the law. Companies, for example, wont automatically lose their licenses 13

if they knowingly hire unauthorized workers. Instead, penalties would be left up to a judge. Landlords wont be arrested for renting to undocumented immigrants, but churches and humanitarian groups still risk prosecution for harboring or transporting them. The police would be allowed to check drivers papers only after ticketing or arresting them, not after any stop. But officers would also be able to detain anyone else in the car, a blatantly unconstitutional overreach. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/17/opinion/alabama-digs-a-deeper-hole.html? ref=todayspaper (SUB)

OPINION Editorial: Priorities need a tune up (Commercial Appeal)

State Rep. Charles Sargent, R-Franklin, called the House passage last week of a bill that will phase out Tennessee's inheritance tax by 2016 "an exciting day for everybody." Really? More people probably would have been more excited if on the same day the House had voted to end the sales tax on grocery food. After all, that would have had a bigger impact on the citizens of Tennessee. Instead, House members voted, 90-0, to cut the state sales tax on grocery food from 5.5 percent to 5.25 percent on July 1. The vote on the inheritance tax was 88-8. Leaders of the Senate and Gov. Bill Haslam have agreed to both measures, so they are likely to become law. Only about 1,000 inheritance tax returns are filed annually in Tennessee, Democrats argued. The state's roughly 6.2 million residents would have benefited in one way or another if the state sales tax was lifted from grocery food. The inheritance tax generates about $100 million a year for the state. With no income tax, how is that much money going to be recouped -- through more personnel and social services cuts? http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/17/priorities-need-a-tune-up/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Free-Press Editorial: TVA electric rates going up (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

Our EPB gets its electricity, of course, from the Tennessee Valley Authority. And TVA has to set its rates to cover all of its expenses. So it is of particular interest to all of us who have light and heat from TVA through our EBP that the Tennessee Valley Authority has announced that it will raise its wholesale rates 2.1 percent in May. That's to cover anticipated higher expenses from buying more electric power from other utilities that supplement the power the TVA generates. W hat's the higher adjustment likely to cost average Chattanooga households? The expectation is that the average added cost will be $2.28 a month, according to EPB Chief Financial Officer Greg Eaves. Nobody likes any increased costs, of course, but TVA says its fuel costs are still 1.5 percent below the costs a year ago. Fortunately, "natural gas prices are the lowest they have been in a decade," according to Randy Nipp, president of the Tennessee Gas Association. He said: "Gas prices are very attractive for homes heating and appliances, and there is a big push now to expand gas into the vehicle market." In our area, whether we depend upon electricity or natural gas or both, we are much more fortunate economically than are homeowners in most other parts of our country. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/17/0417b-fp3-tva-electric-rates-going-up/?opinionfreepress ###

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