WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012 Packed house questions proposal to close Taft youth center (TFP/Sohn)

About 250 people packed a Bledsoe County courtroom Tuesday night to protest the proposed closing of Taft Youth Development Center -- the main destination for many of Hamilton County and Southeast Tennessee's youthful offenders. "I'm so heartsick about this. I consider this one of the finest facilities Tennessee has for delinquent children. And it's the closest to us," said Hamilton County Juvenile Judge Suzanne Bailey in a phone conversation before the meeting began Tuesday evening. Bailey, like many at the meeting, said the state's plan to close Taft is short-sighted -- both for the 156 teenage boys there now and for $4.4 million the state claims could be saved a year. More than a third of the boys at Taft are from Hamilton and other surrounding Southeast Tennessee counties. At least four state lawmakers from the region were at the meeting in Pikeville on Tuesday to voice the same concerns. "I've seen the numbers the state has brought forward, and they don't add up. The math is not there," said Tennessee Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City, who represents North Hamilton and Rhea counties. Cobb and Sen. Eric Stewart, D-Belvidere, as well as Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Rep. Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, told the group they and other local legislators will fight the closure, but they will need help from the people to get Gov. Bill Haslam and Commissioner of Children's Services Kathryn O'Day to take the proposed closure out of the new budget that will be presented to lawmakers this year. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/04/packed-house-questions-proposal-to-close-taft/?local

Anchor Bolt Manufacturer Moving to McKenzie Industrial Park (TN Report)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty today joined with Henry County officials in announcing the decision by Tower Support Services, LLC to locate a manufacturing facility in McKenzie, Tenn. The newly-formed company invested approximately $650,000 in a leased facility and expects to create 15 jobs over a three-year period. The McKenzie facility is located at 25045 Hwy 22 in the McKenzie Industrial Park and began operations in mid-December. Business startups are an important generator of new jobs in our state, Haslam said. I appreciate Tower Support Services, LLC decision to invest and grow in Tennessee and in Henry County. Our research tells us that a significant number of jobs in Tennessee come from people starting new companies, Hagerty said. Despite the economic challenges our state and country continue to face, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Tennessee and Tower Support Services, LLC is proof of this. Congratulations on your new venture. http://www.tnreport.com/2012/01/anchor-bolt-manufacturer-moving-to-mckenzie-industrial-park/

Anchor bolt company expects to create 15 new jobs over three years (J. Sun)
Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty today joined with Henry County officials in announcing the decision by Tower Support Services LLC to locate a manufacturing facility in McKenzie, according to a news release. The newly formed company invested about $650,000 in a leased facility and expects to create 15 jobs over a three-year period, the release said. The McKenzie facility is at 25045 Tenn. 22 in the McKenzie Industrial Park and began operations in mid-December. Business startups are an important generator of new jobs in our state, Haslam said. I appreciate Tower Support Services LLC's decision to invest and grow in Tennessee and in Henry County. Our research tells us that a significant number of jobs in Tennessee come from people starting new companies, Hagerty said. Despite the economic challenges our state and country continue to face, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Tennessee, and Tower Support Services LLC is proof of this. Congratulations on your new venture. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120103/NEWS01/120103016/Anchor-bolt-company-expects-create-15new-jobs-over-three-years-McKenzie-Henry-County-area-?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

Teacher evaluation system to be evaluated (Murfreesboro Post)

Gov. Bill Haslam has commissioned an outside review of Tennessee's new teacher evaluation system, following a recommendation by the House Education Committee. The committee found that principals and teachers across the state are overwhelmed by the amount of time needed to prepare for a single observation. That is spawning complaints that the evaluation system takes away from more valuable tasks, like classroom prep time. State Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Dist. 82), a member of the Education Committee, said lawmakers may have put the cart before the horse. "It just hadn't been tested," Fitzhugh said. "There was much confusion about it. It was made mandatory far too quickly." Haslam has requested a five-month evaluation. He said he understands the concerns but still favors the system. It's not a question of "should we have it?", he added, it's a question of "is the one we have working well?" http://www.murfreesboropost.com/teacher-evaluation-system-to-be-evaluated-cms-29681

State teacher evaluations to face tough exams (State Gazette)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced Dec. 21 that there will be both an external and internal review of the new teacher evaluation system. He has charged the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) with conducting an independent, third-party evaluation and is asking the state Department of Education to formalize a review process, which the department has already begun. SCORE is a non-profit group founded and chaired by former U.S. Senator Bill Frist. 'Best system' "We know that the classroom teacher is the most important factor in boosting student achievement," said State Sen. Jim Tracy in a news release. "Therefore, the teacher evaluation process must be the best system possible in order to ensure it is both fair and productive in increasing teacher effectiveness. "I appreciate Gov. Haslam and Commissioner Huffman for continuing their efforts to make improvements to this process for the benefit of Tennessee teachers and students." Tracy (R-Shelbyville) and Rep. John Forgety (R-Athens) are sponsors of a resolution that outlines the review process for the department, which the governor said the administration supports. Tracy serves on the Senate Education Committee. http://www.t-g.com/story/1800441.html

Tennessee education board losing staff to higher-paying jobs (Tenn/Hubbard)

Gary Nixon says hes tired of watching the state Board of Educations employees leave for better-paying jobs and having no ability to negotiate to keep them. Nixon, the boards executive director, said his staff hasnt had a salary adjustment since at least 2004, and now their pay isnt competitive. State board members tried last fall to give raises, but the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration which makes those decisions turned them down. We had money to cover it and submitted some adjustments, Nixon said. We got a Post-it Note saying it was denied. Nixon asked the attorney generals office if his board could reverse the decision and learned in a Dec. 5 opinion it could not. Calls to the Department of Finance and Administrations spokesperson werent returned Tuesday. A panel of nine state Board of Education members each representing a congressional district adopts policies for kindergarten through 12th-grade students, approves curricula and makes teacher licensing decisions. The panel retains a staff of six in Nashville, including Nixon, a former principal and state board researcher. The board has two secretaries, a policy adviser and board attorney, who gives legal advice and handles revoking teachers licenses for ethics violations. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120104/NEWS04/301040095/Tennessee-education-board-losing-staffhigher-paying-jobs?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Powerball ticket price to rise by a buck (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Garrett)

In 11 days, Powerball tickets in Tennessee and Georgia will double in cost to $2 per play. But lottery retailers don't expect the price hike to squash sales because officials say the new game will offer better odds and bigger jackpots. "These days people are used to a dollar not buying much anyway," said P.J. James, manager of the Lotto Mart in South Pittsburg, Tenn., which is the top lottery retailer in the 13-county Chattanooga region. Customers grumble about changing the price after 20 years, said James, but Powerball has assured retailers and state lottery corporations that the new cost will mean a better game. "Everything else is going up," said a man who drove Tuesday from Alabama, which doesn't have a lottery, to the Lotto Mart. "I hate it, but I will still play. You can't win if you don't play," said the man, who didn't want to give his name. Powerball, sold in 42 states, is one of the most popular multistate games in the country, and on Jan. 15, the new $2 ticket will make it the most expensive. The other big multistate game, MegaMillions, also sold in 42 states, including Tennessee and Georgia, sells for $1 a ticket. With nine ways to play, Powerball players can cash in for winnings from $4 to multimillions. Winning is about choosing the right numbers and also getting a Powerball number. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/04/powerball-ticket-price-to-rise-by-a-buck/?local 2

GOP to unveil redistricting plan for Tenn. House (Associated Press)

House Republicans are unveiling their plan for how to redraw districts in the 99-member lower chamber of the Tennessee General Assembly. The changes follow the 2010 Census and will reflect shifting population and political trends over the last decade. The House GOP plan is scheduled to be discussed at a meeting at the legislative office complex in Nashville Wednesday morning. The Senate has yet to reveal its proposed changes, and neither chamber has said when it plans to release maps for redrawn congressional districts. Republican leaders have said they want the redistricting measure to be among the first bills considered when the legislative session begins next week. The filing deadline for candidates seeking state or federal office is April 5. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38264749?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Tennessee GOP eyes 9 seats in House (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Sher)

State House Democrats could lose as many as nine seats under a Republican-drawn legislative redistricting plan to be presented publicly for the first time this morning, Democrats said. The GOP plan will put Democrats currently representing eight districts into four districts, forcing them to run against each other, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner, of Nashville, told caucus members. In a fifth case, Republicans intend to put Rep. Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, into the 31st Legislative District held by Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City. It is expected to be a Republican-leaning district, and Cobb, who represents all of Rhea County, is vacating the Hamilton County portion of his district. Among the districts being merged are four now represented by black Democrats, including previously disclosed plans to put Rep. JoAnne Favors, D-Chattanooga, who now represents the 29th Legislative District, into the 28th Legislative District held by Rep. Tommie Brown, DChattanooga. Republicans also intend to put Reps. Barbara Cooper, D-Memphis, and G.A. Hardaway, DMemphis, into the same district, Turner said. Both lawmakers are black. "What really concerns me is the AfricanAmericans will lose at least two seats," Turner said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/04/tennessee-gop-eyes-9-seats-in-house/?local

GOP putting mark on Tennessee redistricting (Commercial Appeal/Locker)

New district maps for state legislative and possibly congressional districts will be given their first public viewing today after months of closed-door preparation by Republicans in control of Tennessee redistricting for the first time. Maps for state House districts will be unveiled when two state House committees meet to begin the legislative approval in time for this year's elections. Senate leaders failed to make Senate maps public in December as they said they would. The Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that the House plan puts eight incumbent Democrats into four districts across the state, including the previously reported combination of Reps. Barbara Cooper and G.A. Hardaway in one Memphis district and Reps. Antonio Parkinson and Jeannie Richardson of Memphis in another. Boundaries for state House and Senate districts and Tennessee's nine congressional districts are redrawn every 10 years to reflect population shifts in the latest U.S. Census. Shelby County will lose one of its six Senate seats and likely two of its 16 seats in the state House. The House Ad Hoc Committee on Redistricting is set to meet at 9 a.m., followed immediately by the House State and Local Government Committee. Both will be streamed live on the General Assembly's website, capitol.tn.gov, and archived there for later public viewing. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/04/gop-putting-mark-on-districts/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Turner: GOP Redistricting Plan Cuts Black Reps. (W PLN-Radio Nashville)

Tennessee Democratic legislators could lose between four and nine seats in the state House of Representatives under a redistricting plan to be unveiled Tuesday. The legislature must re-draw voting districts after each census to be sure districts are roughly the same size. That evens out the power wielded by each voter one person, one vote. Democrats knew they would lose ground in the Republican-controlled state House, but Democratic Leader Mike Turner says hes more concerned about black representation under the GOP plan. The African-American population under any circumstance, under their map, it appears theyre going to lose two members. In the 2010 census, the number of African-Americans in the state actually increased, Turner says. The map could be approved by a House subcommittee Tuesday morning and could be passed by the House as early as next week. Turner hopes to slow it down for a closer look. http://wpln.org/?p=32623

Shelby County Commissioners file suit in redistricting case (C. Appeal/Connolly)

Three Shelby County commissioners filed a lawsuit Tuesday that asks Chancery Court to get involved in a contentious debate over redistricting. The issue has deadlocked the commission for weeks. The suit adds a new 3

twist to a process that will affect local voters for more than a decade. State law requires the commission to use 2010 Census data to redraw the districts from which commissioners are elected. The new districts would go into effect in 2014. The suit was filed by Democrat Walter Bailey and Republicans Mike Ritz and Terry Roland. It asks a judge to stop any election that's based on the existing districts, which were established years ago. The law says the districts should contain about the same number of voters. All sides acknowledge that the current districts are out of balance because people have moved. The lawsuit argues that unless the court intervenes, the current unbalanced districts would be used in 2014 elections and violate the principle of one person, one vote. The three commissioners are filing the lawsuit "as citizens of Shelby County, Tennessee" and name as defendants Shelby County and the County Commission. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/03/shelby-county-commissioners-file-suit-redistrictin/ (SUB)

County Redistricting Goes to Court (Memphis Daily News)

Three Shelby County commissioners one Democrat and two Republicans filed suit against the full commission Tuesday, Jan. 3, over the body's stalled deliberations on a redistricting plan. Commissioners Walter Bailey, Mike Ritz and Terry Roland are seeking a Chancery Court injunction that would bar any future elections of county commissioners using the existing district lines because those lines no longer meet federal "one personone vote" standards for proportional representation. The next regularly scheduled county commission elections are in 2014. Roland, Ritz and Bailey want a court order beyond that, either requiring the commission as a body to "proceed expeditiously with redistricting ... or, in the alternative, for the court itself to establish the constitutional districts." Redistricting is a once-a-decade redrawing of district lines to take into account population shifts and changes as reflected in the U.S. census, which also occurs once a decade. Meanwhile, commissioners get together Wednesday, Jan. 4, for the first time in 2012. Its also the first time since the week before Christmas, when they were unable to break a deadlock over a redistricting plan. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jan/4/county-redistricting-goes-to-overtime/

Lawmakers debate plan giving school buildings to Memphis suburbs (CA/Roberts)

Suburban lawmakers plan to introduce bills this session that would force the unified school board to turn over extra buildings to municipalities pushing to run their own school systems. "They are trying to get to the point where suburban districts wouldn't have to pay or at the very least, would pay a discounted value for the facilities," said Rep. G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis, based on legislative research he has seen. Hardaway, who is against the effort, characterized the research as "well down the road" and "substantial." If a bill to the effect passes, Shelby County unified school board member Martavius Jones says he will seek class-action status as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit. "The part I have objected to the most is the expectation that the municipalities would get the buildings for free. If there is some type of payment plan, I don't have any objection," Jones said. Rep. Ron Lollar, RBartlett, confirmed Tuesday that suburban Shelby County lawmakers are expected to introduce several bills on the transfer of school facilities in the legislative session, which opens Jan. 10. "Several of us have an interest based on what our respective mayors have said to us," Lollar said, mentioning conversations with Rep. Jim Coley, also a Bartlett Republican. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/04/future-of-old-schoolsstirs-ire/(SUB)

Meth lab cleanups cause a quandary, but Tenn. may offer solution (TN/Gonzalez)
Who pays? State's solution is watched Tennessees meth lab cleanup program was in disarray last July when La Vergne police learned of a home-based drug cooking operation tucked into a neighborhood cul-de-sac. No one was picking up the phone for the Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force, and as far as city officials knew, federal funding for cleanups had been yanked. Unsure if the state would help, local emergency crews went ahead gathering harmful chemicals and decontaminating six children found living inside with a man and woman renting the home. They cleared the scene but were left with a follow-up mess, one that still lingers six months later: how to pay for the kind of expensive cleanup law enforcement has increasingly encountered in recent years. State officials ultimately did show up to help that day in La Vergne, and they have since tried to cut down on confusion by developing a new statewide cleanup program. Launched over a period of several months, it has shown enough success that its being watched closely by other states. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120104/NEWS01/301040098/Meth-lab-cleanups-cause-quandaryTennessee-may-offer-solution?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

New voter ID law takes effect in 2012 (Memphis Business Journal)

One of Tennessee's new laws taking effect in 2012 will require all voters to possess photo identification at the 4

polls. My Fox Memphis reports the law has been the subject of some controversy, as it could further dampen already poor voter turnout performance. About 125,000 of the state's voters could be ineligible because they lack a photo ID. Tennessee officials began a state-wide campaign in October to let voters effected by the new law secure free photo IDs, but only 6,000 people have participated. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/morning_call/2012/01/new-voter-id-law-takes-effect-in-2012.html

Sixth Circuit to Hear Kurita Appeal Against TNDP (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

A former state senator will appeal her case against the Tennessee Democratic Party to a three-judge panel later this month. In 2007 Clarksville Democrat Rosalind Kurita cast a deciding vote to hand control of the state senate to Republicans. In a reelection fight a year later she narrowly won the Democratic primary. But in a move some saw as payback, the party stripped her of its nomination, giving it to challenger Tim Barnes. Kurita sued, claiming that violated due process, but she couldnt stop Barnes from taking her senate seat that fall. Now some say her appeal could test how much control political parties can have over nominations. http://wpln.org/?p=32621

Wharton proposes to shrink Memphis city government (Memphis Biz Journal)

Memphis Mayor A C W harton will propose a reduction in the size of Memphis city government in 2012 as he plans to merge three city departments with overlapping duties. WMC-TV reports Wharton wants to merge the Public Services, Parks and the Community Enhancement divisions into one broader Parks Division. The merger would save money and eliminate two director salaries from the city's budget. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/morning_call/2012/01/wharton-proposes-to-shrink-memphis-city.html

Judge Hollingsworth to again hear Littlefield recall case (TFP/Hightower)

The judge who ruled in favor of Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield in his battle to stave off a recall vote will hear the case again. On Tuesday, the recall case against Littlefield was transferred to Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge Jeff Hollingsworth. A preliminary hearing has been set for 9 a.m. Monday at which Hollingsworth will consider whether to stop a recall election set for August. Littlefield said Tuesday he thought Hollingsworth would be the appropriate person to hear the case since the judge had ruled on it once before and it could now move quickly through Circuit Court. "I think that is a very efficient course of action," Littlefield said. "I think there will be fewer questions." Hollingsworth heard the recall case in September 2010 and ruled in favor of Littlefield, saying recallers did not have enough petition signatures to force an election under state law. He was overruled by the state Court of Appeals. After the Court of Appeals ruling, the Hamilton County Election Commission certified the petition and set the recall election. The mayor filed a lawsuit last month against the election commission to stop the recall election. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/04/hollingsworth-to-again-hear-recall-case/?local

Officials' forecast: Winter will chase off Occupy Nashville (AP/Johnson)

Protest has tripled since law officers' emails predicted its wintry demise Some law enforcement officials expected bad weather would eventually disperse Occupy Nashville protesters encamped on the plaza across the street from the state Capitol, according to emails obtained by The Associated Press. The Safety Department emails were released after a public records request. Protesters have occupied the plaza since early October. At the time there were about 20 tents, with at least two people occupying each one. There are now roughly 60 tents, and protesters say theyre prepared for an indefinite stay. A much smaller protest in Murfreesboro disbanded after cold weather moved in over the weekend. Scott Martindale of Occupy Murfreesboro told the Daily News Journal that the group decided before the cold snap, which sent low temperatures down to around 20, to abandon camping out in front of City Hall but to continue other actions. In an Oct. 18 email, Tennessee Highway Patrol Maj. Rex Prince predicted the protesters wouldnt be able to withstand the bad weather. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120104/NEWS0201/301030056/Officials-forecast-Winter-will-chase-offOccupy-Nashville?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Joe Graham, Chuck Fleischmann examine railroad bridges (TFP/Haman)

Hamilton County Commissioner Joe Graham stood near a railroad bridge at the beginning of Cummings Highway on Tuesday, asking state and federal representatives for help with what he says have been two longstanding traffic bottlenecks.He asked U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn.; state Sen. Bo Watson and state Rep. Richard Floyd, both R-Chattanooga, to meet him for a drive down Cummings Highway to see the bridges. Both Floyd and Fleischmann sit on committees overseeing transportation in their respective legislative bodies. 5

"When Cummings Highway stops up, that congests St. Elmo, too," Graham said. "[Drivers] are virtually stuck." Two railroad bridges on Cummings Highway concern Graham -- one in St. Elmo at the foot of Lookout Mountain where Cummings turns into South Broad Street, and one in Lookout Valley near Browns Ferry Road -- that act like rubber bands squeezing a four-lane stretch of road. Graham said the bridges have been problems for at least 15 years. Things are worse when Interstate 24 backs up, sending drivers down Cummings Highway, the alternate route, he said. The bottlenecks are potential public safety threats in the event of an evacuation. He questioned how emergency vehicles sometimes get down the mountain. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/04/graham-fleischmann-examine-railroad-bridges/?local

USDA to assist farmers (Jackson Sun)

Disaster aid offered in 43 Tenn. counties The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 14 counties in Tennessee as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by drought and excessive heat that occurred from May 1 through Oct. 31, according to a news release. Those counties are: Haywood, Fayette, Blount, Fentress, McMinn, Monroe, Scott, Cumberland, Macon, Morgan, Wilson, Loudon, Meigs and Roane. Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Tennessee also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Those counties are: Madison, Crockett, Hardeman, Lauderdale, Tipton, Shelby, Anderson, Knox, Putnam, Sumner, Bledsoe, Davidson, Rhea, Bradley, De Kalb, Rutherford, Trousdale, Campbell, Hamilton, Overton, Sevier, Van Buren, Cannon, Pickett, White, Clay, Jackson, Polk and Smith. "Tennessee producers can continue to count on USDA to provide emergency assistance during difficult times," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a news release Tuesday. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120104/NEWS01/201040312/USDA-assist-farmers

Tenn. National Guard unit coming home Wednesday (Associated Press)

More Tennessee National Guard members are coming home. About 300 soldiers of the 230th Sustainment Brigade were processed at Camp Shelby in Mississippi on Tuesday and are expected to arrive at four Tennessee armories on W ednesday. The unit is based in Chattanooga. Buses carrying the guard members are scheduled to leave Camp Shelby at 8:30 a.m. Subject to change, members should arrive at Millington at 2:30 p.m., Smyrna at 4 p.m., Chattanooga at 4:30 p.m. and Knoxville at 6:30 p.m. Guard officials said the soldiers have been working in Kuwait and involved in coordinating the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38264747?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Guardsmen heading home from Kuwait (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

About 300 soldiers, some from Knoxville, expect to arrive home W ednesday after serving during the last days of the U.S. drawdown in Iraq. The members of the Tennessee National Guard's 230th Sustainment Brigade, based in Chattanooga, spent 10 months in Kuwait before heading out at the end of December. While there, the soldiers clocked more than 12.5 million miles on more than 800 convoys hauling eight years' worth of equipment across the border from various U.S. posts in Iraq. The brigade also helped British forces withdraw from Iraq in early 2011. Soldiers of the 230th processed more than 1.2 million pieces of mail that flowed in and out of Iraq during their tour of duty and provided support to other units in Iraq and Kuwait. Plans call for the soldiers to leave Wednesday morning by bus from Camp Shelby, Miss. They'll head to four separate armories in Tennessee, including Knoxville's on Sutherland Avenue. The bus could arrive by 6:30 p.m., Guard officials said. Officials didn't provide estimates on how many soldiers will arrive at the Knoxville armory. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/03/guardsmen-heading-home-from-kuwait/

Tennessee Guardsmen Return After Final Convoys Out of Iraq (WPLN-Radio Nash.)
Roughly 300 Tennessee Guard soldiers return home Wednesday after helping move the final pieces of military equipment out of Iraq. The unit logged more than 12 million miles on the highway during the 10-month deployment. The 230th Sustainment Brigade, which is headquartered in Chattanooga, conducted more than 800 convoy missions, according to a news release. The unit was based in Kuwait and simultaneously helped supply soldiers in Afghanistan through airdrops. Besides moving equipment, the Tennessee brigade was also responsible for managing incoming and outgoing mail, processing more than a million letters and packages. For several days, the 230th Sustainment Brigade has been at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The last leg of the journey home will be by bus. Their awaiting families will be at four Tennessee armories, including the one in Smyrna. http://wpln.org/?p=32619

E-Verify Use On The Rise, But Some Businesses Frustrated (WPLN-Radio Nashville)
The number of Tennessee businesses using E-Verify is way up. Its a federal online database that checks if someone is in the US legally. In 2007, about 400 Tennessee businesses used it. Today, over 4,000 are signed up. There are two reasons E-Verify use is on the rise. First, the federal government is auditing employment records like never before. Also, states surrounding Tennessee have passed tough laws that require employers to check their workers immigration status. Jeff Bates works at TA Staffing, a temp agency. Hes been using EVerify since it started. Its also a selling point when hes recruiting businesses to hire his temp workers. You know, if 10 people are walking in the door and applying each day and theyre not eligible for employment in the US, then why are they wasting their time with those 10 candidates? Out of every 500 names he runs through EVerify, Bates says only one will come back as being in the country illegally. E-Verify use is still optional in Tennessee. State legislators tried to require businesses to adopt it.. http://wpln.org/?p=31842

Tune Shows Signs of Life for General Aviation (W PLN-Radio Nashville)

Smaller airports are showing the first glimmers of a rebound in Middle Tennessee. Theyre watching a rise in their key indicator fuel sales. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority gives some of the credit to student pilots. W ere in a descent and were lining up for our final approach back into John Tune. Randy Harmon has been teaching a lot more people to land at the John C. Tune Airport in the last few months. He started his flight school and charter service in 2007. Then general aviation around the country tanked, along with much of the economy. You think about times to really start trying to grow, pick 2008, 2009 challenging. But we did alright. We started setting records in flying out here this year. Charters have picked up too. Harmon says businessmen are finding it harder to take day trips on commercial airlines to cities like Mobile or Little Rock. For less than $1,500 roundtrip, Harmons single engine planes can carry three passengers even to a big city like Atlanta, fuel included. Tune sold more fuel this fall than it had in at least the last six years. The Smyrna Airport also reports a bounce back to 2007 levels. http://wpln.org/?p=32603

Trane finalizes Memphis distribution lease (Memphis Business Journal)

Trane Inc. has finalized a lease for a large warehouse and distribution center in Southeast Memphis. The residential and commercial HVAC company inked a 625,000-square-foot lease at Chickasaw Distribution Center Building E. The company, a division of Ingersol Rand, has been working with the landlord, HPM Owners LLC, on a deal for months. The landlord has been making tenant improvements while waiting for the lease to be finalized. Brad Murchison, senior associate with CB Richard Ellis Memphis , brokered the deal for the landlord with a direct deal with Trane. The Chickasaw facility will be Tranes second in the Memphis area. It already operates a a 393,000-square-foot distribution center at 1560 Stateline Road East in Southaven, Miss. Started in 2008, it employs 240 people and distributes HVAC and refrigeration aftermarket service parts. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/01/03/trane-finalizes-memphis-distribution.html

City Council members question Electrolux commitment to minorities (CA/Maki)

Several Memphis City Council members expressed buyer's remorse Tuesday about the terms of an incentive package the council approved unanimously last year to lure a large Electrolux manufacturing facility here. The contract exempted Electrolux from diversity requirements that have been a condition for other companies receiving local tax breaks. Some among the 13 council members now are waging a vocal campaign against the deal they approved. Councilman Joe Brown said he discovered Tuesday that the company wasn't required to hire minority workers in its publicly financed construction project. "That's the first I've heard of it," said Brown. "We have to come up with a method to fix it." The city and Shelby County committed at least $40 million worth of incentives to the project. Total subsidies for the new kitchen-appliance factory in Southwest Memphis, including state and federal money, as well as long-term tax breaks, are expected to surpass $188.3 million. Last week, Electrolux announced it has selected W.G. Yates & Sons of Philadelphia, Miss., as general contractor on the project, which is being built in Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park, near the Nucor steel mill. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/04/questions-raised-on-electrolux-contracts/ (SUB)

Dayton businesses optimistic despite 2 closures (Times Free-Press/McMillian)

Christmas sales were steady for some downtown Dayton retailers, though two neighboring businesses along Market Street bid farewell as the year ended. Bill Harrison, owner of Mudpies and Flutterbuys, an outlet store, 7

said there were multiple reasons behind his decision to close, but one factor was that he couldn't "get merchandise from the warehouse" he had used for purchasing his core products. Harrison also said difficulty finding the manpower to run his family's business had contributed to the store's closure. His wife Maria, who had owned and maintained the store, died in July 2011. And last week the owners of Mansfield's Diner cleared out their furnishings as their neighbors held year-end clearances and made plans for 2012. The phone number for the diner has been disconnected, and the owners could not be reached for comment. Other retailers have downsized in order to maintain their businesses without the sole responsibility of renting or leasing. Sweet Art Cakes owner Becky White moved her decorating business inside ArtCrafters to meet customers and deliver her specialty treats. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/04/dayton-businesses-optimistic-despite-2-closures/?local

Principals' teacher ratings vary widely by district (Tennessean/Hubbard)

In Murfreesboro City Schools, principals rated nearly half the teachers a five the best score possible on the states new evaluation. But in Fayette County Schools in far W est Tennessee, only 1 percent garnered that rating. The first glimpse of how educators fared under the system, which ultimately will affect whether they earn and keep tenure, demonstrated how subjective the process can be. The Tennessee Department of Education released principal observation data in December after The Tennessean and Williamson County Schools Director Mike Looney filed separate open records requests for it. Looney said he wanted the data for comparison after Williamson principals rated 97 percent of teachers a three or higher, and state education officials questioned those ratings. He said his county has a high level of teacher talent plus motivated students, and state officials shouldnt pressure districts to align scores with projections. To come to some conclusion that our scores are too high ... is preposterous, Looney said. We are not going to feel compelled or pushed into making our teachers fit some bell curve. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120104/NEWS04/301040090/Principals-teacher-ratingsvary-widely-by-district?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Kentucky: Kentucky Trots Toward a Vote on Casinos (Wall Street Journal)

Kentucky political leaders could propose legislation as soon as this week to pave the way for legalizing casino gambling, making it the latest state to consider lifting a longtime ban on slot machines and roulette tables. Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat who easily won re-election in November, said expanded gambling is a top priority for his second term. Leading Republicansbut not allare backing a plan to put a casino referendum on the ballot as a constitutional amendment. Proponents say legalizing casino gambling would add jobs and tax revenue for the stateand provide a source of cash to buoy Kentucky's struggling horse-racing industry. The state's horse breeders and racetrack operators have argued for years that Kentucky risks ceding its status as the nation's horse-racing epicenter and a further slide in its $4 billion industry without a revenue infusion from casino gambling. Thirteen states now have casinos built on racetracks, with a certain percentage of revenuetypically from slot machinesearmarked for the horse-racing industry. The cash helps racetracks offer bigger purses and sweeten bonuses given to victorious breeders from in-state. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204368104577136512122368478.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Montana: Montana Tests Supreme Court Political-Spending Ruling (WSJ)

The U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2010 striking down federal limits on corporate and union political spending doesn't apply to similar state laws, the Montana Supreme Court has found, renewing a legal debate over how sweeping the high court intended its ruling to be. In a decision released late Friday, the Montana court held that the state's Corrupt Practices Act, a century-old voter initiative banning corporate spending to support or oppose political candidates or parties, complies with the U.S. Supreme Court's January 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission. The justices voted 5-4 in Citizens United that corporations and unions had First Amendment rights to spend as they wished to favor or oppose candidates, regardless of the government's view that such expenditures could corrupt elections for Congress and the presidency. In that opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that the government failed to show that independent political expenditures by corporations actually had corrupted federal elections. "Indeed, 26 States do not restrict independent expenditures by for-profit corporations. The Government does not claim that these expenditures have corrupted the political process in those States," Justice Kennedy wrote. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204368104577139100369896494.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION) 8

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OPINION Editorial: Higher education building plan necessary (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

The Tennessee Legislature might have a full plate with the issue of higher education alone when it convenes later this month. Among the priority items will be spending on capital projects, an ambitious plan that is certain to challenge those making the budget for the next fiscal year. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission last month proposed a five-year plan that calls for spending $1.8 billion on building and the maintenance of structures for schools in the University of Tennessee system and those under the auspices of the Tennessee Board of Regents. THEC also agreed that the campuses would come up with some of the money on their own. This would be done in part by an increase in student fees under UT plans. The proposal will go to Gov. Bill Haslam, who will present a budget to lawmakers later this month. UT-Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said the matching funds could come from private donations and from a pool of about $4.8 million generated by increased fees. Students agreed to pay those fees last year for improving the campus facilities. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/04/editorial-higher-education-building-plan/

Editorial: MTSU faces challenge on funding science bldg (Daily News Journal)
In a perfect world, the state Legislature would appropriate the $126 million MTSU needs to build a science building to replace antiquated and decaying facilities no questions asked. But the world is far from perfect in this economy, and sometimes we wonder if the university draws the short straw compared to the University of Tennessee. It's no use whining, though, and MTSU needs to face the harsh reality of raising $18 million toward construction of a science building. The university is in dire need of new biology and chemistry facilities if it is to obtain modern facilities for those fields and it must take that message to its alumni and students. MTSU President Sidney McPhee recently said he hopes to bring in private donations to match the money provided through the state Legislature, as requested by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The university also could ask students to pay a facilities fund fee, as UT-Knoxville students do through a $100 fee. Whether it's raised through a combination or through one means only, MTSU must make the decision as soon as possible. Few state officials will argue that MTSU's science buildings are outdated, cramped and deteriorating. W hat they will say is that the $126 million the building is projected to cost is giving them sticker shock. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120104/OPINION01/201040315/EDITORIAL-MTSU-faces-challenge-fundingscience-bldg

Editorial: Willingness to accept education innovation is key to change (J. Sun)

A Jackson-Madison County school system parent, teacher and community workshop held Monday offered an inspiring view of what public education could be. It is hard to argue with some of the relationship, behavior and character-building techniques used at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, and presented to attendees. But what the Ron Clark Academy has, and the Jackson-Madison County school system lacks, is a system-wide and communitywide buy-in to innovation in public education. Jackson-Madison County has several innovative schools such as Madison Academic, the Montessori School at Bemis, Thelma Barker Elementary School and a 9

few other local success stories. We would argue that many of the innovative ideas used at the Ron Clark School also are being used in our most successful local schools. The challenge is to transform our failing schools into successful ones through innovation. There is no shortage of creative ideas, only a shortage of resolve to try them. Educator Kim Bearden from Ron Clark Academy talked about how community, parents and business leaders can work together to improve public education. She talked about relationship building between educators and students, schools and parents, and schools and the wider community. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120104/OPINION01/201040305/Editorial-Willingness-accept-educationinnovation-key-change .

Editorial: Throwing in the towel (Commercial Appeal)

The lawsuit filed by three Shelby County Commission members Tuesday charts a disappointing but perhaps inevitable path toward resolution of a dispute over the commission's district boundaries. The lawsuit by Commissioners Walter Bailey, Mike Ritz and Terry Roland likely puts the issue in the hands of a judge. It was necessary, Bailey says, because the commission missed an important deadline -- the legally mandated Dec. 31 cutoff date for the approval of a new district map for use in the 2014 elections -- and chances that the matter can ever be settled by the commission appear to be slim. For Shelby Countians who haven't been following this debate, commissioners deadlocked on the issue because none of three alternatives suggested could garner the requisite nine votes. Two of the plans featured multimember districts whose primary selling point seemed to be that they enhanced the chances of a sitting commissioner to be re-elected. This page favors a third alternative calling for 13 single-member districts. It's easier and less expensive for a newcomer to break into county politics that way, and it doesn't dilute accountability like multimember zones. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/04/editorial-throwing-in-the-towel/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Guest columnist: College degrees fuel prosperity (Tennessean)

TN must find way to graduate more students for less As Nashville dives into a new year of economic uncertainty, a new vision is needed that can propel the region to greater prosperity and a better quality of life. The solution hinges on graduating significantly more area residents from college, and its not an overstatement to say that Tennessees economic future depends on doing just that. The most important reason is this: jobs. Recent estimates show that by 2018, more than 60 percent of American jobs will require some form of postsecondary education. Unfortunately, only 31 percent of adults in Tennessee have an associates or bachelors degree. To deliver more college graduates, we believe that a keen focus is needed in a few key areas, including making college more affordable; closing the skills gap between what employers need and what employees can do; and engaging employers and civic leaders more fully. Streamlining costs and reducing tuition in higher education are essential. The cost of tuition has outpaced inflation for nearly three decades and the price of obtaining a degree is now prohibitive for far too many. Tennessee must find a way to use scarce public funds to produce more highly qualified college graduates, and there are ways to do just that. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120104/OPINION03/301040079/College-degrees-fuel-prosperity? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Frank Munger: Oak Ridge plants manage for tough times (Knoxville NewsSentinel)
The past decade has been pretty doggone prosperous for Oak Ridge's government operations, so a downturn of sorts was inevitable. So far, most of the key programs are surviving a tightening federal budget, but that doesn't mean there haven't been impacts. There have, and there will be more. Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason said there was probably a net loss of about 200 jobs at ORNL during calendar year 2011. About 400 jobs were cut, either through voluntary or involuntary reductions on the lab's payroll, but there also were about 200 new hires, he said. About 220 people were approved for the most recent Voluntary Separation Program. In announcing that program, Mason had said the lab might have to eliminate as many as 350 jobs but wouldn't move forward with any involuntary layoffs until the details of the fiscal year 2012 budget became clearer. Shortly before the holidays, Mason indicated that some additional impacts could be expected, but he didn't provide numbers or specify programs most likely to be hit. The work force at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant has remained pretty stable, and Darrel Kohlhorst, president and general manager of B&W Y-12, the government's contractor, said there were no immediate plans for layoffs at the site. However, some of Y-12's subcontractors have reportedly taken hits. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/04/frank-munger-oak-ridge-plants-manage-for-tough/ 10

Editorial: Slicing the Electrolux pie (Commercial Appeal)

Concerns about local companies getting a fair share of the construction work are valid, but it's also crucial to get the plant built. A nagging economic development issue for Memphis and Shelby County is playing out in the construction of the Electrolux manufacturing plant. Some elected officials are concerned about the lack of local participation in the construction of the $190 million project, which is being supported by $137 million in taxpayerfunded up-front contributions. The city and county have committed $40 million of that amount. The state is contributing about $90 million. So, it's understandable that some local officials became antsy when a Mississippibased company was chosen as the general contractor. Still, there's $80 million in construction work to be done and it's important that local businesses, especially minority- and female-owned companies, get a meaningful slice of that work. We're not talking about setting a quota. W e're talking about the need for the general contractor -- W.G. Yates & Sons of Philadelphia, Miss. -- to work closely with local economic development officials to make sure that Memphis and Shelby County firms get a shot as subcontractors on the massive project. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/04/editorial-slicing-the-electrolux-pie/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial: Raising Standards for Head Start (New York Times)

The Head Start program, which prepares disadvantaged 3- and 4-year-olds for school, has served nearly 30 million children since it was created in 1965. W hile there is little doubt that the federal program is critically important for these children and their parents, quality varies widely among programs. Over the years, Congress has tried to strengthen oversight and improve the $8 billion program. In December, the Obama administration put into effect a sensible evaluation system that will allow federal officials to judge the effectiveness of individual Head Start centers and to shut down chronic low performers. Last month, scores of Head Start grant recipients in about 40 states including those in New York City, Los Angeles, Baltimore and New Haven were informed that they will be required to reapply for their grants because they do not meet certain administrative requirements. Those programs will now have to compete with other potential providers, who will have a chance to show that they can do a better job. These reforms are part of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, which required programs to raise teacher qualifications, improve classroom offerings and broaden access to vulnerable groups, including children who are homeless. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/opinion/raising-standards-for-head-start.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper (SUB) ###

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