MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2012 Businesses give state feedback on its customer service (Tennessean/Marsteller)

State and federal agencies should improve customer service, fully assess potential impacts before changing or implementing regulations, and enforce existing rules more consistently, a recently released study says. Those were among the recommendations the state released last week after a yearlong top-to-bottom review of regulations. Gov. Bill Haslam ordered the review soon after he took office, saying his goal was to improve Tennessees business climate to spur job creation. Identifying areas where there are opportunities for improvement is the first step in streamlining and modernizing our regulatory environment and better serving the people and businesses of our state, said Bill Hagerty, the states economic development commissioner, whose department spearheaded the effort. The state surveyed businesses and held roundtables with business interests as part of the review. State agencies also looked at their own regulations. Businesses generally complained of confusing, conflicting and/or burdensome regulations; inconsistent enforcement; and a perceived lack of customer service by state employees. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120109/BUSINESS01/301090008/Businesses-give-state-feedback-itscustomer-service?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Regulatory review urges changes (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Flessner)

A regulatory reform report released last week suggests that state agencies in Tennessee need to do a better job of assessing the impact of new rules and dealing with the businesses they regulate. The 54-page study prepared by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development recommends the creation of a one stop website for residents to easily find regulatory information. The report also suggests the state implement an assessment process for all regulations prior to their adoption. The study was based upon more than 150 interviews and surveys with businesses and nonprofit groups across Tennessee. The report suggests the state develop customer service training to improve the way state employees interact with the public and that agencies implement new personnel policies to better worker performance. State employees [who] do not properly conduct themselves or fulfill their duties should be easily disciplined or dismissed by their supervisors, the report concludes. Gov. Bill Haslam said the review is part of his Jobs4TN economic development plan to identify obstacles to business investment. http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/09/regulatory-review-urges-changes/

Grant from TW RA will help improve creek quality (Associated Press)

The city of East Ridge will use a grant from the Tennessee W ildlife Resources Agency to help stabilize the banks of a creek through a city park. The Aquatic Habitat Program grant gives East Ridge $500 to buy trees that will help minimize flood damage along Spring Creek and improve aquatic wildlife habitat. East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert said the trees will also help reduce flood damage at Springvale Park. The trees will come from the Tennessee Division of Forestry. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38297915?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

More Chancery Court questions emerge amid criminal probe (CA/Perrusquia)

A third incident links former supervisor to steering lawsuits to favored judge W ith a criminal investigation already under way, more questions have emerged involving the steering of lawsuits to preferred judges at Shelby County Chancery Court. Those questions center on Veronica L. Nelson, the former court supervisor who resigned in June amid revelations that she kept a close, personal relationship with a subordinate who stole $1 million in court funds. A September audit turned up more trouble, finding Nelson had violated rules protecting random case assignment by steering two divorce suits "to a judge of choice." The audit findings and a related fraud allegation prompted an investigation by the District Attorney's office. Now, a third incident has surfaced. This one involves a lawsuit filed last January to contest a foreclosure that was steered into the courtroom of Judge Walter Evans.

Nelson's attorney, Jay Bailey, said his client doesn't recall the incident. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/09/more-chancery-court-questions-emerge/

Tenn. lawmakers examine proposed legislative districts (C. Daily Herald)

With the dust settling on Republican plans for redrawing legislative districts in Tennessee, lawmakers from both parties are assessing their future plans. Democrats say they will offer amendments to the state House and Senate maps unveiled last week, but with vast Republican majorities in both chambers it appears unlikely that the proposals will change significantly. But House members unhappy with the new maps may take heart in the experience of 2002, the last time redistricting occurred in Tennessee with Democrats holding a 57-42 advantage over Republicans in the 99-member chamber. Republicans now hold 64 seats in the House. The original Democratic plan in 2002 placed 14 Republicans into the seven districts. Republican Rep. Steve McDaniel of Parkers Crossroads at the time called the Democratic plan political gerrymandering at its best. But McDaniel, a leader in this years redistricting process, ultimately helped hammer out a compromise with Democrats to only draw two Republican incumbents into the same district. Its a lot easier for us to go forward with a House thats together than it would have been with a House thats divided, then-Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington, said at the time. http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/sections/news/local/tenn-lawmakers-examine-proposed-legislativedistricts.html

Helping hands: Bill proposes paying expectant moms to see doctor (CA/Warren)
State Sen. Brian Kelsey wants the state to pay expectant mothers in three Memphis ZIP codes $50 each time they visit the doctor during their pregnancies. Kelsey, R-Germantown, said his idea, now represented in Senate Bill 2173, is a new way to combat infant mortality. "It's really, really tragic what is going on here in our city," he said of Memphis' perennial ranking as the statewide leader in infant deaths before age 1. "I want to be part of the solution." Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle of Memphis said he had never heard of such a concept and would want to hear reaction from expectant mothers. "I'm not sure if someone would view it as being offensive: 'Are they saying I wouldn't get the care without the money?' or if they'd say: 'I could use the $50,'" he said. Yvonne Madlock, director of the Health Department, called Kelsey's bill "an intriguing idea, one that is worthy of further consideration." "I think we'd have to do research to determine whether or not there's evidence to say this really can have an impact," she said. Madlock said there are many reasons women don't access prenatal care, which is free to low-income women through TennCare. Some don't have transportation, others don't have access to care for their other children, and some may not realize their insurance will pay for the visits, she said. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/09/helping-hands/

Sen. Andy Berke weighs running for mayor vs. legislature (Times Free-Press/Sher)
State Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, says he finds the idea of working on Chattanooga issues as the city's next mayor appealing but emphasizes he has made no decision yet about running for the post. Faced with a redistricting plan that weights his Senate district toward Republicans, Berke said his legislative focus on issues such as education and economic development should serve him well regardless of whether he opts to run again for the Senate or try for the mayor's seat. "My decision on the future is going to be based on where I think I can have the most impact," Berke said in an interview Friday. "I have been working on jobs and education for years now, and I think that's what people want from both parties. So I feel comfortable with the politics of where I am in any [Senate] district." At the same time, Berke said, he finds the idea of serving as Chattanooga's mayor, a nonpartisan position, attractive. "As mayor you get to exercise executive leadership and hold people together in a unified way," Berke said. "We have important issues related to crime and economic development. And bringing our citizens together to combat these important problems is something that attracts [me]," he said. But he insists he could win the redrawn 10th Senate District he now represents. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/09/berke-weighs-running-for-mayor-vs-legislature/?local

Prayer groups hope prayers protect ridge tops in Tennessee (Tennessean/Paine)

Supporters look to heavens over mining concerns Those who dont believe that the ridges of mountains should be blasted away to extract coal in Tennessee have taken to prayer in the 40 days leading to this years opening of the state legislature. Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Presbyterian and Methodist church members are among those who have been focusing on the beauty and wonder of the mountains, waters and sky in advance of the upcoming legislative session. Our hearts care about Gods creation, Kim McLean, pastor of the Church of Nazarene, said quietly. McLean was seated in a circle at First Lutheran Church, off Eighth Avenue South, with 2

five other members of a Tuesday night prayer group. The group meets there each week in a denlike room that has easy chairs and a fireplace, and this evening part of its meditations and songs pointedly included mountains a frequent theme of the Bible. Religious groups large and small across the state have expressed their concerns about the states ridge tops over the 40 days. Some have quoted Scripture, calling for care of the garden, or have spoken of natures marvels or talked of the need to stick to less-damaging ways to mine coal. A prayer has been put online each of the days by different people, beginning Dec. 2. The culmination of the posts and gatherings will be at a 6:30 p.m. gathering at Christ Church Cathedral, off Broadway, on Tuesday, the day state lawmakers reconvene. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120109/NEWS21/301090017/Prayer-groups-hope-prayers-protect-ridgetops-Tennessee?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Bradley County Press/Leach)

Commission

reviews

wheel

tax

proposal

(Times

Free-

The Bradley County Commission today will review a proposed $32 wheel tax intended to fund major education projects. Commissioners repeatedly have said they do not plan to enact a wheel tax -- assessed each time a vehicle is registered in the county -- through a commission vote. Instead, the current proposal calls for voters to make that decision through a referendum on the August 2012 election ballot. "We're not saying by this commission that we support or don't support a wheel tax by sending it to referendum," said Commissioner Jeff Yarber in a meeting last week. "W e're saying on this commission we'll give the school board the platform that they need to show they need the wheel tax money." The wheel tax proposal, a joint effort of the Bradley County Education and Finance Committees, was presented as a way to meet $25.5 million in county school capital funding requests. School officials have listed renovations for Lake Forest Middle School, an eight-room pod for Walker Valley High School, a new elementary school in southern Bradley County and land for a new middle school as priority needs. Commissioner Ed Elkins recommended that the commission study how any possible city annexation in northern Bradley County might affect Walker Valley High School's student population. Bradley County Schools Director Johnny McDaniel previously advised commissioners that the new classroom pod was needed to alleviate overcrowding at the school. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/09/bradley-reviews-wheel-tax-proposal/?local

Gibson County officials to discuss sales tax hike (Jackson Sun)

Gibson County officials are scheduled to discuss several resolutions today, including one that would raise the county's sales tax rate to 9.75 percent in some areas. If approved, the resolution would be on the March presidential primary ballot as a referendum for county residents to approve or disapprove. If voters approve the resolution, the sales tax would increase July 1, which is the start of the county's 2012-13 fiscal year. The increase would raise an additional estimated $250,000 annually, said Terry Cunningham, director of finance and operations. "We need to increase funding, and this will help minimize any property tax increases," he said. "It is a more fair tax, also." Sales tax is broken into two parts. The state charges a sales tax rate of 7 percent. Then counties and cities have the option of adding an additional sales tax rate of up to 2.75 percent, which is called the local option sales tax. The Gibson County cities of Trenton, Milan, Humboldt, Kenton and Medina already have a 2.75 percent local option sales tax, making their entire sales tax 9.75 percent. The tax increase, if approved, would affect sales made in Bradford, Dyer, Rutherford and Yorkville and sales made within Gibson County outside city limits, Cunningham said. Those areas currently have a 9.25 percent sales tax rate, of which 2.25 is the local option sales tax rate. Gibson County received a total of $3.875 million in sales tax money during the fiscal year 2010-11, according to records from the Gibson County Trustee's office. The sales tax is collected by the state and then redistributed to counties and cities, Cunningham said. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120109/NEWS01/201090312/Gibson-County-officials-discuss-sales-taxhike

Sen. Lamar Alexander ready to open up (Associated Press)

Senator giving up top positions in order to do so U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander says he is ready to express himself as he prepares to relinquish the titles of third-ranking Senate Republican and Republican conference chairman. The 71-year-old Alexander has served as a top lieutenant for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell since 2007 but announced in the fall that he would leave the role. In an interview with the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Alexander said hell be able to express his opinions and ideas more fully as a rank-and-file senator. If youre the tight end on the team instead of the quarterback, and you think the play ought to go around left end, and the quarterback calls right end, Alexander said, you go around right end. Plans to 3

work with both parties He says there wont be pressure to publicly endorse the GOP stance on every issue and he plans to work with both parties on environmental issues, tax loopholes and debt reduction. Too many members of Congress think all we have to do is make speeches, he said. After we make our speeches, we need to act like grown-ups, get as close as we can to our principles and then move on to the next issue. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120109/NEWS02/301090026/Sen-Lamar-Alexander-ready-open-up? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Rep. Scott DesJarlais' votes don't halt funds from GOP (Tennessean/Bewley)
Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais bucked his partys leadership on several key votes during his first year in office, but that hasnt stopped him from raking in tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from top Republicans in the House and Senate. The Jasper Republican may need that money if the state legislature approves a new plan to redraw the boundaries of the 4th Congressional District, which he represents. The reconfigured district would give DesJarlais about 300,000 new constituents and perhaps a serious challenger in this years primary election. DesJarlais received more than $20,000 from political action committees associated with GOP leaders in the past three months of 2011, according to figures his campaign made available to The Tennessean. PACs affiliated with the top two Republicans in the House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia contributed $5,000 each, while the PAC affiliated with the No. 3 Republican in the House, Majority W hip Kevin McCarthy of California, donated $2,500. Thats in spite of DesJarlais outspoken opposition to certain key budget provisions championed by leadership, including Boehners debt-reduction proposal in July, an August compromise over raising the debt ceiling and a measure passed in December to fund the government through next fall. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120109/NEWS02/301060111/Rep-Scott-DesJarlais-votes-don-t-halt-fundsfrom-GOP?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

After contentious political year, Republicans may moderate approach (Statline)

From the moment he took office last year, Florida Governor Rick Scott made clear that a new and unabashedly conservative administration had taken power in Tallahassee just as it had in state capitals around the country following an historic election haul for Republicans in 2010. Scott, a Tea Party-backed Republican, stood before a cheering crowd and introduced a state budget that contained more than $4 billion in tax cuts for corporations and property owners, even as it slashed funding for K-12 education. Critics have said we cant afford to cut taxes now, Scott said. I say they are wrong. I say we must cut taxes now. But the plan didnt sit well with Scotts fellow Republicans, who control both chambers of the Florida legislature. They largely ignored the governors budget and sent him their own one with more money for schools and just a fraction of the tax cuts Scott demanded. This year, Scott is taking a noticeably different approach. He has unveiled a second-year budget that provides $1 billion more for K-12 education. In fact, Scott is so intent on getting more school funding that he has promised to veto any budget that does not include it. http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=623384

Volkswagen aims to post half-million in sales for 2012 (Times Free-Press/Pare)

Volkswagen is aiming to post sales of more than 500,000 vehicles in the United States this year, officials said Sunday, and Chattanoogas mayor said he doesnt think that target is unreasonable. I dont think thats an outlandish goal, said Mayor Ron Littlefield, adding that the city stands ready to help VW. Littlefield is attending the North American International Auto Show where VW s Chattanooga-built Passat is competing for North American Car of the Year honors. He said the city will give attention to easing traffic around VWs $1 billion plant. That involves staying ahead of the curve in terms of traffic demands, he said. Littlefield said in an interview that he expects tremendous growth in the Ooltewah area because of VW and other businesses in Enterprise South industrial park. We need to stay ahead of it, he said. Littlefield said such expansion was part of the issue related to the citys growth boundary that was raised late last year. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/09/volkswagen-aims-post-half-million-sales-2012/?local

Future in limbo for 17 charter schools (Commercial Appeal/Roberts)

A month and a half after the unified school board denied a raft of charter school applications, start-up leaders are no closer to knowing whether they will be allowed to run schools next fall. Seventeen potential charter schools are at a standstill. Their leaders cannot recruit students for schools that don't exist. There is no way to negotiate on real estate or hire teachers. A small breakthrough may come today when state Treasurer David Lillard is 4

expected to e-mail a list of questions to the applicants and Memphis and Shelby County school leaders. "Once the questions are received, it is then up to the district and applicants to respond," said Blake Fontenay, state spokesman. "But after they respond, he could have follow-up questions. "This could go back and forth for awhile." Under a state law passed last spring, school boards may deny charter school applications if they can prove that the school would create a financial hardship for the traditional public school system or is not in the best interest of the community. Lillard has 30 days to decide after he has gathered all the information. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/09/future-in-limbo-for-17-charter-start-ups/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Grassroots effort starting to support public education (News-Sentinel/McCoy)

After hearing a speech by Buzz Thomas, executive director of the Great Schools Partnership, five local women got inspired to rally the community together to get behind Knox County Schools and public education. Thomas noted that during past budget hearings, not one constituent attended or expressed interest when it came to schools. "His message was just a swift kick to all of us," said Ginna Mashburn. "We decided to exchange ideas to help meet the challenges to meet the lack of public involvement. It hatched an idea." Mashburn, Virginia Babb, Jamey Dobbs, Tammy Sommers and Maggie Carini have formed Support Our Schools, or S.O.S., a grass-roots effort to support the school system. The women are hoping the community will come out to one of two sessions Tuesday to share ideas and learn how they can become more involved. The group will hold a brown bag lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the East Tennessee History Center and another session from 6 to 7 p.m. in the West High School library. "This is about friendly public support for public schools," Mashburn said. "We want this to be a countywide effort, not just one segment of Knox County, from Karns to South Doyle, from Mechanicsville to Carter. It's got to be all over the county. If it matters to us, let it be known that it matters to us." http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/09/grassroots-effort-starting-to-support-public/

Tracking sex offenders: good idea in theory but practice difficult (CP/Greenberg)
Once per week, Metro Nashville Police Department detectives Maria Sexton and David Elliott work their way down a list of addresses, knocking on doors throughout the city. They arent looking for active criminals or trying to sniff out gang activity. Sexton and Elliott are specifically on the hunt for sex offenders. In Tennessee, sex offenders are required by law to provide information on their whereabouts to local law enforcement agencies. But sometimes, that doesnt happen. Davidson County is home to 1,700 registered sex offenders. There are more sex offenders per capita in Davidson County (1 of 363) than Shelby County (1 of 430) and Knox County (1 of 797). (The numbers can partly be attributed to the three state prisons located in Metro Nashville city limits.) As part of the MNPDs sex crimes unit, Sexton and Elliott are the driving force behind doling out sex offender registration violations. In 2011, the duo was primarily responsible for issuing 385 warrants on sex offenders who lied about where they lived, who they lived with or just never reported. Overall, there were 499 arrests for registration violations in the county. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/tracking-sex-offenders-good-idea-theory-practice-proves-difficult

Texas: Supreme Court to decide on Texas electoral maps (Associated Press)

A federal law says states and localities with a history of discrimination cannot change any voting procedures without first getting approval from the Justice Department or a federal court in Washington. Yet Texas is asking the Supreme Court to allow the use of new, unapproved electoral districts in this years voting for Congress and the state Legislature. The outcome of the high court case, to be argued Monday afternoon, could be another blow to a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. In 2009, the justices raised doubts about whether Southern states still should need approval in advance of voting changes more than 40 years after the law was enacted. The case also might help determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives in 2013, with Republicans in a stronger position if the court allows Texas to use electoral districts drawn by the GOPdominated Legislature. Population gain The complicated legal fight over Texas political maps arises from the states population gain of more than 4 million people, most of them Latino or African-American, in the 2010 census, and involves federal district courts in Texas and Washington, as well as the Supreme Court. It has come to a head now because Texas needs to be able to use some maps to hold elections this year. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120109/NEWS02/301090034/Supreme-Court-decide-Texas-electoralmaps?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

OPINION Editorial: Plan targets causes of crime (Commercial Appeal)

Zeroing in on recidivism and domestic violence: Gov. Bill Haslam's plan tackles two issues that feed the state and city's crime problem. There are two components of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam's public safety plan that, if enacted, could have a significant impact here and across the state. The plan, released Thursday, includes mandatory jail time for repeat domestic violence offenders. The governor also wants to create a pilot "one-stop shop" in Memphis of services for paroled inmates returning to Shelby County. Both issues place a heavy burden on police resources and contribute heavily to Memphis' crime tally. Haslam's proposal calls for anyone convicted of a crime of domestic violence for a second time to face mandatory jail time of at least 45 days, and at least 120 days for third and subsequent offenses. Domestic violence underpins much of this city's violent crime. Police officers and sheriff's deputies spend an enormous amount of their time answering domestic violence calls. The impact of the crime leaves lasting scars, literal and psychological, on the victims and children who witness the violence. In Memphis, several initiatives are in place to help victims of domestic violence, but determined abusers remain a problem. The assailants usually are repeat offenders who tend to ignore orders of protection issued by the courts. States have passed legislation requiring mandatory jail time for first-time drunken driving offenders. Whether that has been an effective deterrent depends on which state evaluation you read. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/09/editorials-plan-targets-causes-of-crime/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial: Alexander could be new major player in getting things done (J. Sun)
It is refreshing to hear someone as experienced in politics and government as Lamar Alexander talking about a common-sense approach to governing in W ashington. Alexander's decision to step down as the No. 3 ranking Senate Republican opens the door for him to practice statesmanship rather than partisanship. We are encouraged that he will join fellow Tennessee Republican Sen. Bob Corker and a handful of others in Congress as voices of reason to counteract the voices of obstructionists, blind partisans and extremists. Since 2007, Alexander has served as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's first lieutenant and Republican conference chairman, prestigious and powerful roles. But the political prestige comes with strings attached. As a top party official, Alexander's responsibilities included promoting the party's agenda, whether he agreed with it or not. Alexander served two terms as Tennessee's governor, is a former U.S. secretary of education, twice ran for president and is in his second term as a U.S. senator. We believe he knows a thing or two about politics, government and statesmanship. We don't have to agree with him on every point, but his insights and understanding of complex issues warrant serious consideration. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120109/OPINION01/201090302/Alexander-could-new-major-player-gettingthings-done

Free-Press Editorial: Another type of voter fraud (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

As the Obama administration wrongly continues to oppose states' photo ID requirements -- rules meant to combat voter fraud -- another type of voter fraud is being embraced in New Haven, Conn. The mayor of New Haven wants to extend voting rights to illegal aliens and other people who are not lawfully entitled to vote. Democrat Mayor John DeStefano has already conferred false legitimacy on illegal aliens by giving them "resident cards," and he has forbidden police to ask people about their immigration status. Those misguided actions earned for New Haven a reputation as a "sanctuary city" for illegal aliens. But DeStefano also wants illegal immigrants to be able to cast ballots in local elections. Outrageous! That not only rewards illegal aliens for their 6

lawbreaking, but it also negates the legitimate votes of U.S. citizens. Virtually no one suggests trying to round up and deport the millions of illegal aliens in the United States today. But that is no reason to encourage still more illegal immigration with unwise government policies. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/09/0109b-fp3-another-type-of-voter-fraud/?opinionfreepress

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