TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2012 Tenn.

Legislature passes $31 billion budget (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Humphrey)

Democrats made a provision to give $500,000 for construction of a museum in Virginia the focus of last-minute criticism of a $31 billion state budget Monday as their attempts to make alterations were voted down. After heated debate, the final, Republican-drafted version of the budget was approved 63-27. The Senate followed later with approval of the spending plan mostly prepared by Bill Haslam's Gov. administration on a 31-2 vote with virtually no discussion. Hopes for adjourning the legislative session Monday were dashed by long debate on other issues. The House and Senate will meet again today to deal with them. Money intended for the Birthplace of Country Music Cultural Heritage Center was added to the budget at the urging of Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, who said the proposed building site is on the Virginia side of the state border that runs through Bristol. As adopted by a House-Senate Conference Committee, which drafted the final version of the budget, the Tennessee Arts Commission will receive $600,000 for "musical heritage" grants. Ramsey said the understanding is that $500,000 will go to the new Bristol facility and $100,000 to Stax Records, a music teaching and museum facility in Memphis. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/01/tenn-legislature-passes-31-billion-budget/

$31 billion budget heads to Gov. Bill Haslam (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Sher)
The House and Senate gave final approval Monday night to a compromise on the state's $31 billion budget, sending the annual spending plan to Republican Gov. Bill Haslam. House Republican majority lawmakers batted down four alternative Democratic proposals. The plan, which includes some $50 million in tax cuts, passed the chamber on a 64-28 vote. Senators largely dispensed with debate, approving the majority Republican conference committee report on a 31-2 vote. Provisions include a 2.5 percent increase for state employees and $560 million in building construction or improvements, many of them in higher education. The Senate then recessed until today, while the House debated into the night. On Monday, Democrats sought to restore regional projects and add additional funding for higher education to cut likely tuition hikes by half. They also wanted to accelerate Haslam's cuts to the sales tax on groceries. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/may/01/31-billion-budget-heads-to-haslam/?local

Tennessee budget compromise moves on to Haslam for approval (AP/Schelzig)

The Tennessee Legislature has approved the state's more than $31 billion annual spending plan and sent it to Gov. Bill Haslam. The House voted 64-28 to adopt the budget proposal agreed to in a rare conference committee late last week following disagreements over local projects. The Senate passed it 31-2 shortly afterward with little debate. In the House, the Republican majority quickly dispatched four Democratic proposals that sought to restore regional projects, add funding for higher education to curb tuition hikes and make a further reduction in the state's sales tax on groceries. Democratic House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh of Ripley said the changes would be funded through better-than-expected revenue collections that Republicans have refused to include in their projections. "This is cash in the bank that we simply need to recognize, ladies and gentlemen," Fitzhugh said. House Finance Chairman Charles Sargent, R-Franklin, said Gov. Bill Haslam's administration wants to keep the extra revenue in reserve to protect against expected cost increases for the state related to the federal health care overhaul. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/may/01/budget-compromise-moves-on-to-haslam-for/ (SUB)

Haslam Won't Divulge Records On TRA Overhaul Input (Associated Press)

Governor Bill Haslam's staff has declined to release some records about the administration's legislation to overhaul the Tennessee Regulatory Authority. According to records obtained by the Chattanooga Times Free

Press, the governor's office solicited advice from nearly a dozen regulated utilities or industry associations about the administration's legislation. The paper reports Haslam and his legal counsel, Herbert Slatery, have refused to divulge some of the opinions they received or who provided them, on grounds some of it is protected by attorney work product and deliberative process privilege. Frank Gibson, Tennessee Press Association policy director, questioned the lack of a full response to the request. Saying that records are protected by attorney work product doesn't apply when state officials were gathering information to change public policy, Gibson said. http://www.newschannel5.com/story/17941002/haslam-wont-divulge-records-on-tra-overhaul-input

Haslam staff's partial TRA records request denial raises questions (City Paper/Hale)
Gov. Bill Haslams staff has refused a request from the Chattanooga Times Free Press for records revealing advice the administration received about legislation to restructure the Tennessee Regulatory Authority. The Chattanooga daily reports that records it did obtain show that the governors staff sought input from regulated utilities and industry associations about the administration proposal. The administration officials, however, withheld records that would show what input they received and who they received it from, citing attorney work product and deliberative process privilege. Tennessee Press Association Policy Director Frank Gibson told the Times Free Press he questioned that argument because the requested information was part of the formation of public policy, not mere conversations between the governor and his lawyer. The bill, which has already passed the Senate, is scheduled to come up on the House floor Monday. It would change the TRAs four-member fulltime board of directors into a five-member part-time board. The bill also includes new requirements for directors education and experience. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/haslam-staffs-partial-tra-records-request-denial-raises-questions

TN highway fatality count to appear on overhead signs (Tennessean/Humbles)

Motorists have begun seeing a daily fatality count and safety tips on overhead message boards along Tennesseen highways. The state decided to post the information because the number of highway fatalities is climbing. Preliminary reports show 288 people died on Tennessee roadways from January through April 27 an increase of 27 over the same time period last year, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Nearly half of this years fatalities have involved motorists who were not wearing a seat belt, officials said. The safety recommendations visible on the message boards will encourage motorists to wear seat belts, to obey the speed limit, and not to text and drive. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120501/NEWS21/304300051/TN-highway-fatality-count-appear-overheadsigns?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Barrett roads cost state $1M-plus (Daily News Journal)

Tennessee is spending more than $1 million to build roads to Barrett Firearms Manufacturing just off Interstate 24 at the Buchanan exit in south Rutherford County. The Tennessee Department of Transportation recently awarded a contract worth $974,148 to Hoover Inc., for construction of an access road to the plant owned by Ronnie Barrett, maker of the famed .50-caliber rifle. Work is set to begin in a couple of weeks, according to Deanna Lambert, TDOT spokeswoman. A tentative design in April 2011 showed it will start at Epps Mill Road just east of the I-24 interchange on property owned by Agnihotri Pradeep and run southeast on land owned by Barretts children as part of Outpost LLC and adjacent property owner Brenda Benz, ending at a cul de sac at the corner of Barrett Enterprises on Benzs land. The construction cost does not include property acquired for state right of way. A temporary access road built in 2011 extending Miller Lane in front of Barretts building along I-24 is to be demolished once the permanent road is done, according to TDOTs contract. Construction and demolition of the road was projected at about $48,000. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120501/NEW S/305020001/Barrett-roads-cost-state-1M-plus?odyssey=tab|topnews| text|FRONTPAGE

Much

to

celebrate:

Guided

hikes

offered

at

Laurel-Snow

scenic

tract

(NS/Simmons)
Hiking into the Laurel-Snow State Natural Area, it's not just the scenic beauty that grabs your attention. From the parking lot, the trail follows Richland Creek, a mountain stream that flows off the eastern slope of the 2

Cumberland Plateau. At the lower end of the main gorge are the remnants of the Dayton Coal and Iron Co., a British-owned company that operated here from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Poking out of the hillside are the ruins of coke ovens where mountain coal was converted into industrial coke, a product used to smelt iron ore into steel. Today, nearly a century after the mines closed, the stone ruins are still clearly visible amid the kudzu vines and the second-generation forest. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Tennessee's state parks system, and at the Laurel-Snow State Natural Area has much to celebrate. Located in Rhea County, just three miles from Dayton, the natural area covers 2,259 acres and includes such features as waterfalls and an overlook called Buzzard Point. In 1971, Laurel-Snow Trail was designated Tennessee's first National Recreation Trail, and in 1973, the area became one of the state's first natural areas. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/01/much-to-celebrate-guided-hikes-offered-at-laurel/

Sheriff's office assists state crack down on TennCare fraud (Tennessean)

Dickson County Sheriffs personnel assisted state officials by arresting and charging two suspects accused of abusing TennCare for prescription painkillers. Tennessee has zero tolerance for abuse of TennCare, Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said in a press release. W ere especially focused on prescription drug fraud in TennCare. DCSO personnel cooperated with the state Office of Inspector General and local agencies to indict women from Humphreys and Montgomery counties. Angela D. Werfel, 49, of Waverly, was arrested April 24 and charged with two counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by doctor shopping i.e., visiting multiple physicians in a short period of time in order to get prescription drugs. She was released in lieu of $5,000 bond. An indictment accuses Werfel of trying to obtain prescriptions for the painkiller Oxycodone, with the prescriptions being paid for by TennCare. Jessica L. Perry, 24, of Southside, was arrested March 31 and charged with one count of TennCare fraud and one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. She was released in lieu of $10,000 bond. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120430/DICKSON01/304300066/Sheriff-s-office-assists-state-crack-downon-TennCare-fraud

States seek ways to trim scholarships (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Trevizo)

The majority of states that followed Georgia's lead in creating lottery-funded state scholarships now are coming up with policies to deal with increasing demand and declining revenues. "The South has experienced huge growth over the last two decades. W hen states run with a surplus in lottery revenues, the tendency is to increase the amount of the award or the number of scholarships," said Thomas Sanford, director of research for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The downside, he said during the commission's spring meeting last week, is that sometimes revenues don't hold up. Sanford discussed the findings of a commission report comparing Tennessee's lottery scholarship program with those of the seven other states that have started similar programs since Georgia created the first one in 1993. Tennessee ranks third among those states in the number of students it serves and the amount of money it spends, with 101,569 students and $297 million spent in 201011, according to the report. Over the last several years, all the states have implemented some limit on years or credit hours to address the revenue-versus-demand problem. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/may/01/states-seek-ways-to-trim-scholarships/?local

Haslam to consider bill to form fair commission (Associated Press)

A proposal to set up a state fair commission is headed to the governor for his consideration. The measure sponsored by Democratic Sen. Joe Haynes of Nashville was approved 32-0 by the Senate on Monday. The companion bill passed the House 90-2 last week. The proposal creates a state fair and exposition commission within the Department of Agriculture. The commission will be appointed by the governor and will be charged with administering a state fair and exposition. Haynes said a Metro Fair Board had control of the fair but said his legislation officially makes the state fair a property of the state. In an attempt to keep the fair in Davidson County, resolutions also passed Monday urging any state fair to be held where the seat of government is located. http://www.wsmv.com/story/17949849/bill-to-form-fair-commission-headed-to-governor

Bill creating new board to govern TN State Fair heads to governor (TN/Wilson)
A bill that would establish a board to govern the State Fair passed unanimously in the Senate Monday and is headed to the governors desk. Under the legislation, a board under the states agriculture department would be established and be solely responsible for administering the State Fair and setting rules about its operation and management. The state House passed the same legislation last week. Several advocates that support keeping 3

the fair in Nashville and at its current site at the State Fairgrounds said they were extremely concerned the legislation would be the final step in moving the fair to another part of the state and allow the fairgrounds to be demolished. In the past, Mayor Karl Dean has supported redeveloping the facility, which also holds a racetrack and expo center. The board would be allowed to sell and lease property under management of the commission, which could lead to the relocation of the fair. However, the bills Senate sponsor, Sen. Joe Haynes, D-Nashville, said during debate that the intent of the bill is to keep the event in Nashville, where it has been for more than 100 years. I hope this will give some continuity to the State Fair to continue to be held in Davidson County. Thats my intention, he said. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120501/NEWS0201/305010045/Bill-creating-new-board-govern-TN-StateFair-heads-governor?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Municipal

schools

referendum

bill

approved

by

Senate

(Commercial

Appeal/Locker)
The Senate gave final legislative approval Monday to the bill letting the Memphis suburbs hold referendums this year on creating municipal school districts, despite charges that it's "part of a growing trend ... of apartheid in Shelby County." The bill now goes to Gov. Bill Haslam, who said earlier that he wanted the panel planning the merger of Memphis and Shelby County schools to complete its work before the suburbs decide on new municipal school systems. If the bill does become law, it may be the subject of further federal court review. In his ruling in the schools consolidation lawsuit last August, U.S. Dist. Judge Hardy Mays upheld last year's Public Chapter 1 that set up the merger planning process but made it clear he was not ruling yet on provisions in that law allowing for new municipal or special school districts after the merger occurs. Monday's Senate approval would have been anti-climactic were it not for an exchange between the majority and minority leaders, both from Shelby County. The House approval Friday was the critical vote, because the Senate had approved virtually the same language last week. The Senate's 22-9 vote Monday was mostly along party lines, with Sens. Reginald Tate of Memphis and Charlotte Burks of Cookeville the only Democrats voting for the bill. All Republicans voted for it. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/30/municipal-referendum-bill-approved-senate-headed-t/ (SUB)

Tenn. Senate Approves Muni Schools Referendums (Memphis Daily News)

The Tennessee State Senate gave final approval Monday, April 30, to legislation that sets the stage for referendums this year in Shelby Countys suburbs on forming municipal school districts. With Senate approval on a 22-9 vote, the bill that was approved by the State House last week goes to the desk of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. The provision permitting the referendums this year is an amendment added to a 2011 bill dealing with school bullying. Memphis Democrat Jim Kyle said the amendment permitting the suburban votes is part of a rising tide of apartheid in Shelby County. One day this is going to come back to haunt you, he warned legislators. I hope it doesnt happen on your watch. It would only be fair if it did. This is about folks saying, No, we want to be different. W e dont want to be with you. Senate Republican leader Mark Norris of Collierville, the sponsor of the amendment, said he would not dignify Kyles remarks with a comment. We seek a smooth transition, Norris added. We seek the opportunity for the transition planning commission the opportunity to think outside the box and to do something better for the children in the schools in Shelby County than what has been done heretofore, to embrace the concept of a unified system, not just a merged system. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/may/1/tn-house-approves-muni-schools-referendums/

Municipalities Can Start To Form Districts (WREG-TV Memphis)

Many living in Memphis suburbs are hoping Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam will see things their way when it comes to schools. They want the governor to sign a bill allowing municipalities to form their own district. Both the Senate and House have passed the bill. Thats a change form earlier this legislative session, when the municipal districts were ruled unconstitutional. With the City of Bartlett being a step closer to forming its own school district, mom Laura Lee Martin is pleased, As citizens we have te right to decide on the community level where were taking our families. Martins twin daughters will graduate from Bartlett High this year. She thinks its important the city not be morphed into the Memphis-Shelby County school system. Martin doesnt think that district will best serve Bartlett kids, Those that are coming up, its the generation that will take care of my generation. http://wreg.com/2012/04/30/municipalities-can-start-to-form-districts/ 4

TN lawmakers race to finish (Tennessean/Sisk)

In flurry of activity, they OK budget, tackle campaign finance law, VU policy Tennessee legislators scrambled to rewrite the states campaign finance law, attacked a Vanderbilt University antidiscrimination policy and passed the state budget in a marathon session of last-minute lawmaking Monday. Legislation moved to the floor of the House of Representatives that would let insurance companies doing business with the state donate to political campaigns, would delete a requirement that candidates report last-minute contributions in the days before elections and would give corporations more freedom to fund campaigns. A vote on the measure, House Bill 3281, was expected before the legislature adjourns for 2012 but had not been brought up on the House floor at press time. The Senate passed companion legislation earlier in the year. The campaign finance bill was one of dozens to hit the floor of the House and the Senate in what leaders had hoped would be the last day of the legislative session. The House placed more than 50 bills on its calendar Monday, leading the Senate to adjourn until this morning. The state Senate also approved legislation, Senate Bill 3597, targeting Vanderbilts all-comers policy. The bill stems from an ongoing dispute between the school and campus organizations over the limits of its antidiscrimination policy. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120501/NEWS0201/304300052/TN-lawmakers-race-finish?odyssey=tab| topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Erlanger bill passes Senate, heads to Gov. Haslam (Times Free-Press/Sher)

A change to the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority Act is on its way to Gov. Bill Haslam for his consideration. State senators took final action on the bill, which adds Erlanger Health System's medical chief of staff to the public hospital's board of trustees. The vote was 30-0. The House approved the bill last week on a 96-0 vote. "Obviously, Erlanger has been struggling financially," said Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, the bill's Senate sponsor. "As a delegation, we want to ensure there is proper oversight and input from physicians. This is one temporary step toward a more permanent solution." Local lawmakers originally had planned to add two new members to the board based on recommendations by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society. But Rep. JoAnne Favors, D-Chattanooga, a former Erlanger board member, raised concerns about nonstaff physicians being on the board. In 2005, Erlanger had to pay $40 million to the U.S. Department of Justice amid allegations that hospital officials violated anti-kickback statutes by overpaying physicians and offering them improper incentives in exchange for hospital referrals. In its agreement, Erlanger denied the government's allegations. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/may/01/erlanger-bill-passes-senate-heads-to-haslam/?local

TN Senate passes bill on college group membership rules (Associated Press)

Groups at privately run Vanderbilt University and public colleges and universities could refuse to accept individuals who don't share their beliefs under a proposal that has passed the Senate. The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Mae Beavers of Mt. Juliet was approved 19-12 on Monday. The bill takes aim at Vanderbilt University's "all-comers" policy, which requires school groups to allow any interested students to join and run for office. Sponsors have said Vanderbilt was added on the basis that it receives state funding. Christian student leaders have been vocal on the issue, saying their groups shouldn't be forced to admit members, and possibly leaders, who do not share their beliefs. Opponents say lawmakers shouldn't be dictating policy to private institutions. The companion bill has been placed on hold in the House. http://www.wsmv.com/story/17947755/college-groups-legislation-passes-senate-19-12

Bill Targeting Vanderbilt University Policy Returns (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Vanderbilt University is back in the legislatures sights over its all-comers policy. The state Senate today passed a bill that would to tell Vanderbilt to reconsider its non-discrimination policy which Christian groups have complained is pushing them off campus. The Senate bill has been amended to serve as a message, essentially threatening Vanderbilt with a loss of state contracts if it doesnt change its policy in the coming year. Senator Doug Overbey, a Republican from Maryville, says the measure is a dangerous step. I think its selfevident why this amendment then gives me pause for concern when the state starts dictating to private colleges how they are run. Overbey is on the board of directors of Maryville College an institution forced by the state in 1901 to become a segregated, whites only school. But Vanderbilt undergraduate Peter Valk, a member of one of the religious clubs, says hes in favor of the bill. W hat it really asks, is, the state to step in, and ask the university at least for a year, to be consistent with their policy, to do what would be forced upon them if they were 5

a public university. http://wpln.org/?p=36742

House to Vote on Relaxing Corporate Contribution Rules (W PLN-Radio Nashville)

The state could soon make it easier for corporations to donate money to political campaigns. The proposal is on its way to a floor vote in Tennessees House, and another version already passed the state Senate last month. Right now, for corporations to contribute to races, they have to register as Political Action Committees. Franklin Republican Glen Casada wants to get rid of that requirement. Critics see the move opening elections up to more corporate influence, but Casada defends the measure, saying money isnt everything in a campaign. Any individual that gets involved knocking on doors for a candidate just getting involved has far more influence than a check for $1000. A House race now costs you $100-, $150 thousand. A corporation gives you $1400 in the scheme of all that you spend, its negligible. Casadas proposal would also lift a rule barring political donations from insurance companies. http://wpln.org/?p=36732

Lottery scholarship bill likely dead this session (Associated Press)

A proposal that would make cutting some students' lottery scholarships in half contingent on lottery revenues has likely failed this session. The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Harry Brooks of Knoxville was withdrawn from consideration in the House Finance Subcommittee on Monday. Brooks told reporters outside the committee that he didn't think he had the votes. 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. 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 Brooks' proposal, the lottery scholarship requirements won't change if lottery proceeds match, or exceed, the previous year's through 2015. The companion bill passed the Senate 20-10 earlier this month. http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/Lottery_scholarship_bill_likely_dead_this_session_149534025.html

Tennessee scholarship bill dead for this year (Chattanooga Times FreePress/Sher)
A controversial bill that would have slashed lottery-funded Hope scholarships in half for about 5,000 students appears dead for the year. Rep. Harry Brooks, R-Knoxville, took the bill off notice Monday in the House Budget Subcommittee, later acknowledging that the Senate-passed bill had no chance of passing the House. "I think the thought is we don't need to do it right now," Brooks said. The bill, initiated by the Senate, originally sought a 50 percent reduction in the $4,000 award for students who do not achieve both a 3.0 grade-point average and a 21 score on their ACT college entrance exam. It would have gone into effect in the 2015-16 school year to give students and parents enough notice, proponents said. Senate Education Committee Chairman Delores Gresham, R-Somerville, the bill's sponsor in the Senate, argued the move was necessary because the state was dipping into the program's $300 million-plus reserve. But faced with news that lottery proceeds were exceeding estimates by $10 million so far this year, Gresham made the cuts conditional on that growth being sustained. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/may/01/scholarship-bill-dead-for-this-year/?local

Brooks pulls plug on lottery scholarship bill (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Humphrey)

Knoxville's Rep. Harry Brooks abandoned Monday the effort to pass a controversial bill that could have cut lottery-funded scholarship in half for an estimated 5,000 students. "The thought is we don't need to do it right now," said Brooks after taking HB2649 "off notice" during the final meeting of the House Finance Subcommittee. The bill, as filed, would have required college students to have both an ACT score of 21 and a 3.0 high school grade-point average to get a $4,000 annual scholarship. Currently, a student can qualify by having either one. Both are not required. Under the bill, those who have one, but not both, of the qualifications would get only a $2,000 scholarship. Proponents have argued that the lottery scholarship fund could be jeopardized at current spending levels unless the spending is reduced. But critics mostly Democrats noted that the lottery recently has had record sales and is now building up extra money while holding about $365 million in reserves. The Senate passed the bill 20-10 on April 16, with an amendment that would trigger cutbacks in future years only if lottery revenues declined. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/01/legislative-notebook-brooks-pulls-plugon-bill/

Proposed Lottery Overhaul Appears Dead in State House (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Tennessees lottery scholarship probably will not change this year, after House members questioned the need to make the full $4 thousand scholarship harder to get. Projections from last year had the lottery going broke over the next decade. That prompted some lawmakers to look at saving money, by raising the requirements or lowering the payout. The Senate passed such a proposal. But in a House committee members argued improved projections made changes unnecessary. Democratic Leader Craig Fitzhugh asked state researcher Thomas Sanford how much money the lottery fund would have a decade from now. Sanford: Currently, if no legislation is enacted, its $237 million. Fitzhugh: So we can still have $237 million and keep from cutting scholarships for over five thousand people if we can continue just like we are? Sanford: Correct. Fitzhugh: Thank you. http://wpln.org/?p=36727

Bill Would Require Proof of Citizenship to Get State Services (WPLN-Radio Nash.)
A bill to require citizenship to be eligible for most state services is still alive in the state legislature. W illiamson County Senator Jack Johnson is hoping to pass the measure even if today is the last day of session. The bill takes a federal program for identifying who is eligible for services and brings it down to the state level. It wouldnt affect public education or emergency health care, but most other agencies could ask for identification proving citizenship or legal alien status. Senator Johnson: But this would apply to allstate benefits. .Many of the benefits that are funded with federal dollars have that requirement attached to them, its just that often that requirement is not enforced. Johnson was not able to list the specific services that would be denied. So passage of the bill was hung up on Friday over the question of whether there are some state benefits that have nothing to do with citizenship. The Senate has the bill on the floor today. In the House, the companion bill is left hanging in the House Finance Committee but thats a committee that is often re-opened even on the last day of a session. http://wpln.org/?p=36700

Roll-your-own cigarette bill passes House (Associated Press)

A measure that would require roll-your-own cigarette retailers to pay a licensing fee and tax and adhere to certain restrictions has passed the House. The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Steve McDaniel of Parkers Crossroads was approved 68-22 Monday night. The companion bill passed the Senate 25-5 last week. Pipe tobacco, a popular product of roll-your-own retailers, is not listed on the state attorney general's directory of tobaccos. The proposal would require tobacco the retailers use in their machines to come from the directory. It would also require the retailers to pay a cigarette tax and an annual $500 licensing fee for each roll-your-own machine used. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/01/roll-your-own-cigarette-bill-passes-house/

Abstinence based bill prompts questions for local teachers and students (H-C)
A controversial bill passed the TN House and Senate that would allow parents to sue teachers and other groups who allow gateway sexual activity. The bills specifies that family life instruction in schools emphasize teachings on abstinence, it goes further to say parents or guardians can take legal action if a teacher has not complied with requirements of the bill. The bill which has yet to be signed into law by the governor has left a lot people asking questions about what is gateway sexual activity including teachers and students. High-school students Jonathan Shell and Emily Parker have been dating for nearly 7 months and say they limit their public display of affection at school to holding hands and maybe a hug. All actions they don't see as gateway sexual activity. It's not like we're having sex by saying let's hold hands, says Shell. It's casual. Even friends hold hands, adds Parker. But some say holding hands could be termed "gateway sexual activity". Karen Anderson a member of the Johnson City Education Association sent this statement. "I do have personal reservations about the proposed bill given it does not clearly define "gateway sexual activity" or define what it means to "demonstrate" sexual activity. Without clearly defined, specific examples, any type of affection might be misconstrued by anyone as "sexual activity", writes Anderson, who is an elementary teacher not a family life teacher. http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/apr/30/abstinence-based-bill-prompts-questions-local-teac-ar-1880921/

Changes small, savings bigger from redistricting proposal (Daily News Journal)
Election officials propose saving $500,000 over 10 years on polling places by convincing county commissioners to change eight of their districts to align with Tennessee Senate boundaries. This really is housekeeping, 7

Election Commissioner Jimmy Evans said during a Monday night meeting. Evans joined the other four members of the Rutherford County Election Commission in a unanimous vote to urge commissioners to make the change to eight of the 21 districts: 2, 3, 7, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 21. Without the district shifts, the county would have to use 56 polling places for the Aug. 2 and Nov. 6 elections instead of 47 to comply with a state law that requires everyone in the same precinct to be in the same senate district, Election Administrator Nicole Lester said. She and Election Commission Chairman Ransom Jones will propose the changes during a Rutherford County Commission Steering, Legislative & Governmental Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. May 7 in Room 205 of the County Courthouse on Murfreesboros Public Square. Any committee recommendation to accept the proposal would then go before the full commission to consider for ratification at 6 p.m. May 17 in the main meeting room at the Courthouse. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120501/NEW S/305010018/Changes-small-savings-bigger-from-redistrictingproposal?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Burchett set to release $673.7 million county budget today (News-Sentinel/Donila)

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett this morning will unveil his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a $673.7 million spending plan that increases funding for the school system, public safety and debt repayment. The mayor in an interview Monday said he would reserve discussing specifics about the budget until today, but said the 2013 budget, which will take effect July 1, includes no layoffs. Nor should residents expect to see a decline in services, he said. He reiterated he will not fully fund Knox County Schools' proposal for a $48 million increase in its own spending plan. Of that, $13 million is considered natural growth. The rest is part of a broader, long-term plan that the school system wants to use to target such areas as technology and teacher performance pay. The mayor said he thinks there's no accountability in place to pay for what Superintendent Jim McIntyre and school leaders have often called an "ambitious" and "bold" plan. He also said it would require a tax increase. "(For the upcoming fiscal year) we put more additional money into education than we have in the last three years," Burchett said. "Although this sum might not be enough, I think we all need to bear in mind the shape of the economy and that some homeowners and a lot of our small businesses are just barely hanging on." http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/01/burchett-set-to-release-6737-million-county/

Knox County Sheriff asks for raise for employees (News-Sentinel/Donila)

Knox County Sheriff' Jimmy "J.J." Jones plans to ask Knox County Commission to give his employees a 3 percent raise. The sheriff said he'd like to see a boost in pay for everyone in his department, which includes about 1,000 workers, except for himself. He said he is seeking the raise as well as a step increase for staff. If approved, it would cost the county an extra $2.9 million annually, he said. Percentage increases are used to help an organization become more competitive as an employer. Step increases typically link salaries and employee performance and are used to recognize an individual's contributions, but they don't necessarily address the external market. In January, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett gave all employees a 3 percent raise, which will also be reflected in his budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which beings July 1. Burchett said his new budget includes January's raise but no other salary increases for Sheriff's Office employees. "I understand that (the sheriff) has to do what he has to do, but it's too soon (for another raise) after the 3 percent I just gave," the mayor said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/01/knox-county-sheriff-asks-for-raise-for-employees/

Council Takes First Votes on City Budget (Memphis Daily News)

Memphis City Council members take the first formal votes Tuesday, May 1, on a city budget and tax rate for the fiscal year that begins July 1. But the ordinances on the agenda come with no dollar amounts or tax rate at this point. Tuesdays council session begins at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall, 125 N. Main St. The councils budget committee just began its budget hearings Saturday, April 28, with the hearings continuing Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. is proposing a $628 million operating budget with a 47-cent city property tax rate hike. There are no layoffs of city employees in the budget. But Wharton has said that could change depending on what options the council chooses in setting the budget. Wharton has already outlined two options that could reduce the tax hike he has proposed. Some on the council say they also want to see some cuts in spending by the administration that will reflect significant changes in what services city government offers. At Saturdays opening session, city finance director Roland McElrath repeated several times the administrations call for a tax hike that would be used solely to meet the citys obligation to fund the Memphis City Schools system for the last year of MCS existence. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/may/1/council-takes-first8

votes-on-city-budget/

Budget Committee considers raises (Leaf Chronicle)

Budget Committee members began their fourth week of budget hearings Monday by confronting the fact that, despite multiple rounds of cuts, next years budget will likely pull millions from the countys savings. The general fund, which covers operating expenses and personnel for every county department aside from the Highway Department, has more than $62 million allotted to it in the next year, even after cuts from county departments and the committee. Projected revenue will pour about $59.7 million into the general fund. Should the County Commission approve the budget as it stands, the $2.6-million difference would come from the countys savings. That $62-million amount does not include a long-touted pay plan that would give raises to county employees, although Erinne Hester, director of accounts and budgets, predicted the impact of four hypothetical plans. Hester and County Mayor Carolyn Bowers said the countys savings, or fund balance, should ideally stay above $15 million. Although the fund balance currently sits at $22 million, the cost of a pay plan, combined with other operating expenses, would draw millions away from that total in the coming years, according to Hesters projections. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120430/NEWS01/304300017/Budget-Committee-considers-raises

Nashville flood memories drive city's rebound (Tennessean/Cass, Deville)

As parks, trails replace flooded houses, Metro acts to ensure tragedy doesn't happen again Two years after the great flood, pockets of Nashville look sturdier, greener and maybe even safer. Rows of houses that stood next to rivers and creeks are being replaced by swaths of grass, walking trails, picnic tables, gardens or playgrounds. A riverbank in Old Hickory is being shored up so it wont lose 15 feet in five days again. Thousands of homes and businesses have been cleaned, renovated, rebuilt or, in some cases, elevated. Each is a reminder of what happened on May 1-2, 2010, when more than 13 inches of rain soaked the city, making many homes uninhabitable and businesses unmanageable, temporarily cutting off downtown and shuttering the symphony hall, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and Opry Mills mall. I know those days are still fresh in our minds, Mayor Karl Dean said at a news conference last week. We remember how rain fell in Nashville for more than 36 hours, more rain than our city had seen in its recorded history. We remember that, tragically, 11 citizens of Nashville died in those floods, and we remember how the story of that flood in Nashville turned into a story of incredible optimism, community spirit, of people coming together to help each other in the most dire circumstances. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120501/NEWS01/304300080/Nashville-flood-memories-drive-city-srebound?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Memphis Occupy protest coexists with city, plans march today (CA/Garlington)
Take off work. Take back Memphis with a march to Civic Center Plaza: That is Occupy Memphis' aim for today's "day of action." Protesters are set to meet at 2 p.m. at the corner of Union Avenue and Manassas Street for a march along Union to outside City Hall, where they will hold a "people's city council" meeting. The starting point for the march -- Nathan Bedford Forrest Park -- they are calling Ida B. Wells Park, honoring the journalist and early leader of the civil rights movement who was born in Holly Springs, Miss., and lived for a time in Memphis. Unlike many of its counterpart demonstrations throughout the U.S. and even the world, Occupy Memphis has been in existence for 200 days without mass arrests, little violence and no police-imposed evictions. Memphis Mayor A C W harton and others have said from the beginning as long as they protest peacefully, they are welcome to stay. The movement here started as a form of solidarity with the Occupy W all Street movement. "I don't see anything wrong with peaceful protests," said City Councilman Myron Lowery. "To my knowledge they have not bothered tourists. They show respect to the public and to the government and I applaud them for that." http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/may/01/still-occupied/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Alexander Hopes for Better Luck on Simpson-Bowles (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Senator Lamar Alexander says hes ready to throw his weight behind President Obamas debt reduction commission, which first made its recommendations more than year ago. Another member of Tennessees congressional delegation tried the same thing and failed by a landslide. The plan outlined by the SimpsonBowles commission hit the floor of Congress with a thud in late 2010. The plan makes deep cuts to military and domestic spending and raises the retirement age. Now, a number of lawmakers in both parties are giving Simpson-Bowles a second look. Alexander hopes he can muster 60 votes for his bill, even with a big election coming up in November. Theres no reason we should take a year off just because its an election year. Were 9

getting paid, we might as well work. Nashville Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper tried to get a similar bill through the House. He even had a Republican co-sponsor. Coopers bill failed on a vote of 382 to 38. Senator Alexander says thats because the President didnt show enough leadership. http://wpln.org/?p=36725

Less W hite Equals More Green (Wall Street Journal)

Mild Winter Saved Cities, States Millions on Plowing; Mounds of Road Salt Left States and cities across the northern half of the country saved millions of dollars from a winter that was unusually warm and lacking in snow, providing a rare fiscal bonus and leaving them with surpluses of road salt and other supplies for this year's season. Ohio spent about half as much on plowing and other storm costs than the winter before. Milwaukee came in about $2 million under its $8 million budget. New York City, which had its second-warmest winter on record, saved close to $12 million of its $42.8 million snow account. "We've had an incredibly fortunate situation this year," said Cyndi Roy, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, which spent about $43 million on plowing, salting and other winter costs down from $108 million in the 2010-2011 winter. Massachusetts plans to use much of its savings to help close a budget gap at Greater Boston's transit system. By contrast, the fierce winter a year earlier forced the state to overspend its snow fund and the legislature had to allocate additional funds. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304723304577366114038285348.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

States Struggling To Slow Tuition Growth (Stateline)

No state has seen a larger percentage tuition increase in the past few years than Arizona, which nearly doubled its average rates at public universities between 2007 and 2011. But four straight years of double-digit increases are coming to an end in 2012, at least for the states two largest universities, with a freeze on tuition and fees next fall at the University of Arizona and Arizona State. The last few years have been tough for everybody, says Bob McClendon, chairman of the Arizona Board of Regents. Im an educator myself. I would never have believed that I would be voting for increases like the last few years. This years freeze, the first in 20 years, was announced in early April, well before legislators and Governor Jan Brewer ended a weeks-long budget standoff. If approved, the deal reached by the governor and legislators last week would increase higher education spending. Even with more state funding, both the University of Arizona and Arizona State will have to make sacrifices. At Arizona State, for example, faculty and staff will go without salary increases to allow for flat tuition. http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/states-struggling-to-slow-tuition-growth-85899383588

Gaylord sues government for massive flood damage (Associated Press)

Gaylord Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government accusing the National W eather Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of negligence that led to massive destruction at its luxury hotel in Nashville and damage to the most famous country music venue in the world during flooding in 2010. The company says it sustained at least $250 million worth of damages caused by flooding at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and the nearly Grand Ole Opry House. Gaylord contends that the damage from flooding from the Cumberland River could have been avoided had the Corps of Engineers opened up a spillway. The company also says the W eather Service failed to warn the public of the severity of flooding. The flooding killed 11 people in Nashville. http://www.wbir.com/rss/article/218273/2/Gaylord-sues-government-for-massiveflood-damage

Gaylord, A.O. Smith join to sue Army Corps, Weather Service (Nashville Post)
Hotel and resort operator Gaylord Entertainment and Ashland City-based manufacturer A.O. Smith on Monday filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Nashville accusing the United States government of negligence and other wrongs for its role in exacerbating the damage wrought by Mother Nature in the May 2010 floods. It is a simple fact that we incurred millions of dollars in damages because the Corps released so much water into the Cumberland River that it rose above the 100-year flood plain, said Brian Abrahamson, Gaylords vice president of corporate communications, in a statement. Abrahamson reiterated statements Gaylord officials had made in prior days to local media and said the hotel conglomerate had a fiduciary responsibility to its shareholders to try to recover the losses sustained by the alleged negligence. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National 10

Weather Service as agencies of the U.S. Government are named as accused in Monday's complaint. The nearly 60-page delineation of the many facets of this case makes the argument that the actions of the Corps and the Weather Service made matters worse than the rains alone. Local attorney Bob Patterson of the Nashville office of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings is overseeing the legal proceedings and is representing A.O. Smith and Gaylord, including the hotels various corporate subsidiaries. http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/4/30/gaylord_ao_smith_join_to_sue_army_corps_weather_service

Gaylord suit claims Army Corps of Engineers made flood worse (TN/Marsteller)
Two Nashville companies sued the federal government today, accusing the National Weather Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of negligence causing at least $326 million in damages during the historic May 2010 floods. The suit, filed jointly by Opryland Hotel owner Gaylord Entertainment and Ashland City water heater manufacturer A.O. Smith, contends the federal agencies created a man-made disaster through poor planning, miscommunication and breach of duty. The Corps reacted too slowly to avoid a massive build-up of runoff behind the Old Hickory Dam during the May 2010 weather event, said the suit filed in federal court in Nashville. The Corps delayed decision to release massive amounts of water through the dams spillway worsened the flooding and caused even more extensive damage downstream, the suit contends. The weather service negligently failed to warn of the severity of the approaching danger partly because it was using out-dated data to predict flood stages, the suit said. The May 2010 storm event should have been an endurable, natural event at or below the 100-year flood plain along the Nashville Reach of the Cumberland River, the suit said. Instead, defendant created a man-made flood above the 100-year flood plain. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120430/BUSINESS/304300068/Gaylord-suit-claims-Army-CorpsEngineers-made-2010-flood-worse?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Corps, NWS Sued For Negligence During 2010 Floods (WTVF-TV Nashville)
An attorney representing Gaylord Entertainment and others filed a major lawsuit against two government agencies, claiming negligence made the May 2010 flood worse than it had to be. Heavy rain in early May 2010 pushed flood water into neighborhoods and businesses across Middle Tennessee, forcing evacuations of 1,500 Opryland Hotel guests to McGavock High School just before a foot of water from the Cumberland River came rushing inside. "We were told suddenly that it was rising much more quickly than we thought," one guest told NewsChannel 5 during the evacuations. The following days revealed millions in damage, lost guests, conventions and music fans. "It's heartbreaking to walk through and the most heartbreaking thing is you walk into these buildings and they feel like the soul has been taken out of them because there's no customers, there's no stars, there's no joy. There's no music playing in the Grand Ole Opry," Gaylord Entertainment COO David Kloeppel said just after the flood. Two years later, Gaylord Entertainment and others have fired back with a federal law suit claiming the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Weather Service neglected their duties leading up to and during the flood. http://www.newschannel5.com/story/17950377/corps-nws-sued-for-negligence-during-may-2010-floods

Gaylord Opryland flood protection is nearly complete (Tennessean/Williams)

Project comes amid legal battle between hotel chain, Army Corps of Engineers Never again, says the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The giant hotel and entertainment complex is now protected by a 10-foot flood wall that should shield it from any future floods like the one that inundated the property in May 2010, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. Workers are now putting finishing touches on the brick-andconcrete barrier that should withstand the 500-year flood, said Brian Abrahamson, spokesman for the parent company, Gaylord Entertainment. The flood wall, which cost Gaylord at least $12 million, completely surrounds the hotel and its grounds, as well as the Grand Ole Opry House. The move comes after massive losses two years ago at Gaylords property and after years of prodding by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to improve the private levee protecting the luxury hotels property to a 500-year flood standard. Gaylord, meanwhile, is suing the Corps and the National W eather Service, alleging their negligence and poor communication led to the Cumberland River disaster that swamped parts of downtown Nashville and wrecked many homes along the rivers path. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120501/BUSINESS01/305010036/Gaylord-Opryland-flood-protectionnearly-complete?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Milan arsenal to lay off 429 employees (Jackson Sun)

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American Ordnance will lay off 429 people from the Milan Army Ammunition Plant within the next 90 days, according to an e-mail from the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. The company told members of the Gibson-Carroll W orking Group that it had contracted with Iowa-based BEM Lighthouse to help recruit new business to the Milan arsenal to replace the lost jobs. The e-mail states, BEM Lighthouse has been successful in recruiting 400 tenants to facilities like Milan. American Ordnance is moving production work of several ordnance from Milan to its plant in Iowa in a cost-cutting move aimed at saving the U.S. military money. Members of the working group met with American Ordnance officials for the last time on April 24. At that meeting, the group also learned that Army Gen. Kevin OConnell will take command of the arsenal this summer. But it is Gen. Gustave Perna who should be held accountable for the creation of 300 jobs by Sept. 30, 2013, the e-mail states. The Milan arsenals main mission is being shifted from one of production to inventory and distribution, the e-mail states. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120501/NEWS/305010008/Milan-arsenal-lay-off-429-employees

Suburbs slow down, but don't stop plans to hold school referendums (CA/Bailey)
Arlington canceled a special meeting Monday night to consider an ordinance calling for a referendum on municipal schools, deciding instead to wait until new legislation clears all of the hurdles in Nashville. That includes the signature of Gov. Bill Haslam after the state Senate passed the enabling legislation Monday afternoon that allows the cities to hold referendums this year. Arlington was scheduled to consider the first of two required readings on the school referendum ordinance. However, over the weekend, Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman, in consultation with the county's other suburban leaders, decided to delay the initial reading until the board's regular monthly meeting next Monday. Other cities, such as Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown and Millington, which were tentatively considering similar ordinances over the next week, also plan to put those on hold. "The more communication we have with the suburbs and the Election Commission, the better off we are," the Arlington mayor said of the delay. Wissman said attorneys for the outlying cities believe there is no reason to get ahead of the governor's signature and possibly pose another legal problem for establishing municipal schools -- an idea expected to be fraught with legal challenges anyway. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/30/shelby-county-suburbs-slow-down-dont-stop-plans-ho/ (SUB)

Sullivan schools could face $6 million shortfall (Bristol Herald-Courier)

Sullivan County schools could face a $6 million shortfall in its fiscal 2012-13 budget, according to estimates released Monday. The proposed spending plan tops $91.4 million while revenues are estimated at $84.6 million, Board of Education members learned during an afternoon work session. On some of these things, were going to have to make some hard choices, Director of Schools Jubal Yennie told board members. The plan includes a projected $1.3 million drop in one federal fund and a nearly $780,000 loss from its share of property taxes, Yennie said. Those reductions come just as costs are forecast to increase for personnel, employee benefits and employee health insurance premiums a projected $327,500 increase. Other expenses include holdover items from previous budgets such as $100,000 needed to replace a refrigerated food service truck, according to school system Business Manager Leslie Bonner. Our food service truck has been limping along this year, she said. W e were actually hoping to have it replaced last year. http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/may/01/sullivan-schools-could-face-6-million-shortfall-ar-1880824/

Top 10 performing schools in Tennessee outspend Knox Co. by millions (WATE)

The day before Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett presents his budget to Knox County Commission, education advocates made one last push to drum up support for Knox County Schools' budget request. Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre is requesting an additional $35 million for the next school year. It would likely require a tax increase. Many people are asking, will more money translate into a better education? The Knox County PTA and The Great Schools Partnership are supporting the school board's approved budget. "Some people say you don't solve a problem by throwing money at it. Trust me, we're not throwing money at it," said Great Schools Partnership President Buzz Thomas. The non-profit group raises private funds to help Knox County Schools implement specific education initiatives. Thomas has studied the top 10 performing schools in the state, some of which are our neighbors. He says they're outspending Knox County by millions per student each year. "They outinvest us by about $1,500 per student, per year," said Thomas. "Now that comes to about $90 million in Knox County if we really wanted to catch up with them." http://www.wate.com/story/17950791/top-10-performing-schools-in-tennessee-outspend-knox-county 12

Knox school board voices disfavor with charter academy's progress (NS/McCoy)
Some members of the Knox County school board said the Knoxville Charter Academy did not meet its deadlines and they are against giving it an extension to open its doors. Thomas Deakins, the board's chairman, said essentially the school is asking for an additional year to open six months to find a location with an open date of August 2013. And that's not something he can support, he said. "You give someone a time window and then again, it's we need more time," he said. "That just shows me that really you're not ready. There's a time and a place where you have to draw the line." Indya Kincannon, the board's vice chairwoman, said she didn't know how she was going to vote on the issue. "I agree that they haven't shown a lot of progress. My reservations are that we have a pretty good agreement with them," she said. "If we keep them operating under the current agreement then they still have to meet the criteria (in it), including trying to find a location that's close to at-risk students." In March, the school board denied the charter school's planned location in a vacant church at 205 Bridgewater Road in West Knoxville. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/01/knox-school-board-voicesdisfavor-with-charter/

Lenoir City school system hit with religion complaint (Associated Press)
A secular organization has again criticized the Lenoir City school system for putting on a school assembly that the group claims inappropriately promoted religion. The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation said in an April 11 letter to the school system that the Spin-Tacular Basketball Show on March 12 was overtly religious and the school systems should refrain from hosting those types of assemblies. The group also complained earlier this year that the Lenoir City school board allowed prayer before board meetings and high school football games, and the board said it would halt the practices. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports Chuck Cagle, an attorney advising Lenoir City Schools, said he had received the letter and had advised them to follow existing laws. Its the same advice Ive given all my clients. They have to follow the law, he said. The group also previously asked Lenoir City police to remove the word religion from its police patches, but the city has argued that they can still use the word because it doesnt specify any one type of religion and reflects the values the officers are sworn to defend, according to Lenoir City attorney James Scott. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120501/NEWS21/305010048/Lenoir-City-school-system-hit-religioncomplaint?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Vol State says private information of 14,000 people at risk on server (TN/Humbles)
About 14,000 students, former students and faculty at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin had personal information placed on a Web server that was not secure. The files placed on the web included names and Social Security numbers, but university officials say there is no evidence that any of that information has been accessed or used inappropriately. No credit card or financial information was included in the files. Bruce Scism, interim president, said the university is notifying the affected students and faculty members as a precaution. We have contacted the major credit reporting agencies and informed them that some of our students and faculty members personal information may have been accessible, said Scism. Officials said the Web server was used mainly for academic purposes and that some employees mistakenly thought the server was secure because they had to use a login and password to access it. Vol State also created a website at www.volstate.edu/securityID to make people aware of the situation and provide information to students about protecting private information. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120501/NEWS04/305010047/Vol-State-says-private-information-14-000people-risk-Web-server?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Personal data at risk from hackers (Daily News Journal)

100-plus employees affected at Stones River Manor Employees of a local senior living facility are on edge after learning their personal information was likely compromised when the nonprofits payroll services system was hacked last week in an attempt to steal $120,000. Kirkland Mason, CEO of Stones River Manor, the oldest nonprofit elderly living facility in Murfreesboro, confirmed Monday that someone hacked into the facilitys payroll system, which is serviced by Automatic Data Processing, Inc. The ADP system is used to keep track of employee hours, conduct direct deposits to employee accounts, and also contains the personal information of the more than 100 employees of Stones River Manor, according to Mason. They actually got into our payroll listing and generated a fake payroll, he said. They singled out about 12 employees at random, it looks like. Half of them are salaried and half are hourly. One male employees name was changed to a female name in the system, Mason said, but his Social Security number was left alone. All 12 affected employees bank account 13

information was changed, Mason said. Stones River Manor Human Resources Officer Kay Mongold discovered the breach three days after the normal payroll period ended, on April 17, according to a Murfreesboro Police report, but in enough time to stop the $120,000 money transfer that would have occurred as a result of the network breach. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120501/NEW S/305010014/Personal-data-risk-from-hackers?odyssey=tab|topnews| text|FRONTPAGE

Two in custody following attack on Blount residents and meth lab discovery (NS)
Authorities in Blount County said two men were in custody Monday evening in connection with an assault on two area residents that led to the discovery of a methamphetamine lab and an explosive device. According to a news release from the Blount County Sheriff's Office, charges are pending against the suspects, whose names and ages have not been released. Maryville Police Department officers were dispatched to a residence on Casey Lane after a 911 caller reported two suspicious men in the condominium's complex, authorities said. When two male residents in the complex approached the suspects, one of the suspects pulled out a knife and a "scuffle ensued," the release states. The suspects then fled on foot, the release continues. The victims sustained minor injures and were treated at the scene by medical personnel. When officers searched the area for the victims' assailants, they discovered a camp in a nearby field and two backpacks. One of the backpacks contained what police called an explosive device. The other backpack contained a one-pot meth lab. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/30/two-in-custody-following-attack-on-blount-and/

MORE

OPINION
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Editorial: Tougher GED test needed for workforce (Jackson Sun)

Beginning in 2014, Tennesseans who dont have a high school diploma will find it harder to attain a General Education Development certificate. A new, more difficult test is being developed to bring the GED test criteria closer in line with the basic knowledge employers are looking for, and to better prepare GED certificate holders for post-secondary education demands. More than ever, it pays for students to stay in school and graduate. The new test will reflect Common Core State Standards, which have been adopted by most states. These standards are tied closely to employer workforce demands and to higher education needs. The standards attempt to unify K-12 public education expectations across the nation. The new test also will cost more, $120 versus the current $65, and must be taken on a computer. Students who have not completed all current GED sections are being urged to complete them before 2014. After that, they will have to start over to meet the new guidelines. The new test will be more rigorous in core subjects including writing, reading, science, social studies and math. There are nearly 1 million Tennesseans without a high school diploma. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120501/OPINION/305010002/Our-View-Tougher-GED-test-neededworkforce

Editorial: Post-flood, Nashville continues to show its resolve (Tennessean)

Two years ago this morning, the rain began to fall in the Nashville area. And it kept falling, until it had changed this city, its major institutions and the way that everyone in it lives their lives. It also changed the way that people outside of Nashville see it. Whereas before Music City USA was a quick and easy label to put on Nashville albeit a valuable one others now learned that Nashville also was a city of compassion and of commitment to a prosperous future. Some observers undoubtedly thought the surge of volunteerism and can-do rebuilding only natural in the days and weeks after nearly 13 inches of rain fell on the area. Soon, the residents would revert to life as normal. But Nashvillians were transformed. Consider that now, two years later, organizations such as Hands On Nashville and the Community Foundation continue long-term recovery programs, including a Home Energy Savings Program; the Nashville W aterway Recovery and Restoration Project; and the Urban Farm program. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120501/OPINION01/305010020/Post-flood-Nashville-continues-show-itsresolve?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Editorial: Indictments show need to reform county offices (News-Sentinel)

The investigative grand jury that passed down indictments last week against former Knox County Trustee Mike Lowe and four of his former employees gave the Charter Review Committee a compelling argument for appointing the trustee and, by extension, other independent, elected officers. The grand jury has accused Lowe and the other former county workers of stealing taxpayer money. Lowe was charged with four counts of theft of property exceeding $60,000. Ray M. Mubarak also was charged with four counts. Delbert E. Morgan and John M. Haun have been charged with two counts of theft of property exceeding $60,000. Rhonda Jan Thomas faces two counts of theft of an amount between $10,000 and $60,000, according to documents filed in Knox County Criminal Court. The charges stem from an investigation that began in 2010. W hile the court system will determine whether any of them broke the law, it's obvious from the grand jury's report that they broke the public trust. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/01/editorial-indictments-show-need-to-reform-county/

Guest columnist: Knox schools budget proposal driven by accountability (N-S)

The 2012-13 Knox County Schools budget request increase of $47 million over the current fiscal-year amount is a bold request. But a bold request is what is needed in order to drastically improve the current student performance of Knox County Schools. Only 19 percent of students in the Class of 2011 hit all four ACT benchmarks (English, math, reading and science). That translates into 2,906 out of 3,588 students exiting Knox County Schools being unprepared to enter college or the work force. Our area community colleges affirm this level of unpreparedness. More than 60 percent of Knox County students who enter those facilities need to take remedial courses. Students are then less likely to graduate and fulfill whatever dreams they may have had for a professional future because of the frustrations associated with extended time lines to college completion and the need to relearn how they learn to be successful in upper-level education. Thus, we have fewer prepared workers 15

we can hire to work in area businesses. It is as simple as that. If these statistics don't require bold action, then I don't know what does. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/30/mitch-steenrod-knox-schools-budget-proposal-by/ ###

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