THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2012 Dems Request Special Session to Freeze Tuition (TN Report)

Democrats are urging the governor to head off college tuition hikes by calling lawmakers back to Nashville this summer, though their plea is not likely to prompt action. They say lawmakers should freeze college tuition rates as officials at the states Board of Regents and the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees contemplate increasing college costs. You could call it a tuition increase. But what it really is, is a tax increase, said Jim Kyle, the leading Senate Democrat, at a Capitol Hill press conference. It is a tax increase on people who are trying to improve their lives and improve Tennessee by getting a better education. UT trustees are expected to decide this week whether to go along with proposed tuition hikes of 8 percent at the Knoxville campus, 6 percent at Chattanooga and Martin, and 4 percent at the Health Science Center in Memphis. The Board of Regents, which oversees the rest of the states public colleges, is considering increases ranging from 3.4 percent at Austin Peay State University to 7.3 percent at East Tennessee State University. http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/20/dems-request-special-session-to-freeze-tuition/

Democrats

urge

Haslam

to

call

summer

session

on

taxes,

tuition

(Tennessean/Sisk)
Party wants summer session Democrats in the state legislature asked Gov. Bill Haslam to bring lawmakers back to Nashville for a special session this summer to implement a freeze on college tuition and another cut to the sales tax on food. W ith tax dollars beating expectations, Democrats reiterated previous calls to block a planned tuition increase at the University of Tennessee and Board of Regents schools. They also said the state should speed up plans to reduce the food tax by one-quarter of a percentage point. They said lawmakers, who adjourned for the year May 1, should come back to the Capitol to pass legislation doing both as soon as possible. These students will be returning to school in August, and this is an issue that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later, said Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Lowe Finney, D-Jackson. Democrats and Republicans have been battling for months over what to do with tax revenues that have consistently outpaced projections. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS0201/306210058/TN-Democrats-urge-Gov-Bill-Haslam-callsummer-session-taxes-tuition?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1 (SUB)

Tennessee Democrats call for special session (Times Free-Press/Sher)

Senate and House Democrats today called on Republican Gov. Bill Haslam to convene a special session of the Legislature and use state revenue surpluses to offset planned higher education tuition hikes and cut the sales tax on groceries further. The money is there, Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, said at a news conference. The issue on the table is what are we going to do with the taxpayers money? Are we going to help the folks who are trying to go to school, who are buying food, or are we going to hold it? Democrats say state revenues so far this fiscal year are about $225 million above original revised estimates. They want to use $78 million of that to offset planned tuition increases that the University of Tennessee system is expected to approve on Thursday and similar increases before the Tennessee Board of Regents system next week. Haslam and the Republican-controlled Legislature this year, with Democrats support, cut the existing 5.5 percent sales tax on food to 5.25 percent. Democrats at the time unsuccessfully argued it should be more. Cutting the sales tax on groceries by a penny would cost the state about $85 million annually. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/20/tennessee-democrats-call-special-session/?local

Governor expected at Chamber shrimp boil (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

Gov. Bill Haslam is among the expected guests at Thursday's Peelin, Pickin, and Politickin shrimp boil, sponsored by the Knoxville Chamber. The annual event is aimed at giving local business leaders an opportunity to interact with political candidates and lawmakers, and is happening six weeks before the Aug. 2 state primary. The shrimp boil will take place from 5 to 7:30 at The Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farm, 9111 Hunter Valley Lane. Other guests expected to attend include Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, state Rep. Steve Hall, and state Rep. Ryan Haynes. Haslam, the former Knoxville mayor, was elected governor in 2010 and will not be on the ballot this year, although he has indicated he will support some incumbent Republican lawmakers in their primary elections. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/governor-expected-chamber-shrimp-boil/

Tweaks to State Teacher Evals Planned (TN Report)

Tennessee education officials are revising the freshly implemented teacher evaluation system following criticism that it fails to adequately grade teachers who instruct in subjects not tested at the state level. Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman says he expects to reveal by mid-July how the department wants to assess teachers of subjects like art or younger age groups not subject to standardized testing. He declined Wednesday to comment on the changes, saying it was still subject to internal discussion. The Department of Education is expected to announce that revision before it releases its own study of the evaluation system next month, said Huffman. He said he expects several of their proposed changes to kick in for the upcoming school year. Were trying, Huffman said, to improve a system that has not generated the kind of student results we all wish it would. So its incumbent on everyone in the system every year to get a little bit better. http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/20/tweaks-to-state-teacher-evals-planned/

Teacher Evaluation Report Due to General Assembly in Mid-July (WPLN-Radio)

The states top school leaders are due to issue report to the legislature in a few weeks on Tennessees teacher evaluation system. A press release from the states largest teachers union says it will likely contain a new plan for handling grievances. State officials wont get into that kind of detail, but some degree of change is expected. Although he says the specifics are still a matter of discussion within the department, Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman says next months report to the legislature will include tweaks to the way teachers are graded. And he says the evaluations will likely continue to evolve for the foreseeable future. Were trying to improve a system that has not generated the kind of student results that we all wish it would and so its incumbent on everyone who works in the system every year to try and make it a little bit http://wpln.org/?p=38444 better.

Online Writing Assessment Tests Present Issues (Metro Pulse)

Is Tennessee testing student writing skills or typing skills? Beginning this next school year, the writing assessment tests for eighth grade students will be done online instead of with pencil and paper. There are some issues, as they say. Keyboarding isnt taught until ninth grade and most eighth-graders typing skills consist of phone texting with their thumbs. Due to the number of computers available, the writing tests will be done over a week-long period instead of the current practice of giving all the tests on the same day. The same-day rule had been for security in the testing program. Now students taking the test late in the week could have received help from students who take it early. Local systems are still talking with the state department of education. Same-day tests use the same essay question, to which the student writes a five-paragraph response. If the same question is used over a week-long period, later tested students would have an advantage. But if it isnt the same question, is it a standardized test? http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/online-writing-assessment-tests-present-issues/

TN first Lady to visit Wtown Library (Wilson Post)

Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam recently launched the Read20 Family Book Club with the goal of promoting early child literacy and parental engagement in their childrens academic lives. Haslam is encouraging families this summer to read 20 minutes daily. Each month a book will be featured on the website (www.tn.gov/read20). Children and families can participate and find family engagement ideas, reading activities and tips. I am very excited to launch the Read20 Family Book Club, Haslam said in a news release. Families reading together 2

build a foundation for strong relationships and academic success for our Tennessee students. The First Lady selected Frindle by Andrew Clements as Junes featured Book of the Month. Frindle is a story about a boy named Nicholas who encounters all kinds of adventures after creating a new name for the pen: frindle. She said she thinks children and families will enjoy the imagination and creativity of the main character in Frindle. Its an exciting narrative that I hope will create a great opportunity for families to spend quality time with books this summer. http://www.wilsonpost.com/news/8399-tn-first-lady-to-visit-wtown-library-thursday

Tennessee grants $7.5 million for Nashville TV show (Memphis Biz Journal)
Move over Memphis Beat. Nashville is ready to take the Volunteer State to the small screen. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development has approved a grant for up to $7.5 million for production on Nashville, a scripted television drama that will air on ABC this fall. The show reportedly about country music, love, politics, family and sex combines the film and music sectors of the states economy into one production, a factor that makes it worth the attention of economic development, according to ECD Commissioner Bill Hagerty. The unique confluence of film and music that Nashville offers is central to our aim of highlighting Tennessees great strength as a center of creative excellence in the music industry, Hagerty said in a statement. Additionally, the consistent employment afforded Tennesseans as a result of this multi-episode series will result in constructive training and talent development and longer-term employment for Tennessees entertainment industry. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/2012/06/tn-grants-75-million-for-nashville-show.html

"Nashville" TV series to receive state incentives (Tennessean/Sisk)

ABCs new TV series about the Nashville music scene will receive up to $7.5 million in cash through the state of Tennessees incentive program for the film industry. The Department of Economic and Community Development announced Wednesday that it had approved a grant for Nashville, an hourlong musical drama co-produced by ABC Studios, Lionsgate and Gaylord Entertainment. The show, which debuts in the fall, is currently in preproduction. Principal photography is set to begin in mid-July, economic development officials said. State officials estimate the show will employ 350 people in various crew positions. The unique confluence of film and music that Nashville offers is central to our aim of highlighting Tennessees great strength as a center of creative excellence in the music industry, said Bill Hagerty, head of the economic and community development agency. Additionally, the consistent employment afforded Tennesseans as a result of this multi-episode series will result in constructive training and talent development and longer-term employment for Tennessees entertainment industry. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS01/306210048/-Nashville-TV-series-receive-stateincentives?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION) Tennessee launches corporate site certification program (Memphis Biz Journal) Tennessee is formally launching a statewide site certification program, which proponents hope will spur corporate recruitment and expansions in the state. More information on the program is available at a new website. The following are excerpts from the state's announcement: The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced today that it is launching a new, statewide site certification program. The Select Tennessee Certified Sites Program helps Tennessee communities prepare available sites for investment and expansion. The program sets a consistent and rigorous standard upon which companies can rely in making critical location decisions. This program is an innovative new way to take Tennessee to the apex of site locations and show the world that Tennessee is ready for business, Commissioner Bill Hagerty of Tennessees Department of Economic and Community Development, said. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/06/20/tennessee-launches-corporate-site.html

State creates new site certification program (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

The state Department of Economic and Community Development said Wednesday that it is launching a new site certification program. According to a news release, the initiative will help communities prepare available sites for investment and expansion, and sets a consistent and rigorous standard that will help companies make location decisions. In our day-to-day work with site selection consultants and corporate officials, we hear over and over again the importance of demonstrating our readiness for new business investment and expansion, ECD Commissioner Bill Hagerty said in the release. The Select Tennessee Certified Sites Program provides a 3

roadmap to ready sites for potential investment. This program is an innovative new way to take Tennessee to the apex of site locations and show the world that Tennessee is ready for business. The initiative includes a new web site, www.SelectTennessee.com, which will offer information on how to become a certified site. In the future, the web site will also provide information to business prospects that are interested in Tennessee. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/state-creates-new-site-certification-program/

UT Trustees to vote on proposed tuition hikes (Associated Press)

The University of Tennessee's Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote Thursday on tuition increases of as much as 8 percent at one of its campuses. The university system has an enrollment of about 50,000 students at campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Martin; the Health Science Center in Memphis; state Institutes of Agriculture and Public Service; and the Space Institute in Tullahoma. According to documents on UT's website, the proposed hikes range from 8 percent at the Knoxville campus to 4 percent at the Health Science Center. Earlier this month, the Tennessee Board of Regents recommended a tuition increase of as much as 7.2 percent for one of its universities. Democratic lawmakers want the governor to call a special session to discuss using the state's surplus to halt tuition increases. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-trustees-to-vote-onproposed-tuition-hikes/

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga tuition may jump (TFP/Trevizo)

UTC students may come back this fall with a higher tuition sticker price and a wide array of fee increases. Under proposals being voted on today by the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees at their annual meeting in Knoxville, a full-time in-state freshman will pay a total of $7,212 a semester, up from $6,718. The vote affects all UT system campuses. Fee increases proposed for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga include raising the athletics fee by 33 percent, from $360 to $480. If approved, athletics fees will have increased 81 percent since fiscal 2009. UTC Chancellor Roger Brown said the school didn't have an athletics fee for many years. "But I don't anticipate to add to the athletic fee for a number of years because we believe we need to do a better job raising private money and attracting fans," he said Wednesday after the board meeting. "This is just to get us to a point where we are sustainable as a department." Students also face a new $50 facilities match fee, expected to generate $650,000 to provide matching funds for capital projects. Since 2008-09, tuition and fees at UTC have increased about 35 percent. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/tuition-may-jump-at-utc-niversity-of-tennessee/?local

UT wants to charge full-time students for more credit hours (NS/Boehnke)

The University of Tennessee board of trustees tentatively approved plan Wednesday that would charge future full-time students for an additional three hours each semester at the Knoxville campus beginning with the freshman class of 2013. Following an hourlong discussion, the plan to charge full-time students for 15 credit hours unanimously passed out of committee and will go before the full board of trustees, including Gov. Bill Haslam, today. "There's got to be a financial incentive, and there's got to be courses available, and there's got to be the expectation to graduate in four years," Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said during the committee meeting, held on the agriculture campus. "We cannot become a top-25 public research university if we do not graduate classes. Quite frankly, we've got to have a game-changer, and we think this is a game-changer." Current students, who will not be affected by the proposal, pay by the credit hour until they hit 12 hours, the threshold for full-time status. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-wants-to-charge-full-time-students-for-more/

Group sues TBR, claims it didn't comply with open meeting laws (CP/Greenberg)
Several individuals, including members of the Save Tennessee State University Community Coalition, filed a lawsuit against the Tennessee Board of Regents on Wednesday, claiming the board failed to comply with open meeting laws. Ray and Ellie Richardson of Old Hickory, Gertrude Scruggs of Memphis, Celestine Lowe of Memphis, and Neal McAlpin Jr. of Nashville claim the TBR didnt let them make public comments during a June 24, 2011, meeting. The Save TSU Community Coalition has been outspoken about what they perceive as the mishandling of TSU, governed by the TBR. The coalition has hosted teach-ins over the past year, including one that partnered with the NAACP. The members of the group claim that actions by the TBR effectively prevented any open discussion regarding policies related to TSU. The plaintiffs also say that TSU is in disarray under the direction of TBR. The plaintiffs seek to remedy this problem by actively participating in the meetings to focus on making Tennessee State University a better institution, the lawsuit states. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/group-sues-tbr-claims-it-didnt-comply-open-meeting-laws 4

UT chancellor likely to get $22K boost; employees eligible for raises (NS/Boehnke)
University of Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy Cheek stands to make an additional $22,356 next year raising his salary to $394,956 should trustees approve a compensation plan that would also make Knoxville employees eligible for a 2.5 percent merit pool raise. Employees across the Knoxville campus, including Institute of Agriculture and system administration, will be eligible for the merit pool raise in addition to the 2.5 percent across-the-board raise approved by the Legislature. The compensation plans for all UT employees, outlined by President Joe DiPietro on Wednesday in a committee meeting, still have to be approved Thursday by the full board of trustees. The money in the pool represents 2.5 percent of the entire payroll at the Knoxville campus, but the increases are awarded only to employees with a high performance rating, and the amount can vary. Cheek received his 6 percent bump in part because market research shows he is underpaid compared to leaders of similar universities across the nation, DiPietro said. The median salary for university chiefs in Cheek's position is $433,000, he said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-chancellor-likely-to-get-22k-boost-employees/

Columbia judge to lead state judicial conference (Associated Press)

Circuit Court Judge Robert L. Holloway Jr. of Columbia has been installed as incoming president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference. He succeeds Criminal Court Judge James C. Beasley of Memphis. The conference is made up of members of the Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals along with trial judges across the state. The mission of the conference is to enhance the professional and personal development of all Tennessee judges, encourage proactive efforts to preserve and improve the justice system, implement alternative ways to resolve disputes and develop visionary judicial leadership. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/columbia-judge-to-lead-state-judicial-conference/

City officials to be briefed on Predators subsidy plan (Tennessean/Rau)

Metro Council and Sports Authority members will be briefed on Friday about proposed changes to the Nashville Predators subsidy in which the city pays the Predators to operate Bridgestone Arena and gives it other incentives. News of the briefing suggests that Mayor Karl Dean and the hockey club have reached an agreement on the framework of a new deal. Dean declined to provide many details during a brief interview W ednesday, but he said the agreement fulfilled his priorities of reducing the citys upfront payment to the Predators while giving the National Hockey League franchise more incentives to book other events at the arena. The subsidy has been reduced, which was my No. 1 goal, he said. The Predators owners rely on the subsidy from the city, and even with that subsidy, have had to kick in an additional $60 million of their own money over the past five years, as profits have eluded them. The team, however, has created momentum in its most recent season in which it advanced into the playoffs. Metro had the right to revoke incentives paid to the Predators and their sister organization, Powers Management, which manages the facility. But the two sides have been negotiating new lease terms for several months. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEW S0202/306210037/Cityofficials-briefed-Predators-subsidy-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Hamilton

County

courthouse

prayer

stirs

controversy

in

Chattanooga

(TFP/Haman)
Two people who sued Hamilton County commissioners in federal court for holding regular Christian prayers during meetings led a small rally Wednesday morning and later addressed commissioners. Eight people gathered outside the County Courthouse at 8:45 a.m. to hear plaintiffs Brandon Jones and Tommy Coleman explain why they're challenging the prayers. "W e are not against prayer. We support everyone's right to pray wherever and whenever you wish and to whomever you choose to pray to," C arguing that the prayers -- which invoke Jesus -- violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause forbidding the government from endorsing any specific religion. No hearing has been set in the case, which has been referred to U.S. District Judge Harry Mattice. Commissioners held a regular meeting Wednesday and Bishop Nealon Guthrie, of Georgia, opened it with a prayer. His introduction was part of the Lord's Prayer and he closed with, "We ask all of these blessings in the name of Jesus Christ, our lord and savior." Jones said the purpose of Wednesday's rally was to remind commissioners "of their place." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/chattanooga-prayer-stirscontroversy-tennessee/?local 5

Mayor's office, union rep spar over raise 'options' (Times Free-Press/Hightower)
Mayor Ron Littlefield's administration proposed Wednesday that no salary increases be given to police officers after a police union representative made some comments about the raises during a City Council meeting. "This is an option," said Richard Beeland, spokesman for Littlefield. The administration sent an email W ednesday afternoon to the City Council and media titled "Response from Administration." It listed a series of what it called inaccuracies made by police Sgt. Craig Joel, a representative from the Fraternal Order of Police. The release then gave what the administration said is the correct version of events. "The administration hesitates at throwing an another $1.3 million in a career development program that representatives of the police department are not satisfied is equitable," the release said. Instead, the administration calls for money to be used to fund a study to determine the best way to pay police officers. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/mayors-office-union-rep-spar-over-raise/?local

Hammonds deficit projected to be as much as $675,000 (Times FreePress/Haman)

Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammonds $275,000 deficit might be closer to $675,000. That prospect prompted a county commissioner to call Wednesday for an in-depth review of Hammonds spending. Im shocked, Commissioner Joe Graham said. I think an audit may be in line for answers. Last week, Hammond asked commissioners to dip into his offices $1.3 million reserve fund for $275,000 to cover overspending for expenses such as fuel and overtime. Commission Chairman Larry Henry asked then about possible effects on the fund balance. The Times Free Press learned this week the shortfall doesnt reflect an additional $400,000 projected revenue shortage. That could leave Hammonds fund balance with as little as $500,000 by June 30, the end of this fiscal year. Hammond budgeted $3.1 million in revenue for the year. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/hamilton-county-sheriff-jim-hammonds-deficit-proje/?local

Bradley 911 faces continued budget shortfalls (Times Free-Press/Leach)

Bradley County emergency service officials are worried about current and future budgets on the eve of the new fiscal year. Joe Wilson, director of Bradley County 911, and Danny Lawson, director of Bradley County Emergency Medical Service, both expressed dismay this week over the County Commission's refusal to give $173,745 to the 911 department. The amount, part of $350,000 requested by the county, Cleveland and Charleston, was intended to stave off a third straight year of budget shortfalls in the Bradley County 911 district. If the budget's not fixed, the department could be designated a "distressed district" and come under state oversight. "I feel very bad that this body did not consider the cost of support agencies like Emergency Service, including 911, in our window of expanding our community through jobs and people," said Lawson. Cleveland and Charleston committed to their portions of the $350,000 request, he said. Keeping up individual dispatch services in the county's emergency agencies would be twice as much as supporting Bradley County 911, Lawson said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/tennessee-bradley-911-faces-continued-budget/?local

Shelby County looking at dumping minority-hiring rules (C. Appeal/Connolly)

Shelby County government might do away with rules that require businesses it works with to hire a certain percentage of workers from racial minority groups. Proposed new rules would evaluate the efforts the contractors are making to hire minority workers, without setting a percentage. The potential new rules would affect every contractor with 15 or more workers who wants to win Shelby County business. Commissioners reviewed the rules W ednesday but didn't vote. The next discussion is set for July 25. Malcolm Futhey is working as a part-time lawyer for the county and said the new rules are based on federal anti-discrimination statutes. The proposed new rules come as contractors who lost out on county business because of their low minority hiring press lawsuits against the county. "There have been concerns that have been raised in those lawsuits that I believe Shelby County should address to prevent further lawsuits from occurring," Futhey told commissioners. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/21/county-looking-at-dumping-minority-hiring-rules/ (SUB)

Study shows 633 Tennesseans who lacked health insurance died in 2010 (CA/Sells)
Six hundred thirty-three people died in Tennessee in 2010 because they did not have health insurance, 6

according to a new study released Wednesday by health care consumer advocate Families USA. In the five years from 2005-2010, 3,483 Tennesseans died because they lacked health insurance, the study said. The number of uninsured Tennesseans rose from 482,353 in 2005 to 604,222 in 2011, according to the University of Tennessee Center for Business and Economic Research. "The numbers don't surprise me one bit," said Dr. Scott Morris, executive director of the Church Health Center in Memphis. "It's what we see at the Church Health Center every day." Without insurance, many patients can't afford doctor visits, treatments or medications, Morris said. Oftentimes, uninsured patients will put off their treatments, which can make health problems worse and make treating them more difficult. Across the nation, 26,100 people died in 2010 without access to health insurance, a figure higher than the 20,350 who died without coverage in 2005. From 2005-2010, a total of 134,120 died in the U.S. because they lacked health coverage, the study said. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/21/gauging-cost-of-no-health-insurance/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Sullivan budget panel adds wheel tax to options (Times-News)

Hey, renters: Some Sullivan County commissioners think its time youre given a way to participate in funding county government. Their answer: Impose a new tax on any and all for every car, truck, motorcycle and camper registered in the county. During an emergency meeting of the Sullivan County Commissions Budget Committee on Wednesday. Commissioner John Crawford of Kingsport raised the issue of a wheel tax as a new way to raise revenue for county coffers. Crawford took pains to say he wasnt actually making a recommendation to do so, and he instead just wanted to get the option on the table. Crawford said a wheel tax, in his opinion, would be more fair than a property tax increase as the County Commission looks to solve the countys budget woes. The new budget year begins July 1. Earlier comments during the Budget Committees meeting indicated a property tax increase of up to 30 cents per $100 of assessed value could be required to cover the countys spending for the next 12 months. http://www.timesnews.net/article/9048203/sullivan-budget-panel-adds-wheeltax-to-options

Tax hike among options considered by city (Times Gazette)

The city of Dyersburg is facing some tough budget decisions as the finance committee met once again on Wednesday, June 20 to come to an agreement on a balanced budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The committee held its first meetings on the coming-year budget on Wednesday, May 30 and Thursday, May 31. During those meetings, the original proposed expenses by various department heads exceeded projected revenues by $3.5 million. After the initial meetings, City Treasurer Steve Anderson began working with the department heads to trim the budget, ultimately dropping all requests and reducing all expenses where possible to the previous year's budgeted expense with the exception of items that cannot be cut such as fuel and utilities."I've cut back everything I can," said Anderson. "I cannot cut anything else." Anderson's trimming has still left the city with a shortfall of $645,700. Alderwoman Jewell Horner asked Mayor John Holden if there was the equivalent to a hiring freeze currently in the http://www.stategazette.com/story/1862525.html city.

Recount in Advance? (Memphis Flyer)

A scant six weeks before some key voting on August 2nd, and a mere four months in advance of a presidential election, questions continue to be raised about matters relating to the roster of registered voters. State Senate Democratic leader Jim Kyle who, because of redistricting, is running for reelection against another Democratic incumbent, Beverly Marrero, in District 30, is one among many Democrats expressing concern about efforts by Republican-dominated election commissions, statewide as well as locally, to purge voter rolls. After addressing a meeting of the state election commission in Nashville on Monday, Kyle reported that he had a commitment from members of the state body to come to Memphis at some point in the near future to look into allegations that attempts by the Shelby County Election Commission to pare down the list of eligible voters have been excessive. "I don't know for sure who's coming or when, but I was assured that there will be an effort to investigate the situation," Kyle said. Concern has been raised not only by a disputed allegation that voting histories had been erased from the records of almost 500 voters in Shelby County, mostly African-American and mostly Democrats, but from what has been an aggressive campaign to purge voter rolls of inactive voters. http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/recount-in-advance/Content?oid=3210455

Sen. Alexander Hit With Attack Ads (Metro Pulse)

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander has television ads attacking him, criticizing him for not opposing EPA regulations on coal-fired plants and air pollution. Alexander has toured the state arguing that he is not anti-coal, but cannot 7

support an effort that leads to more air pollution. Alexander got a boost in Chattanooga when an air-quality official there pointed to the new multi-million dollar Volkswagen plant and said if it were not for efforts to clean up the air it wouldnt be there. Much of East Tennessee, in a bowl between the Cumberland Plateau and the Smoky Mountains, has been on a watch list for air quality that would prevent any industrial development from occurring. http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/sen-alexander-hit-attack-ads/

Rep. Marsha Blackburn will be hard to beat in 7th District (Tennessean/Bewley)

If you watch cable news, odds are youve seen U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn discussing her views on the economy, the presidential election or other hot-button topics. Since she was elected to Congress in 2002, Blackburn has become a bona fide cable-news star, acting as a GOP spokeswoman on Fox, MSNBC and CNN. Her national visibility has boosted her public profile and helped her collect campaign contributions from special interests around the country, political experts say. And thats making life harder for the four candidates three independents and one Democrat vying for the chance to challenge Blackburn in Novembers general election.If someones going to build a base against her, its going to be tricky, said Vanderbilt University political science professor Bruce Oppenheimer. Fundraising would be a challenge, building name identification would be a challenge, and its not like there are a large number of independents in the district or Republicans who are dissatisfied. In the solidly Republican 7th Congressional District, a GOP challenger would pose more of a threat to Blackburn than would a Democrat or independent, Oppenheimer said. And no Republicans have signed up to take her on in the Aug. 2 primary. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEW S02/306210049/RepMarsha-Blackburn-will-hard-beat-7th-District?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext %7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Calling All Democrats (Metro Pulse)

The first hurdle for actress Park Overall in her race for the U.S. Senate will be to get Democrats to vote for her. She needs a good vote in the Democratic primary to give her some credibility in her race against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Bob Corkerand though she is the best known, she also as to win the primary. But in many counties around the state the only hot races on the ballot will be in the Republican primary. There are state House Republicans who have primary challengers and in most cases the Democratic candidate is unopposed or non-existent. Democrats may want to vote against an incumbent Republican in the primary. Knox County at least has a slate of Democratic candidates for legislative races, though none have opposition in the primary that might spark a bigger Democratic turnout. But Knox County has a large potential bloc of Democratic votes that Overall and the Democrats running for the Legislature need. http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/calling-alldemocrats/

Not Just Insurance Is at Stake (W all Street Journal)

Supreme Court Ruling Will Affect a Wide Range of Firms Beyond Health Sector Leigh Anne O'Connor, a lactation consultant in New York, is anxiously awaiting the Supreme Court's decision on President Barack Obama's health overhaul. She is worried that if the court strikes down the law, it would wipe out a provision requiring larger employers to give women time and a private space to pump breast milk. It isn't just large employers, medical businesses and constitutional scholars who are invested in the court's decision. Chain restaurants, tanning salons, breast-feeding advocacy groups and others far afield of health care have a lot riding on whether the law stays in place. The broad interest in the decision underscores how the law touches nearly every American and most businesses, often in ways that haven't gotten much notice. The law's central purpose is to expand insurance coverage to more than 30 million people. But it also reworks how consumers and businesses pay taxes and changes how the government reimburses health-care providers. It contains funding for a broad range of projects, including adolescent education on financial literacy and career preparation. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304441404577478922774830672.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

States Seek Medicare Data to Keep Fraudulent Providers Out of Medicaid (Stateline)
Glenn Prager used to be a Medicare fraud fighter for the federal government. Early this year he switched to Medicaid, taking a job as Arizonas inspector general. His primary task is to keep crooked health care providers out of the states $9 billion Medicaid system. If they slip in under the wire, he says, the goal is to catch them before any claims are paid. But six months into his new role, Prager is frustrated that he cant get his hands on 8

the Medicare data he used when he was a federal investigator. The basic problem, he says, is a lack of coordination and communication between the two programs. Theres no other way to explain it. Prager is not alone in his complaints. The National Association of Medicaid Directors released a report last month calling on the federal government to share Medicare data and improve collaboration with states in their mutual battle to reduce Medicaid fraud and abuse. Congress and the federal Government Accountability Office are also pushing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide better support for state fraud-busting efforts. http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/states-seek-medicare-data-to-keep-fraudulent-providersout-of-medicaid-85899400064

TVA escapes tree injunction (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Marcum)

A federal judge has turned down a bid by homeowners suing TVA to force the federal utility to place its treecutting policy on hold while the lawsuit progresses. Don K. Vowell, attorney for the plaintiffs, said it is disappointing that U.S. District Court Judge Tom Varlan did not grant a preliminary injunction that would halt TVA's tree-cutting efforts, but Vowell saidthe judge could approve such a request later. "Although we were very disappointed, it doesn't mean that the case is over," Vowell said. "It does means everybody who has trees in the TVA right of way will continue to be at risk of having them taken down," he said. However, TVA noted in filings challenging the injunction that it had agreed to provide two weeks' notice to the plaintiffs before cutting any trees on their properties, allowing them time to seek relief through the court. A trial date in the case has not been set. Westminster Place residents Donna Sherwood and Jerome Pinnfiled the lawsuit in April, but it now contains 11 plaintiffs, including Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols and his wife, Laura Nichols. All are asking the court to halt TVA's plan to cut trees in a transmission line easement running through Westminster Place and to put a hold on what they called a tough new TVA policy toward tree removal. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/tva-escapes-tree-injunction/

Hospitals Fear Potential Loss of Mandate Only (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Tennessees healthcare sector, particularly its hospitals, will be watching warily as the U.S. Supreme Court readies its decision on the federal health care law. Craig Becker of the Tennessee Hospital Association says he wants the Supreme Court to take an all or nothing approach. He fears that if the requirement for individuals to have insurance is struck down, but the rest of the law is not, Tennessee hospitals will be in trouble. If the mandate goes away, and we still end up with all the cuts theyre talking about, were going to have to start figuring out how were going to keep a medical presence in a lot of our communities because I believe hospitals will have to close. To fund the expansion of insurance to millions of Americans, the federal health law slashes Medicaid funding by $155 billion over a decade. This reduces compensation to hospitals, with the promise of giving them more insured paying patients. http://wpln.org/?p=38441

Great Hearts Appeal Makes Concessions (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

A new charter school application from a group turned down by the Metro School board now includes a transportation plan and a proposed location. Great Hearts Academys bid for appeal refutes the reasons given for refusing the initial application. The board ruled that the plan put forward by Great Hearts didnt completely meet the necessary standards. The new letter presents a laundry list of arguments in defense of the first application, even citing email correspondence with district officials. In two areas, organizers are now making certain concessions. In response to criticism from the board that the application did not specify a proposed location, Great Hearts now says it is looking for a spot in West Nashville, roughly between Centennial Park and White Bridge Road. The board also had problems with the applications lack of plan for getting students to and from the charter school. Great Hearts still contends it isnt required by state law to provide transportation, but organizers now contend theyre willing to provide busses if there is a need. The appeal will be up for a vote at next weeks School Board meeting. http://wpln.org/?p=38465

Robertson finds 1970 deseg plan (Tennessean/Hall)

Robertson County school officials found the districts 1970 desegregation plan, at issue in a federal investigation, but its so outdated that many schools mentioned no longer exist. Investigators from the U.S. departments of education and justice plan to visit Robertson County in July or August to study racial balance in school assignments and hiring. Theyve sent letters to the district referencing a 1970 Form 441-B desegregation plan, 9

a plan Robertson County officials said earlier was lost.The districts law firm produced the plan this week, but attorney Angie Sanders wrote in an email she didnt know where it was found. Its a letter from thensuperintendent J.B. Whitman to the Office of Civil Rights, explaining how the district will desegregate schools and hire teachers. It mentions Cross Plains, Orlinda and North Robertson elementary schools, and none of those is still open. Bransford High School, also mentioned, became a junior high school in the 1970s and closed a decade later. The investigation sprang from separate complaints filed by a group of parents and former commissioner Raymond Francis. School board Chairman Stoney Crockett said allegations that the district purposefully segregated schools are unfair. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS01/306210046/Robertson-County-school-district-finds-1970desegregation-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Hamilton County Schools in no hurry on land swap deal (TFP/Hardy)

The Hamilton County Board of Education will consider changes to the school lunch program, funding two school resource officers and budget amendments today. But a controversial land swap proposal doesn't appear to be up for discussion yet. The school board has yet to discuss a proposed deal to swap the current East Brainerd Elementary School site for the former Poss Homes site near Howard School of Academics and Technology. School leaders have eyed that land for years as a possible site for a replacement of Howard's aging football stadium and track. The Chattanooga Housing Authority, which owns the Poss site, and the city of Chattanooga, which would have gotten part of the East Brainerd site in a proposed three-way swap with the school system, settled on a two-way trade that gives Poss Homes to the city while CHA receives Dogwood Manor Apartments in the Westside community. But city officials say they're hopeful school leaders are still interested in a trade of the East Brainerd site and Poss Homes. School board Chairman Mike Evatt said he's in no hurry to get the issue on an agenda. He might propose a work session on the matter, he said, possibly after the August school board election. The election will replace two current board members and possibly a third. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/tennessee-schools-in-no-hurry-on-land-swap-deal/?local

Unified school board turns to timetable for hiring superintendent (CA/Roberts)

The job now before the unified school board is to decide whether it will conduct a search for a superintendent and whether it should be local or national. The issue, like many before the board, is colored by where board members live. Six of the seven members of the former Shelby County Schools board agree a search may be necessary later, but they see no need now while the board is under pressure of executing the merger of Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools by August 2013. While a handful of city representatives did vote not to renew MCS Supt. Kriner Cash's contract Tuesday, they're unwilling to give SCS Supt. John Aitken the job without a search. How the search will be designed, including when it will be done -- if at all -- will be discussed at next Tuesday's board meeting. Chairman Billy Orgel believes the process will be set then. Board member Betty Mallott, who represents southeast Memphis, said she prefers to do a search after the merger. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/21/school-board-turns-to-supt-timetable/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Consolidation Looks to Move Forward Minus Cash (Memphis Daily News)

The countywide school board got the highly anticipated process of selecting the superintendent of the consolidated school system to come off to a contradictory start this week. The practical effect of the Tuesday, June 19, school board vote not to renew the contract of Memphis City Schools superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash is that Cash probably wont be running the transition into and at least the start of the merged school district, which begins in August 2013. Even Cash acknowledged that immediately after the boards 14-8 vote. There could be someone else out there who wants to apply at this time. I think we should get the very best person, he said. And, of course personally, I would think that would be me. But I wont get a chance to probably be in that process after tonight. W ell see. The board also voted down a similar contract non-renewal motion involving Shelby County Schools superintendent John Aitken, whose contract runs through August 2015. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/21/consolidation-looks-to-move-forward-minus-cash/

Paradigm Shift (Memphis Daily News)

As he nears the two-year mark as Shelby County mayor this September, Mark Luttrell said he continues to be confronted by the urban and suburban divide. Luttrell will be a pivotal and recurring figure in the issue that has defined the divide since just after he took office Sept. 1, 2010 the consolidation of Shelby Countys two public 10

school systems.The week after the schools consolidation planning commission approved a first draft of a consolidation blueprint, Luttrell is telling citizens to prepare for a paradigm shift. You are going to see multiple ways of educating our children, Luttrell told a group of 100 Tuesday, June 19, at the Memphis Rotary Club. You are going to see everything from public schools to private schools to charter schools to achievement schools to municipal schools. Luttrell was a member of the schools consolidation planning commission and appointed several members to the 21-member group as county mayor. He was more than a vote on the body. Luttrell counseled the group to accept and account for the possibility of suburban municipal school districts. That was as he urged the Tennessee Legislature not to further change the state law and allow the move to such school districts to begin before the groups consolidation plan was accepted or settled on by the countywide school board. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/21/paradigm-shift/

Car given away at fair reported to be a meth lab (Associated Press)

Dyersburg, Tenn., police say a car given away at last year's Dyer County Fair has been quarantined after a meth lab was found in it. According to the State Gazette (http://bit.ly/PjNntq ) of Dyersburg, the 2011 Toyota Yaris was stopped for a traffic violation and was found to have a meth lab under the front seat. Three people in the car were charged with initiating meth manufacture. The paper said one of the three reportedly is the boyfriend of the woman who won the car, which is awaiting inspection prior to cleanup. The paper said it cannot be released to the owner until the cleanup is done. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/car-given-away-at-fair-reported-to-be-a-meth-lab/

MORE

OPINION Editorial: Evidence is mounting, workforce falls behind (Jackson Sun)

Several stories this week point to a growing problem for communities across Tennessee, and even across the nation. Non-skilled jobs are disappearing faster than ever, and education at all levels is failing to prepare students for todays and tomorrows workplaces. Communities that fail to address these issues are dooming themselves to high unemployment and increasing burdens on social welfare resources and health care services. 11

Inadequate workforce development will drive businesses away, and there will be nothing to replace them. A report, from the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, shows public higher education failing to prepare students for todays workforce. Tennessee colleges and universities received an F in innovation geared to workforce development. And in cities from Memphis to Chattanooga, we hear stories of companies struggling to find qualified workers. A report from McKinzie & Company, a highly regarded international management consulting and research firm, estimates that 90 million unskilled jobs will disappear around the world by 2020, and many of those lost jobs will be in the United States. Those who lack sufficient education and technical skills, or who cannot be retrained, are destined to be left behind and essentially will be unemployable. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120621/OPINION/306210005/Our-View-Evidence-mounting-workforcefalls-behind?nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Frank Cagle: Conservative Legislators Vilified for Not Passing Full Agenda (MP)
For the last 25 years (call it the Dark Ages for Tennessee Republicans) the Democrats controlled both the state House and Senate and the governors office for 16 of those years. During that time, shut out of real power, there arose a conservative Republican infrastructure that sought influence by other means. Conservative talk radio took off in Nashville, with hosts sending horn honkers to circle the Capitol to protest a vote on a state income tax. Gun owners formed lobbying groups to join the NRA to push expansion of gun rights. Family values groups organized to push social legislation, especially a constitutional amendment to rein in a state Supreme Court decision that gives Tennessee women abortion rights beyond the U.S. Supreme Courts decisions. Then in the past few years the Republicans took over both houses of the Legislature. W hat do you do when you win? Have a party and go home? Not when you have an infrastructure in place with members, contributors, and jobs on the line. And a radio show that depends on outrage to keep listeners. http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/conservative-legislators-being-vilified-not-passin/

Columnist: Officials Are Grabbing More Control Over Who Can Be on Ballot (MP)
In Tennessee, the majority party in the state Legislature gets control of the election commission in every county, a contrivance with no constitutional basis. Political parties are granted no constitutional powers. In fact, they are not mentioned at all in the state or federal constitutions. Efforts by the Knox County Election Commission to keep Shelley Breeding off the state ballot demonstrate how party power erodes citizenship. Breeding lives in Karns, on a street that nudges against the border of Knox and Anderson counties. Several lots in her subdivision, including hers, are bisected by the county line. She has lived there since 2007 and has voted in the Karns precinct and served as precinct chair. Her precinct is part of the newly created 89th House District, which she wishes to represent. Article II, Section 5a of the Tennessee Constitution says, Each district shall be represented by a qualified voter of that district.When Breeding filed her petition to be a candidate, the election commission challenged her residency, claiming she is actually a resident of Anderson County, even as she was sitting on a Knox County jury. State Election Administrator Mark Goins recommended they seek a declaratory judgment from the courts. Both a chancery court and an appellate court have ruled that Breeding is an Anderson county resident and ineligible to run, forcing her to appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court. http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/state-officials-are-grabbing-more-control-over-who/

Charlie Daniel Political Cartoon: Liberal Ploy Boys (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

http://media.knoxnews.com/media/img/photos/2012/06/20/062112charlie_t607.JPG

Guest columnist: Coal-ash regulation may be weakened (Tennessean)

Roane County is not that different from other small Tennessee communities. We care about our families, our community and our economy. Things do move a little more slowly here than in some other places. As a sixthgeneration Roane County resident, Im used to that pace. As a member of the Roane County Commission, I know that taking things slowly means more deliberation in order to make good decisions for the community. But there has to be a limit. It has now been 3 years since my community was devastated by the largest coal-ash disaster in history. Its been two years this week since the Environmental Protection Agency proposed safeguards to prevent future disasters. This isnt deliberation this is delay and people with coal ash dumps in their backyards cannot wait any longer. The Roane County disaster released more than 1 billion gallons of ash into our yards, water and air. Nearly four years later, we havent fully recovered. The water is getting clearer and 12

homes have been repaired or purchased by the Tennessee Valley Authority, but the memories still impact our housing prices and morale in our community. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/OPINION03/306210028/Coal-ash-regulation-may-weakened? odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7COpinion%7Cp&nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

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