Thursday, August 18 News Summary

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011 Ripley gets manufacturing plant to employ 120 (Associated Press)

A German company has announced plans for a manufacturing plant that will create more than 120 jobs over fi years in Lauderdale County. State officials said Wednesday that Quaprotek USA will produce metal parts vehicles, engines and power trains, investing $22 million in an existing 63,000-square-foot building in Ripley. Mo of the hiring will be done in the second half of 2012. Gov. Bill Haslam said the company will help the state meet goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high-quality jobs. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37247965.story

Quaprotek announces plans to open Ripley plant, hire 126 employees (CA/Sells)

Quaprotek USA will bring 126 jobs to Ripley with a $22 million facility to manufacture metal parts for automob engines and drivetrains, the German company said Wednesday. The company will initially occupy a tempora space while it retrofits a 63,000 square-foot facility in Ripley. "This company is known for incorporating hi technology into a high-volume business, and the opportunities they will create line up well with our goal of maki Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high-quality jobs," Gov. Bill Haslam said in a stateme Quaprotek Group general manager Klaus Kielwein said the company's name comes from "its commitment quality, productivity and technology." The majority of the hiring for the plant will done in the second half of 201 The company said it will take roughly five years to hire all 126 employees. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/17/quaprotek-announces-plans-open-ripley-plant-hire-1/

Quaprotek To Open West Tennessee Plant (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Governor Bill Haslam was in W est Tennessee today to announce the opening of auto supplier. Quaprotek US plans to spend $22 million to retrofit a building in Ripley, Tennessee. According to an announcement from the sta economic and community development office, the German-based manufacturer will create more than 120 jobs ov the next five years. Most of the hiring is planned for the second half of 2012. The company says it will make me parts for vehicles, engines, and power trains at the facility in Lauderdale County. http://wpln.org/?p=29655

MAHLE announces six year, $100 million expansion (Citizen Tribune)

MAHLE Engine Components USA, Inc., officially announced yesterday a two phase plan to expand its operatio in Morristown. Over the next six years, the expansion will involve an investment of more than $100 million. T facility will add a total of 85,000 square feet and between 105 and 140 jobs. The announcement comes on t heels of a late July City Council meeting in which the council voted unanimously to pursue a Fast Tra Infrastructure Development Program grant to match funds from MAHLE for the project. "It is always great ne when an existing Tennessee company has chosen to grow in its current location," said Tennessee Gov. B Haslam. http://www.citizentribune.com/news/view_zedo.asp?idcategory=9&idarticle=17158

Morristown firm plans $100 million expansion; 140 new jobs (Times-News)

The Morristown Citizen Tribune is reporting that MAHLE Engine Components USA, Inc., has announced a tw phase plan to expand its operations in Morristown. Over the next six years, the expansion will involve investment of more than $100 million. The facility will add a total of 85,000 square feet and between 105 and 1 jobs. The announcement comes on the heels of a late July City Council meeting in which the council vot unanimously to pursue a Fast Track Infrastructure Development Program grant to match funds from MAHLE for t project. "It is always great news when an existing Tennessee company has chosen to grow in its current locatio said Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. "MAHLE’s expansion plans show how Morristown offers a business-frien climate and skilled workforce that gives existing industry the confidence it needs to continue to invest in t

community." http://www.timesnews.net/article/9034917/morristown-firm-plans-100-million-expansion-140-new-jobs

Tennessee granted $30 million in fed. funds to spur small biz innovation (Nooga)

The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Tuesday that Tennessee will receive almost $30 million in fede funding in an effort to enable private lenders to increase their lending capacity to small businesses. The fundi came as a result of Tennessee's application being approved for the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBC a component of last year's Small Business Jobs Act. Tennessee was one of 11 states to be granted a portion $360 million in funds made available. According to the Treasury Department, the funds are designed to generate rate of $10 in new private lending for every $1 in federal funds, which could potentially bring Tennessee's followinvestment to an estimated $297 million. "These funds will provide critical support to state-level programs that he expand small-business lending and spur private job growth," Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal S. Wolin sa "Unlocking credit for small businesses will provide a powerful boost for investment and job creation in loc communities around the country." Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hage said that the funds would be helpful in stimulating innovation across the state and be incorporated into Gov. B Haslam's new $50 million INCITE initiative. http://www.nooga.com/13507_tennessee-granted-30-million-in-federal-funds-to-spur-small-business-innovation/

Sitel Unveils Call Center-Themed Children’s Book (Business War)

Sitel, a leading customer care outsourcing provider, announced today the unveiling of the Company’s fi children’s book, “Agent D, Can You Help Me?” at its Asheville, North Carolina contact center facility Wednesday, August 17 at 11 a.m. ET. As a tribute to ICMI (International Customer Management Institute) found Gordon F. MacPherson, Jr.’s original call center-themed children’s book, “Frankie at the Call Center,” Sitel call upon artistic employees in the Company’s Asheville site to write and illustrate the 32-page book. “Agent D, C You Help Me?” is designed for children ages 2-8 to emphasize the importance of customer service representativ while teaching them to help others….As Sitel is based in Nashville, Tennessee, Governor Bill Haslam wrote the book’s forward, sharing his passion for customer service, “‘Agent D, Can You Help Me?’ is not only a well-writt and colorfully illustrated children’s book that parents and children will enjoy reading together, but also a us friendly resource that will help parents who work in Sitel’s global call centers teach their children about the reaching merits of their work as customer service agents.” http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110817005033/en/Sitel-Unveils-Call-Center-Themed-Children %E2%80%99s-Book-%E2%80%9CAgent

Tennessee moves up in ‘Kids Count’ rankings (Commercial Appeal/Locker)

At 39th place, it's out of bottom 10 Tennessee has moved up to 39th among the states in a composite ranking the well-being of children and teens, marking the first time the state has moved out of the bottom 10 states in t two decades of the "Kids Count" rankings issued by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The nationally recogniz annual report compiles 10 key indicators of the health and social status of children, including infant and child dea rates, teen birth rates and percent of children living in poverty. Tennessee ranked 41st among the states in t 2010 rankings and 46th in 2009. This year's rankings reflect statistics from the last full years for which they a available, either 2010 or 2009. "We celebrate Tennessee's best-ever ranking and first above the 40s as eviden that both public policies and public-private and state-local partnerships serving children are producing improv outcomes," said Linda O'Neal, executive director of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/17/tennessee-moves-kids-count-rankings/

State partially lifts blanket of secrecy from tax rulings (News-Sentinel/Humphrey)

Retreating from a position adopted during former Gov. Phil Bredesen's administration, the state Department Revenue has moved to partially raise a veil of secrecy that has covered official interpretations of Tennessee t law since 2008. The so-called "letter rulings" are provided on request to taxpayers, typically companies, willing pay a fee for an answer to questions on the state tax consequences in a given situation. Apparently, Amazon.co got a secret letter ruling late last year on its desire to be exempt from collecting Tennessee sales taxes. Gov. B Haslam has said there are "ongoing negotiations" with Amazon that could lead to another, clarifying letter ruling. The policy change will not directly impact the Amazon situation, but it will mean the partial opening of a do completely closed three years ago. As of W ednesday, the Department of Revenue has issued 40 "letter ruling this year and has decided that redacted versions of 17 will be made public and posted on the departmen website, according to Deputy Commissioner Glen Page. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/17/state-partially-lifts-blanket-of-secrecy-from/ 2

Tennesseans asked to help evaluate textbooks (Associated Press)

Tennessee education officials are asking the public for help in evaluating textbooks for the 2012-13 school ye Subjects are visual arts, music, theater arts, dance, spelling, literature, driver education, computer science, hea sciences education, business technology, marketing education, technology engineering, education and trade a industrial education. The textbooks are now on display at 10 district collection sites across the state. Local scho systems adopt textbooks from an official state textbook list. Public comments should be sent by Sept. 5 to Morg Branch, director of textbook services, Tennessee Department of Education, Andrew Johnson Tower, Nashvil 37243-0379. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37250055.story

Abysymal ACT scores heighten urgency for educational reform (Biz Clarksville)

Whatever is going on in schools across America is not working, at least not according to ACT, one of the premie college-testing services used by institutions of higher learning across the country. The report confirms what h already been amply discussed in media and by educators: America’s students are not keeping pace academica with ever smaller percentages of students ready for the real challenges college will bring. A new ACT report, T Condition of College and Career Readiness, highlights statewide data on ACT scores, academic achievement a post-secondary aspirations. Tennessee’s results from the April 2011 test show the state’s public high scho students’ composite ACT score dropped from 19.1 in 2010 to 19.0 out of 36 in 2011, highlighting the ongoing ne for education reform to achieve the state’s Race to the Top goal of broader college readiness. http://businessclarksville.com/2011/08/17/abysymal-act-scores-heighten-urgency-for-educational-reform-31064/

Report Shows Decline in Tenn. ACT Scores (Associated Press)

State education officials say a recent ACT college entrance exam report highlights the ongoing need for educati reform in Tennessee. According to the report released Wednesday, results from the April 2011 test show t state's public high school students' composite ACT score dropped from 19.1 out of 36 in 2010 to 19 in 2011. T report also shows a wide achievement gap between white and black students. Only 7 percent of black students a college-ready in math, according to the report. Tennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman says t results are "unacceptable, and we have to do more to ensure that our high school students' academic results ali with their aspirations." State Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan says each year the state spends abo $26 million for remedial and developmental courses for underprepared students. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/aug/18/report-shows-decline-in-tenn-act-scores/

ACT scores have room for improvement (Knoxville News-Sentinel/McCoy)

Tennessee's students are slowly making progress when it comes to being prepared for college but there is s room for improvement, schools officials said after annual ACT scores were released W ednesday. Knox Coun remained steady in its numbers, while Maryville City Schools celebrated a record-setting year with its scores. T test, which students can score up to a 36, is used to measure the college readiness of students. If students me benchmarks on the standardized test in English, math, reading and science, they are considered college-read meaning they could take a college-level course in that subject area and earn at least a "C." Tennessee's resu from the April 2011 test show the state's public high school students' composite ACT score dropped from 19.6 2010 to 19.5 in 2011. The national average is 21.1. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/17/no-headline--act/

ACT scores slide for Tennessee students (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Hardy)

Tennessee students who took the 2011 ACT college entrance exam continued a downward trend and finish second-to-last in the nation in overall scores. Results also show fewer of this year's seniors will be prepared to ta college classes next year, according to an ACT college and career readiness report released W ednesday. Resu of the ACT, the nation's most widely used college entrance exam, have some state officials urging more reforms education, while others say it will take several years for new, rigorous standards to pay off in test results such the ACT. Scores in Hamilton County rose for the first time in several years, but remained below the state averag On this spring's tests, Tennessee high school students earned an average composite score of 19.5, down from la year's 19.6. Only Mississippi had worse scores. The national average for 2011 composite scores was 21.1. In ea of the past five years, Tennessee's average ACT score remained flat or declined from 2007's average composite 21.1. English, mathematics, reading and science scores, too, have dropped in the past five years, the rep 3

shows.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/18/act-scores-slide/?local

ACT scores dip in Tenn.; Memphis, Shelby Co. schools lose ground (CA/Roberts)

Tennessee students scored slightly lower on the ACT test this year, a disappointment for a state trying to clim steep hills in education reform and spending tens of millions of dollars to do it. The average composite score from 19.6 in 2010 to 19.5. Nationally, it increased from 21 to 21.1. A perfect score is 36. "W hile on one hand it's n surprising, it is nonetheless disappointing," said Kevin Huffman, Tennessee commissioner of education. "There a a bunch of things in this report I find disappointing. It highlights the amount of work we have to do to impro education in Tennessee." The ACT is often used as a litmus test for how well students will do in their first year college. Shelby County Schools' score dropped from 21 to 20.7. School officials attribute it in part to a larg population of special-education students taking the test. Memphis City Schools' score dropped from 16.6 to 16 Students in the city schools lost ground in every tested subject. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/17/act-scores-dip-tennessee-education-commissioner-sa/

Tennessee Ahead of Only Mississippi in ACT Scores (W PLN-Radio Nashville)

While across the country just one in four high school graduates taking the ACT is prepared for college, the figure more like one in seven here in Tennessee. The state is just one spot from the very bottom when it comes college-readiness. Tennessee is one of only eight states that requires every student to take the ACT, meani graduates who aren’t college-bound still take the test. But even of those, only Mississippi has a lower score. T state’s average ACT score – even including private school students – dropped by a tenth of a point over the la year to 19.5 out of a possible 36. According to information released by the test maker, only 24 percent of studen are ready for college math and 17 percent make the grade in science. Just 15 percent of students meet colle readiness benchmarks in all four subjects, which also include English and reading. In a statement, Tenness Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman says he’s encouraged by progress that’s occurring in earlier grades. B he says the new report from ACT gives a “sense of urgency” to making sure the momentum is sustained throu graduation. http://wpln.org/?p=29640

City’s ACT scores down, higher than average (Johnson City Press)

The effect of higher state standards and more students tested has, as state officials predicted, resulted in low ACT scores for Science Hill High School students who graduated in May. Johnson City’s crop of 2011 graduate composite ACT score dropped to 21.7 points, compared to last year’s score of 22.9 points. That still was go enough to surpass both the state and national cores of 19.5 and 21.1, respectively. Washington County Schoo graduates composite score matched the state average, while Elizabethton City School System graduates best that average by a point at 20.5. Carter and Unicoi counties’ scores were not immediately available. On Mississippi posted a lower composite score of 18.7, meaning Tennessee continues to hang at the very bottom the U.S. in ACT scores. http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=93483#ixzz1VNNfY1zQ

Solar installers fear boom is over as grants run out (Tennessean/Tamburin)

Industry is unsure whether it's ready to stand on its own Dan Ford loves a sunny day, because he knows it’s savi him money. Ford’s Williamson County roofing business installed a solar system earlier this month, and he said already offsetting the business’ electricity costs by about 60 percent. The system’s price tag of more than $107,0 was mitigated by a grant from the Tennessee Solar Institute — but it could be one of the last. While the state h put great emphasis on solar technology in recent years, bringing that technology to bear in Tennessee homes a businesses is proving a difficult task because of the high cost of installation, which is becoming increasingly ha for the state and its citizens to swallow. Wednesday, TSI announced it would stop processing applications further grants as it exhausts about $10 million of stimulus funds encouraging businesses to invest in so technology. This news arrives as Tennessee Valley Authority officials continue to mull alternatives for the future the Generation Partners program, which pays incentives to those who install solar systems at their homes businesses. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110818/NEWS11/308180049/Solar-installers-fear-boom-over-grants-run-ou odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

UT receives $18 million award to study nation's power grid (NS/Boehnke)
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The University of Tennessee is poised to be at the forefront of President Barack Obama's plan to overhaul t

nation's energy grid thanks to a five-year $18 million federal award. UT has been chosen to lead a Nation Science Foundation Engineering Research Center that will study the transfer of electrical energy. The new cent called CURENT or Center for Ultra-wide-area Resilient Electrical Energy Transmission Networks, will focus finding efficient methods of transferring electric power that could be used to build a new "smart grid" to deliver t nation's power. The existing grid has been overstretched because of increasing populations, leading to blackou and lost energy. The new center also will seek ways of shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The cen will be led by Kevin Tomsovic, head of UT's electrical engineering and computer science department, and Yilu L a governor's chair and a top researcher in the country on power transmission systems. This is the first time UT h been selected to lead a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center and only 33 schools ha been selected to lead a center since NSF founded the program in 1984. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/17/ut-receives-18-million-award-to-study-nations/

UT Gets Major Grant to Improve Nation's Power Grid (Associated Press)

The University of Tennessee has received a National Science Foundation grant to research the overhaul of t nation's electric power transmission system. The $18 million grant is intended to help find ways to develop sma grid technologies. UT Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said the university has the experts and the tools to le development of a greener, safer and smarter power grid. The university's research center for power transmissi involves a consortium of academic, industry and laboratory resource personnel. The Department of Energy sa that since 1982, an increase in peak electricity demand has outstripped growth in transmission capability by almo 25 percent. The aim of the research is to develop methods to make the power grid more efficient and more reliab http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/aug/18/ut-gets-major-grant-to-improve-nations-power-grid/

UT president talks biofuels with W hite House (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Boehnke)

University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro took his message on the potential of switchgrass as a biofuel Iowa Tuesday, where he touted the idea to the White House administration during a forum on rural economies. part of his three-day Midwest bus tour, President Barack Obama stopped in Peosta, Iowa, where he listened to group of about 100 farmers, small-town business people and community leaders to discuss the state of t economy in rural America. DiPietro received his invitation to participate in the event at Northeast Iowa Commun College by e-mail last week and was one of only three college presidents to attend the forum. "Anytime you c heighten your visibility with the administration in Washington as a university it's a good thing," DiPietro said fro his office Wednesday after returning from the forum. "It's got to be good because they understand things about that they didn't before I got in there and talked to them about it." After opening remarks by the president, DiPie participated in a breakout session on renewable energy and agriculture led by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/17/ut-president-talks-biofuels-with-white-house/

Aluminum waste sparks problems in Murfreesboro (Columbia Daily Herald)

Waste from aluminum recycling at Tennessee Aluminum Processors Inc. and Smelter Services Corp. in M Pleasant is causing concern at a Murfreesboro landfill. On March 28, authorities at Middle Point Landfill, located East Jefferson Pike in Murfreesboro, reported an area of “elevated temperatures” in a section of the landfill whe aluminum waste was deposited, according to a consent order issued by the Tennessee Department Environment and Conservation on July 22. Tisha Calabrese-Benton, communications director for TDEC, said in email that records indicate waste from the Mt. Pleasant recyclers was sent to Middle Point in previous years. S said that the secondary aluminum waste includes, but is not limited to, salt cake, a byproduct of aluminu processing. The waste came into contact with liquids associated with municipal wastes, which caused the elevat temperatures.http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/articles/2011/08/17/top_stories/03waste.txt

Tennessee Highway Patrol emphasizes safety in school zones (Nooga)

School is back in session, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol wants to make sure drivers are conscious that ex awareness is required in school zones across the state. Members of the Highway Patrol will be assisting local la enforcement efforts with a "Back to School" enforcement and education campaign, specifically focusing on peop who speed in school zones and pass stopped school buses. The campaign will include recorded public servi announcements on local radio stations. At this time, the Highway Patrol has no specific enforcement effo planned for school zones, but they routinely patrol around schools across the state. In a press release, TH Colonel Tracey Trott said that unsafe drivers would face stiff penalties of up to $500 for speeding in a school zo and $1,000 for passing a stopped bus. http://www.nooga.com/13429_tennessee-highway-patrol-emphasizes-safety-in-school-zones/ 5

State comptroller to visit Dyersburg Friday (State Gazette)

State Rep. Bill Sanderson is welcoming Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson on Friday, Aug. 19 to Dyersburg his first official visit to the region. Sanderson is providing local residents with a unique opportunity to meet Wils during a breakfast event, which will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Lannom Center to discuss important county and c government issues. Sanderson encourages residents to join him for this free event, which is open to the pub Residents who have questions about the event may contact Hayden Pendergrass at (615) 741-0718. http://www.stategazette.com/story/1753822.html

Humane Society chief calls for tougher cockfighting law in TN (Tennessean/Young

For Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, Tennessee’s stance cockfighting isn’t harsh enough. The state is one of 12 that doesn’t make cockfighting a felony. Though all oth forms of animal fighting are felonies in the state, cockfighting is a misdemeanor, usually punished with a $50 fin Pacelle, who was in Nashville on Wednesday, has been working to get the laws changed. “Cockfighters consid the current penalty as a minor cost of doing business,” Pacelle said. “They are not deterred, and that is complet unacceptable.” For the past four years, state lawmakers have tried to increase the penalty for cockfighting, but t bills have been blocked before they reached the House floor. Rep. Frank Niceley, R-Knoxville, has argued th cockfighting should not be a felony because there’s not the jail space and because it’s a cultural tradition. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110818/NEWS03/308180031/Humane-Society-chief-calls-toughercockfighting-law-TN?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Tennessee legislator gets state's top AFL-CIO job (Tennessean/Marsteller)

Gary Moore elected labor council leader in union shakeup The state AFL-CIO chapter has tapped a Nashv firefighters’ union president and state legislator to be its top leader as part of a top-management shakeup. Sta Rep. Gary W. Moore, D-Joelton, was elected president of the Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council during t union’s biennial convention in Nashville earlier this week. Moore succeeds Jerry Lee, who did not seek re-electi to the post he had held since 2003. Another longtime union executive also stepped down: Eddie Bryan, who retir as secretary/treasurer after 32 years. James C. Hale, a former union official and labor activist from Sparta, Ten succeeds him. Moore, 62, did not return telephone messages Wednesday. In addition to serving as a sta representative, Moore is president of the union that represents Nashville firefighters. “I think Gary will be a ve energetic leader,” Lee said in a phone interview. Lee, 73, said he isn’t retiring from his union career but felt it w time for a change.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110818/BUSINESS01/308180040/Tennessee-legislator gets-state-s-top-AFL-CIO-job?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Rep. Black ‘Arm-In-Arm’ With Tea Party, Despite Protest (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Tennessee Congressman Diane Black is defending her Tea Party credentials, one day after about fifty members the movement protested outside her Murfreesboro office. The group said they’re frustrated with Black for voting raise the debt ceiling. Today Black told a Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Lebanon that she was “Tea Pa before Tea Party was ever in vogue.” REPORTER: “Yesterday there were Tea Partiers outside your Murfreesbo office chanting ‘Bye Bye Black.’ What do you say to that?” BLACK: “I say that I’m walking arm-in-arm with the T Party. I agree, we need to be angry; we need to make sure that we turn this country back around. It’s going in t wrong direction. And we’ll work together to make that happen.” In her remarks Black also touched on t importance of keeping constituents involved and in touch with their representatives in W ashington. But officia asked that her remarks to the chamber group not be recorded. http://wpln.org/?p=29649

Blackburn wants to scrap Obama health care reform, fire Tim Geithner (CA/Dowd)

Vowing to slash government spending while protecting the interests of small business owners, U.S. Rep. Mars Blackburn, R-Tenn., on Wednesday addressed an overflow audience at a meeting of the Area Action Council, t local arm of the National Federation of Independent Business. Blasting President Barack Obama's healthcare pla Blackburn said the program's regulations handicap small business owners by forcing them to provide expensi coverage for workers or face hefty fines if they don't. And she advocated allowing employers to determine wh level of coverage -- if any -- to offer. "We need an across-the-state-line policy to allow you to buy whatev insurance you need from whomever you want, across the country," Blackburn said. "But we'll need Democrat a 6

Republican votes to get that passed." Republican state Rep. Mark White of Memphis agreed, saying th overarching regulations are hampering the growth of many small businesses. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/17/rep-marsha-blackburn-wants-scrap-obama-health-care/

Workers' comp systems getting stricter (Stateline)

Montana has long had a workers’ comp problem. Its labor force is injured far more frequently and at grea expense to employers than is typical around the country. Part of that stems from the jobs people do in Montana drilling for oil and working in mines. But part of it has been the system itself. A prominent national study, releas last fall, singled out Montana’s as the most expensive workers’ compensation system in the United States — w premiums 163 percent higher than the national median. “We had businesses just up and walking across the bord to Idaho and North Dakota,” says state Representative Scott Reichner, the sponsor of an overhaul package th was signed into law in April. “It was killing us. Lawyers push the envelope and make the system looser and loos and next thing you know we’re covering everybody for everything." In March, the Montana Supreme Court upheld Workers’ Compensation Court award involving a man who smoked marijuana on the job at a tourist attracti before feeding — and subsequently being mauled by — a grizzly bear. The state is footing approximately $35,0 in medical bills because, in the words of the court, bears are “equal opportunity maulers,” even though the decisi to smoke pot around them was “ill-advised to say the least and mind-bogglingly stupid to say the most.” http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=594750

Young Americans scale back dreams (Los Angeles Times)

Alicia Thomas, 20, had it all planned out: career at a nonprofit, married by 24, mortgage by 26. Then financ markets went on a wild roller coaster ride, portending that high unemployment and the stalled economy won’t rebounding any time soon. “I don’t want to invest in something I can’t afford, given the economy breaking dow said Thomas, who is majoring in political science at the University of California-San Diego. “I’ll be taking smal steps.” Call it Generation Vexed — young Americans who are downsizing expectations in the face of an econom future that is anything but certain. Career plans are being altered, marriages put off and dreams shelved. “Y can’t reach for the stars at this point,” Thomas said. Fewer than half of Americans believe that the curre generation will have a better life than the last, according to a Gallup poll this spring. It was the most pessimis showing for that barometer in nearly three decades. Another poll, of Americans ages 18 to 29, found that thre quarters of them expect to delay a major life change or purchase because of economic factors. The survey released just before the Standard & Poor’s downgrade of U.S. debt — was by the nonprofit Generati Opportunity, headed by Paul Conway. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110818/BUSINESS01/308180056/Young-Americans-scale-back-dreams? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

TVA nuke construction and rates on board agenda (Associated Press)

Before Tennessee Valley Authority board members act on recommendations to finish the mothballed Bellefon Nuclear Plant and possibly raise rates for the 2012 budget year, they are likely to get an earful from opponents the new reactor. The Thursday meeting in Knoxville begins with a public listening session, and opponents building the Bellefonte reactor say they are trying to stop or at least delay the 37-year-old project that they conte is dangerous and expensive. TVA has said building a reactor at the site in northeast Alabama will cost another billion to $5 billion but will benefit ratepayers as coal-powered plants are phased out. Bellefonte opponents ha invited their supporters to attend and speak with "one loud voice." They also plan a vigil afterward, if Bellefonte approved.http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37250079.story

NRC says stuck valve was TVA failure (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Sohn)

On the eve of a TVA board meeting and an expected vote on restarting construction at Bellefonte Nuclear Pla the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has turned down TVA's appeal of a "red" rating at another nuclear plant. T NRC in May gave the Tennessee Valley Authority a "red" or "high safety significance" finding in connection w last fall's failure of a cooling-water injection valve at Browns Ferry, the utility's oldest nuclear facility. The red rati had been issued only four times before in the past decade. TVA appealed, saying the problem was a mechani flaw in the valve. NRC denied the appeal in June, but continued an independent review of TVA's contention th other utilities might have the same testing and mechanical problems. On W ednesday, NRC announced that TV had opportunities to find and fix the problem well before the valve failed. "TVA's failure [in its method of testin contributed to the performance deficiency," states the NRC letter, dated Tuesday and signed by NRC Region Administrator Victor M. McCree. 7

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/18/nrc-says-stuck-valve-was-tva-failure/?local

Tennessee students loans up 6.5 percent (Nashville Business Journal)

A new report from CreditKarma.com shows that U.S. student loan debt is up six percent from a year ago, and t increase is even higher among Tennessee students. The average Tennessee student loan debt in July w $28,136. That’s up 6.5 percent from July of 2010. Tennessee’s average student loan debt, however, is sligh lower than the national average of $ $29,932. Also of note, Nashville's average student loan debt of $32,924 to both state and national figures. Historical figures were not available for the Nashville MSA. “As the back-to-scho season approaches, we continue to see student loan debt increase as more students apply for student loans pay for their college tuition,” said Kin Lin, CEO of CreditKarma.com. “Tuition hikes are also contributing to this de According to the College Board, the average increase for public schools is roughly eight percent every year a five percent for private universities.” http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2011/08/17/tennessee-students-loans-up-65-percent.html

Erlanger facing labor claims from former police officers (Times Free-Press/Carroll)

Several former Erlanger Health System police officers filed labor complaints Monday alleging the hospital would pay them when they worked during their lunch periods. “Erlanger would deduct our 30-minute lunch if we took o lunch or not,” states a complaint written by Jerry Lawrence, one of four officers who submitted paperwork to t Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Each officer filed a separate complaint. J Hentschel, spokesman for the state department, confirmed the officers’ claims are being investigated. The sta will begin gathering information from Erlanger “immediately,” he said, but gathering older documents and tim sheets could take a while. “It’s difficult to say when this will be resolved,” Hentschel said. “It depends on t cooperation from the employer.” Erlanger spokeswoman Pat Charles responded to a request for comment email. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/18/erlanger-facing-labor-claims/?local

Loudon County officials ask Kimberly-Clark to address discharges (NS/Willett)

The Loudon County Air Quality Task Force is asking the Kimberly-Clark Corp. to take action to prevent repeat particulate discharges that local residents say leaves a fine coating of white dust on vehicles and homes downwi of the plant. Officials with Loudon County and the cities of Loudon and Lenoir City agreed earlier this week approve a letter from the task force, asking for something to be done about the discharges. The letter — address to Michael Smith, manager of the Kimberly-Clark mill in Loudon, and signed by task force chairman Micha Crosby — referenced complaints from citizens regarding ash particles purported to come from the boiler operatio at the Kimberly-Clark facility. "The task force understands and appreciates that your company has made seve improvements in your boiler operation over the past several years. Unfortunately, it appears that more needs to done to solve this issue once and for all," Crosby wrote. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/18/loudon-county-officials-ask-kimberly-clark-to/

New Memphis-Shelby Co. econ. development agency open for business (NS/Bailey

EDGE makes its debut The Economic Development and Growth Engine board raised a few edgy questio Wednesday but steered away from local politics as usual on the first agenda item of its fresh history. The inaugu EDGE meeting seemed to raise the question: Will the pursuit of consensus and harmony for the sake of econom development sacrifice the healthy checks-and-balances of traditional politics? The new board with broad oversig of economic development for Memphis and Shelby County unanimously approved its bylaws, but not befo member Deidre Malone questioned how the EDGE president -- the top staffer -- will be selected and he accountable. The bylaws state the president shall serve at the will of the two mayors and can only be removed by joint decision of both mayors. The name of any replacement will be nominated jointly by both mayors and approv by the City Council and County Commission. The process doesn't seem to make the president, who has yet to hired, very accountable to the 11-member EDGE board. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/18/edge-makes-its-debut/

New Economic Development Board Gets Started (Memphis Daily News)
The new Economic Development Growth Engine approved its existence Wednesday, Aug. 17, while a 8

addressing some confusing technicalities. “The president is selected by both mayors – this seems cumbersom former Shelby County Commissioner and EDGE director Deidre Malone said at the organization’s inaugu meeting at City Hall. “Having worked in the private sector and for an organization with a similar structure, I think very interesting.” EDGE is designed to collect several existing programs under one roof: the city-county Office Economic Development; the city-county Industrial Development Board; the city-county Port Commission; the ci county Depot Redevelopment Authority; Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park; the city of Memphis Foreign Trade Zo 77 program; and the city of Memphis Renewal Community program. In the charter, attorney Marty Reg explained, a provision exists stating that the EDGE structure is approved by both mayors – Luttrell and Wharton and the Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/aug/18/new-economic-development-board-gets-started/

Kruger Files $40 Million Loan for Memphis Plant (Memphis Daily News)

Canada-based manufacturer Kruger Inc., which has been considering several locales including Memphis possible sites for a major capital investment, this week filed a $39.8 million construction loan for its existi Memphis facility at 400 Mahannah Ave., north of Downtown. The loan was filed Tuesday, Aug. 16, by Krug affiliate K.T.G. (USA) Inc. through Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, one of Canada’s leading institution fund managers. Kruger is a major producer of publication papers, tissue, lumber and other wood produc Memphis has been competing for the Kruger expansion along with locations such as Quebec, Canada, “and oth U.S. locations which have offered generous incentives,” the company told local economic development officials June. At press time, the company still was not ready to announce a decision, but the new financial investment the Memphis facility seemed to bode well. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/aug/18/kruger-files-loan-for-memphis-plant/

Leaders of MCS, Shelby County Schools vow cooperation (CA/Connolly, McMillin)

Superintendents work toward city, county school merger As superintendents of Shelby County's separate (for no school systems pledged Wednesday to accelerate collaborations aimed at merging Memphis City Schools a Shelby County schools by 2013, attorneys for all parties involved in the merger lawsuit were evaluating settleme offers. MCS Supt. Kriner Cash and SCS Supt. John Aitken each appeared before a Shelby County Commissi committee on education and said they would be meeting together on Monday. "We've got to get started yesterd if we want to meet a 2013 deadline in any realistic way," said Cash, who like Aitken was present for routine coun budget hearings. The two sides will set up working groups to address big issues such as transporting studen combining technology systems and dealing with personnel questions, Cash said. Cash said staffers had beg looking at such issues earlier this year but had stopped based on advice from lawyers. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/18/districts-vow-cooperation/

Possible Mediation Expected In Schools Case (Memphis Daily News)

Before he rules on the second part of the schools consolidation case, federal Judge Hardy Mays might gi mediation another try. Nothing had appeared on his court calendar as of Wednesday afternoon. But attorneys some of the parties in the eight-sided case have told their clients to keep Friday, Aug. 19, open for a possib mediation session. W hat is left for Mays to rule on is arguably the most critical part of the case. His Aug. 8 ruli that consolidation of Shelby County’s two public school systems was legal and would happen at the start of t 2013-2014 school year was expected by most of those directly involved in the case. So was his upholding of t Norris-Todd state law that will govern the consolidation process itself. More open to different opinions was h ruling on the Shelby County Commission’s attempt to appoint a 25-member countywide school board includi Memphis.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/aug/18/possible-mediation-expected-in-schools-case/

One More Hurdle (Memphis Flyer)

Only a week after he gave what was generally regarded as an evenhanded ruling on the complicated multip litigations regarding the forthcoming merger of Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools, U.S. Distr Judge Hardy Mays must now evaluate various proposals for redistricting the electoral map for a soon-to-b expanded Shelby County Schools system. Mays must also deal with a formal request for an interim solution fro the Shelby County Commission, whose two optional seven-member school-district plans, both vetted by the jo city-county office of planning and development on the basis of 2010 census information, may well form the basis an approved final plan. There was considerable debate at the special county commission meeting last Thursd that approved the two submitted plans. Commissioners Wyatt Bunker and Terry Roland, both Republica representing the exclusively suburban District 4, proposed to present plans for a 13-member board, on the groun 9

that 13 districts would more fairly represent the various components of Shelby County's population. http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/one-more-hurdle/Content?oid=3039700

No shots, no school for some (Daily News Journal)

It is possible nearly 175 seventh-grade students will not be allowed to attend classes today if they are unable produce verification of having received two vaccinations. Rutherford County Schools spokesman James Eva said, as of Wednesday, 172 students had not submitted the proper paperwork. State law changed last year require additional shots for students entering pre-K, kindergarten and seventh grade. Seventh-graders had to ge tetanus booster and show verification of immunity against chicken pox. "Friday (Aug. 12.) was the original deadlin but we extended it to Wednesday. If they do not have their shots by Thursday, they will not be allowed to atte until they show proof," district staff attorney Angel McCloud told the Board of Education Tuesday. Last year, t state gave families until Oct. 1 to get the shots. McCloud said in addition to sending the information home in Ap the district had MTMC's Mobile Health Unit at several schools during the summer, sent letters home after scho began and used the school's messenger system to remind parents. Principals, she said, have been giving studen daily reminders. Dr. Catherine Bottoms of Morgan Pediatrics in Smyrna said her office always has a rush students coming in at the beginning of the school year for physicals. http://www.dnj.com/article/20110818/NEW S01/108180314/No-shots-no-school-some

Michigan: Michigan Courts Say Cuts Are Necessary (Wall Street Journal)

The administrative arm of Michigan's highest court is recommending a highly unusual step to help address t state's budget woes: Cut more than four dozen judicial positions. In a statement Wednesday, the state co administrative office suggested to the Michigan legislature that it slash 45 trial-court judgeships and four appella court judgeships, in a step toward "rebalancing the workload" of Michigan's courts. The proposed cuts represe about 8% of the state's judgeships. "These cuts are necessary," said the chief justice of the Michigan Suprem Court, Robert P. Young Jr. He said the judicial system would try to blunt the effect of the cuts by "maximizi efficiencies," such as forcing judges to share resources. "The public sector needs to take a page from the priva sector here," Judge Young added. The proposal will now be sent to the legislature and, if passed, sent Republican Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature. A spokeswoman for Mr. Snyder said he had yet to look over t details of the proposal, but that "the governor is certainly very supportive of making cuts where we can." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904070604576514693450570376.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Ohio: Governor Offers to Change Anti-Union Law (Associated Press)

Gov. John Kasich and top Republican lawmakers said Wednesday that they were offering to change a new la limiting collective bargaining in an attempt to keep a repeal effort off the November ballot. The administrati released a letter asking for a meeting on Friday to discuss a compromise with 10 union leaders authorized negotiate on behalf of We Are Ohio, the group pushing for a repeal of the law. The letter reiterates supporte backing for the law and their confidence they can win in the fall, but it signals a desire to avoid a costly ballot batt “A divisive fight on these issues that could possibly be avoided is in the best interest of everyone, including pub employees and people who support public employees,” said the governor, above, a first-term Republican. Melis Fazekas, a spokeswoman for We Are Ohio, called on lawmakers to rescind the law if they want the repe removed from the Nov. 8 ballot. “I think it’s awfully funny to now be standing here and talking about coming to t table when this entire bill takes away their rights to do so,” she said. The law restricts collective bargaining righ for more than 350,000 teachers, police officers, state employees and others. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/18/us/18brfs-unions.html?ref=todayspaper (SUBSCRIPTION)

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OPINION Editorial: 2010 Kids Count data show state is making progress (Jackson Sun)

Despite the decline in the nation's economy that began in 2008, the prospects for children in Tennessee ha improved, according to the latest national KIDS COUNT Data Book released Wednesday. Tennessee show improvement in five out of eight categories, and only lost ground in two categories. That is good news Tennessee children. The improvements also reflect concrete results from legislative efforts on behalf of childre For the first time, Tennessee ranks higher than 40th in the nation at No. 39. The state's improvement comes a time when many Tennesseans were struggling with loss of jobs, homes and health insurance. Fortunately children, some of the improvements came about through programs such as free and reduced-cost school mea and effective pre-kindergarten education programs. Data continues to show that these programs can work, a Tennessee can boast some of the most effective in the country. The KIDS COUNT Data Book shows Tenness improving in infant mortality rates, child death rates, teen death rates, teen birth rates and the percent of teens n in school and not high school graduates. Children in Tennessee lost ground in the percent living in single-pare homes and the percent living in poverty. The latter statistic reflects the effect of the nation's poor economy and hi unemployment. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20110818/OPINION01/108180308/Editorial-2010-Kids-Count-data-show-state making-progress

Times Editorial: Retail 'job-creators' at risk (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

The controversy over Amazon's avoidance of Tennessee's sales taxes won't go away -- and shouldn't. In the pa week, Gov. Bill Haslam has twice stirred the pot, saying first that he wants "a new relationship" with Amazon, a the next day that he wants the Internet retail giant to voluntarily collect state sales taxes on sales to Tennessea sometime after it opens its three distribution centers in Tennessee. Then one of the owners of Chattanoog biggest shopping mall, Hamilton Place, criticized the "uneven playing field" that gives Internet retailers an unf advantage over brick-and-mortar stores. Sen. Bob Corker followed with an opinion that Congress would ultimate pass a national sales tax regime for all Internet retailers and states, which is, of course, the most fair and logic resolution of the issue. There's ample reason for this rising concern. It's rooted partly in the states' substantial sal tax losses -- an estimated $410 million annually in Tennessee in uncollected state sales taxes of 7 percent Internet sales, plus local option sales taxes of up to 2.75 percent. The more daunting reason, however, lies in t rapid advance of mobile price comparisons that is turning brick-and-mortar stores into what Corker calls "plac where people look at the product ... and see if it works for them, and then they go to the Internet and actually b the product without sales taxes." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/18/retail-job-creators-at-risk/?opiniontimes

Times Editorial: TVA: Let the zombies in (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

Given the disastrous nuclear catastrophe at Japan's Fukushima nuclear complex this year, it's conceivable th TVA officials could be intimidated by some things nuclear. But we hardly expected the giant public utility to afraid of a few "zombie" protesters. Alas, we were wrong. As it turns out, the Tennessee Valley Authority appea to be seriously, and laughably, frightened by the prospect that a few ratepayers will turn up at its board meeti today, dressed in their zombie costumes to protest the agency's planned resurrection of its long-dead nuclear pla at Bellefonte. Its remedy for this silly fear -- a ban on such costumed attendees at TVA's Knoxville headquarte today for a vote on the reopening of the plant site -- is not just strange; it is wrong. TVA is, after all, a fede agency, owned by the federal government and governed by appointees to the board selected by the president a confirmed by the Senate. Its announced costumed ban mocks its federally enshrined lineage. It would violate t First Amendment principle of free assembly to petition a redress of grievances by government, and it wou needlessly mock and restrict freedom of speech. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/18/tva-let-the-zombies-in/?opiniontimes 11

Clay Bennett Political Cartoon: “TVA Ban” (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)
http://media.timesfreepress.com/img/news/tease/2011/08/17/110818_The_TVA_Ban_t618.jpg? ba5b5b122dd3d37cc13d83e92a6a0ec0d5bfa32a

Editorial: Balancing act at City Schools (Commercial Appeal)

MCS has difficult decisions to make as it threads its way to a more effective faculty. W ith at least two yea remaining before the merger with Shelby County Schools becomes final, Memphis City Schools still has mu work to do. If the district is to improve on its 4 percent college-readiness rate among graduates, it must put t most promising and talented teachers in the classroom. And it must keep the commitment it made to the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation -- to tap new sources for teaching talent -- when it accepted a $90 million grant. W the distressed economy delaying the retirement plans of many of the district's faculty members, keeping th commitment has turned out to be a more difficult task than anticipated. It conflicts with another commitment -- f treatment of displaced teachers whose abilities are unquestioned. All of which makes for uneasy times for the MC administration and board members who have been getting an earful from constituents who want experience proven teachers in the classroom. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/18/editorials-balancing-act-at-city-schools/

Editorial: Debt agreement needed to avoid 'doomsday cuts' (News-Sentinel)

The GOP and Democratic leadership overlooked — snubbed would be the more accurate term — the Gang of S when it picked the Senate half of the 12-member "super committee" that is charged with coming up with a $1 trillion savings plan by Thanksgiving. If the committee can't agree or if Congress rejects their recommendation and either one is a good bet — then $1.2 trillion in across-the-board cuts would automatically go into effect fiscal 2013, which is only 14 months away. At least that's the plan. Whether Congress can keep its nerve on confronted with the impact of cuts of that magnitude remains to be seen. The current bold talk could remain haunt many lawmakers, especially including the members of the super committee. While it doesn't quite ma them politically bulletproof, the Gang of Six had already affixed their signatures to a 10-year, $3.7 trillion def reduction plan. While the plan horrified extremes of both parties — Democrats because it touched on entitlemen Republicans because it addressed tax hikes — it was not rejected out of hand by the lawmakers who count. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/18/debt-agreement-needed-to-avoid-doomsday-cuts/

Editorial: A Deal to Get Cheaper and Safer Drugs (New York Times)

Federal regulators and the generic drug industry are putting the final touches on an agreement that would he speed the approval of generic drugs in this country and increase inspections at foreign plants that export gene drugs and drug ingredients to the United States. The agreement calls for generic drug manufacturers to collective pay $299 million in annual fees (adjusted for inflation in succeeding years) under a program that would have to approved by Congress. The fees would allow the Food and Drug Administration to hire more reviewers to speed the processing of applications to market new generics and reduce a large current backlog. That would help low health care costs by giving patients and doctors quicker access to inexpensive generics. The money would al allow the F.D.A. to inspect foreign manufacturing plants that produce generic drugs or the ingredients for the every two years, the same rate at which American plants are inspected. At the current pace, governme investigators estimated three years ago that it would take more than 13 years to inspect all foreign plants th export drugs or drug ingredients to this country, whether for brand-name or generic use. Many foreign plants ha never been inspected. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/18/opinion/a-deal-to-get-cheaper-and-safer-drugs.html?ref=todayspaper (SUBSCRIPTION)

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