Thursday, October 13 News Summary
Content
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2011 Tenn. Gun Bill Sponsor Faces DUI, Firearm Charges (Associated Press/Schelzig)
The Collierville sponsor of the law that made it legal to carry a gun into bars in Tennessee is facing charges of possession of a handgun while under the influence and drunken driving. Rep. Curry Todd, a Collierville Republican, was pulled over in Nashville late Tuesday, according to court documents. Police said he failed a roadside sobriety test and refused to take a Breathalyzer test. A loaded .38-caliber gun was found in a holster stuffed between the driver's seat and center console. A police affidavit said Todd was unsteady on his feet, "almost falling down at times." It concluded that Todd was "obviously very impaired and not in any condition to be carrying a loaded handgun." The legislator posted bail of $3,000 and was released from jail Wednesday morning. In a written statement Wednesday evening, Todd said he would not comment on specifics of the incident on the advice of his attorney other than to say he was "deeply sorry." "I will have a conversation with (Tennessee House) Speaker (Beth) Harwell to determine whether it is in the best interest of the General Assembly for me to step aside as chairman of the state and local government committee," he added. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/oct/13/tenn-gun-bill-sponsor-faces-dui-firearm-charges/
Author of 'Guns in Bars' bill arrested for DUI (City Paper/Whitehouse)
State Rep. Curry Todd (R-Collierville), chief sponsor of the controversial "guns in bars" bill, was arrested in Nashville Tuesday night. Todd was picked up by Metro Police and charged with DUI and possession of a handgun while under the influence. He was released on $3,000 bond. Todd's GMC Envoy was stopped near the corner of 21st and Blair at about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday. Police say they detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. In performing a field sobriety test, police said Todd "demonstrated numerous indicators of impairment and the officer noted that the subject was unsteady on his feet, almost falling down at times. His speech was slurred, his eyes were red, watery and bloodshot." Todd refused a field sobriety test. According to an affidavit, police also found a loaded Smith and W esson .38 Special between the driver’s seat and the car’s center console. A search of a handgun carry permit database provided by the Commercial Appeal in Memphis shows Todd does have a permit. Tennessee law prohibits possession of a handgun while under the influence. It is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $2,500. Todd's permit may be suspended for up to three years. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/author-guns-bars-billarrested-dui-unlawful-possession-handgun
DUI, gun charge put TN lawmaker's career in doubt (Tennessean/Gee)
If state Rep. Curry Todd is to be punished politically for getting arrested on charges that he drove drunk with a loaded gun Tuesday night, it will be the public, rather than his General Assembly colleagues, swinging the paddle. Todd’s arrest drew national media attention — fueled by the fact that he sponsored a controversial law that allows handgun carry permit holders to take guns into bars in Tennessee. But legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle expressed support for the Collierville Republican on Wednesday and rejected calls that he be asked to resign or stripped of a committee chairmanship. House GOP leader Gerald McCormick, RChattanooga, said Todd has done a “good job” as chairman of the House State and Local Government Committee and that he “certainly” hopes Todd can keep the post. Rep. Mike Turner, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, agreed. “I think he’s one of the best chairmen we have up there,” said Turner, D-Old Hickory. “I’m not going to beat somebody up for making a mistake. I don’t think you’ll ever see him get in this situation again.” http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS02/310130046/DUI-gun-charge-put-TN-lawmaker-s-careerdoubt?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Rep. Curry Todd, guns-in-bars law sponsor, faces DUI (Times Free-Press/Sher)
The Tuesday night arrest of state Rep. Curry Todd, sponsor of Tennessee's controversial guns-in-bars law, on DUI and handgun possession charges, quickly found its way into the political sphere Wednesday. Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester called Todd's reported actions "embarrassing to himself and the state of Tennessee. House Speaker Beth Harwell would do the entire a state a great service by asking Todd to resign or explain why she condones this unacceptable behavior from Republican leadership." In a statement, Todd said he is "deeply sorry for the events of last evening. On the advice of legal counsel, I have decided not to make any public comments about the situation at this time." He said he plans to talk with Harwell when she returns from an out-of-state trip "to determine whether it is in the best interest of the General Assembly for me to step aside as Chairman of the State and Local Government Committee." On a personal note, Todd said, "I am incredibly grateful for the calls of support from constituents, colleagues, and friends about this incident." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/13/guns-in-bars-law-sponsor-faces-dui/?local
Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville arrested in Nashville on DUI, gun charge (CA/Locker)
State Rep. Curry Todd, the Collierville Republican who worked for years to win last year's approval of a law allowing gun-carry permit holders to go armed into places serving alcohol, was arrested here late Tuesday on charges of drunk driving, possession of a handgun while under the influence and refusing to take a breath alcohol test. He was released from the Davidson County Jail on $3,000 bond about 8:30 this morning. Todd, 63, was a career Memphis police officer and for years president of the Memphis Police Association and the MPA's legislative lobbyist before his election to the Tennessee legislature in 1998. He is chairman of the House's powerful State and Local Government Committee, through which all legislation affecting city and county governments and the operation of state government, must flow. And he is currently in charge of the planning for redrawing Shelby County's state House districts after the 2010 census. Todd was stopped by Metro Nashville police before midnight and, according to the arresting officers' affidavit, officers detected "an obvious and strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle." Todd agreed to the officers' request to step out of his vehicle. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/12/rep-curry-todd-collierville-arrested-nashville-dui/
Tennessee won't apply for pre-K federal funds (Associated Press)
Tennessee education officials say they will not apply for up to $60 million in federal funds for early childhood education because the requirements don't meet the state's needs. Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman told The Memphis Commercial Appeal that it's hard to understand why the state wouldn't want to get more money from the Race to the Top education grant program that already gave Tennessee $500 million to reform schools. The main reason not to apply, Huffman said, is that the money can't be used to expand existing prekindergarten services. “W e want to be very careful in the current fiscal environment not to take on additional activities we can't sustain financially,” Huffman said. But advocates from Memphis and other places are urging state leaders to invest in early childhood education.Tennessee Rep. G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis, said he and other early childhood education advocates hope to talk with state education officials next week. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS04/310130025/Tennessee-won-t-apply-pre-K-federal-funds? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News
UT seeing significant shift toward STEM degrees (News-Sentinel/Boehnke)
In a microbiology lab at the University of Tennessee, while studying yeast proteins that could someday help design better medical drugs, then-freshman Madelyn Crawford decided that was the kind of research she wanted to do for the rest of her life. Crawford, now a junior, is among the growing number of UT students opting to study science, technology, engineering or math over other degree programs. Since 2005, the number of students enrolled in STEM disciplines across all degree levels at UT jumped 28 percent, while those numbers rose 41 percent among undergraduates. In that same time period, UT's overall enrollment rose about 5 percent, according to university data. "That doesn't mean other disciplines aren't important on campus, but there has been a shift and that's good for us," said Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, who added that the university hasn't specifically recruited undergraduate students into science and math degrees. Instead, Cheek pointed to an improvement in the quality of those programs, high job placement and entry-level pay in those fields and freshmen classes that are consistently more accomplished than the year before. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/13/ut-seeing-significant-shift-toward-stem-degrees/ 2
Health official visits city (Jackson Sun)
State Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner made his first visit to Jackson on Wednesday. He took a tour of the West Regional Department of Health Office and the Jackson-Madison County Health Department. Wednesday's trip was Dreyzehner's first visit to West Tennessee since being sworn in as health commissioner 17 days ago. Dreyzehner met with nurses, doctors and others who work in the city's public health offices. State Rep. Jimmy Eldridge, R-Jackson, accompanied Dreyzehner on his visit. "Governor Haslam made the right choice in picking Dreyzehner," Eldridge said. The West Regional Office is responsible for leadership and management of 19 county health departments — every county west of the Tennessee River except for Shelby and Madison counties. The office includes a tuberculosis clinic for testing and treatment, an HIV treatment clinic, a dental clinic and one of three state public health laboratories. Dreyzehner, 48, met with the personnel who run those facilities. Dreyzehner said one of his reasons for the visit was to ask the people in the field working day to day their thoughts on how to improve public health. One of his visions includes promoting rural health practices. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20111013/NEWS01/110130318/Health-official-visits-city
Knox County woman charged with TennCare fraud (Knoxville News-Sentinel)
A Knox County woman is charged with using TennCare to pay for a fraudulent prescription. The Office of Inspector General and Knox County Sheriff's Office today announced the arrest of Vera Natascha Milligan, 36, for allegedly taking an altered prescription for a controlled substance to a pharmacy and using TennCare public health-care insurance benefits to pay for the drug. Milligan faces one count of TennCare fraud, one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, and two counts of forgery. TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison, and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years per charge in prison. District Attorney General Randall Nichols is prosecuting. Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 or visiting http://www.tn.gov/tnoig . http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/12/knox-county-woman-charged-with-tenncare-fraud/
Knox Co. woman charged with TennCare fraud (W VLT-TV Knoxville)
A Knox Co. woman was charged with using TennCare to use a fraudulent prescrption, the Office of the Inspector General announced on Thursday. Vera Natascha Milligan, 36, is accused of taking an altered prescription to a pharmacy and using TennCare to pay for it. For that, she's facing one count each of TennCare fraud and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud as well as two counts of forgery. TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison, and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years per charge in prison, according to the OIG. http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/Knox_Co_woman_charged_with_TennCare_fraud_131624543.html? ref=543
Mayor Rowland honored for service (Cleveland Daily Banner)
Tuesday was open mike night in the Museum Center at Five Points as a long line of friends congratulated Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland for being the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history. Rowland achieved the distinction in 2008 when he surpassed the late Harry Dethero, who served 17 years from 1966 to 1983. The evening was, as master of ceremonies Steve Hartline said, “an old-fashioned testimony service.” State Rep. Kevin Brooks presented a state proclamation signed by Bill Haslam recognition of the mayor’s 20 years Gov. in in office. That was followed by the reading of a congratulatory letter written by U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann. “As the longest serving mayor, it is a testament to the confidence your city has in your leadership,” Fleischmann wrote. “Thank you very much,” the mayor said. “Sandra (the mayor’s wife) and I appreciate and love all of you and thank you for letting us have this journey of a little over 20 years. It has been great.” http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/16014838/article-Mayor-Rowland-honored-for-service? instance=main_article
Craig Brewer channels his life, passion into 'Footloose' remake (CA/Beifuss)
A key to the remake of "Footloose," which opens Friday, is that the dance-loving rebel kid character and the dance-forbidding preacher aren't so much antagonists as wary, unintentional allies, trying to do what's best for the girl they love…Brewer said he loved the Georgia experience, but it remains a touchy subject. He had wanted to shoot "Footloose" in his home state, like his previous projects, but tax incentives lured the $24 million production to Georgia. The backlash over the loss of such a high-profile Paramount/MTV Films production led to 3
charges that the state film board was favorable to Nashville and East Tennessee but lax in promoting Memphis. Partly in response, last month Gov. Bill Haslamappointed Brewer and Stax songwriter David Porter to Tennessee's Film, Entertainment and Music Commission, to ensure a powerful Memphis presence on the ninemember board. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/13/craig-brewer-channels-life-passion-footloose/
Clarksville traffic issues to be addressed by Exit 11 project (Leaf Chronicle)
Construction to correct traffic issues near the Sango Road/Highway 76 intersection and Exit 11 are expected to begin in spring of 2012, Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan said. In late 2010, the Tennessee Department of Transportation conducted a safety audit on the area, said B.J. Doughty, the public information manager for TDOT. She said the department conducts a number of these each year where safety issues are present. "In this case, we wanted to address the backups and conflicts that were occurring on both the eastbound on- and off ramps —- mainly due to the close proximity to the Sango Road intersection," Doughty said in an e-mail. McMillan said that as a result of the TDOT audit, the Sango Road/Highway 76 project was combined with the Exit 11 project and will cost $1.5 million. The project will include realignment of the eastbound on- and off-ramps, new signs and new signal lights that will be coordinated to improve traffic flow, Doughty said. Jack Frazier, engineering supervisor for the Street Department, said at Sango Road, the road will be expanded to three lanes all the way back to the park-and-ride lot. One lane will be a dedicated right turn lane and another will be for left turns. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20111013/NEWS01/110130319/Clarksville-traffic-issues-addressed-byExit-11-project?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Amazon’s tax & jobs deal receives local praise (Oak Ridger)
While other states continue to “battle” giant online retailer Amazon.com, Oak Ridge state lawmaker Randy McNally is commending Tennessee officials for reaching a pact with the company to collect Tennessee sales tax beginning in 2014. The agreement, announced late last week, will also bring 3,500 jobs to the Volunteer State … or 2,000 more than previously expected. “It is a fair and equitable agreement, which I fully support,” state Sen. McNally, R-Oak Ridge, said in a press release. “… We are in a far better position than we were left by the previous administration.” Gov. Bill Haslam and Amazon.com officials announced on Thursday that the online retailer will begin collecting state sales taxes beginning on January 1, 2014. Amazon also announced it will build two more distribution centers in the state and generate 2,000 more full-time jobs than previously expected. The Seattle-based company said it will invest $350 million in Tennessee over the next three years. Haslam, during a press conference, said he would introduce legislation next year to solidify the deal. He said the deal with Amazon keeps 1,500 jobs at distribution centers in Cleveland and Chattanooga, confirms 500 jobs will be at a previously announced center in Lebanon and adds 1,500 jobs at the new facilities. http://www.oakridger.com/business/x1581995586/Amazon-s-tax-jobs-deal-receives-local-praise
Sales tax legislation could affect Amazon deal (Tennessean/Bewley)
Lebanon business owner A.J. McCall traveled to Washington Wednesday to promote a bill that would let states collect sales tax on items sold online. Under current law, retailers that don’t have a physical presence in a state don’t have to collect sales tax on products they sell there. A bill introduced W ednesday by Reps. Steve Womack, R-Ark., and Jackie Speier, D-Calif., would change that to allow states to force online retailers to collect sales taxes. McCall said the bill would help his furniture stores compete with Internet companies. “Every year a greater percentage of our business goes to the Internet,” McCall said. “If you can go on one person’s website and buy something without having to pay tax, and then you go (to my store) and you have to pay tax, it’s really a fairness issue.” McCall is seen as an unlikely spokesman for sales-tax fairness because his company, D.T. McCall & Sons, has been under investigation since last year on allegations it had underreported cash purchases to avoid sales tax. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Kristin Helm said Wednesday the case will soon be closed “with no criminal prosecution” at the request of W ilson County District Attorney Tommy Thompson, who took over the probe. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS21/310130030/Sales-tax-legislation-could-affect-Amazondeal?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s
Knox
retailers
call
on
Congress
to
close
online
tax
loophole
(News4
Sentinel/Collins)
Morgan Hardy watched in frustration as a man walked into his comics and games shop last week, picked out what he wanted to buy, and then used his cell phone to order the merchandise on eBay. By ordering online, the customer was able to avoid paying the 9.25 percent sales tax he would have been charged if he'd bought the goods in Hardy's store. "Customers are getting more brazen," said Hardy, who owns Organized Play in Knoxville's Old City. "They have to. It's tough times for everybody." Hardy and other small retailers from across the country lobbied Congress on Wednesday to fix what they say is a loophole that gives large online companies a significant price advantage over smaller mom-and-pop businesses. Remote sellers, such as online retailers, are not required under federal law to collect and remit sales taxes on goods sold in a particular state unless they have a physical presence, or nexus, within that state. Bricks-and-mortar businesses, on the other hand, must collect the taxes. They argue the policy gives giant online retailers a price advantage and makes it impossible for small companies to compete. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/12/knox-retailers-call-on-congress-toclose-online/
Tennessee brick-and-mortars hit Washington on Internet sales tax (M. Biz Journal)
Tennessee businesses are taking their calls for sales-tax reform to Washington, D.C., today, echoing recent pledges to see national reform of how online retailers must operate. The Alliance for Main Street Fairness, which had opposed a deal under former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen to waive sales taxes for Amazon.com in Tennessee, was scheduled to appear in Washington, D.C., at 2:30 p.m. central time today. Members in attendance included Dan Cantrell, a Nashville business owner who called on Tennessee to make Amazon collect sales taxes previously. Group members planned to attend the bill unveiling and to meet with members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation. As MBJ affiliate publication Nashville Business Journal previously reported, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker was reviewing legislation but hadn’t yet taken a position. The group’s calls join the general chorus that includes Amazon and Gov. Bill Haslam, the Republican who negotiated a new deal, as the NBJ first reported last week. Brick-and-mortar retailers and Amazon, however, are likely to have different visions of what national sales-tax reform should look like. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2011/10/12/tennessee-brick-and-mortars-hit.html
Nashville Dems Talk TN Tourism on Metro ‘Jobs Tour’ (TN Report)
Tourism got the spotlight in the latest leg of the Tennessee Democrats’ jobs tour Tuesday — from talk of largescale investments in marketing the state in general down to a specific proposal for an African-American music museum in Nashville. Rep. Mike Turner of Old Hickory, the Democratic caucus chair, was the only legislator to hit all four spots of the day’s schedule in Nashville. Democrats heard about the attributes of funding for marketing from Gaylord CEO Colin Reed and heard the prospects of a music museum at a roundtable on minority business later in the day. But at every turn, education also came into the discussion, especially at a morning meeting with the Madison-Rivergate Area Chamber of Commerce. W hen the day was over, six Democratic legislators had participated in at least one stop of the tour, and Turner repeatedly said the spirit of the mission was to be bipartisan, noting that Gov. Bill Haslam is having his own meetings with businesses throughout the state. http://www.tnreport.com/2011/10/nashville-dems-talk-tn-tourism-on-metro-jobs-tour/
Ramsey begins Red Tape Road Trips, critic questions ethics (Herald-Courier)
Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester says Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey is violating state ethics laws by using his office to promote a website funded by PAC contributions. Tomorrow, Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey kicks off a statewide series of discussions called the Red Tape Road Trips. Ramsey, who's from Blountville, says he wants to promote growth in the private sector by removing what he considers obstacles to businesses created by state government. But a leading Democrat, and one of Ramsey's most vocal critics, told 11 Connects' George Jackson he thinks the tour constitutes a violation of state ethics laws. {**REPORT**} GEORGE JACKSON, reporter: "Are you investigating state government?" RAMSEY: "I wouldn't say investigating, but I am trying to streamline it." In March, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey launched a new website. TNRedTape.com tries to solve problems created by state government. http://www2.tricities.com/news/2011/oct/13/ramsey-begins-red-tape-road-trips-critic-questions-ar-1379881/
Local case spurs photo ID process review (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Sher)
The widely publicized case of 96-year-old Dorothy Cooper, of Chattanooga, who ran into problems seeking a free photo ID to vote under a new Tennessee law, has taught officials an invaluable lesson, state Safety Commissioner Bill Gibbons said Wednesday. "In terms of other individuals who may be in that situation again, we're encouraging our employees to use some common-sense discretion in deciding whether or not that person 5
is presenting documentation that is legitimate and issue the photo ID accordingly," Gibbons said. He said the department has contacted Cooper and told her she would be issued the photo ID if she returns to a driver service center. Cooper initially said after being turned away from the service center on Cherokee Boulevard that she intended to vote absentee, a process in which one mails his or her vote to authorities and does not require a photo ID. Gibbons' comments came during a news conference in which he, Secretary of State Tré Hargett and the Tennessee AARP outlined additional steps aimed at smoothing over difficulties some would-be voters are experiencing. Today, Gibbons will join Hamilton County Clerk Bill Knowles at the Hamilton County Courthouse for a news conference about the additional services. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/13/local-case-spurs-id-process-review/?local
Local clerks to help issue photo driver's licenses (Associated Press)
State officials say 30 county clerks across Tennessee have agreed to issue photo driver's licenses at no charge to registered voters who do not have them. Under a new state law, starting in 2012 voters will have to show a state or federal photo ID to vote in Tennessee. According to state officials, county clerks will provide this service beginning next Monday and continuing through March 12, a week after the presidential primary election. Additionally, beginning in November, driver service centers will be open on the first Saturday of each month in 15 counties to make photo driver's licenses or IDs for voting purposes only. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37672009.story
Clerk to provide free service to citizens lacking license photo (City Paper)
Beginning Oct. 17, Davidson County’s approximately 8,500 registered voters who have a driver’s license without a photo will be able to add one at no charge at the county clerk’s main office, located at 700 Second Ave S. In a release, the office of county clerk John Arriola said it has partnered with the Tennessee Department of Safety to begin the free upgrades this month and continue them through March 12, as the state prepares for a new law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls. “We want to do everything we can to help voters be prepared when they go to the polls,” Arriola said in the release. “I feel good that we can offer this service to our customers at no cost.” State law allows drivers who are 60 and older to remove their photos from their licenses during renewal periods. More than 126,000 registered voters statewide have chosen this option, and 8,481 of those are in Davidson County, the release said. Arriola contracted with the state to offer license renewal and duplicates in 2007. The Davidson County Clerk’s Office handles nearly 200 of such transactions per week and provides an alternative for those who would otherwise have to visit the state’s driver service centers, which also handle regular photo IDs and road testing for driver’s licenses. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/clerk-provide-free-service-citizens-lacking-license-photo
Davidson voters can add photo on driver's license for free (Tennessean/Cass)
More than 8,400 registered Davidson County voters who don’t have a photo on their driver’s license can add one for free at the county clerk’s main office, starting Monday. Clerk John Arriola said the free license upgrades will continue through March 12 to help voters get ready for implementation of a new state law requiring them to show photo identification before casting their ballots. “We want to do everything we can to help voters be prepared when they go to the polls,” Arriola said in a news release Wednesday. State law lets drivers 60 and older remove their photos from their licenses during renewal periods, and 8,481 Davidson County voters — among 126,000 statewide — have done so, the release said. The clerk’s main office is at 700 Second Ave. S. Voters who don’t have a driver’s license already can go to a driver service center at 624 Hart Lane or 6604 Centennial Blvd. or a state express ID center at 312 Eighth Ave. N. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS02/310130026/Davidson-voters-can-add-photo-driver-slicense-free?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News
Hamilton Co. election panel considers voter ID, District 3 boundaries (TFP/Haman)
The Hamilton County Election Commission is waiting on the County Commission to determine whether the March primary will be held using old or new boundaries before notifying voters of coming district changes. At a meeting Wednesday, Election Commission Chairman Mike Walden told his board they would have to wait on the County Commission to decide whether to run the District 3 primary, set for March, on old boundaries or new ones. Every 10 years, after each U.S. census, states require their counties to draw new district boundaries based on population shifts and minority concentrations to maintain the federal one-man-one-vote mandate. This year’s redistricting plan is due to the state by Jan. 1. After the County Commission’s decision is made, the election commission will get to work changing voter registration cards and getting them out to affected voters. “W e’re 6
hoping they will make an amendment to a resolution to go along with the redistricting lines for County Commission District 3 only,” W alden said. County Commission Chairman Larry Henry said earlier this week he plans to introduce a measure to have the newly drawn political boundaries apply in the March special election primary. The election will fill the remainder of former District 3 Commissioner Jim Coppinger’s term. Coppinger was appointed to fill former Mayor Claude Ramsey’s role after Gov. Bill Haslam tapped Ramsey to be deputy governor in January. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/13/hamilton-county-election-panel-considers-voter-id-/?local
It Ain't Over Yet (Memphis Flyer)
Wharton, other incumbents win big, but a potentially edgy council runoff remains. Unsurprisingly, there were no surprises in the 2011 Memphis city election — unless you count the apparent irrelevance of Mayor A C Wharton's maiden effort at a Ford-style coattails ballot. Otherwise, the mayor — who breezed to an easy 2-to-1 victory over his closest opponent, former city councilman Edmund Ford Sr. and eight other opponents — had no worries. Or did he? The mayor began his remarks at his Botanic Garden victory celebration with an uncharacteristic diatribe: "It just seems that people want to keep on insulting the citizens of our great city," he began, continuing in that vein for several minutes. Wharton's outburst took many onlookers aback, inasmuch as they were unaware of the apparent pretext for his remarks — an inflammatory personal accusation against the mayor, spoken to on signs held by demonstrators outside the Botanic Garden site. That interruption out of the way, the mayor segued into a traditional celebration. Also able to celebrate were the other incumbents who had opposition — including councilwoman Janis Fullilove in Super District 8, Position 2, who was opposed by Roslyn Nichols, a Wharton endorsee. Fullilove won over Nichols and two other opponents with a comfortable 57.83 percent of the total vote. http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/it-aint-over-yet/Content?oid=3065299
Dems vote to oust former chairman Fagan (Daily News Journal)
The Rutherford County Democratic Party is breaking ties with former chairman Jonathon Fagan after he took the stage with a Republican state senator to criticize a party officer for incorrectly voting as a convicted felon. The Democratic Party’s executive committee voted last week to remove Fagan from the party and to prohibit him from participating in any activity connected with the local Democratic Party, according to Treasurer Michael Cowger. Executive committee members made the decision, Cowger said, because of “the lies that he told during this last press conference. We thought everything he said was a lie, except that Tony Pegel had been convicted of a felony.” The group also voted unanimously to support Pegel, its vice chairman, who was targeted in the press conference two weeks ago by Republican state Sen. Bill Ketron as an example of the need for the voter photo ID act and election law reform because he voted 18 times after registering incorrectly to vote in 1992, eight years after being convicted of a felony. Fagan said that day he joined Ketron because he felt a radical fringe had taken over the local Democratic Party. Contacted by The DNJ, Fagan said he had not been notified that the Democratic Party has kicked him out. http://www.dnj.com/article/20111012/NEW S01/111011027/Dems-vote-oust-former-chairman-Fagan
Tennessee Senators Vote Against President’s Jobs Bill (W PLN-Radio Nashville)
Tennessee’s Senators joined their Republican colleagues in blocking President Obama’s 400 billion dollar jobs bill. Last night, the bill failed to get the 60 votes needed to continue in the Senate. The President’s bill includes about 270 billion dollars in tax cuts and 175 billion dollars in spending on schools, roads, and other infrastructure projects. To get the economy moving, Senator Lamar Alexander said Congress should consider free trade agreements, tax and regulatory reform, and reform of entitlement programs like Medicare. Senator Bob Corker said Tuesday’s procedural vote on the jobs bill means the Senate will delay consideration of free trade agreements with South Korea and other countries. Corker says those agreements will do more to spur economic growth than the President’s proposal. Obama says he will work with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to see that individual parts of his bill gain a vote as soon as possible. http://wpln.org/?p=30837
Spellings warns against dismantling 'No Child' law (Tennessean/Hubbard)
Bush education secretary worries new proposal will hurt minority kids Former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, a leading enforcer of the federal No Child Left Behind law, says she worries a proposal to dismantle that system would be a step backward for the nation’s 50 million students. Spellings was a headliner at a 7
Chamber Education 2020 speaker series in Nashville on Wednesday. Tennessee was one of the first states to ask the Obama administration for freedom from some of NCLB’s measures. Learning gains among poor, disabled and minority children under NCLB might seem modest but represent thousands of kids who could be lost in the shuffle under a new plan, Spellings said. That plan would require states to evaluate teachers regularly, plus produce college and career readiness plans for students and measure their learning gains. NCLB awarded schools and districts pass/fail status based on standardized test scores of all student groups. Spellings, appointed by President George W . Bush, heads her own company and serves as a senior adviser to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She spoke with The Tennessean about her concerns: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS04/310130045/Spellings-warns-against-dismantling-NoChild-law?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s
Supreme Court refuses to consider Anderson schools' flag ban (NS/Satterfield)
The U.S. Supreme Court this week refused to consider the case of a former Anderson County High School student who insisted a ban on the display of the Confederate flag violated his constitutional right to free speech. The high court's decision not to accept the case leaves intact U.S. District Judge Tom Varlan's 2009 ruling that the school system had the right to restrict students' exercise of their free speech rights in the interests of school safety. Anderson County student Tom Defoe filed suit against the school system after he was suspended in 2006 for twice violating the dress code — once when he donned a T-shirt bearing the Confederate flag and once when he wore a belt buckle displaying the same flag. He insisted the flag was a symbol of his Southern heritage and that the ban violated his right to free speech. Attorney Arthur F. Knight III and Jonathan Taylor countered that Anderson County's high schools were teeming with racial strife between white students and black or Hispanic students, and the Confederate flag ban was designed to prevent racial violence. A trial ended in a hung jury. Knight then asked Varlan to toss out the case as a matter of law, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows school officials to restrict students' free speech rights when the exercise thereof could cause disruptions in the learning environment. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/12/us-supreme-court-refuses-to-consider-anderson/
After raid, Gibson Guitar hires lobbyists to change law (Tennessean/Bewley)
At a forum on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Gibson Guitar Corporation CEO Henry Juszkiewicz said the federal investigation into the company’s international wood deals has hurt sales and cost the company millions in fees. “W e are really having a difficult time,” Juszkiewicz told GOP lawmakers at a discussion about the government’s “assault on private property.” “We’ve had a lot of our raw materials seized, and it’s really hard to come up with alternatives in a very short period of time,” he said. “So we’re not producing the guitars that our customers necessarily want, we’re just producing whatever we can get materials for.” The cost of legal fees, manufacturing disruptions and finding new materials has amounted to more than $3 million, he said. Now the company has a new expense to add to that list: payments to lobbyists. As a result of an Aug. 24 raid on Gibson’s headquarters and manufacturing plants, the company has hired a Washington law firm, Crowley & Morley LLP, to lobby on the Lacey Act. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS01/310130050/After-raid-Gibson-Guitar-hires-lobbyistschange-law?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News
Gallup Poll: 35% oppose death penalty (USA Today)
More than one-third of Americans now oppose the death penalty — the highest level in nearly 40 years — according to a Gallup Poll out Thursday. Moreover, those who believe the death penalty is being applied fairly, and those who say it isn't used often enough, are at the lowest levels in a decade, underscoring significant changes in attitudes. Gallup found that 35% of those polled oppose the death penalty — the highest opposition since March 1972. That year, the Supreme Court effectively ruled that the death penalty was constitutional unless it was applied unfairly. By 1976, several states had reinstituted capital punishment. Just 40% of those polled last week believe the death penalty isn't imposed often enough, the lowest level since May 2001. The poll was conducted shortly after two controversial cases drew attention: the September execution of Troy Davis and last week's Supreme Court hearing involving Alabama death row inmate Cory Maples. Davis was executed despite evidence that he may have been wrongly convicted in the 1989 murder of Savannah, Ga., police officer Mark MacPhail. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/story/2011-10-12/gallup-poll-death-penalty/50747430/1
TVA coal fly ash decision now in judge's hands (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Marcum)
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A decision in the first of two sets of lawsuits involving the Kingston coal ash spill is now in the hands of a judge, although a decision is not likely for months. The four-week trial concluded Wednesday in U.S. District Court in a case where 230 plaintiffs in five lawsuits are seeking damages from TVA. Judge Tom Varlan set a Jan. 12 deadline for lawyers in the case to make post-trial submissions, which he said he will review before issuing written findings on whether TVA bears legal blame for the Dec. 22, 2008, ash spill at the utility's Kingston Fossil Plant. If he rules that TVA does bear responsibility, another phase of the trial will be scheduled in which the 230 plaintiffs will have a chance to prove damages. Separate from the current trial, a second round of ash spill lawsuits against TVA are set to go to trial Nov. 1. These 38 cases represent 78 plaintiffs, and that trial will follow the same pattern as the first, with the first phase focusing on determining TVA's blame and a damages phase if TVA is found liable. Varlan set a tentative date of Oct. 24 to consider preliminary matters for the November trial. In closing arguments W ednesday, lawyers recapped the case from their perspective, with Jeff Friedman of Birminham, Ala., representing plaintiffs and Edwin Small representing TVA. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/12/tva-coal-fly-ash-decision-now-in-judges-hands/
Eagleville High expansion considered (Tennessean)
The Rutherford County Commission will consider a $3.5 million classroom expansion for Eagleville High School today. Rutherford County Schools Director Harry Gill Jr. reported that the Eagleville project will add eight classrooms, a science lab, one teacher workroom, restrooms, a teacher work area, elevator access, hallway lockers, teacher restrooms and 13,600 square feet of unfinished space for restrooms, according to the minutes of the commission’s Budget, Finance & Investment Committee last week. The Eagleville school depends on 14 portable classrooms. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS04/310130068/Eagleville-Highexpansion-considered?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p
Schools superintendent's budget options cause concern, raise ?s (NS/McCoy)
As with a number of smaller schools, Corryton Elementary School, is the focal point of its community. "It's close knit," said Knox County school board member Mike McMillian, who represents the school as part of the 8th District. "The school is the major thing out there. I think (closing the school) would have a big impact and I would certainly oppose closing it if we get to that point." Facing a $7 million deficit in its 2013 budget, Knox County Schools Superintendent Jim McIntyre is asking the school board to explore and look at five areas where cost savings could be an option, including the consolidation and closing of five small schools — Corryton, Gap Creek, Maynard, and South Knoxville elementaries and Vine Middle Magnet School. The other four areas are outsourcing custodian jobs, looking at high school staffing to support block scheduling, school start times and the community's use of school facilities. No recommendations or action have been made on any of the areas, McIntyre emphasized in his memo to the board, which meets for its mid-month work session Monday. School board members and community leaders weighed in on the memorandum, saying Wednesday, they still have a lot of questions. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/13/schools-superintendents-budget-options-cause/
South Carolina: Groups Sue Over Immigration Law (Associated Press)
Civil rights groups led by the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit on Wednesday to prevent the state’s new illegal immigration law from taking effect in January. The federal lawsuit names Gov. Nikki R. Haley and state Attorney General Alan Wilson as defendants along with Charleston County’s sheriff and a state prosecutor. The challengers say the law is unconstitutional because regulating immigration is a function of the federal government. The law requires police officers to check suspects’ immigration status and mandates that all businesses check their hires through a federal online system. It is similar to those the A.C.L.U. is challenging in Alabama, Arizona, Utah, Indiana and Georgia. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/us/south-carolina-groups-sue-over-immigration-law.html? _r=1&ref=todayspaper
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OPINION Editorial: TN should keep MTSU No. 1 on priority list (Daily News Journal)
We don't blame Gov. Bill Haslam for wanting to take a fresh look at higher education construction projects before committing hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to campuses throughout the state. Having a master plan for such expenditures makes sense. And we certainly hope his request means that the state is indeed getting ready to make some needed investment in higher education, including on the campus of MTSU in the form of a longawaited new science building. In a memorandum sent out in recent weeks, Haslam and Richard Rhoda, executive director of the State of Tennessee Higher Education Commission, have asked Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan and University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro to make a "fresh assessment of their respective systems' capital project priorities." For the TBR, we trust that fresh assessment yields an old answer at the top: MTSU's proposed new $126 million science building, which has been atop the list of THEC and TBR capital projects for several years awaiting a green light. Large capital projects such as this have been on hold because of tightening state budgets in recent years. But record low interest rates have state officials floating the idea of taking out a $1 billion-plus bond issue for campus construction as Tennessee moves forward with a plan to put more bachelor's degrees in the hands of its residents to create a more competitive workforce. http://www.dnj.com/article/20111013/OPINION01/110130320/Editorial-TN-should-keep-MTSU-No-1-priority-list
Free-Press Editorial: Sen. Corker optimistic on VW growth (Times Free-Press)
It is thrilling to contemplate not only Volkswagen's current $1 billion investment in a manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, but the possibility of VW significantly expanding operations and employment here. Thousands of local workers are already producing Passats at the large VW plant at Enterprise South industrial park. But we may have even more to look forward to in the coming months and years where VW is concerned. VW recently said it plans to invest, worldwide, roughly $86 billion over the next five years, in its effort to become the world's biggest car manufacturer. W hile it is unclear what portion of that could be invested in Chattanooga, it is certainly interesting that the local VW plant has a great deal of room for expansion. Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, noted that the Chattanooga plant could readily boost production from 150,000 vehicles to 250,000 vehicles annually if it added some lines in its paint shop. And with the remaining land that VW has at Enterprise South, it could boost total production to 500,000 cars per year by building another plant on the property there, Browning said. The prospects obviously encourage U.S. Sen. Bob Corker of Chattanooga, who said during the annual meeting of the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association that VW considers Chattanooga "the kind of place they can flourish. I think they will, and I think there will be more happen here." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/13/sen-corkers-vw-optimism/?opinionfreepress
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The Collierville sponsor of the law that made it legal to carry a gun into bars in Tennessee is facing charges of possession of a handgun while under the influence and drunken driving. Rep. Curry Todd, a Collierville Republican, was pulled over in Nashville late Tuesday, according to court documents. Police said he failed a roadside sobriety test and refused to take a Breathalyzer test. A loaded .38-caliber gun was found in a holster stuffed between the driver's seat and center console. A police affidavit said Todd was unsteady on his feet, "almost falling down at times." It concluded that Todd was "obviously very impaired and not in any condition to be carrying a loaded handgun." The legislator posted bail of $3,000 and was released from jail Wednesday morning. In a written statement Wednesday evening, Todd said he would not comment on specifics of the incident on the advice of his attorney other than to say he was "deeply sorry." "I will have a conversation with (Tennessee House) Speaker (Beth) Harwell to determine whether it is in the best interest of the General Assembly for me to step aside as chairman of the state and local government committee," he added. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/oct/13/tenn-gun-bill-sponsor-faces-dui-firearm-charges/
Author of 'Guns in Bars' bill arrested for DUI (City Paper/Whitehouse)
State Rep. Curry Todd (R-Collierville), chief sponsor of the controversial "guns in bars" bill, was arrested in Nashville Tuesday night. Todd was picked up by Metro Police and charged with DUI and possession of a handgun while under the influence. He was released on $3,000 bond. Todd's GMC Envoy was stopped near the corner of 21st and Blair at about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday. Police say they detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. In performing a field sobriety test, police said Todd "demonstrated numerous indicators of impairment and the officer noted that the subject was unsteady on his feet, almost falling down at times. His speech was slurred, his eyes were red, watery and bloodshot." Todd refused a field sobriety test. According to an affidavit, police also found a loaded Smith and W esson .38 Special between the driver’s seat and the car’s center console. A search of a handgun carry permit database provided by the Commercial Appeal in Memphis shows Todd does have a permit. Tennessee law prohibits possession of a handgun while under the influence. It is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $2,500. Todd's permit may be suspended for up to three years. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/author-guns-bars-billarrested-dui-unlawful-possession-handgun
DUI, gun charge put TN lawmaker's career in doubt (Tennessean/Gee)
If state Rep. Curry Todd is to be punished politically for getting arrested on charges that he drove drunk with a loaded gun Tuesday night, it will be the public, rather than his General Assembly colleagues, swinging the paddle. Todd’s arrest drew national media attention — fueled by the fact that he sponsored a controversial law that allows handgun carry permit holders to take guns into bars in Tennessee. But legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle expressed support for the Collierville Republican on Wednesday and rejected calls that he be asked to resign or stripped of a committee chairmanship. House GOP leader Gerald McCormick, RChattanooga, said Todd has done a “good job” as chairman of the House State and Local Government Committee and that he “certainly” hopes Todd can keep the post. Rep. Mike Turner, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, agreed. “I think he’s one of the best chairmen we have up there,” said Turner, D-Old Hickory. “I’m not going to beat somebody up for making a mistake. I don’t think you’ll ever see him get in this situation again.” http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS02/310130046/DUI-gun-charge-put-TN-lawmaker-s-careerdoubt?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Rep. Curry Todd, guns-in-bars law sponsor, faces DUI (Times Free-Press/Sher)
The Tuesday night arrest of state Rep. Curry Todd, sponsor of Tennessee's controversial guns-in-bars law, on DUI and handgun possession charges, quickly found its way into the political sphere Wednesday. Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester called Todd's reported actions "embarrassing to himself and the state of Tennessee. House Speaker Beth Harwell would do the entire a state a great service by asking Todd to resign or explain why she condones this unacceptable behavior from Republican leadership." In a statement, Todd said he is "deeply sorry for the events of last evening. On the advice of legal counsel, I have decided not to make any public comments about the situation at this time." He said he plans to talk with Harwell when she returns from an out-of-state trip "to determine whether it is in the best interest of the General Assembly for me to step aside as Chairman of the State and Local Government Committee." On a personal note, Todd said, "I am incredibly grateful for the calls of support from constituents, colleagues, and friends about this incident." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/13/guns-in-bars-law-sponsor-faces-dui/?local
Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville arrested in Nashville on DUI, gun charge (CA/Locker)
State Rep. Curry Todd, the Collierville Republican who worked for years to win last year's approval of a law allowing gun-carry permit holders to go armed into places serving alcohol, was arrested here late Tuesday on charges of drunk driving, possession of a handgun while under the influence and refusing to take a breath alcohol test. He was released from the Davidson County Jail on $3,000 bond about 8:30 this morning. Todd, 63, was a career Memphis police officer and for years president of the Memphis Police Association and the MPA's legislative lobbyist before his election to the Tennessee legislature in 1998. He is chairman of the House's powerful State and Local Government Committee, through which all legislation affecting city and county governments and the operation of state government, must flow. And he is currently in charge of the planning for redrawing Shelby County's state House districts after the 2010 census. Todd was stopped by Metro Nashville police before midnight and, according to the arresting officers' affidavit, officers detected "an obvious and strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle." Todd agreed to the officers' request to step out of his vehicle. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/12/rep-curry-todd-collierville-arrested-nashville-dui/
Tennessee won't apply for pre-K federal funds (Associated Press)
Tennessee education officials say they will not apply for up to $60 million in federal funds for early childhood education because the requirements don't meet the state's needs. Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman told The Memphis Commercial Appeal that it's hard to understand why the state wouldn't want to get more money from the Race to the Top education grant program that already gave Tennessee $500 million to reform schools. The main reason not to apply, Huffman said, is that the money can't be used to expand existing prekindergarten services. “W e want to be very careful in the current fiscal environment not to take on additional activities we can't sustain financially,” Huffman said. But advocates from Memphis and other places are urging state leaders to invest in early childhood education.Tennessee Rep. G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis, said he and other early childhood education advocates hope to talk with state education officials next week. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS04/310130025/Tennessee-won-t-apply-pre-K-federal-funds? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News
UT seeing significant shift toward STEM degrees (News-Sentinel/Boehnke)
In a microbiology lab at the University of Tennessee, while studying yeast proteins that could someday help design better medical drugs, then-freshman Madelyn Crawford decided that was the kind of research she wanted to do for the rest of her life. Crawford, now a junior, is among the growing number of UT students opting to study science, technology, engineering or math over other degree programs. Since 2005, the number of students enrolled in STEM disciplines across all degree levels at UT jumped 28 percent, while those numbers rose 41 percent among undergraduates. In that same time period, UT's overall enrollment rose about 5 percent, according to university data. "That doesn't mean other disciplines aren't important on campus, but there has been a shift and that's good for us," said Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, who added that the university hasn't specifically recruited undergraduate students into science and math degrees. Instead, Cheek pointed to an improvement in the quality of those programs, high job placement and entry-level pay in those fields and freshmen classes that are consistently more accomplished than the year before. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/13/ut-seeing-significant-shift-toward-stem-degrees/ 2
Health official visits city (Jackson Sun)
State Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner made his first visit to Jackson on Wednesday. He took a tour of the West Regional Department of Health Office and the Jackson-Madison County Health Department. Wednesday's trip was Dreyzehner's first visit to West Tennessee since being sworn in as health commissioner 17 days ago. Dreyzehner met with nurses, doctors and others who work in the city's public health offices. State Rep. Jimmy Eldridge, R-Jackson, accompanied Dreyzehner on his visit. "Governor Haslam made the right choice in picking Dreyzehner," Eldridge said. The West Regional Office is responsible for leadership and management of 19 county health departments — every county west of the Tennessee River except for Shelby and Madison counties. The office includes a tuberculosis clinic for testing and treatment, an HIV treatment clinic, a dental clinic and one of three state public health laboratories. Dreyzehner, 48, met with the personnel who run those facilities. Dreyzehner said one of his reasons for the visit was to ask the people in the field working day to day their thoughts on how to improve public health. One of his visions includes promoting rural health practices. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20111013/NEWS01/110130318/Health-official-visits-city
Knox County woman charged with TennCare fraud (Knoxville News-Sentinel)
A Knox County woman is charged with using TennCare to pay for a fraudulent prescription. The Office of Inspector General and Knox County Sheriff's Office today announced the arrest of Vera Natascha Milligan, 36, for allegedly taking an altered prescription for a controlled substance to a pharmacy and using TennCare public health-care insurance benefits to pay for the drug. Milligan faces one count of TennCare fraud, one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, and two counts of forgery. TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison, and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years per charge in prison. District Attorney General Randall Nichols is prosecuting. Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 or visiting http://www.tn.gov/tnoig . http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/12/knox-county-woman-charged-with-tenncare-fraud/
Knox Co. woman charged with TennCare fraud (W VLT-TV Knoxville)
A Knox Co. woman was charged with using TennCare to use a fraudulent prescrption, the Office of the Inspector General announced on Thursday. Vera Natascha Milligan, 36, is accused of taking an altered prescription to a pharmacy and using TennCare to pay for it. For that, she's facing one count each of TennCare fraud and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud as well as two counts of forgery. TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison, and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years per charge in prison, according to the OIG. http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/Knox_Co_woman_charged_with_TennCare_fraud_131624543.html? ref=543
Mayor Rowland honored for service (Cleveland Daily Banner)
Tuesday was open mike night in the Museum Center at Five Points as a long line of friends congratulated Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland for being the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history. Rowland achieved the distinction in 2008 when he surpassed the late Harry Dethero, who served 17 years from 1966 to 1983. The evening was, as master of ceremonies Steve Hartline said, “an old-fashioned testimony service.” State Rep. Kevin Brooks presented a state proclamation signed by Bill Haslam recognition of the mayor’s 20 years Gov. in in office. That was followed by the reading of a congratulatory letter written by U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann. “As the longest serving mayor, it is a testament to the confidence your city has in your leadership,” Fleischmann wrote. “Thank you very much,” the mayor said. “Sandra (the mayor’s wife) and I appreciate and love all of you and thank you for letting us have this journey of a little over 20 years. It has been great.” http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/16014838/article-Mayor-Rowland-honored-for-service? instance=main_article
Craig Brewer channels his life, passion into 'Footloose' remake (CA/Beifuss)
A key to the remake of "Footloose," which opens Friday, is that the dance-loving rebel kid character and the dance-forbidding preacher aren't so much antagonists as wary, unintentional allies, trying to do what's best for the girl they love…Brewer said he loved the Georgia experience, but it remains a touchy subject. He had wanted to shoot "Footloose" in his home state, like his previous projects, but tax incentives lured the $24 million production to Georgia. The backlash over the loss of such a high-profile Paramount/MTV Films production led to 3
charges that the state film board was favorable to Nashville and East Tennessee but lax in promoting Memphis. Partly in response, last month Gov. Bill Haslamappointed Brewer and Stax songwriter David Porter to Tennessee's Film, Entertainment and Music Commission, to ensure a powerful Memphis presence on the ninemember board. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/13/craig-brewer-channels-life-passion-footloose/
Clarksville traffic issues to be addressed by Exit 11 project (Leaf Chronicle)
Construction to correct traffic issues near the Sango Road/Highway 76 intersection and Exit 11 are expected to begin in spring of 2012, Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan said. In late 2010, the Tennessee Department of Transportation conducted a safety audit on the area, said B.J. Doughty, the public information manager for TDOT. She said the department conducts a number of these each year where safety issues are present. "In this case, we wanted to address the backups and conflicts that were occurring on both the eastbound on- and off ramps —- mainly due to the close proximity to the Sango Road intersection," Doughty said in an e-mail. McMillan said that as a result of the TDOT audit, the Sango Road/Highway 76 project was combined with the Exit 11 project and will cost $1.5 million. The project will include realignment of the eastbound on- and off-ramps, new signs and new signal lights that will be coordinated to improve traffic flow, Doughty said. Jack Frazier, engineering supervisor for the Street Department, said at Sango Road, the road will be expanded to three lanes all the way back to the park-and-ride lot. One lane will be a dedicated right turn lane and another will be for left turns. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20111013/NEWS01/110130319/Clarksville-traffic-issues-addressed-byExit-11-project?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Amazon’s tax & jobs deal receives local praise (Oak Ridger)
While other states continue to “battle” giant online retailer Amazon.com, Oak Ridge state lawmaker Randy McNally is commending Tennessee officials for reaching a pact with the company to collect Tennessee sales tax beginning in 2014. The agreement, announced late last week, will also bring 3,500 jobs to the Volunteer State … or 2,000 more than previously expected. “It is a fair and equitable agreement, which I fully support,” state Sen. McNally, R-Oak Ridge, said in a press release. “… We are in a far better position than we were left by the previous administration.” Gov. Bill Haslam and Amazon.com officials announced on Thursday that the online retailer will begin collecting state sales taxes beginning on January 1, 2014. Amazon also announced it will build two more distribution centers in the state and generate 2,000 more full-time jobs than previously expected. The Seattle-based company said it will invest $350 million in Tennessee over the next three years. Haslam, during a press conference, said he would introduce legislation next year to solidify the deal. He said the deal with Amazon keeps 1,500 jobs at distribution centers in Cleveland and Chattanooga, confirms 500 jobs will be at a previously announced center in Lebanon and adds 1,500 jobs at the new facilities. http://www.oakridger.com/business/x1581995586/Amazon-s-tax-jobs-deal-receives-local-praise
Sales tax legislation could affect Amazon deal (Tennessean/Bewley)
Lebanon business owner A.J. McCall traveled to Washington Wednesday to promote a bill that would let states collect sales tax on items sold online. Under current law, retailers that don’t have a physical presence in a state don’t have to collect sales tax on products they sell there. A bill introduced W ednesday by Reps. Steve Womack, R-Ark., and Jackie Speier, D-Calif., would change that to allow states to force online retailers to collect sales taxes. McCall said the bill would help his furniture stores compete with Internet companies. “Every year a greater percentage of our business goes to the Internet,” McCall said. “If you can go on one person’s website and buy something without having to pay tax, and then you go (to my store) and you have to pay tax, it’s really a fairness issue.” McCall is seen as an unlikely spokesman for sales-tax fairness because his company, D.T. McCall & Sons, has been under investigation since last year on allegations it had underreported cash purchases to avoid sales tax. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Kristin Helm said Wednesday the case will soon be closed “with no criminal prosecution” at the request of W ilson County District Attorney Tommy Thompson, who took over the probe. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS21/310130030/Sales-tax-legislation-could-affect-Amazondeal?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s
Knox
retailers
call
on
Congress
to
close
online
tax
loophole
(News4
Sentinel/Collins)
Morgan Hardy watched in frustration as a man walked into his comics and games shop last week, picked out what he wanted to buy, and then used his cell phone to order the merchandise on eBay. By ordering online, the customer was able to avoid paying the 9.25 percent sales tax he would have been charged if he'd bought the goods in Hardy's store. "Customers are getting more brazen," said Hardy, who owns Organized Play in Knoxville's Old City. "They have to. It's tough times for everybody." Hardy and other small retailers from across the country lobbied Congress on Wednesday to fix what they say is a loophole that gives large online companies a significant price advantage over smaller mom-and-pop businesses. Remote sellers, such as online retailers, are not required under federal law to collect and remit sales taxes on goods sold in a particular state unless they have a physical presence, or nexus, within that state. Bricks-and-mortar businesses, on the other hand, must collect the taxes. They argue the policy gives giant online retailers a price advantage and makes it impossible for small companies to compete. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/12/knox-retailers-call-on-congress-toclose-online/
Tennessee brick-and-mortars hit Washington on Internet sales tax (M. Biz Journal)
Tennessee businesses are taking their calls for sales-tax reform to Washington, D.C., today, echoing recent pledges to see national reform of how online retailers must operate. The Alliance for Main Street Fairness, which had opposed a deal under former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen to waive sales taxes for Amazon.com in Tennessee, was scheduled to appear in Washington, D.C., at 2:30 p.m. central time today. Members in attendance included Dan Cantrell, a Nashville business owner who called on Tennessee to make Amazon collect sales taxes previously. Group members planned to attend the bill unveiling and to meet with members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation. As MBJ affiliate publication Nashville Business Journal previously reported, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker was reviewing legislation but hadn’t yet taken a position. The group’s calls join the general chorus that includes Amazon and Gov. Bill Haslam, the Republican who negotiated a new deal, as the NBJ first reported last week. Brick-and-mortar retailers and Amazon, however, are likely to have different visions of what national sales-tax reform should look like. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2011/10/12/tennessee-brick-and-mortars-hit.html
Nashville Dems Talk TN Tourism on Metro ‘Jobs Tour’ (TN Report)
Tourism got the spotlight in the latest leg of the Tennessee Democrats’ jobs tour Tuesday — from talk of largescale investments in marketing the state in general down to a specific proposal for an African-American music museum in Nashville. Rep. Mike Turner of Old Hickory, the Democratic caucus chair, was the only legislator to hit all four spots of the day’s schedule in Nashville. Democrats heard about the attributes of funding for marketing from Gaylord CEO Colin Reed and heard the prospects of a music museum at a roundtable on minority business later in the day. But at every turn, education also came into the discussion, especially at a morning meeting with the Madison-Rivergate Area Chamber of Commerce. W hen the day was over, six Democratic legislators had participated in at least one stop of the tour, and Turner repeatedly said the spirit of the mission was to be bipartisan, noting that Gov. Bill Haslam is having his own meetings with businesses throughout the state. http://www.tnreport.com/2011/10/nashville-dems-talk-tn-tourism-on-metro-jobs-tour/
Ramsey begins Red Tape Road Trips, critic questions ethics (Herald-Courier)
Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester says Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey is violating state ethics laws by using his office to promote a website funded by PAC contributions. Tomorrow, Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey kicks off a statewide series of discussions called the Red Tape Road Trips. Ramsey, who's from Blountville, says he wants to promote growth in the private sector by removing what he considers obstacles to businesses created by state government. But a leading Democrat, and one of Ramsey's most vocal critics, told 11 Connects' George Jackson he thinks the tour constitutes a violation of state ethics laws. {**REPORT**} GEORGE JACKSON, reporter: "Are you investigating state government?" RAMSEY: "I wouldn't say investigating, but I am trying to streamline it." In March, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey launched a new website. TNRedTape.com tries to solve problems created by state government. http://www2.tricities.com/news/2011/oct/13/ramsey-begins-red-tape-road-trips-critic-questions-ar-1379881/
Local case spurs photo ID process review (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Sher)
The widely publicized case of 96-year-old Dorothy Cooper, of Chattanooga, who ran into problems seeking a free photo ID to vote under a new Tennessee law, has taught officials an invaluable lesson, state Safety Commissioner Bill Gibbons said Wednesday. "In terms of other individuals who may be in that situation again, we're encouraging our employees to use some common-sense discretion in deciding whether or not that person 5
is presenting documentation that is legitimate and issue the photo ID accordingly," Gibbons said. He said the department has contacted Cooper and told her she would be issued the photo ID if she returns to a driver service center. Cooper initially said after being turned away from the service center on Cherokee Boulevard that she intended to vote absentee, a process in which one mails his or her vote to authorities and does not require a photo ID. Gibbons' comments came during a news conference in which he, Secretary of State Tré Hargett and the Tennessee AARP outlined additional steps aimed at smoothing over difficulties some would-be voters are experiencing. Today, Gibbons will join Hamilton County Clerk Bill Knowles at the Hamilton County Courthouse for a news conference about the additional services. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/13/local-case-spurs-id-process-review/?local
Local clerks to help issue photo driver's licenses (Associated Press)
State officials say 30 county clerks across Tennessee have agreed to issue photo driver's licenses at no charge to registered voters who do not have them. Under a new state law, starting in 2012 voters will have to show a state or federal photo ID to vote in Tennessee. According to state officials, county clerks will provide this service beginning next Monday and continuing through March 12, a week after the presidential primary election. Additionally, beginning in November, driver service centers will be open on the first Saturday of each month in 15 counties to make photo driver's licenses or IDs for voting purposes only. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37672009.story
Clerk to provide free service to citizens lacking license photo (City Paper)
Beginning Oct. 17, Davidson County’s approximately 8,500 registered voters who have a driver’s license without a photo will be able to add one at no charge at the county clerk’s main office, located at 700 Second Ave S. In a release, the office of county clerk John Arriola said it has partnered with the Tennessee Department of Safety to begin the free upgrades this month and continue them through March 12, as the state prepares for a new law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls. “We want to do everything we can to help voters be prepared when they go to the polls,” Arriola said in the release. “I feel good that we can offer this service to our customers at no cost.” State law allows drivers who are 60 and older to remove their photos from their licenses during renewal periods. More than 126,000 registered voters statewide have chosen this option, and 8,481 of those are in Davidson County, the release said. Arriola contracted with the state to offer license renewal and duplicates in 2007. The Davidson County Clerk’s Office handles nearly 200 of such transactions per week and provides an alternative for those who would otherwise have to visit the state’s driver service centers, which also handle regular photo IDs and road testing for driver’s licenses. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/clerk-provide-free-service-citizens-lacking-license-photo
Davidson voters can add photo on driver's license for free (Tennessean/Cass)
More than 8,400 registered Davidson County voters who don’t have a photo on their driver’s license can add one for free at the county clerk’s main office, starting Monday. Clerk John Arriola said the free license upgrades will continue through March 12 to help voters get ready for implementation of a new state law requiring them to show photo identification before casting their ballots. “We want to do everything we can to help voters be prepared when they go to the polls,” Arriola said in a news release Wednesday. State law lets drivers 60 and older remove their photos from their licenses during renewal periods, and 8,481 Davidson County voters — among 126,000 statewide — have done so, the release said. The clerk’s main office is at 700 Second Ave. S. Voters who don’t have a driver’s license already can go to a driver service center at 624 Hart Lane or 6604 Centennial Blvd. or a state express ID center at 312 Eighth Ave. N. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS02/310130026/Davidson-voters-can-add-photo-driver-slicense-free?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News
Hamilton Co. election panel considers voter ID, District 3 boundaries (TFP/Haman)
The Hamilton County Election Commission is waiting on the County Commission to determine whether the March primary will be held using old or new boundaries before notifying voters of coming district changes. At a meeting Wednesday, Election Commission Chairman Mike Walden told his board they would have to wait on the County Commission to decide whether to run the District 3 primary, set for March, on old boundaries or new ones. Every 10 years, after each U.S. census, states require their counties to draw new district boundaries based on population shifts and minority concentrations to maintain the federal one-man-one-vote mandate. This year’s redistricting plan is due to the state by Jan. 1. After the County Commission’s decision is made, the election commission will get to work changing voter registration cards and getting them out to affected voters. “W e’re 6
hoping they will make an amendment to a resolution to go along with the redistricting lines for County Commission District 3 only,” W alden said. County Commission Chairman Larry Henry said earlier this week he plans to introduce a measure to have the newly drawn political boundaries apply in the March special election primary. The election will fill the remainder of former District 3 Commissioner Jim Coppinger’s term. Coppinger was appointed to fill former Mayor Claude Ramsey’s role after Gov. Bill Haslam tapped Ramsey to be deputy governor in January. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/13/hamilton-county-election-panel-considers-voter-id-/?local
It Ain't Over Yet (Memphis Flyer)
Wharton, other incumbents win big, but a potentially edgy council runoff remains. Unsurprisingly, there were no surprises in the 2011 Memphis city election — unless you count the apparent irrelevance of Mayor A C Wharton's maiden effort at a Ford-style coattails ballot. Otherwise, the mayor — who breezed to an easy 2-to-1 victory over his closest opponent, former city councilman Edmund Ford Sr. and eight other opponents — had no worries. Or did he? The mayor began his remarks at his Botanic Garden victory celebration with an uncharacteristic diatribe: "It just seems that people want to keep on insulting the citizens of our great city," he began, continuing in that vein for several minutes. Wharton's outburst took many onlookers aback, inasmuch as they were unaware of the apparent pretext for his remarks — an inflammatory personal accusation against the mayor, spoken to on signs held by demonstrators outside the Botanic Garden site. That interruption out of the way, the mayor segued into a traditional celebration. Also able to celebrate were the other incumbents who had opposition — including councilwoman Janis Fullilove in Super District 8, Position 2, who was opposed by Roslyn Nichols, a Wharton endorsee. Fullilove won over Nichols and two other opponents with a comfortable 57.83 percent of the total vote. http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/it-aint-over-yet/Content?oid=3065299
Dems vote to oust former chairman Fagan (Daily News Journal)
The Rutherford County Democratic Party is breaking ties with former chairman Jonathon Fagan after he took the stage with a Republican state senator to criticize a party officer for incorrectly voting as a convicted felon. The Democratic Party’s executive committee voted last week to remove Fagan from the party and to prohibit him from participating in any activity connected with the local Democratic Party, according to Treasurer Michael Cowger. Executive committee members made the decision, Cowger said, because of “the lies that he told during this last press conference. We thought everything he said was a lie, except that Tony Pegel had been convicted of a felony.” The group also voted unanimously to support Pegel, its vice chairman, who was targeted in the press conference two weeks ago by Republican state Sen. Bill Ketron as an example of the need for the voter photo ID act and election law reform because he voted 18 times after registering incorrectly to vote in 1992, eight years after being convicted of a felony. Fagan said that day he joined Ketron because he felt a radical fringe had taken over the local Democratic Party. Contacted by The DNJ, Fagan said he had not been notified that the Democratic Party has kicked him out. http://www.dnj.com/article/20111012/NEW S01/111011027/Dems-vote-oust-former-chairman-Fagan
Tennessee Senators Vote Against President’s Jobs Bill (W PLN-Radio Nashville)
Tennessee’s Senators joined their Republican colleagues in blocking President Obama’s 400 billion dollar jobs bill. Last night, the bill failed to get the 60 votes needed to continue in the Senate. The President’s bill includes about 270 billion dollars in tax cuts and 175 billion dollars in spending on schools, roads, and other infrastructure projects. To get the economy moving, Senator Lamar Alexander said Congress should consider free trade agreements, tax and regulatory reform, and reform of entitlement programs like Medicare. Senator Bob Corker said Tuesday’s procedural vote on the jobs bill means the Senate will delay consideration of free trade agreements with South Korea and other countries. Corker says those agreements will do more to spur economic growth than the President’s proposal. Obama says he will work with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to see that individual parts of his bill gain a vote as soon as possible. http://wpln.org/?p=30837
Spellings warns against dismantling 'No Child' law (Tennessean/Hubbard)
Bush education secretary worries new proposal will hurt minority kids Former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, a leading enforcer of the federal No Child Left Behind law, says she worries a proposal to dismantle that system would be a step backward for the nation’s 50 million students. Spellings was a headliner at a 7
Chamber Education 2020 speaker series in Nashville on Wednesday. Tennessee was one of the first states to ask the Obama administration for freedom from some of NCLB’s measures. Learning gains among poor, disabled and minority children under NCLB might seem modest but represent thousands of kids who could be lost in the shuffle under a new plan, Spellings said. That plan would require states to evaluate teachers regularly, plus produce college and career readiness plans for students and measure their learning gains. NCLB awarded schools and districts pass/fail status based on standardized test scores of all student groups. Spellings, appointed by President George W . Bush, heads her own company and serves as a senior adviser to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She spoke with The Tennessean about her concerns: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS04/310130045/Spellings-warns-against-dismantling-NoChild-law?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s
Supreme Court refuses to consider Anderson schools' flag ban (NS/Satterfield)
The U.S. Supreme Court this week refused to consider the case of a former Anderson County High School student who insisted a ban on the display of the Confederate flag violated his constitutional right to free speech. The high court's decision not to accept the case leaves intact U.S. District Judge Tom Varlan's 2009 ruling that the school system had the right to restrict students' exercise of their free speech rights in the interests of school safety. Anderson County student Tom Defoe filed suit against the school system after he was suspended in 2006 for twice violating the dress code — once when he donned a T-shirt bearing the Confederate flag and once when he wore a belt buckle displaying the same flag. He insisted the flag was a symbol of his Southern heritage and that the ban violated his right to free speech. Attorney Arthur F. Knight III and Jonathan Taylor countered that Anderson County's high schools were teeming with racial strife between white students and black or Hispanic students, and the Confederate flag ban was designed to prevent racial violence. A trial ended in a hung jury. Knight then asked Varlan to toss out the case as a matter of law, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows school officials to restrict students' free speech rights when the exercise thereof could cause disruptions in the learning environment. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/12/us-supreme-court-refuses-to-consider-anderson/
After raid, Gibson Guitar hires lobbyists to change law (Tennessean/Bewley)
At a forum on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Gibson Guitar Corporation CEO Henry Juszkiewicz said the federal investigation into the company’s international wood deals has hurt sales and cost the company millions in fees. “W e are really having a difficult time,” Juszkiewicz told GOP lawmakers at a discussion about the government’s “assault on private property.” “We’ve had a lot of our raw materials seized, and it’s really hard to come up with alternatives in a very short period of time,” he said. “So we’re not producing the guitars that our customers necessarily want, we’re just producing whatever we can get materials for.” The cost of legal fees, manufacturing disruptions and finding new materials has amounted to more than $3 million, he said. Now the company has a new expense to add to that list: payments to lobbyists. As a result of an Aug. 24 raid on Gibson’s headquarters and manufacturing plants, the company has hired a Washington law firm, Crowley & Morley LLP, to lobby on the Lacey Act. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS01/310130050/After-raid-Gibson-Guitar-hires-lobbyistschange-law?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News
Gallup Poll: 35% oppose death penalty (USA Today)
More than one-third of Americans now oppose the death penalty — the highest level in nearly 40 years — according to a Gallup Poll out Thursday. Moreover, those who believe the death penalty is being applied fairly, and those who say it isn't used often enough, are at the lowest levels in a decade, underscoring significant changes in attitudes. Gallup found that 35% of those polled oppose the death penalty — the highest opposition since March 1972. That year, the Supreme Court effectively ruled that the death penalty was constitutional unless it was applied unfairly. By 1976, several states had reinstituted capital punishment. Just 40% of those polled last week believe the death penalty isn't imposed often enough, the lowest level since May 2001. The poll was conducted shortly after two controversial cases drew attention: the September execution of Troy Davis and last week's Supreme Court hearing involving Alabama death row inmate Cory Maples. Davis was executed despite evidence that he may have been wrongly convicted in the 1989 murder of Savannah, Ga., police officer Mark MacPhail. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/story/2011-10-12/gallup-poll-death-penalty/50747430/1
TVA coal fly ash decision now in judge's hands (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Marcum)
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A decision in the first of two sets of lawsuits involving the Kingston coal ash spill is now in the hands of a judge, although a decision is not likely for months. The four-week trial concluded Wednesday in U.S. District Court in a case where 230 plaintiffs in five lawsuits are seeking damages from TVA. Judge Tom Varlan set a Jan. 12 deadline for lawyers in the case to make post-trial submissions, which he said he will review before issuing written findings on whether TVA bears legal blame for the Dec. 22, 2008, ash spill at the utility's Kingston Fossil Plant. If he rules that TVA does bear responsibility, another phase of the trial will be scheduled in which the 230 plaintiffs will have a chance to prove damages. Separate from the current trial, a second round of ash spill lawsuits against TVA are set to go to trial Nov. 1. These 38 cases represent 78 plaintiffs, and that trial will follow the same pattern as the first, with the first phase focusing on determining TVA's blame and a damages phase if TVA is found liable. Varlan set a tentative date of Oct. 24 to consider preliminary matters for the November trial. In closing arguments W ednesday, lawyers recapped the case from their perspective, with Jeff Friedman of Birminham, Ala., representing plaintiffs and Edwin Small representing TVA. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/12/tva-coal-fly-ash-decision-now-in-judges-hands/
Eagleville High expansion considered (Tennessean)
The Rutherford County Commission will consider a $3.5 million classroom expansion for Eagleville High School today. Rutherford County Schools Director Harry Gill Jr. reported that the Eagleville project will add eight classrooms, a science lab, one teacher workroom, restrooms, a teacher work area, elevator access, hallway lockers, teacher restrooms and 13,600 square feet of unfinished space for restrooms, according to the minutes of the commission’s Budget, Finance & Investment Committee last week. The Eagleville school depends on 14 portable classrooms. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111013/NEWS04/310130068/Eagleville-Highexpansion-considered?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p
Schools superintendent's budget options cause concern, raise ?s (NS/McCoy)
As with a number of smaller schools, Corryton Elementary School, is the focal point of its community. "It's close knit," said Knox County school board member Mike McMillian, who represents the school as part of the 8th District. "The school is the major thing out there. I think (closing the school) would have a big impact and I would certainly oppose closing it if we get to that point." Facing a $7 million deficit in its 2013 budget, Knox County Schools Superintendent Jim McIntyre is asking the school board to explore and look at five areas where cost savings could be an option, including the consolidation and closing of five small schools — Corryton, Gap Creek, Maynard, and South Knoxville elementaries and Vine Middle Magnet School. The other four areas are outsourcing custodian jobs, looking at high school staffing to support block scheduling, school start times and the community's use of school facilities. No recommendations or action have been made on any of the areas, McIntyre emphasized in his memo to the board, which meets for its mid-month work session Monday. School board members and community leaders weighed in on the memorandum, saying Wednesday, they still have a lot of questions. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/13/schools-superintendents-budget-options-cause/
South Carolina: Groups Sue Over Immigration Law (Associated Press)
Civil rights groups led by the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit on Wednesday to prevent the state’s new illegal immigration law from taking effect in January. The federal lawsuit names Gov. Nikki R. Haley and state Attorney General Alan Wilson as defendants along with Charleston County’s sheriff and a state prosecutor. The challengers say the law is unconstitutional because regulating immigration is a function of the federal government. The law requires police officers to check suspects’ immigration status and mandates that all businesses check their hires through a federal online system. It is similar to those the A.C.L.U. is challenging in Alabama, Arizona, Utah, Indiana and Georgia. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/us/south-carolina-groups-sue-over-immigration-law.html? _r=1&ref=todayspaper
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OPINION Editorial: TN should keep MTSU No. 1 on priority list (Daily News Journal)
We don't blame Gov. Bill Haslam for wanting to take a fresh look at higher education construction projects before committing hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to campuses throughout the state. Having a master plan for such expenditures makes sense. And we certainly hope his request means that the state is indeed getting ready to make some needed investment in higher education, including on the campus of MTSU in the form of a longawaited new science building. In a memorandum sent out in recent weeks, Haslam and Richard Rhoda, executive director of the State of Tennessee Higher Education Commission, have asked Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan and University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro to make a "fresh assessment of their respective systems' capital project priorities." For the TBR, we trust that fresh assessment yields an old answer at the top: MTSU's proposed new $126 million science building, which has been atop the list of THEC and TBR capital projects for several years awaiting a green light. Large capital projects such as this have been on hold because of tightening state budgets in recent years. But record low interest rates have state officials floating the idea of taking out a $1 billion-plus bond issue for campus construction as Tennessee moves forward with a plan to put more bachelor's degrees in the hands of its residents to create a more competitive workforce. http://www.dnj.com/article/20111013/OPINION01/110130320/Editorial-TN-should-keep-MTSU-No-1-priority-list
Free-Press Editorial: Sen. Corker optimistic on VW growth (Times Free-Press)
It is thrilling to contemplate not only Volkswagen's current $1 billion investment in a manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, but the possibility of VW significantly expanding operations and employment here. Thousands of local workers are already producing Passats at the large VW plant at Enterprise South industrial park. But we may have even more to look forward to in the coming months and years where VW is concerned. VW recently said it plans to invest, worldwide, roughly $86 billion over the next five years, in its effort to become the world's biggest car manufacturer. W hile it is unclear what portion of that could be invested in Chattanooga, it is certainly interesting that the local VW plant has a great deal of room for expansion. Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, noted that the Chattanooga plant could readily boost production from 150,000 vehicles to 250,000 vehicles annually if it added some lines in its paint shop. And with the remaining land that VW has at Enterprise South, it could boost total production to 500,000 cars per year by building another plant on the property there, Browning said. The prospects obviously encourage U.S. Sen. Bob Corker of Chattanooga, who said during the annual meeting of the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association that VW considers Chattanooga "the kind of place they can flourish. I think they will, and I think there will be more happen here." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/13/sen-corkers-vw-optimism/?opinionfreepress
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