thurs., june 21 news summary

7/31/2019 Thurs., June 21 News Summary

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THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2012

Dems Request Special Session to Freeze Tuition (TN Report)Democrats are urging the governor to head off college tuition hikes by calling lawmakers back to Nashville tsummer, though their plea is not likely to prompt action. They say lawmakers should freeze college tuition raas officials at the states Board of Regents and the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees contemplincreasing college costs. You could call it a tuition increase. But what it really is, is a tax increase, said JKyle, the leading Senate Democrat, at a Capitol Hill press conference. It is a tax increase on people who trying to improve their lives and improve Tennessee by getting a better education. UT trustees are expecteddecide this week whether to go along with proposed tuition hikes of 8 percent at the Knoxville campus, 6 percat Chattanooga and Martin, and 4 percent at the Health Science Center in Memphis. The Board of Regen

which oversees the rest of the states public colleges, is considering increases ranging from 3.4 percent at AusPeay State U niversity to 7.3 percent at East Tennessee State University.http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/20/dems-request-special-session-to-freeze -tuition/

Dem ocrats urge Haslam to call sum mer session on taxes, tuitio

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

Tennessee Democrats call for special session (Times Free-Press/Sher)Senate and House Democrats today called on Republican Gov. B ill Haslam to convene a special session of Legislature and use state revenue surpluses to offset planned higher education tuition hikes and cut the sales on groceries further. The money is there, Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, said at a neconference. The issue on the table is what are we going to do with the taxpayers money? Are we going to hthe folks who are trying to go to school, who are buying food, or are we going to hold it? Democrats say starevenues so far this fiscal year are about $225 million above original revised estimates. They want to use $million of that to offset planned tuition increases that the University of Tennessee system is expected to approon Thursday and similar increases before the Tennessee Board of Regents system next week. Haslam and tRepublican-controlled Legislature this year, with Democrats support, cut the existing 5.5 percent sales tax food to 5.25 percent. Democrats at the time unsuccessfully argued it should be more. Cutting the sales tax groceries by a penny would cost the s tate about $85 million annually.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/20/tennessee-democrats-call-special-session/?local
http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/20/dems-request-special-session-to-freeze-tuition/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS0201/306210058/TN-Democrats-urge-Gov-Bill-Haslam-call-summer-session-taxes-tuition?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS0201/306210058/TN-Democrats-urge-Gov-Bill-Haslam-call-summer-session-taxes-tuition?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/20/tennessee-democrats-call-special-session/?localhttp://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/20/dems-request-special-session-to-freeze-tuition/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS0201/306210058/TN-Democrats-urge-Gov-Bill-Haslam-call-summer-session-taxes-tuition?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS0201/306210058/TN-Democrats-urge-Gov-Bill-Haslam-call-summer-session-taxes-tuition?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/20/tennessee-democrats-call-special-session/?local


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Governor expected at Cham ber shrimp boil (Knoxville News-Sentinel)Gov. Bill Haslam is am ong the expected guests at Thursday's Peelin, Pickin, and Politickin shrimp bsponsored by the Knoxville Chamber. The annua l event is aimed at giving local business leaders an opportunto interact with political candidates and lawm akers, and is happening six weeks before the Aug. 2 state primaThe shrimp boil will take place from 5 to 7:30 at The Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farm, 9111 Hunter Valley LanOther guests expected to attend include Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchestate Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, state Rep. Steve Hall, and state Rep. Ryan Haynes. Haslam, the form

Knoxville m ayor, was elected governor in 2010 and will not be on the ballot this year, although he has indicahe will support some incumbent Republican lawmakers in their primary elections.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/governor-expected-chamber-shrimp-boil/

Tweaks to State Teacher Evals Planned (TN Report)Tennessee education officials are revising the freshly implemented teacher evaluation system following criticithat it fails to adequately grade teachers who instruct in subjects not tested at the state level. EducatiCommissioner Kevin Huffman says he expects to reveal by mid-July how the department wants to asseteachers of subjects like art or younger age groups not subject to standardized testing. He declined Wednesdto comment on the changes, saying it was still subject to internal discussion. The Department of Educationexpected to announce that revision before it releases its own study of the evaluation system next month, sHuffman. He said he expects several of their proposed changes to kick in for the upcoming school year. We

trying, Huffman said, to improve a system that has not generated the kind of student results we all wishwould. So its incumbent on everyone in the system every year to get a little bit better.http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/20/tweaks-to-state-teacher-evals-pl anned/

Teacher Evaluation Report Due to General Assembly in Mid-July (WPLN-Radio)The states top school leaders are due to issue report to the legislature in a few weeks on Tennessees teacevaluation system. A press release from the states largest teachers union says it will likely contain a new pfor handling grievances. State officials wont get into that kind of detail, but some degree of change is expectAlthough he says the specifics are still a matter of discussion within the department, Education CommissioKevin Huffman says next months report to the legislature will include tweaks to the way teachers are gradeAnd he says the evaluations will likely continue to evolve for the foreseeable future. Were trying to improvsystem that has not generated the kind of student results that we all wish it would and so its incumbent

everyone who works in the system every year to try and make it a little bit better.http://wpln.org/?p=384 44

Online Writing Assessment Tests Present Issues (Metro Pulse)Is Tennessee testing student writing skil ls or typing skil ls? Beginning this next school year, the writassessment tests for eighth grade students will be done online instead of with pencil and paper. There are soissues, as they say. Keyboarding isnt taught until ninth grade and most eighth-graders typing skills consisphone texting with their thumbs. Due to the number of com puters available, the writing tests will be done oveweek-long period instead of the current practice of giving all the tests on the same day. The sam e-day rule hbeen for security in the testing program. Now students taking the test late in the week could have received hfrom students who take it early. Local systems are still talking with the state department of education. Same-dtests use the same essay question, to which the student w rites a five-paragraph response. If the same questis used over a week-long period, later tested students would have an advantage. But if it isnt the same questi

is it a standardized test?http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/online-writing-assessment-tests-present-issues/

TN first Lady to visit Wtown Library (Wilson Post)Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam recently launched the Read20 F amily Book Club with the goal of promotearly child literacy and parental engagement in their childrens academic lives. Haslam is encouraging familthis summer to read 20 minutes daily. Each month a book will be featured on the website (www.tn.gov/read2Children and families can participate and find family engagement ideas, reading activities and tips. I am veexcited to launch the Read20 Family Book Club, Haslam said in a news release. Families reading toget
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/governor-expected-chamber-shrimp-boil/http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/20/tweaks-to-state-teacher-evals-planned/http://wpln.org/?p=38444http://wpln.org/?p=38444http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/online-writing-assessment-tests-present-issues/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/governor-expected-chamber-shrimp-boil/http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/20/tweaks-to-state-teacher-evals-planned/http://wpln.org/?p=38444http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/online-writing-assessment-tests-present-issues/


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

Tennessee grants $7.5 million for Nashville TV show (Memphis Biz Journal)Move over Mem phis Beat. Nashville is ready to take the Volunteer State to the small screen. The TennessDepartment of Economic and Community Development has approved a grant for up to $7.5 mill ion production on Nashville, a scripted television drama that will air on ABC this fall. The show reportedly abcountry music, love, politics, family and sex combines the film and music sectors of the states economy ione production, a factor that makes it worth the attention of economic development, according to ECommissioner Bill Hagerty. The unique confluence of film and m usic that Nashville offers is central to our aof highlighting Tennessees great strength as a center of creative excellence in the music industry, Hagerty sin a statement. Additionally, the consistent emp loyment afforded Tennesseans as a result of this multi-episoseries will result in constructive training and talent development and longer-term employment for Tennesseentertainment industry.

http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/2012/06/tn-grants-75-million-for-nashville-s how.html

"Nashville" TV series to receive state incentives (Tennessean/Sisk)ABCs new TV series about the Nashville music scene will receive up to $7.5 m illion in cash through the stateTennessees incentive program for the film industry. The Department of Economic and Commun ity Developmannounced Wednesday that it had approved a grant for Nashville, an hourlong musical drama co-producedABC Studios, Lionsgate and Gaylord Entertainment. The show, which debuts in the fall, is currently in pproduction. Principal photography is set to begin in m id-July, economic development officials said. S tate officestimate the show will employ 350 people in various crew positions. The unique confluence of film and muthat Nashville offers is central to our aim of highlighting Tennessees great strength as a center of creatiexcellence in the m usic industry, said Bill Hagerty, head of the economic and community development agenAdditionally, the consistent employment afforded Tennesseans as a result of this multi-episode series w ill res

in constructive training and talent development and longer-term employment for Tennessees entertainmindustry.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS01/306210048/-Nashville-TV-series-receive-state-incentives?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Tennessee launches corporate site certification program (M emphis B iz Journal)Tennessee is formally launching a statewide site certification program, which proponents hope will scorporate recruitment and expansions in the state. More information on the program is available at a nwebsite. The following are excerpts from the state's announcement: The Tennessee Department of Economand Community Development announced today that it is launching a new, statewide site certification prograThe Select Tennessee Certified Sites Program helps Tennessee communities prepare available sites investment and expansion. The program sets a consistent and rigorous standard upon which companies can rin making critical location decisions. This program is an innovative new way to take Tennessee to the apex

site locations and show the world that Tennessee is ready for business, Commissioner Bill HagertyTennessees Department of Economic and Com munity Development, said.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/06/20/tennessee-launches-corporate-site.html

State creates new site certification program (Knoxville News-Sentinel)The state Department of Economic and Com munity Development said Wednesday that it is launching a new scertification program. According to a new s release, the initiative will help com munities prepare available sites investment and expansion, and sets a consistent and rigorous standard that will help companies make locatdecisions. In our day-to-day work with site selection consultants and corporate officials, we hear over and oagain the importance of demonstrating our readiness for new business investment and expansion, ECommissioner Bill Hagerty said in the release. The Select Tennessee Certified Sites Program provides
http://www.wilsonpost.com/news/8399-tn-first-lady-to-visit-wtown-library-thursdayhttp://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/2012/06/tn-grants-75-million-for-nashville-show.htmlhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS01/306210048/-Nashville-TV-series-receive-state-incentives?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS01/306210048/-Nashville-TV-series-receive-state-incentives?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/06/20/tennessee-launches-corporate-site.htmlhttp://www.wilsonpost.com/news/8399-tn-first-lady-to-visit-wtown-library-thursdayhttp://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/2012/06/tn-grants-75-million-for-nashville-show.htmlhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS01/306210048/-Nashville-TV-series-receive-state-incentives?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS01/306210048/-Nashville-TV-series-receive-state-incentives?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/06/20/tennessee-launches-corporate-site.html


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

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

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

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga tuition may jump (TFP/Trevizo)UTC students may come back this fall with a higher tuition sticker price and a wide array of fee increases. Un

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

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

Group sues TBR, claims it didn't comply with open meeting laws (CP/Greenberg)Several individuals, including members of the Save Tennessee State University Community Coalition, filedlawsuit against the Tennessee Board of Regents on Wednesday, claiming the board failed to comply with opmeeting laws. Ray and Ellie Richardson of Old Hickory, Gertrude Scruggs of Memphis, Celestine LoweMemphis, and N eal McAlpin Jr. of Nashville claim the TBR d idnt let them make public comments during a Ju24, 2011, meeting. The Save TSU Community Coalition has been outspoken about what they perceive as mishandling of TSU, governed by the TBR. The coalition has hosted teach-ins over the past year, including othat partnered with the NAACP. The members of the group claim that actions by the TBR effectively preventany open discussion regarding policies related to TSU. The plaintiffs also say that TSU is in disarray under direction of TBR. The plaintiffs seek to remedy this problem by actively participating in the meetings to focusmaking Tennessee State University a better institution, the lawsuit states.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/group-sues-tbr-claims-it-didnt-comply-open-me eting-laws
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/state-creates-new-site-certification-program/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-trustees-to-vote-on-proposed-tuition-hikes/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-trustees-to-vote-on-proposed-tuition-hikes/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-trustees-to-vote-on-proposed-tuition-hikes/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/tuition-may-jump-at-utc-niversity-of-tennessee/?localhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-wants-to-charge-full-time-students-for-more/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-wants-to-charge-full-time-students-for-more/http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/group-sues-tbr-claims-it-didnt-comply-open-meeting-lawshttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/state-creates-new-site-certification-program/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-trustees-to-vote-on-proposed-tuition-hikes/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-trustees-to-vote-on-proposed-tuition-hikes/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/tuition-may-jump-at-utc-niversity-of-tennessee/?localhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-wants-to-charge-full-time-students-for-more/http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/group-sues-tbr-claims-it-didnt-comply-open-meeting-laws


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UT chancellor likely to get $22K boost; employees eligible for raises (NS/BoehnkUniversity of Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy Cheek stands to make an additional $22,356 next year raising salary to $394,956 should trustees approve a compensation plan that would also make Knoxville employeeligible for a 2.5 percent m erit pool raise. Employees across the Knoxville campus, including InstituteAgriculture and system administration, will be eligible for the merit pool raise in addition to the 2.5 perceacross-the-board raise approved by the Legislature. The compensation plans for all UT employees, outlined

President Joe DiPietro on Wednesday in a committee meeting, still have to be approved Thursday by the board of trustees. The money in the pool represents 2.5 percent of the entire payroll at the Knoxville campus, the increases are awarded only to employees with a high performance rating, and the amount can vary. Chereceived his 6 percent bump in part because market research shows he is underpaid compared to leaderssimilar universities across the nation, DiPietro said. The median salary for university chiefs in Cheek's position$433,000, he said.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-chancellor-likely-to-get-22k-boost-em ployees/

Columbia judge to lead state judicial conference (Associated Press)Circuit Court Judge Robert L. Holloway Jr. of Columbia has been installed as incoming president of Tennessee Judicial Conference. He succeeds Criminal Court Judge James C. Beasley of Memphis. Tconference is made up of mem bers of the Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Court of Crimi

Appeals along with trial judges across the state. The mission of the conference is to enhance the professioand personal development of all Tennessee judges, encourage proactive efforts to preserve and improve tjus tice system, implement a lternative wa ys to resolve disputes and develop vis ionary judicial leadership .http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/columbia-judge-to-lead-state-judicial-co nference/

City officials to be briefed on Predators subsidy plan (Tennessean/Rau)Metro Council and Sports Authority members will be briefed on Friday about proposed changes to the N ashvPredators subsidy in which the city pays the Predators to operate Bridgestone Arena and gives it otincentives. News of the briefing suggests that Mayor Karl Dean and the hockey club have reached an agreemon the framework of a new deal. Dean declined to provide many details during a brief interview Wednesday, he said the agreement fulfilled his priorities of reducing the citys upfront payment to the Predators while givthe National Hockey League franchise more incentives to book other events at the arena. The subsidy has be

reduced, which was my No. 1 goal, he said. The Predators owners rely on the subsidy from the city, and evwith that subsidy, have had to kick in an additional $60 million of their own money over the past five years, profits have eluded them. The team, however, has created momentum in its most recent season in whichadvanced into the playoffs. Metro had the right to revoke incentives paid to the Predators and their sisorganization, Powers Management, which manages the facility. But the two sides have been negotiating nlease terms for several months.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS0202/306210037/City-officials-briefed-Predators-subsidy-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CN ews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Hamilton County courthouse prayer stirs controversy in Chattanoo

(TFP/Haman)

Two people who sued Hamilton County commissioners in federal court for holding regular Christian prayeduring meetings led a small rally Wednesday morning and later addressed commissioners. Eight peogathered outside the County Courthouse at 8:45 a.m. to hear plaintiffs Brandon Jones and Tommy Colemexplain why they're challenging the prayers. "We are not against prayer. We support everyone's right to pwherever and whenever you wish and to whomever you choose to pray to," C arguing that the prayers -- whinvoke Jesus -- violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause forbidding the government from endorsany specific religion. No hearing has been set in the case, which has been referred to U.S. District Judge HaMattice. Commissioners held a regular meeting Wednesday and Bishop Nealon Guthrie, of Georgia, openedwith a prayer. His introduction was part of the Lord's Prayer and he closed with, "We ask all of these blessingsthe name of Jesus Christ, our lord and savior." Jones said the purpose of Wednesday's rally was to remcommissioners "of their place."http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/chattanooga-prayer-stirs-controversy-tennessee/?lo cal
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-chancellor-likely-to-get-22k-boost-employees/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/columbia-judge-to-lead-state-judicial-conference/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS0202/306210037/City-officials-briefed-Predators-subsidy-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS0202/306210037/City-officials-briefed-Predators-subsidy-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS0202/306210037/City-officials-briefed-Predators-subsidy-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/chattanooga-prayer-stirs-controversy-tennessee/?localhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/chattanooga-prayer-stirs-controversy-tennessee/?localhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/chattanooga-prayer-stirs-controversy-tennessee/?localhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/ut-chancellor-likely-to-get-22k-boost-employees/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/21/columbia-judge-to-lead-state-judicial-conference/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS0202/306210037/City-officials-briefed-Predators-subsidy-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS0202/306210037/City-officials-briefed-Predators-subsidy-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/chattanooga-prayer-stirs-controversy-tennessee/?localhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/chattanooga-prayer-stirs-controversy-tennessee/?local


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Mayor's office, union rep spar over raise 'options' (Times Free-Press/Hightower)Mayor Ron Littlefield's administration proposed Wednesday that no salary increases be given to police officafter a police union representative made some comments about the raises during a City Council meeting. "Tis an option," said Richard Beeland, spokesman for Littlefield. The administration sent an email Wednesdafternoon to the City Council and media titled "Response from Administration." It listed a series of what it calinaccuracies made by police Sgt. Craig Joel, a representative from the Fraternal Order of Police. The relea

then gave what the administration said is the correct version of events. "The administration hesitates at throwan another $1.3 million in a career development program that representatives of the police department are nsatisfied is equitable," the release said. Instead, the administration calls for m oney to be used to fund a studydetermine the best way to pay police officers.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/mayors-office-union-rep-spar-over-ra ise/?local

Hammonds deficit projected to be as much as $675,000 (T imes Fre

Press/Haman)Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hamm onds $275,000 deficit might be closer to $675,000. That prospect promptecounty commissioner to call Wednesday for an in-depth review of Hammonds spending. Im shockeCommissioner Joe Graham said. I think an audit may be in line for answers. Last week, Hammond ask

commissioners to dip into his offices $1.3 million reserve fund for $275,000 to cover overspending for expenssuch as fuel and overtime. Commission Chairman Larry Henry asked then about possible effects on the fubalance. The Times Free Press learned this week the shortfall doesnt reflect an additional $400,000 projectrevenue shortage. That could leave Hammonds fund balance with as little as $500,000 by June 30, the endthis fiscal year. Hammond budgeted $3.1 m illion in revenue for the year.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/hamilton-county-sheriff-jim-hammonds-deficit-proje/?local

Bradley 911 faces continued budget shortfalls (Times Free-Press/Leach)Bradley County emergency service officials are worried about current and future budgets on the eve of the nfiscal year. Joe Wilson, director of Bradley County 911, and Danny Lawson, director of Bradley CouEmergency Medical Service, both expressed dismay this week over the County Commission's refusal to g$173,745 to the 911 department. The amount, part of $350,000 requested by the county, Cleveland a

Charleston, was intended to stave off a third straight year of budget shortfalls in the Bradley County 911 distrIf the budget's not fixed, the department could be designated a "distressed district" and come under staoversight. "I feel very bad that this body did not consider the cost of support agencies like Emergency Servicincluding 911, in our window of expanding our community through jobs and people," said Lawson. Cleveland aCharleston committed to their portions of the $350,000 request, he said. Keeping up individual dispatch serviin the county's emergency agencies would be twice as m uch as supporting Bradley County 911, Lawson said.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/tennessee-bradley-911-faces-continued-budget/?local

Shelby County looking at dumping minority-hiring rules (C. Appeal/Connolly)Shelby County government might do away with rules that require businesses it works with to hire a certpercentage of workers from racial minority groups. Proposed new rules would evaluate the efforts the contractare making to hire minority workers, without setting a percentage. The potential new rules would affect ev

contractor with 15 or more workers who wants to win Shelby County business. Commissioners reviewed trules Wednesday but didn't vote. The next discussion is set for July 25. Malcolm Futhey is w orking as a part-tilawyer for the county and said the new rules are based on federal anti-discrimination statutes. The proposed nrules come as contractors who lost out on county business because of their low minority hiring press lawsuagainst the county. "There have been concerns that have been raised in those lawsuits that I believe SheCounty should address to prevent further lawsuits from occurring," Futhey told commissioners.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/21/county-looking-at-dumping-minority-hiring-rules/(SUB)

Study shows 633 Tennesseans who lacked health insurance died in 20

(CA/Sells)Six hundred thirty-three people died in Tennessee in 2010 because they did not have health insuran
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according to a new study released Wednesday by health care consumer advocate Families USA. In the fiyears from 2005-2010, 3,483 Tennesseans died because they lacked health insurance, the study said. Tnumber of uninsured Tennesseans rose from 482,353 in 2005 to 604,222 in 2011, according to the UniversityTennessee Center for Business and Economic Research. "The numbers don't surprise me one bit," said Scott Morris, executive director of the Church Health Center in Memphis. "It's what we see at the Church H eaCenter every day." Without insurance, many patients can't afford doctor visits, treatments or m edications, Mosaid. Oftentimes, uninsured patients will put off their treatments, which can make health problems worse amake treating them more difficult. Across the nation, 26,100 people died in 2010 without access to heainsurance, a figure higher than the 20,350 who died without coverage in 2005. From 2005-2010, a total134,120 died in the U.S. because they lacked health coverage, the study said.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/21/gauging-cost-of-no-health-insurance/(SUBSCRIPTION)

Sullivan budget panel adds wheel tax to options (Times-News)Hey, renters: Some Sullivan County commissioners think its time youre given a way to participate in fundcounty government. Their answer: Impose a new tax on any and all for every car, truck, motorcycle and camregistered in the county. During an emergency meeting of the Sullivan County Commissions BudCommittee on Wednesday. Commissioner John Crawford of Kingsport raised the issue of a wheel tax as a nway to raise revenue for county coffers. Crawford took pains to say he wasnt actually making a recommendatto do so, and he instead just wanted to get the option on the table. Crawford said a wheel tax, in his opiniwould be m ore fair than a property tax increase as the County Comm ission looks to solve the countys budwoes. The new budget year begins July 1. Earlier comments during the Budget Committees meeting indicateproperty tax increase of up to 30 cents per $100 of assessed value could be required to cover the countspending for the next 12 months .http://www.timesnews.net/article/9048203/sullivan-budget-panel-adds -wheel-tax-to-options

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

Recount in Advance? (Memphis Flyer)A scant six weeks before some key voting on August 2nd, and a mere four months in advance of a presidenelection, questions continue to be raised about matters relating to the roster of registered voters. State SenaDemocratic leader Jim Kyle who, because of redistricting, is running for reelection against another Democraincumbent, Beverly Marrero, in District 30, is one among many Democrats expressing concern about effortsRepublican-dominated election comm issions, statewide as well as locally, to pu rge voter rolls. After addressinmeeting of the state election commission in Nashville on Monday, Kyle reported that he had a commitment frmembers of the state body to come to Memphis at some point in the near future to look into allegations tattempts by the She lby County Election Comm ission to pare down the list of eligible voters have been excessi"I don't know for sure who's coming or when, but I was assured that there will be an effort to investigate tsituation," Kyle said. Concern has been raised not only by a disputed allegation that voting histories had beerased from the records of almost 500 voters in Shelby County, mostly African-American and mostly Democrabut from what has been an aggressive campaign to purge voter rolls of inactive voters.http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/recount-in-advance/Content?oid=3210455

Sen. Alexander Hit With Attack Ads (Metro Pulse)U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander has television ads attacking him, criticizing him for not opposing EPA regulationscoal-fired plants and air pollution. Alexander has toured the state arguing that he is not anti-coal, but can
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support an effort that leads to more air pollution. Alexander got a boost in Chattanooga when an air-quaofficial there pointed to the new multi-million dollar Volkswagen plant and said if it were not for efforts to clean the air it wouldnt be there. Much of East Tennessee, in a bowl between the Cum berland Plateau and the SmoMountains, has been on a watch list for air quality that would prevent any industrial development from occurrinhttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/sen-alexander-hit-attack-ads/

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

If you watch cable news, odds are youve seen U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn discussing her views on teconomy, the presidential election or other hot-button topics. Since she was elected to Congress in 20Blackburn has become a bona fide cable-news star, acting as a GOP spokeswoman on Fox, MSNBC and CNHer national visibility has boosted her public profile and helped her collect campaign contributions from specinterests around the country, political experts say. And thats making life harder for the four candidates thindependents and one Democrat vying for the chance to challenge Blackburn in Novembers geneelection.If someones going to build a base against her, its going to be tricky, said Vanderbilt University politiscience professor Bruce Oppenheimer. Fundraising would be a challenge, building name identification woulda challenge, and its not like there are a large number of independents in the district or Republicans who dissatisfied. In the solidly Republican 7th Congressional District, a GOP challenger would pose more of a thrto Blackburn than would a Democrat or independent, Oppenheimer said. And no Republicans have signed uptake her on in the Aug. 2 primary.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS02/306210049/Rep-Marsha-Blackburn-will-hard-beat-7th-District?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_chec k=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Calling All Democrats (Metro Pulse)The first hurdle for actress Park Overall in her race for the U.S. Senate will be to get Democrats to vote for hShe needs a good vote in the Dem ocratic primary to give her some credibility in her race against incumbRepublican U.S. Sen. Bob Corkerand though she is the best known, she also as to win the primary. Butmany counties around the state the only hot races on the ballot will be in the Republican primary. There are stHouse Republicans who have primary challengers and in most cases the Democratic candidate is unopposednon-existent. Democrats may want to vote against an incumbent Republican in the primary. Knox County at lehas a slate of Democratic candidates for legislative races, though none have opposition in the primary that mispark a bigger Democratic turnout. But Knox County has a large potential bloc of Democratic votes that Oveand the Democrats running for the Legislature need.http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/calling-all-democrats/

Not Just Insurance Is at Stake (Wall Street Journal)Supreme Court Ruling Will Affect a Wide Range of Firms Beyond Health Sector Leigh Anne O'Connorlactation consultant in New York, is anxiously awaiting the Supreme Court's decision on President BaraObama's health overhaul. She is worried that if the court strikes down the law, it would wipe out a provisrequiring larger employers to give women time and a private space to pump breast milk. It isn't just laemployers, medical businesses and constitutional scholars who are invested in the court's decision. Chrestaurants, tanning salons, breast-feeding advocacy groups and others far afield of health care have a lot ridon whether the law stays in place. The broad interest in the decision underscores how the law touches neaevery American and m ost businesses, often in ways that haven't gotten much notice. The law's central purpois to expand insurance coverage to more than 30 mill ion people. But it also reworks how consumers abusinesses pay taxes and changes how the government reimburses health-care providers. It contains fundinga broad range of projects, including adolescent education on financial literacy and career preparation.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304441404577478922774830672.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1(SUBSCRIPTION)

States Seek Medicare Data to Keep Fraudulent Providers Out of Medica

(Stateline)Glenn Prager used to be a Medicare fraud fighter for the federal government. Early this year he switchedMedicaid, taking a job as Arizonas inspector general. His primary task is to keep crooked health care providout of the states $9 billion Medicaid system. If they slip in under the wire, he says, the goal is to catch thebefore any claims are paid. But s ix months into his new role, Prager is frustrated that he cant get his hands
http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/sen-alexander-hit-attack-ads/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS02/306210049/Rep-Marsha-Blackburn-will-hard-beat-7th-District?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS02/306210049/Rep-Marsha-Blackburn-will-hard-beat-7th-District?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS02/306210049/Rep-Marsha-Blackburn-will-hard-beat-7th-District?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS02/306210049/Rep-Marsha-Blackburn-will-hard-beat-7th-District?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/calling-all-democrats/http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/calling-all-democrats/http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/calling-all-democrats/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304441404577478922774830672.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/sen-alexander-hit-attack-ads/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS02/306210049/Rep-Marsha-Blackburn-will-hard-beat-7th-District?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS02/306210049/Rep-Marsha-Blackburn-will-hard-beat-7th-District?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS02/306210049/Rep-Marsha-Blackburn-will-hard-beat-7th-District?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/calling-all-democrats/http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/calling-all-democrats/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304441404577478922774830672.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1


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the Medicare data he used when he was a federal investigator. The basic problem, he says, is a lackcoordination and communication between the two programs. Theres no other way to explain it. Prager is nalone in his complaints. The National Association of Medicaid Directors released a report last month calling the federal government to share Medicare data and improve collaboration with states in their mutual battlereduce Medicaid fraud and abuse. Congress and the federal Government Accountability Office are also pushthe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide better support for state fraud-busting efforts.http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/states-seek-medicare-data-to-keep-fraudulent-pr ovidersout-of-medicaid-85899400064

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

Hospitals Fear Potential Loss of Mandate Only (WPLN-Radio Nashville)Tennessees healthcare sector, particularly its hospitals, will be watching warily as the U.S. Supreme Coreadies its decision on the federal health care law. Craig Becker of the Tennessee Hospital Association sayswants the Supreme Court to take an all or nothing approach. He fears that if the requirement for individualshave insurance is struck down, but the rest of the law is not, Tennessee hospitals will be in trouble. If tmandate goes away, and we still end up with all the cuts theyre talking about, were going to have to stfiguring out how were going to keep a medical presence in a lot of our communities because I believe hospitwill have to close. To fund the expansion of insurance to m illions of Americans, the federal health law slashMedicaid funding by $155 billion over a decade. This reduces compensation to hospitals, with the promisegiving them more insured paying patients.http://wpln.org/?p=384 41

Great Hearts Appeal Makes Concessions (WPLN-Radio Nashville)A new charter school application from a group turned down by the Metro School board now includestransportation plan and a proposed location. Great Hearts Academys bid for appeal refutes the reasons given refusing the initial application. The board ruled that the plan put forward by Great Hearts didnt completely mthe necessary standards. The new letter presents a laundry list of arguments in defense of the first applicatieven citing email correspondence with district officials. In two areas, organizers are now making certconcessions. In response to criticism from the board that the application did not specify a proposed locatioGreat Hearts now says it is looking for a spot in W est Nashville, roughly between Centennial Park and WhBridge Road. The board also had problems with the applications lack of plan for getting students to and from charter school. Great Hearts still contends it isnt required by state law to provide transportation, but organiznow contend theyre willing to provide busses if there is a need. The appeal will be up for a vote at next weeSchool Board meeting.http://wpln.org/?p=384 65

Robertson finds 1970 deseg plan (Tennessean/Hall)Robertson County school officials found the districts 1970 desegregation plan, at issue in a federal investigatibut its so outdated that m any schools mentioned no longer exist. Investigators from the U.S. departmentseducation and justice plan to visit Robertson County in July or August to study racial balance in schassignments and hiring. Theyve sent letters to the d istrict referencing a 1970 Form 441-B desegregation pla
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a plan Robertson County officials said earlier was lost.The districts law firm produced the plan this week, battorney Angie Sanders wrote in an email she didnt know where it was found. Its a letter from thsuperintendent J.B. Whitman to the Office of Civil Rights, explaining how the district will desegregate schoand hire teachers. It mentions Cross Plains, Orlinda and North Robertson elementary schools, and none of thois still open. Bransford High School, also mentioned, became a junior high school in the 1970s and closeddecade later. The investigation sprang from separate complaints filed by a group of parents and formcommissioner Raymond Francis. School board Chairman Stoney Crockett said allegations that the distpurposefully segregated schools are unfhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120621/NEWS01/306210046/Robertson-County-school-district-finds-197desegregation-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

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

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

Consolidation Looks to Move Forward Minus Cash (Memphis Daily News)The countywide school board got the highly anticipated process of selecting the superintendent of consolidated school system to come off to a contradictory start this week. The practical effect of the TuesdaJune 19, school board vote not to renew the contract of Memphis City Schools superintendent Dr. Kriner Cashthat Cash probably wont be running the transition into and at least the start of the merged school district, whbegins in August 2013. Even Cash acknowledged that immediately after the boards 14-8 vote. There couldsomeone else out there who wants to apply at this time. I think we should get the very best person, he saAnd, of course personally, I would think that would be me. But I wont get a chance to probably be in tprocess after tonight. Well see. The board also voted down a similar contract non-renewal motion involvShelby County Schools superintendent John Aitken, whose contract runs through August 2015.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/21/consolidation-looks-to-move-forward-minus-cash/

Paradigm Shift (Memphis Daily News)As he nears the two-year mark as Shelby County mayor this September, Mark Luttrell said he continues to confronted by the urban and suburban divide. Luttrell will be a pivotal and recurring figure in the issue that hdefined the divide since just after he took office Sept. 1, 2010 the consolidation of Shelby Countys two pub

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

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

MORE

OPINION

Editorial: Evidence is mounting, workforce falls behind (Jackson Sun)Several stories this week point to a growing problem for communities across Tennessee, and even across tnation. Non-skilled jobs are disappearing faster than ever, and education at all levels is failing to prepastudents for todays and tomorrows workplaces. Communities that fail to address these issues are doomthemselves to high unem ployment and increasing burdens on social welfare resources and health care servic

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

Frank Cagle: Conservative Legislators Vilified for Not Passing Full Agenda (MP)For the last 25 years (call it the Dark Ages for Tennessee Republicans) the Democrats controlled both the stHouse and Senate and the governors office for 16 of those years. During that time, shut out of real power, thearose a conservative Republican infrastructure that sought influence by other means. Conservative talk ratook off in Nashville, with hosts sending horn honkers to circle the Capitol to protest a vote on a state income tGun owners formed lobbying groups to join the NRA to push expansion of gun rights. Family values grouorganized to push social legislation, especially a constitutional amendment to rein in a state Supreme Co

decision that gives Tennessee women abortion rights beyond the U.S. Supreme Courts decisions. Then in tpast few years the Republicans took over both houses of the Legislature. What do you do w hen you win? Havparty and go home? Not when you have an infrastructure in place with members, contributors, and jobs on tline. And a radio show that depends on outrage to keep listeners.http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/conservative-legislators-being-vilified-no t-passin/

Columnist: Officials Are Grabbing More Control Over Who Can Be on Ballot (MP)In Tennessee, the majority party in the state Legislature gets control of the e lection com mission in every couna contrivance with no constitutional basis. Political parties are granted no constitutional powers. In fact, they not mentioned at all in the state or federal constitutions. Efforts by the Knox County Election Comm ission to keShelley Breeding off the state ballot demonstrate how party power erodes citizenship. Breeding lives in Karns, a street that nudges against the border of Knox and Anderson counties. Several lots in her subdivision, includ

hers, are bisected by the county line. She has lived there since 2007 and has voted in the Karns precinct aserved as precinct chair. Her precinct is part of the newly created 89th House District, which she wishesrepresent. Article II, Section 5a of the Tennessee Constitution says, Each district shall be represented byqualified voter of that district.When Breeding filed her petition to be a candidate, the election commisschallenged her residency, claiming she is actually a resident of Anderson County, even as she was sitting oKnox County jury. State Election Administrator Mark Goins recommended they seek a declaratory judgment frthe courts. Both a chancery court and an appellate court have ruled that Breeding is an Anderson couresident and ineligible to run, forcing her to appeal to the Tennessee Supreme C ourt.http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/20/state-officials-are-grabbing-more-control- over-who/

Charlie Daniel Political Cartoon: Liberal Ploy Boys (Knoxville News-Sentinel)http://media.knoxnews.com/media/img/photos/2012/06/20/062112charlie_t607.JPG

Guest columnist: Coal-ash regulation may be weakened (Tennessean)Roane County is not that different from other small Tennessee communities. We care about our families, community and our economy. Things do move a little m ore slowly here than in some other places. As a sixgeneration Roane County resident, Im used to that pace. As a member of the Roane County Commissionknow that taking things slowly means more deliberation in order to make good decisions for the community. there has to be a limit. It has now been 3 years since my community was devastated by the largest coal-adisaster in history. Its been two years this week since the Environmental Protection Agency propossafeguards to prevent future disasters. This isnt deliberation this is delay and people w ith coal ash dumin their backyards cannot wa it any longer. The Roane County disaster released more than 1 billion gallons of ainto our yards, water and air. Nearly four years later, we havent fully recovered. The water is getting clearer a

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

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thurs., june 21 news summary

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