thurs., june 7 news summary

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

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THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2012

Haslam signs Legislation Phasing out Inheritance Tax (C. Online)Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today traveled to Luckey Family Farm in Humboldt to highlight the seconthree tax cuts passed during this year s legislative session and signed by the governor. Haslam heldceremonial bill signing of HB 3760/SB 3762, which phases out the state inheritance tax during the next tyears before it is completely eliminated starting January 1st, 2016. The bill was introduced by the governothe state continues its work toward providing the best customer service at the lowest possible costTennesseans. Were focused on m aking state government more efficient and more effective while reducing cost to taxpayers, Haslam said. Jobs are created when people invest capital. The inheritance tax is causiTennesseans to take their capital to other states as they grow older, but businesses and family farms cant piup and leave. Eliminating this tax will ease the burden on family businesses and farms that are left to otgenerations.http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/06/06/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-signs-legislation-phasing-out-inheritance-tax/

Haslam signs bill to cut taxes (Jackson Sun)Tim Luckey grasped Gov. Bill Haslams hand and thanked him for helping Luckey keep a century-old farm wthe family. Haslam and about 25 other state and local officials, farmers and co-op members went to the Lucfarm off Tenn. 186 So uth in Humboldt on Wednesday to w atch Haslam sign a ceremonial bill that eventuallyeliminate the states inheritance tax. Luckey and his father, Joe Luckey Jr., own 500 acres of farm land. Atestimated value of $10,000 an acre, Luckeys land would be worth an estimated $5 million. That meansfamily would owe around $300,000 in state inheritance tax if Luckey died today, an amount he said could onlpaid if his children sold at least part of the farm. He said eliminating the states inheritance, or death, taxallow his family to inherit all of his familys land, instead of just part of it You have heard the term land ricash poor, he said. Well, it is not like that $5 million is in the bank. The only way to pay that tax would be tproperty, which no farmer w ants to do.http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070011/Haslam-signs-bill-cut-taxes?nclick_check=(SUBSCRIPTION)

Gov In West Tenn to Sign Inheritance Tax Legislation (WNWS-Radio)Gov. Bill Haslam today traveled to Luckey Family Farm in Humboldt to highlight the second of three taxpassed during this years legislative session and signed by the governor. Haslam held a ceremonial bill signinHB 3760/SB 3762, which phases out the state inheritance tax during the next three years before it is compleeliminated starting January 1, 2016. The bill was introduced by the governor as the state continues its wtoward providing the best customer service at the lowest possible cost to Tennesseans. Were focused making state government more efficient and more effective while reducing the cost to taxpayers, Haslam sJobs are created when people invest capital. The inheritance tax is causing Tennesseans to take their capitalother states as they grow older, but businesses and family farms cant pick up and leave. Eliminating this taxease the burden on family businesses and farms that are left to other generations. The exemption level willlifted to $1.25 million in 2013; $2 million in 2014; and $5 million in 2015.http://www.wnws.com/news/17196-gov-in-west-tenn-to-sign-inheritance-tax-legislation

Governor Signs New C rime Legislation (WREG-TV Memphis)Three new laws in Tennessee are in place after receiving the seal of approval and signature of TN Gov. BHaslam. Haslam was in the m id-south today to sign the bills into law. Governor Haslam was at the Ba
http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/06/06/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-signs-legislation-phasing-out-inheritance-tax/http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/06/06/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-signs-legislation-phasing-out-inheritance-tax/http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070011/Haslam-signs-bill-cut-taxes?nclick_check=1http://www.wnws.com/news/17196-gov-in-west-tenn-to-sign-inheritance-tax-legislationhttp://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/06/06/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-signs-legislation-phasing-out-inheritance-tax/http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/06/06/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-signs-legislation-phasing-out-inheritance-tax/http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070011/Haslam-signs-bill-cut-taxes?nclick_check=1http://www.wnws.com/news/17196-gov-in-west-tenn-to-sign-inheritance-tax-legislation


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Justice Center this afternoon to make three laws official. They will all mean stiffer penalties for the offendStiffer penalties for felons in possession of guns, gang members that commit violent crimes together and a tlaw that hits home in Bartlett. Its one that targets repeat domestic violence offenders. The ceremonial sigfor the three new crime fighting laws was years in the making. G overnor Bill Haslam is confident they willTennessee safer. Haslam said, This is an issue that spreads across Tennessee. Urban, Rural, East, West,White, Black. Its an issue that in Tennessee, were 4th in violent crime per capita. The new dom estic viollaw is one Angie Degastino has fought for these last 30 years. Its something that touched my heart wiwoman that had been beaten by her husband. She was in shock, afraid and overwhelmed. Thats what kept mgoing, said Dagastino, Memphis-Shelby Co. D omestic Violence Council.http://wreg.com/2012/06/06/governor-signs-new-crime-legislation/

Haslam signs bill to curb metal theft (Marshall County Tribune)Gov. Bill Haslam has signed into law legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Tracy to reduce the growing problemetal theft in Tennessee. The new law puts stiffer penalties into place on both the selling and the purchasingstolen metals. Tracy of Shelbyville got the bill passed in the final days of the 2012 session. It also givesDepartment of Commerce and Insurance more enforcement authority over scrap dealer registration. "Soarprices for copper, aluminum and other metals make items containing them an attractive target," Tracy sa"Stolen metals can have great value when sold to a scrap metal dealer who arranges for the metal to be meltand reshaped for other uses. "With the rising incidence of metal theft," he said, "this new law provides an emeasure of security for families and businesses that have been victims of metal theft." Metal thieves havehomes, businesses, churches, construction sites, and public property in Tennessee, like utilities. For exampearly this year four suspects were arrested by Marshall County Sheriff's Detective Tony Nichols in connecwith the theft of over $27,000-worth of metal construction forms and brackets from Brown Builders' storagat the abandoned gas station on the corner of State Route 373 and Reese Road, just west of I-65.http://www.marshalltribune.com/story/1856949.html

Slow Govt Services an Extra Burden on Taxpayers: Haslam (TN Report)Whether its inefficient state w orkers or lagging technology at drivers license centers, the public essentially an additional tax any time government services are slow, Gov. Bill Haslam said this week. I think therekinds of taxes. Theres a tax that people pay, sales tax, income tax or whatever tax youre paying. And ttheres the tax that you pay when you dont get full value for government service, he told the Tennessee D iGovernment Summit in Nashville Tuesday. When we dont give you full value, thats another tax. We just call it that, he said. The governor didnt wager a guess as to how much the public is paying in that tax each ywhen speaking to the information-technology experts. But he announced that the state is now trying to redthe cost with technology upgrades at driver service centers.http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/06/slow-gov-services-an-extra-burden-on-taxpayers-haslam/

TDOT developing traffic app (Memphis Business Journal)The Tennessee Department of Transportation is developing a smartphone app using traffic data it alreacollects, Nashville public radio station WPLN 90.3 FM reports. Gov. Bill Haslam announced the app at a dgovernment conference in Nashville. TDOT already posts notices regarding traffic congestion on traffic signsonline. Haslam said the app would customize that information and make it more accessible. The free appexpected to be available later this year.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/morning_call/2012/06/tdot-developing-traffic-app.html

Veterans outreach office may soon come to Washington County, Tennessee (T-N)"They have the right to have somebody out there advocating on their behalf," says Donald Smith, AssistCommissioner at the Tennessee Depa rtment of Veterans Affairs. The Tennessee D epartment of Veterans Affabelieves every county should have a county service officer, with one clear objective. "The bottom line is toveterans to be aware of their benefits and to get somebody out on the streets in the county, at some of thevents in the county, and get face to face, one on one with the veterans to explain to them what's availablethem," says Smith. However, in Washington County, Tennessee, there is not a county service officer. Smith sthat's why veterans here only get an average of $2,500 month in federal benefits. In places like Memphveterans average almost twice that. Washington County Mayor Dan Eldridge thinks that needs to change. "Ahave learned what the county veterans service office is typically responsible for doing, I realized that th
http://wreg.com/2012/06/06/governor-signs-new-crime-legislation/http://www.marshalltribune.com/story/1856949.htmlhttp://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/06/slow-gov-services-an-extra-burden-on-taxpayers-haslam/http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/morning_call/2012/06/tdot-developing-traffic-app.htmlhttp://wreg.com/2012/06/06/governor-signs-new-crime-legislation/http://www.marshalltribune.com/story/1856949.htmlhttp://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/06/slow-gov-services-an-extra-burden-on-taxpayers-haslam/http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/morning_call/2012/06/tdot-developing-traffic-app.html


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obviously an un-served and unm et need for our for Washington Coun ty veterans and their families," says MaEldridge.http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jun/06/veterans-outreach-office-may-soon-come-washington--ar-1971738

TN MADD fears loss of specialty tag (Tennessean/Humbles)Mothers Against Drunk Drivers of Tennessee needs about 70 of its specialty license plates to be purchased June 30 or the plate will be retired. If that happens, the group says, it will lose a vital funding source foorganization. The MA DD TN plate has provided more than $15,000 annually to the nonprofit that works to prfamilies from drunken driving and underage drinking. At least 500 of the specialty plates must be in circulatiothe state to continue offering it. Norris and Aline Skelley of Cookeville campaigned for the license plate, wwent into production in 1997. Norris Skelley, the community action leader for the Upper Cumberland chaptMADD, estimated the MADD TN license plate peaked w ith about 850 in the late 1990s or early 2000s. HeFlint Clouse, the state director of MADD TN, say the decline may be related to the fact that there are mspecialty plate choices. We have not received feedback, but I imagine specialty license plate buyers hacompeting interests, Clouse said. The specialty plate makes up about 4 percent of MADD TNs budget, Closaid.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070062/TN-MADD -fears-loss-specialty-tag?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&gcheck=1&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Children's welfare report examines state spending (Associated Press/Johnson)Childrens advocates say a report released Wednesday on the welfare of children in Tennessee supports thebelief that more preventive care programs w ill benefit youth long term, as well as save the state money. The KCount report, partially funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, focused on childrens well-being, but examined how the state spends funds to improve the lives of children. Linda ONeal, executive director oTennessee Com mission on Children and Y outh, said universal prevention services have the lowest per child cand the greatest cost-benefit potential because of their ability to prevent downstream costs. However, threceived the least funding, according to the report compiled by the com mission. They tend to be the things go by the wayside when you have budget cuts, ONeal told The Associated Press. And so it really does rthe point that the investments we make now are very important for the future. Despite improvements in reyears, the report noted that Tennessee continues to rank in the bottom 10 in the nation on both low-birth-webabies and infant mortality. Another service she believes has long-term prevention aspects is the states pubpre-kindergarten program. http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS21/306070038/Children-s-welfare-report-examines-state-spending?odyssey=tab|topnews|tex t|News(SUBSCRIPTION)

Knoxville judge orders retrials in slayings (Associated Press)A Knoxville judge has o rdered retrials for three defendants in the 2007 torture and slaying of Channon C hriand Christopher Newsom of Knoxville without responding to prosecutors motion that he step off the case SpJudge Jon Kerry Blackwood issued the ruling Tuesday, stating that new trials are necessary because unspecified witness credibility issues. WATE-TV w as the first to report the new ruling. Blackwood had previordered new trials based on the out-of-court conduct of pill-addicted Judge Richard Baumgartner, who leftbench in disgrace last year. However, the Tennessee Supreme Court overturned Blackwoods order late lamonth, reasoning that Blackwood had not shown how Baumgartner s out-of-court conduct affected w

happened at trial. Blackwood has not responded to a Friday motion from prosecutors asking him to step doand complaining that he would not allow a public hearing on the retrials. John Gill, special counsel to the KCounty D istrict Attorney Generals office, said prosecutors are consulting with the state A ttorney Generals oabout their legal options.http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS21/306070039/Knoxville-judge-orders-retrials-slayings?odyssey=tab|topnews|text| News(SUBSCRIPTION)

Blackwood reasserts order: New trials in Christian-Newsom killings(NS/Satterfield)A special judge this week did something he wouldn't be able to do a month from now order new trials second time in one of Knoxville's most horrific crimes while a motion that he step aside is still pending. SpJudge Jon Kerry Blackwood on Tuesday filed an order granting new trials in the January 2007 torture-slaying
http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jun/06/veterans-outreach-office-may-soon-come-washington--ar-1971738/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070062/TN-MADD-fears-loss-specialty-tag?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&gcheck=1&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070062/TN-MADD-fears-loss-specialty-tag?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&gcheck=1&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS21/306070038/Children-s-welfare-report-examines-state-spending?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS21/306070038/Children-s-welfare-report-examines-state-spending?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS21/306070039/Knoxville-judge-orders-retrials-slayings?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS21/306070039/Knoxville-judge-orders-retrials-slayings?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS21/306070039/Knoxville-judge-orders-retrials-slayings?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jun/06/veterans-outreach-office-may-soon-come-washington--ar-1971738/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070062/TN-MADD-fears-loss-specialty-tag?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&gcheck=1&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070062/TN-MADD-fears-loss-specialty-tag?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&gcheck=1&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS21/306070038/Children-s-welfare-report-examines-state-spending?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS21/306070038/Children-s-welfare-report-examines-state-spending?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS21/306070039/Knoxville-judge-orders-retrials-slayings?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS21/306070039/Knoxville-judge-orders-retrials-slayings?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews


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Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23. The move came after the Tennessee Supreme Coufaulted his legal reasoning in granting new trials in December and ordered him to revisit his decision using ruling as guidance. The high court did not bar him from granting new trials. Blackwood used legal groundSupreme Court ou tlined as acceptable cause for new trials, namely, that because witness credibility was such "overriding and important issue" in the trials Blackwood could not step into the role of "13th juror" left vwhen former Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner was forced to resign after a TennesBureau of Investigation probe. The ruling came just days after Knox County District Attorney General RNichols' office filed a motion, drafted by prosecutor Leland Price, asking Blackwood to recuse himself fromcase. Price argued, among other things, that Blackwood planned to grant new trials without allowing the statargue its case against them.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/07/blackwood-reasserts-order-new-trials-in-newsom/

State Republican Primaries and Their Screwy Match-Ups (Metro Pulse)Some of his colleagues must be grinding their teeth. There are 23 Republicans in the Legislature who hachallengers in their primary, a somew hat unprecedented revolt within the Republican Party. But state Rep. CuTodd, R-Memphis, who was arrested this past session for drunk driving and having a pistol in his car, does have either a primary or a general election opponent. S tate Rep. David Hawk, R-Greeneville, however, has thopponents in his primary and a formidable opponent in the general. Former state Rep. Eddie YokelyDemocrat, is expected to be a strong contender in what is regarded in Nashville as a toss-up race and one of tfew possible gains for the Democrats. Hawk spent a weekend in jail during the past session accused of domesviolence against his wife.http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/06/state-republican-primaries-and-their-screwy-match /

Memphis City Council lowers tax rate, OKs budget (Memphis Business Journal)The Memphis City Council approved a $609.8 million budget during a marathon session Tuesday wlowering the city's property tax rate to $3.11, Memphis Daily News reports. The new tax rate is an 8-reduction from the current $3.19 rate. The budget, set to take effect July 1, will use $19.6 m illion of the city'smillion reserve. It also will use 10 cents on the property tax rate and $20 million in one-time funding fromcitys OPEB (Other Post Em ployment Benefits) trust fund to help raise the $64.8 million needed to fund MemCity Schools . Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. had proposed a 47-cent property tax hike for the last rounfunding needed MCS before its merger next year with Shelby County Schools , according to the report. budget doesnt do anything for the long term. Everybody recognized that. The hard work still lies aheWharton said, according to the newspaphttp://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/morning_call/2012/06/memphis-city-council-lowers-tax-rate.html

Memphis City Council chooses middle ground on budget (CommercialAppeal/Maki)The budget the Memphis City Council adopted Tuesday after 14 hours of meetings was a victory for coumembers whose focus has been reducing the property tax rate. "We changed the conversation from how muof a tax increase there should be to how much of a tax decrease we could achieve," said council budgcommittee chairman Jim Strickland. The council had considered alternatives that could have pushed the tax ras low as $2.91 before voting 7-6 to approve the $3.11 rate per $100 of assessed value, with $3.01 for coperations and the rest for city schools. "We hit a double, but we could have hit a home run," said Stricklawho voted against the budget that was approved because he wanted a lower tax rate. The council rebuffMemphis Mayor A C Wharton's call for a 47-cent property tax hike, and set the city's overall tax rate 8 clower than the current $3.19. The $3.11 tax rate should generate roughly $334.3 million in revenue. The anncity property tax for a $150,000 house would drop $30, from $1,196 to $1,166.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/07/council-chose-budget-middle-ground/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

City Budget Season Ends With Frustration (Memphis Daily News)The year of the gap budget at City Hall felt and sounded a lot like the previous two budget years at City The mayor and City Council were frustrated even as the budget deliberations came to an end w ith a lowered property tax rate. The use of one-time funding for a one-of-a-kind situation in which the city is entering thefiscal year in which it must fund Memphis City Schools caused the frustration. Several council members h
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been trying for years to win long-term concessions that would fundamentally alter the size and services offby Memphis city government. The one-time funding, they argued in past budget years, wasnt the way to rungovernment long term. Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. referred to it as a gap year budget. He had arguedcity will face tough challenges from quarters other than the school system in the fiscal year after the one tstarts next m onth. This budget doesnt do anything for the long term. Everybody recognized that. The hard wstill lies ahead, Wharton said. One good thing is that I w ill not have to borrow from the general fund to paschools.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/7/city-budget-season-ends-with-frustration/

Residents Choose Sides During Tax Hike Public Hearing (WPLN-Radio Nashville)Dozens of Nashville residents turned out at a Metro Council meeting last night to voice their feelings proposed 53 cent increase in the property tax. Among those who spoke were parents of students in MeSchools, and city employees like AJ Price. I am supporting this budget because as a public librarian, I havrole to play in the education of Nashvilles children. Many speakers put their own spin on Mayor Karl Dpitch for the tax increasethat a city has to be confident enough to invest in itself. A lions share of the mowould go toward education. Bruce McNeilage, however, says paying teachers more wont raise test scores. spoke alongside the dozens in neon green shirts who oppose the tax hike. McNeilage owns apartmecomplexes and rental property throughout the city and suggests the tax increase would be passed on to tenanIts not that I cant afford it. Its that people that are making $8 and $10 and $12 an hour living in my apartmcant afford it. Ultimately, the Metro Council voted to approve the mayors budget and tax increase on a seof three votes.http://wpln.org/?p=37973

Murfreesboro may pull off raises without a tax hike (Gannett/Hum bles)New business, sales tax help The Murfreesboro City Council will hold a public hearing tonight abouadministration-proposed $117 million budget that will avoid a property tax increase for the 14th consecutive We have made a decision to not rely on property taxes as a sole revenue source, said Councilman ShanMcFarland, who will be voting on his sixth fiscal year city budget after the public hearing. We rely on busdevelopment and sales tax. With that, Murfreesboro has been blessed with business growth, and I think that hhelped us out. The meeting is set to start at 7 tonight in Council Chambers on the first floor of City Hall, aW. Vine St. This will be the first of three required votes on the budget before its ratified for the fiscal yeastarts July 1. City Manager Rob Lyons had proposed giving step increases in pay of 3.5 percent to eligiworkers, but Councilwoman Madelyn Scales Harris said she wants to see those who have topped the pay scato also get a 2 percent raise. Give everybody something, Harris said. They have the same bills we h ave. Tare just trying to m ake it like everybody else. Everybody works hard. She also w ants to see the city managinitial proposal to give part-time employees 15 cents an hour more increased to 30 cents per hour more.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070065/Murfreesboro-may-pull-off-raises-without-thike?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Murfreesboro mosque foes seek to stop construction (Associated Press)Opponents of a mosque in Rutherford County filed Wednesday for an injunction seeking to stop constructAccording to The Daily News Journal, plaintiffs filed the request with Chancellor Robert Corlew, who lastdeclared the mosque approval void because of inadequate public notice but did not halt construction. Tconstruction has been ongoing during the year and a half the court case has dragged on. There already is aexisting m osque but supporters say a bigger one is needed. Mosque leaders hope to finish the first phase construction before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins at the end of July. Last weeks ordeCorlew prohibits further meetings on the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro without proper notice to the pubhearing on Wednesdays request is June 13. The mosque was one of several Muslim projects in the U.S. thwere targets of conservative Christian opposition in 2010 as a result of a plan to build a Muslim commucenter near New Yorks ground zhttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS01/306070063/Murfreesboro-mosque-foes-seek-stop-construction?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|N ews(SUBSCRIPTION)

Hamilton County Commission prays; residents object (Times Free-Press/Haman)Hamilton County Attorney Rheubin Taylor opened Wednesday's commission meeting with a prayer in Je
http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/7/city-budget-season-ends-with-frustration/http://wpln.org/?p=37973http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070065/Murfreesboro-may-pull-off-raises-without-tax-hike?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070065/Murfreesboro-may-pull-off-raises-without-tax-hike?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS01/306070063/Murfreesboro-mosque-foes-seek-stop-construction?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS01/306070063/Murfreesboro-mosque-foes-seek-stop-construction?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/7/city-budget-season-ends-with-frustration/http://wpln.org/?p=37973http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070065/Murfreesboro-may-pull-off-raises-without-tax-hike?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/306070065/Murfreesboro-may-pull-off-raises-without-tax-hike?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS01/306070063/Murfreesboro-mosque-foes-seek-stop-construction?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120607/NEWS01/306070063/Murfreesboro-mosque-foes-seek-stop-construction?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews


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name. He finished the invocation with "All these blessings we ask in your son Jesus' name, amen." Tresidents took issue with that, asking com missioners during the public comment period to stop holding Chriprayers, while others stood to defend the commissioners' prayers. "The county attorney sent a clear message bleading the commission-sanctioned prayer today," said Tommy Coleman, who wants a moment of sileinstead. "Your use of prayer in this chamber and its use in official government business excludes, marginalibelittles other faiths and the people w ho practice them." Commissioners did not signal their support one waanother on the issue. Jim Fields, the only attorney on the commission, said after the meeting that he personais reviewing the matter. The W isconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to commissionin May, saying that someone locally had complained about the invocation and noted that the body had invoJesus' name in every 2012 prayer. The letter argued the prayers are outside the scope allowable by the U.Supreme Court's 1983 decision Marsh v. Chambers.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/07/chattanooga-commission-prays-residents-ob jec t/? local

Making Their Moves (Memphis Flyer)Officially, Bob Corker is just one of 17 U .S. Senate candidates who w ill appear on the Tennessee ballot this yHe is opposed by four other Republicans, including two certifiable Tea Party candidates, by seven Democraand by five Independents. The sheer volume of opponents venturing to file against an incumbent would normindicate that the officeholder in question is vulnerable. But Corker is regarded as a solid nay, a prohibitivfavorite against any of his would-be challengers, all of whom, in the strict sense, are no-names. To be sure, oof Corker's GOP primary challengers is one Mark Twain Clemens, a Bedford Countian who owns a name evokes literary grandeur, if not political viability. And one of the Democrats vying for a chance to tangle wisenator is Park Overall, a resident of Greenville in eastern-most Tennessee who had some modest celebritygeneration back as a featured player on the TV sitcom Em pty Nest. In early 2011, the RedState.com w ebsiteTea Party organ, put Corker high up on its hit list. But several polls taken last year indicated convincingly thabig names, those with some political standing and at least a theoretical chance to beat Corker, wouldn't coclose.http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/making-their-moves/Content?oid=3200471

Sen. Corker visits Dyersburg for breakfast fundraiser (State Gazette)U.S. Sen. Bob Corker m ade a fundraising stop in Dyersburg on Friday, June 1 at the Dyersburg/Dyer CouChamber of Commerce. The senator had a full morning beginning with the breakfast event, which was attended by approximately 300 people who had a unique opportunity to interact with a United States senaThe senator's morning also included a private meeting with Port Authority Chairman Jimm y Williamson, AttJohn Lannom, Chamber President/CEO Allen Hester and various aides on the Port of Cates Landconstruction. "I am not sure what I have done to receive such a warm welcome," said Corker, who was visiDyersburg for the first time since being elected to the Senate in 2006. "But thank you." Corker, who is runninre-election in the fall, took some time to address national issues such as: pro-growth and entitlement refodiscretionary caps, health care and Social Security. Corker explained that pro-growth tax reform is linkeentitlement reform and is beginning to gain traction in Congrhttp://www.stategazette.com/story/1857245.html

Weston W amp, 25, visits seniors in search for votes (Times Free-Press/Carroll)Twenty-five-year-old Weston Wamp made his case to the elderly on Wednesday, visiting five retiremcommunities and targeting a dependable voting bloc in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District. Wamp, the sof former U.S. Rep. Zach Wam p, kicked off a three-day self-titled "Generations" tour at Morning Pointe of Hiwhere about 20 seniors gathered in a room to hear the young Republican's stump speech. Wamp is challengiU.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann in the 3rd District Republican primary, and the tour represents a slight shistrategy for a campaign that almost exclusively has targeted younger voters. For his 25th birthday in M aWamp hosted a "miniconcert" fundraiser at Lindsay Street Hall, where country music star John Rich descriWamp as "an American badass" to cheers. Wamp and his aides shelved the coarse language Wednesdaymorning, shifting the focus to a quiet roomful of retirees, whom the campaign collectively described aswisest generation." It's also the generation that votes the most. Mo re than 40 percent of Americans age 50 aolder are regular voters, nearly double the proportion of 18- to 29-year olds, according to the Pew ReseaCenter.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/07/weston-wamp-25-visits-seniors-in-search-for-votes/?local
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Finding work may be as simple as looking for the nearest new restaurant. Hundreds of jobs are expected to added among more than a half dozen eateries that will open in K nox County in the coming months, incluseveral national restaurant chains. "We really have a lot of opportunities that represent a wide variety of josaid Gil Minor, general manager of Chuy's, a Tex-Mex restaurant chain that will open next month in front onew Kroger Marketplace at Cedar Bluff and Kingston Pike. Chuy's, which has an 8,800-square-foot locationincludes a 1,000-square-foot patio, plans to begin filling about 170 full- and part-time positions later this mfor its July 31 opening. A hiring trailer will be on site beginning June 18. "To make the food the way we mtakes a lot of people. There's a lot that goes into making food from scratch every day," Minor said, pointing hand-rolled flour tortillas and hom emade guacamole and sauces. R estaurant growth nationwide is at m ore thapercent and Knoxville is even higher, said Greg Adkins, CEO of the Tennessee H ospitality Association. Thaadded, bodes well for the area.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/07/new-restaurants-bring-hundreds-of-jobs/

Nashville feels tech talent shortage (Tennessean/Underwood)Groups are taking steps to lure more skilled workers to Music City Nashville often gets compared to cities as Raleigh, N.C.; Austin, Texas; Seattle; and Portland, Ore. not bad company, if you ask me. All of thplaces boast vibrant, diverse economies, large university populations, quirky creative cultures, and mrecently, growing scenes for tech startups. So, it was with a dash of dismay that I read about a recent BrookinInstitution analysis that showed Nashville lagging far behind those other cities when it comes to the percenof the population with a college degree, a vital ingredient for economic success, according to the report. In bRaleigh and Austin, about 40 percent of residents hold a college degree, one of the highest proportions of ametropolitan area in the U.S. By contrast, Nashville (including Franklin and Murfreesboro) ranked in the middthe pack with 29.7 percent. We were sandwiched between Columbia, S.C., and Sacramento, Calif. No offenbut these arent exactly the cities that I think most fellow residents aspire to be like.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/COLUMNIST03/306070024/Nashville-feels-tech-talent-shortageodyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cp&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Maury County mayor says he'll be fair with GM (Associated Press)Maury County M ayor James Bailey says the government will be fair with General Motors over the companylieu-of-tax agreement. According to The Daily Herald (http://bit.ly/KGaZb4 ), some county officials expect seek to change the agreement after announcing it is returning vehicular production to its plant in Spring Hill incounty. The agreement means GM's flat yearly payments to the county and its cities are contingent on whetsome portion of the plant is being used for automobile assembly. Bailey said the county doesn't want to anything away but doesn't want to destroy GM either. The paper said GM declined to comment on the statuthe agreement. GM will begin producing the Chevrolet Equinox later this year. The former Saturn plant has bidle for three years.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/07/maury-county-mayor-says-hell-be-fair-with-gm

Great Hearts revives charter school bid (Tennessean/Rau)Great Hearts Academy, the Arizona-based charter school chain that had its application to bring five new schoto Nashville unanimously rejected by the school board last week, plans to appeal the decision, according toemail sent by its CEO to supporters on Tuesday. The school board said the plan diverged from the traditiomission of Nashville charter schools, which has targeted poor children and students zoned for failing schoGreat Hearts officials said they wanted to be open to all students. And they faced some community pushbbecause they included plans to put a school in affluent West Nashville. Great Hearts has until Wednesdaysubmit its supplemental application. The school board probably would consider the new proposal at its Junemeeting. The school board also echoed concerns raised by the districts charter review committee that GrHearts application failed to include a transportation plan for its students. The review committee had approthree of four parts of Great Hearts application its academic, business and enrollment plans. It approved of Great Hearts organization plan but took exception to its lack of transportation.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070036/Great-Hearts-revives-charter-school-bid?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1

Amid Appeal, Charter Applicant Says It Wont Give Up (WPLN-Radio Nashville)An Arizona-based charter school operator says it wont give up on expanding into Nashville. Great HeAcademies is appealing a rejection from the Metro School Board this month. Even if it doesnt win approva
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/07/new-restaurants-bring-hundreds-of-jobs/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/COLUMNIST03/306070024/Nashville-feels-tech-talent-shortage?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/COLUMNIST03/306070024/Nashville-feels-tech-talent-shortage?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/07/maury-county-mayor-says-hell-be-fair-with-gm/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/07/maury-county-mayor-says-hell-be-fair-with-gm/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070036/Great-Hearts-revives-charter-school-bid?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070036/Great-Hearts-revives-charter-school-bid?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/07/new-restaurants-bring-hundreds-of-jobs/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/COLUMNIST03/306070024/Nashville-feels-tech-talent-shortage?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/COLUMNIST03/306070024/Nashville-feels-tech-talent-shortage?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/07/maury-county-mayor-says-hell-be-fair-with-gm/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070036/Great-Hearts-revives-charter-school-bid?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070036/Great-Hearts-revives-charter-school-bid?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1


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year, Great Hearts says it wont walk away. As a charter, Great Hearts would be privately led, but still recpublic money. Its CEO says opening later than next year in N ashville would still be worth it, because thousaof parents have shown interest. Chris Strong is one of them. Strong says shed like to see Great Hearts as option for her younger kids, after her oldest son spent a couple years at a south Nashville high school wdiscipline problems. The kids will tell you, theres 10 percent of the kids who are really bad, and those areones that are running the school, not the administrators and not the teachers. Its a bad situation, and it haschange because I w ill not send one of my children there. Great Hearts would like to set up five schools aroMetro, each with slots for around 400 elementary students, and more than 500 in middle and high schhttp://wpln.org/?p=37993

Register to Metro Council: Higher pay would send 'clear message' (CP/Garrison)Simply the rumor Metro might pay new teachers higher salaries has generated additional interest in Nashvamong teacher applicants, Director of Schools Jesse Register told Metro Council members Wednesday. Illyou, we do not have a shortage of people trying to teach right now in our district, Register said at a coubudget hearing Wednesday that lasted nearly five hours, surpassing the length a public hearing the previonight. Increasing our teacher salary, Register said, sends a very clear message that Nashville means businewhen it comes to getting the best teachers for all of our children. Lifting Metros starting teachers salari$40,000 from approximately $35,000 has emerged as one of the focal points of Mayor Karl Deans propo$1.71 billion budget, which relies on a 53-cent property tax increase. The council will consider Deans budgettax hike for a final vote later this month. Register and the mayor are looking to increase the schools budge$720.4 million over the next fiscal year, a $48.6 million bump, a big chunk of which wo uld be devoted to tepay.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/register-metro-council-higher-teacher-pay-would-send-clear-message

Nashville schools' budget draws fire (Tennessean/Cass)Schools officials faced occasionally aggressive questioning from Metro Council members Wednesday as tconsidered a $46.4 million increase in operating funds. Council members asked about the districts prioritieinstruction, information technology and construction as Director Jesse Register and others made the case fo$720.4 million budget in the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Thats actually $2.5 m illion less than the amthe school board voted to request two months ago. Mayor Karl Deans administration asked district officiareduce the request, which they did by cutting expenses for textbooks, English Language Learners teachetransportation, unemployment compensation and o ther items. Councilwoman Emily Evans pressed Reg ister fdefinition of the bottom-line results taxpayers could expect to see if the education budget went up 6.9 perctaking a large share of the $100 million of new revenue Deans proposed property tax increase would generaRegister declined to quantify the expected payoff but said it would be significant. Were going to advances this year, he said. We expect to close the achievement gap.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070057/Nashville-schools-budget-draws-fire?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Cheatham seeks new schools director (Gannett/Adkins)The Cheatham County School Board has offered Stan Curtis, its transportation supervisor, a one-year contractserve as director of schools for the 2012-13 school year. If Curtis accepts, he would begin work July 1. He wreplace Tim Webb, who resigned in May after serving as the director since November 2010. Webb has accepta job at principal at Richland High School in Giles County. A specially called meeting to vote on the contraset for 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The contract is for just one year because three of the six school board seats are othe Aug. 2 ballot and leadership on the board could change significantly. After the election, the school boardbegin searching for a permanent director. Curtis, wh o lives in Spring Hill, was named the districts transportdirector in September 2011. He was the principal at Hampshire Unit School in Maury County from 2000 to 2the director of schools in Marshall County from 2008 to 2010 and associate executive director of assessmeevaluation and e-learning at the Tennessee D epartment of Education from 2010 to 2011.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070064/Cheatham-seeks-new-schools-director?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

New East Brainerd school now on hold (Times Free-Press/Haman)
http://wpln.org/?p=37993http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/register-metro-council-higher-teacher-pay-would-send-clear-messagehttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/register-metro-council-higher-teacher-pay-would-send-clear-messagehttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070057/Nashville-schools-budget-draws-fire?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070057/Nashville-schools-budget-draws-fire?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070064/Cheatham-seeks-new-schools-director?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070064/Cheatham-seeks-new-schools-director?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://wpln.org/?p=37993http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/register-metro-council-higher-teacher-pay-would-send-clear-messagehttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/register-metro-council-higher-teacher-pay-would-send-clear-messagehttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070057/Nashville-schools-budget-draws-fire?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070057/Nashville-schools-budget-draws-fire?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070064/Cheatham-seeks-new-schools-director?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/306070064/Cheatham-seeks-new-schools-director?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1


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The consequence of a Wednesday vote by the Hamilton County C ommission to halt architect selection for a nEast Brainerd Elementary School will be overcrowding at the current school in two years, the school bochairman says. The commission voted 7-2 to stop the architect selection process, which began in May. "If twant to delay the school and construction, so be it," Board of Education Ch airman Mike Evatt said. "We've' gget on the same page with the commission. This is not healthy. It's not healthy for our community when you ha commission, when you have a board, and we're both elected to do a job and w e can't do our job without gettcriticized." Com missioners plan to hold up construction until they get m ore information about the school syscapital plans, including how to dispose of the current East Brainerd Elementary site. Commissioners are anabout the school system's willingness to trade away the current nine-acre East Brainerd Elementary site inthree-way land deal with Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Housing Authority. The school site appraisedJanuary for $2.3 million, and many commissioners think it's worth more than that. The school system planbuild a new East Brainerd Elementary on the site of the former David Brainerd School on Igou G ap Road.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/07/tennessee-new-east-brainerd-school-now-on-hold/?local

School board wants input on future of old Knoxville High (News-Sentinel/McCoy)Approves letter of interest on school property The Knox County school board has decided to move forwargauging community interest in selling Historic Knoxville High School. On Wednesday, members unanimapproved creating a letter of interest for the property that will be fielded by the Knox County PurchaDepartment. The letter will seek input from developers or other organizations that might be willing to purcthe building and develop it. The letter does not commit the board to take any action. "It's just an exploratiowhat could be the best use for this really important, historical building in our community," said Knox CSchools Superintendent Jim McIntyre. "We certainly want to be respectful of the history and the heritage ofHistoric Knoxville High School building." McIntyre said the letter could be out in the community within tcouple months and once distributed would be out between six to eight weeks. The building at 101 E. FAve.,houses the district's GED and A dult Education programs, the Knoxville City Federal Credit Union, the County Museum of Education, some administrative offices and storage.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/07/school-board-wants-input-on-future-of-old-high/

Smaller School-Budget Increase Passes Co. C ommission Without New Taxes (MP)Its like an episode of Parks and Rec, a friend e-mailed halfway through the epic Knox County Commimeeting on M onday. And indeed, the meeting could not had been more like the television show if it had tSupport Our Schools sent Commission 500 apples before the meeting started. A member of the Tea Party gaCommission 10 lemons and told the 11 members to make lemonade. A man played a harmonica. Recenarrested Commissioner Jeff Ownby chewed gum for two hours straight. Commissioner Mike Brown encouraspanking in the schools. (And we havent even gotten to the communist-plot accusations.) But at the end offour-hour-plus meeting, everyone got a little bit of what they wanted: Knox Cou nty Schools got more m oneyMayor Tim Burchett had his budget adopted without a tax increase. Both sides seemed somewhat pleased wthe outcome of the compromise amendment put forth by Commissioner Mike Hammond that allows the schto get a $7 million budget increase for next year. Comm ission voted for the increase 7 to 4, with Comm issioOwnby, Tony Norman, Dave Wright and R. Larry Smith opposed.http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jun/06/smaller-school-budget-increase-passes-county-commi/

Suburbs set class for school boards (Comm ercial Appeal/Wolff)If voters in the six suburbs outside Memphis approve a referendum A ug. 2 for m unicipal school districts, citwho want to sit on the school boards will have some homew ork. The suburbs are jointly hosting a workshop A7 at the Bartlett Station Municipal Center to educate those who are considering running Nov. 6 for the 30 scboard positions. Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman, who also serves as a suburban member of the unified schboard, presented the idea to the other suburban m ayors. "This vote is going to be one of the most importones in the history of these towns," Wissman said. "We need to hit the ground running." The suburbs will neeelect five at-large members to each board. Officials believe most of those running will be first-time politicianwill serve on a board that's never met to govern a school system that's still a concept. The Nashville-baTennessee School Boards Association is sending executive director Tammy Grissom here in August to hepotential candidates understand school boards. "School board members don't have to have expertise education," Grissom said.http://www.comm ercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/07/suburbs-set-class-for-school-boards / (SUB)

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California: San Diego and San Jose Lead Way in Pension Cuts (New York Times)While the eyes of the nation focused on Wisconsin, where Gov. Scott Walker brushed back a recall attemptcritics of his move to strip most public-sector unions of their collective bargaining rights, a pair of less nolocal elections Tuesday in California could have more immediate ramifications for struggling state and lgovernments and for organized labor. Residents of San Diego and San Jose voted overwhelmingly to cut pension benefits they give city workers. And they did so in a way governments traditionally avoid: moving not just the benefits of future hires, but also those of current city workers, whose pensions generally have mstronger legal protections than those of private-sector workers. Unions in both cities vowed to block the cucourt, but the ease with which the m easures passed is expected to embolden other financially strained cities astates to follow their lead. It is not just Republicans seeking savings. Mayor Rahm Emanuel of ChicagDemocrat, has been seeking to suspend the annual automatic cost-of-living adjustments for retirees.http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/07/us/politics/san-diego-and-san-jose-pass-pension-cuts.html? _r=1&ref=todayspaper(SUBSCRIPTION)

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OPINION

Editorial: Tougher sex offender law will protect women (Jackson Sun)A new state criminal sentencing guideline brought to the Tennessee General Assembly by law enforcement wsigned into law recently by Gov. B ill Haslam. Registered sex offenders who are arrested for stalking or indeexposure now will be charged with a Class E felony and be subject to six to 12 years in prison. This isignificant improvement in the law that will get convicted sex offenders off the street and into prison wherebelong. The change in the law was initiated by Jackson Police Investigator Mark Headen following the arrestviolent sex offender in March 2011. A complaint filed by a Union University student who had been the vicstalking led to the arrest of Jason Nickell. Once Nickell was identified, 13 more w omen came forward as vicBut to Headens frustration, all he could hope for was to incarcerate Nickell, a convicted violent sex offender Texas, for 30 days. Headen set out to change the law. His activism led to seeking support from the TennesseAssociation of Police Chiefs and the Tennessee Sheriffs Association. After taking it upon himself to wchanges to the law, he took the matter to state Sen. Low e Finney, D-Jackson, who pledged his support. Finn

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Nice isn't enough. Familiar isn't enough. Basic com petency and the confidence that he w on't embarrass anyoisn't enough. The unified school district needs a dynamic, charismatic, oh-my-God-who-knew-a-superintendcould-be-so-great leader. Shelby County Schools Supt. John Aitken isn't it. Thankfully this w eek, the back-machinations to send Memphis City Schools Supt. Kriner Cash packing and usher in Aitken's reign were pupause. A special meeting scheduled for Monday to discuss Cash's contract was canceled, but no one thinCash will oversee the m erged district. He's just too polarizing. His swagger, which doesn't bother me in the leirks others. But worse, according to an April poll, neither MCS nor SCS employees think highly of himcontrast, Aitken gets glowing reviews. Still, Aitken has his own baggage, albeit not of the volume of Cash,lugs around every product Samsonite has ever made. Both m en were initially against the merger. But I still cshake the image of Aitken and several SCS board members at a January 2011 news conference led by boarchairman David Pickler.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/07/at-least-give-a-try-at-findingleadership / (SUB)

Editorial: Colleges True Cost (New York Times)The Obama administration is rightly pressing colleges to bring clarity to the often misleading and unintellifinancial aid letters that many send out to newly admitted students. The White Houses announcement thatcolleges and state university systems have agreed to create user-friendly financial aid letters is encouraging, more will obviously need to be done. Many colleges actually hide the real expense of an education by issufinancial aid letters that blur the distinction between grants and loans to make the school look more affordaThe colleges and universities that have committed to transparency including the State University SystemNew York, the university system of M aryland, the University of Texas System and the University of Carolina at Chapel Hill have a combined enrollment of 1.4 million students. They w ill provide stuadmitted for the 2013-14 school year a clear document that shows: how much a year of college will cost; optfor paying those costs, including clear differentiation between grants and loans; estimated monthly paymentsfederal student loans that the student will likely owe upon graduation; and student graduation rates.http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/07/opinion/colleges-true-cost.html?ref=todayspaper(SUBSCRIPTION)

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thurs., june 7 news summary

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