tues., june 5 news summary

7/31/2019 Tues., June 5 News Summary

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TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012

Haslam Signs Measure to Lower Food Tax (TN Report)Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today traveled to Marion County to sign legislation to reduce the state portion of sales tax on groceries from 5.5 percent to 5.25 percent. Haslam held a ceremonial bill signing at the locally- aindependently-owned Smith Bros. Grocery in Whitwell, Tenn. Were focused on m aking state government moefficient and more effective while reducing the cost to taxpayers, Haslam said. The sales tax on food touchall Tennesseans, and this is an effort to lower the burden. I applaud the General Assembly for passing thimportant piece of legislation this year. The bill, SB 3763/HB 3761, was introduced by the governor and was oof three tax cuts passed by the legislature and signed by Haslam this year as the state continues its work towproviding the best customer service at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers.http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/04/haslam-signs-measure-to-lower-fo od-tax/

Gov. Bill Haslam signs bill cutting grocery tax (Times Free-Press/Sher)Republican Gov. Bill Haslam held a ceremonial signing of legislation Monday that cut Tennessee's state satax on groceries by one-quarter cent on July 1, even as Democrats continued to argue that the reductions shobe deeper and occur more quickly. "This is a significant day for Tennessee," Haslam said during a presentatat Smith Brothers Grocery in Whitwell. "This is one tax that almost every Tennessean pays." He acknowledgthat, while cutting the tax from 5.5 percent to 5.25 percent -- as well as plans in 2013 to take it down to 5 perce-- "won't help everybody a lot, it will help everyone some, and that's an important first step." The quarter-cereduction will save a consumer 25 cents on a $10 0 grocery bill, affecting millions of consumers across the staEach quarter-cent reduction costs the state about $21.3 million in annual revenue and, when it goes to a hcent, the revenue reduction rises to $42.6 m illion. Ultimately, the cut will shave 10 percent off the tax. How evsome consumers weren't highly impressed with the cut on Monday.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/haslam-signs-bill-cutting-grocery-t ax/?local

Governor Haslam signs grocery tax reduction bill (WRCB-TV Chattanooga)You'll soon be spending a little less at the grocery store. Monday afternoon, Governor Bill Haslam signed into lthe grocery tax reduction bill. But before you start spending your savings, Channel 3 takes a look at just hmuch you'll bank. Lifetime Whitwell resident Stella Morrison won't mind spending less at the grocery store.think it's a great idea," M orrison says. "We've heard about it in other states." Monday, Governor Bill Haslsigned into law the grocery tax reduction bill outside Smith Brothers Grocery in Marion County. Store owner BJoe Smith says any little bit helps. "Seventy-five percent of these people are probably on some type of a chewhether it be social security or unemployment," Smith says. "Anything will help these people in this little, smcommunity." The bill decreases the state sales tax rate on sale of food and food ingredients from 5.5 percent5.25 percent. On average, it will save shoppers 75 cents a week, and cost the State of Tennessee $18 m illio

year.http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/18698122/governor-haslam-signs

Haslam Touts Food-Tax Reduction (WPLN-Radio Nashville)The state sales tax on food is set to drop a litt le bit next month. On Monday Governor Bil l Haslam heldceremonial signing for the new law, which lowers the current 5.5 percent tax on groceries. The new law will saTennesseans $0.25 in taxes on every hundred dollars worth of groceries. At the Kroger in Nashvilles Bordeaneighborhood, Linda Phillips says its better than nothing. REPORTER: How much of a difference does tmake to you? PHILLIPS: Well, very little, but any decrease is an increase for my household, so it definithelps. But Shaterial Starnes figures the savings could add up. STARNES: Collectively, I guess over a period
http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/04/haslam-signs-measure-to-lower-food-tax/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/haslam-signs-bill-cutting-grocery-tax/?localhttp://www.wrcbtv.com/story/18698122/governor-haslam-signshttp://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/04/haslam-signs-measure-to-lower-food-tax/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/haslam-signs-bill-cutting-grocery-tax/?localhttp://www.wrcbtv.com/story/18698122/governor-haslam-signs


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time, it can make a difference. My preference would be there not be any sales tax on food. In other states therno sales tax on food, so The quarter-percent tax cut amounts to about $21 million in next years state budgehttp://wpln.org/?p=378 95

By the numbers: The ROI of Tennessee's incentives (Nashville Business JournalRepublican Gov. Bill Haslam recently expanded a state program that provides cash grants for companies look

to move to or grow in Tennessee. It's all part of an effort on behalf of Tennessee officials to save taxpaymoney, be m ore transparent about economic development spending and keep the state competitive. Meanwhthe move has reinvigorated a decades-old conversation about the effectiveness of business incentivEconomic development officials, as well as some business leaders, agree that incentives are a musTennessee w ants to compete globally for jobs. But just how effective those programs are in maintaining agrowing the state's workforce is still up for debate. Like any business, the return on investment for thoprograms is measured by a myriad of factors. But we wanted to look at it strictly by the numbers. As excerptfrom the current print edition of the Nashville Business Journal, here is what we found:http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/06/a-closer-look-at-tennessees-ince ntive.html

2 groups authorized to open Tenn. charter schools (Jackson Sun)Two of the nations leading charter management organizations have been authorized to open new char

schools in Memphis and Nashville. The Achievement School District has allowed Aspire Public Schools aRocketship Education to open 26 schools by the 2019-2020 school year, district head Chris Barbic announcMonday. Aspire will oversee 10 schools in M emphis. It currently operates 34 schools across California with ab12,000 students. Rocketship has about 2,400 students in five charter schools in San Jose. It will operate eigschools each in Memphis and Nashville. The other charter organizations selected by the Achievement SchDistrict include Capstone Education Group, Gestalt Community Schools, KIPP Nashville, KIPP MempCollegiate Schools and LEAD Public schools. The charter groups will open nine schools in Memphis aNashville next year, with plans to open a total of 41 by 2020. The nine schools will serve as many as 3,0students. Tennessee is an exciting place to be, said Aspire CEO James W illcox. The environment for chanhere is one that has built up over a long period of timhttp://www.jacksonsun.com/viewart/20120605/NEWS01/306050005/2-groups-authorized-open-Tenn-charter-schools(SUBSCRIPTION)

TN to convert 10 failing schools in Nashville to charters (Tennessean/Rau)State will convert Metro campuses to new charters The state plans to convert 10 failing Nashville schools incharter schools that will serve about 5,000 students by 2020, the Tennessee Achievement School Distrannounced Monday. The move marks a dramatic expansion of the Achievement School District in DavidsCounty. This fall, about 100 Davidson students will be enrolled in an Achievement School District school whLEAD Academy takes over fifth grade at Brick Church Middle School. The Achievement School District, creaas part of Tennessees response to the federal Race to the Top initiative, authorizes charter schools and aldirectly runs low-performing schools. LEAD Academy was tabbed by the Achievement School Districtgradually take control of an existing middle school, beginning in 2013. California-based Rocketship Education wtake control of eight elementary schools in Nashville, with its first school also opening in 2013. KIPP Academwhich had its application to open a charter school in Nashville rejected last week by the school board, was aselected by the ASD to take over a m iddle school starting in 2013.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS04/306050030/TN-convert-10-failing-schools-Nashville-charters?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

State taps three charter groups to operate schools in Nashville (CP/Garrison)A state governance body that oversees Tennessees lowest-performing schools has authorized thorganizations to open publicly financed, privately led charter schools in Nashville. Tennessees AchievemSchool District, comprised of 85 schools statewide, announced Monday it has contracted with Nashville-basLEAD Public Schools, California-based Rocketship Education and KIPP Nashville to serve Metro students wattend some of the districts historically struggling schools. Were incredibly excited that these local and natiocharter leaders have stepped up to join the Achievement School District and serve our communities, ASsuperintendent Chris Barbic said in a statement. Tennessee is becoming the epicenter of educatio
http://wpln.org/?p=37895http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/06/a-closer-look-at-tennessees-incentive.htmlhttp://www.jacksonsun.com/viewart/20120605/NEWS01/306050005/2-groups-authorized-open-Tenn-charter-schoolshttp://www.jacksonsun.com/viewart/20120605/NEWS01/306050005/2-groups-authorized-open-Tenn-charter-schoolshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS04/306050030/TN-convert-10-failing-schools-Nashville-charters?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS04/306050030/TN-convert-10-failing-schools-Nashville-charters?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://wpln.org/?p=37895http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/06/a-closer-look-at-tennessees-incentive.htmlhttp://www.jacksonsun.com/viewart/20120605/NEWS01/306050005/2-groups-authorized-open-Tenn-charter-schoolshttp://www.jacksonsun.com/viewart/20120605/NEWS01/306050005/2-groups-authorized-open-Tenn-charter-schoolshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS04/306050030/TN-convert-10-failing-schools-Nashville-charters?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS04/306050030/TN-convert-10-failing-schools-Nashville-charters?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1


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transformation. LEAD is authorized to convert one of nine traditional Metro schools that fall under the ASD intnew charter school beginning in the 2013-14 school year. It is still unclear which Metro school LEAD will taover.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/state-taps-three-charter-groups-operate-school s-nashville

State approves charter school groups to run more Memphis schools (CA/Roberts

Five charter organizations Monday got the green light to expand their brands in M emphis C ity Schools, includtwo West Coast operators moving for the first time outside California. The local operators are Gestalt Comm unSchools, KIPP Memphis and Capstone Education Group. Each started with one school in Memphis. Based the strength of their balance sheets and improved test scores, they are now being given charge of loperforming schools in the Achievement School District. Aspire Public Schools and Rocketship Education walso approved. Both are high-achieving, fast-growing charter operations in California. "We're incredibly excitthat these local and national charter leaders have stepped up to join the Achievement School District and seour communities," said ASD Supt. Chris Barbic. "Tennessee is becoming the epicenter of educatiotransformation." KIPP Nashville, LEAD Academy and Rocketship w ill also take over public schools in NashviBetween the five operators approved in Memphis and three in Nashville, the charters expect to be running ASD public schools by 2019.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/04/state-approves-five-charter-school-groups -run-more/(SUB)

Can Schools Fail their Way to Success? (Memphis Daily News)Tennessee's Achievement School District is in the news today. In Nashville, there was a press conferenMonday to announce that seven charter school organizations plan to open nine new schools in the ASDMemphis and Nashville in 2013, the year of the big change. Is the Achievement School District like the NLottery? Can you fail your way to success? In the NBA, if a team is mediocre it winds up with a low-to-middldraft pick, but if it is really bad, it is rewarded by making the lottery and has a chance (but not a certainty) for number-one pick that can turn the team around in a year or two. In schools, it seems that if a public schoomediocre it stays that way and remains part of the parent system (let's say Memphis City Schools). But if itdeemed a failure year after year by state standards, then it becomes part of the charterized Achievement SchDistrict and gets an infusion of special attention and new leadership. And some of the individual teachers aprincipals at the failing school can also get new life in what purports to be a "worst to first (top 25 percenprogram.http://www.memphisflyer.com/CityBeatBlog/archives/2012/06/04/can-schools-fail-their-way-t o-success

SCORE Tardy Turning in Teacher Evaluations System Review (TN Report)The education reform group charged with grading the states new teacher evaluation process is turning in homework late. No, the dog didnt eat their research paper. But the State Collaborative on Reforming EducatiSCORE, wanted to take a more time collecting data, officials said. Frankly, its that we had some additioinputs from people across the state over the last few weeks, said David Mansouri, SCOREs spokesman. Wfeel like this is a really important document, and we wanted to make sure all those inputs were included. Treport was originally due out June 1, but Mansouri and the governors administration say to expect it June 1The report is the result of feedback from some 27,000 educators, parents and experts from the busincommunity along with state and national education groups through online questionnaires, roundtable discussioand sit-down interviews, said Mansouri. The results of the study touch the future of job evaluations for so64,000 teachers and thousands of principals and education staff as state officials expect the report will drrevisions to the system going into the 2012-13 school year.http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/04/score-tardy-turning-in-teacher-evaluations-syste m-review/

City Cafe reopens in Murfreesboro (Gannett)A week and a half after the Tennessee Department of Revenue seized City Cafe, the iconic restaurant reopenMonday amid a dispute over how much it owes in state sales taxes. I made it a point to come down here athey opened it back up, said Brad Lamb, a local bank employee who considers himself a third- or fourgeneration City Cafe diner. Lamb said he was completely shocked by the states move to shut down trestaurant, but added, With the way things are, you dont know what to think. For more than 100 yearsdifferent locations on the Public Square, City Cafe has served an eclectic collection of customers, ranging fr
http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/state-taps-three-charter-groups-operate-schools-nashvillehttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/04/state-approves-five-charter-school-groups-run-more/http://www.memphisflyer.com/CityBeatBlog/archives/2012/06/04/can-schools-fail-their-way-to-successhttp://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/04/score-tardy-turning-in-teacher-evaluations-system-review/http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/state-taps-three-charter-groups-operate-schools-nashvillehttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/04/state-approves-five-charter-school-groups-run-more/http://www.memphisflyer.com/CityBeatBlog/archives/2012/06/04/can-schools-fail-their-way-to-successhttp://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/04/score-tardy-turning-in-teacher-evaluations-system-review/


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bankers, lawyers and judges to blue-collar workers, MTSU students and families with small children. Open business Megan Finley was glad to see the East Main Street restaurant reopen as she occupied a booth herself Monday afternoon. She eats there regularly because its a Murfreesboro institution. Building co-owCindy Perkins, whose son, Scott, is sole proprietor, said Monday the restaurant remains in a dispute with state Department of Revenue over sales thttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS01/306050036/City-Cafe-reopens-Murfreesboro?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Greene Co. woman charged with TennCare fraud (Herald-Courier)A Greene County woman is charged in nearby Carter County with TennCare fraud for selling prescription drupaid for by TennCare. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Phyllis Hamm, 55Chuckey, after a joint investigation with the 1st Judicial Drug Task Force, the Johnson City Police DepartmeVice Unit, the Carter County Sheriffs Department and the Elizabethton Police Department. Ham m is chargwith one count of TennCare fraud and one count of sale of a Schedule III controlled substance. Shes accusof using TennCare benefits to obtain a prescription for Suboxone, a painkiller used to treat addiction to drusuch as morphine, later selling a portion of the prescription. We are working closely with local law enforcemofficers in an aggressive effort to go after anyone who misusing their TennCare benefits, Inspector GeneDeborah Y. Faulkner said. Were intent on stopping illegal drug activity in TennCare. TennCare fraud iClass E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison, and sale a Schedule III controlled substancefraud is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years in prison. District Attorney General Anthony Clarkprosecuting.http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jun/04/greene-co-woman-charged-tenncare-fraud-ar- 1964915/

Emails show special judge sought to b lock public scrutiny (N-S/Satterfield)Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood removed motions from a court file, ordered prosecutors to make no pubmention of them, used email communication in lieu of orders and hearings and favored meetings in chambover public hearings all to avoid public scrutiny of his handling of the Christian-Newsom torture-slaying casdocuments show. Blackwood's displeasure at media coverage of his decision-making in the cases of fdefendants in the January 2007 killings of Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23, is detailedemails made public as part of an effort by Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols' office to requthat Blackwood step down from the case. Late Friday afternoon, Assistant District Attorney General Leland P rfiled in his boss's name a motion asking Blackwood to recuse himself, after Blackwood stated in an email thatintended to order, without a public hearing, new trials again for the murder defendants. Blackwoointended ruling came after the Tennessee Supreme Court opined that Blackwood's legal reasoning for grantnew trials was legally flawed and ordered him to revisit the decision.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/05/emails-show-special-judge-sought-to-block-public/

Voter ID Opponents Shift Focus to Education, Rallying Democratic Voters (TNR)Liberal critics of Tennessees voter identification requirements passed in 2011 by the state Legislature stheyre presently focused more on education, outreach and fanning outrage in the court of public opinion thadirect legal challenge. Clearly, litigation-focused groups like the American Civil Liberties Union still despise new law, which requires voters to show a form of government-issued photo ID in order to cast their ballot, saHedy W einberg, executive director of the Tennessee ACLU. But plans for a lawsuit are on the back burner, ssays. No matter what, this law exists, and we have to figure out how those individuals who want to vote can the documentation to get the free voter ID if they dont have the money or the resources to pay for a photo Ishe said after a town hall m eeting on voter suppression hosted by the United Steelworkers at the FithteeAvenue Baptist Church in Nashville Thursday.http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/04/voter-id-opponents-shift-focus-to-education-rallying-democra tic-voters/

Tea party influence in TN may be limited (Tennessean/Sisk)Buoyed by the fruits of redistricting, which came on the heels of the Republican Partys big win in the 20midterm elections, tea party groups see new opportunities to nudge the state in a more conservative directioBut unlike in Indiana, Texas and many other states where their clout has resounded loudly, Tennessees
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS01/306050036/City-Cafe-reopens-Murfreesboro?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS01/306050036/City-Cafe-reopens-Murfreesboro?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jun/04/greene-co-woman-charged-tenncare-fraud-ar-1964915/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/05/emails-show-special-judge-sought-to-block-public/http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/04/voter-id-opponents-shift-focus-to-education-rallying-democratic-voters/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS01/306050036/City-Cafe-reopens-Murfreesboro?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS01/306050036/City-Cafe-reopens-Murfreesboro?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/jun/04/greene-co-woman-charged-tenncare-fraud-ar-1964915/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/05/emails-show-special-judge-sought-to-block-public/http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/04/voter-id-opponents-shift-focus-to-education-rallying-democratic-voters/


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party groups have not yet rallied around a slate of candidates, lowering the likelihood that they w ill be able tothe balance in races this fall. Canny positioning by the states GOP politicians and a long tradition of electmoderates appear to have taken steam out of the tea party movement. Fractured and leaderless, tea pagroups in Tennessee are largely pursuing their own priorities in the August Republican primary and Novembegeneral election. That makes it difficult for any to mount the sort of upset bid that has already claimed U.S. SDick Lugar in Indiana and carried former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz into a runoff for a U.S. Senate sfrom that state. Tennessees tea parties have m ade their presence felt at the local level. Last week, a tea parally at the Limelight nightclub in Nashville drew scores of activists eager to mobilize against plans for a Meproperty tax increase.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS02/306050010/TN-tea-parties-influence-may-limited?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Dean proposes $2.5M for "zombie" neighborhoods (Nashville Business Journal)Mayor Karl D ean is proposing $2.5 million to pay for unfinished infrastructure as Metro government worksclean up the last of a series of "zombie" neighborhoods in the Antioch area. Dean set aside the money in proposed $300 million capital spending plan, though administration officials say they hope to only spendfraction of that as they complete negotiations on a few final subdivisions. Successful negotiations would resoan issue that sprang up in the economic downturn as developers went broke or walked away from projecleaving many neighborhoods w ith unfinished infrastructure. Dean said Friday Metro was "left with this issue" tposes health and safety risks and hurts property values as people live in unfinished neighborhoods. Tadministration says the $2.5 million should more than cover any remaining infrastructure Metro could envispaying for. That would be just a fraction of the more than $30 million some argued Metro was responsible following a debacle that has evolved from contentious in both political and business circles to collaborativhttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/06/04/dean-duvall-antioch-zombie-bo nds.html

Nashville property tax hike supporters may get drowned out (Tennessean/Cass)Some of the people offering a helping hand to Mayor Karl Dean this spring would benefit from the property tincrease hes seeking. After receiving a M ay 4 em ail blast from the mayors office, which wanted help making case to Metro Council members, Tom Cigarran wrote back: Will do. You have my full support. Cigarranchairman of the Nashville Predators ownership group, which gets millions of dollars of taxpayer support eayear. Records obtained by The Tennessean under the states open records law show that the m ayors office a similar response from Buck Dozier, director of the Metro-owned Tennessee State Fairgrounds, which would a $200,000 subsidy from the city: Please tell the Mayor that I agree, and I will do what I can. Voices like thocould be in the minority at 6:30 tonight, when the council will hold a public hearing on Deans proposal for a cent tax increase to raise about $100 million, undergirding a $1.71 billion operating budget. An estimated 200250 people turned out for a tea party rally to protest the tax hike Thursday, organizer Ben Cunningham said. Amost of the nearly 300 emails the mayors office had received through May 29 expressed opposition.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS0202/306050033/Nashville-property-tax-hike-supporters-may-get-drowned-out?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Budget battle: $7 million more for schools (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Donila)The Knox County Commission on Monday approved Mayor Tim Burchett's proposed budget for the upcomfiscal year, albeit with a twist. In a 7-4 vote, commissioners agreed to give the school system an additional million but not the $35 million it initially requested for next year to pay for an ambitious educational plan tsupporters said would increase test scores and lead to better schools. "This would not require a tax increassaid Commission Chairman M ike Hammond, who offered the modified plan. "And, let's face it, we've heard frour people . . . and this is something that's become a lightning rod. "We will be able to measure the results, awe will be able to track this and this would be for one year." Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre, who had pushfor a much larger, $35 million increase, said he approved of the counter plan. He, school board chairmThomas Deakins and Hammond worked on it earlier Monday. "I think it was actually a really good night for children of Knox County," said McIntyre, adding that the money w ill fund a number of key initiatives.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/05/budget-battle-7-million-more-for-schools/

School board members pleased with commission vote (News-Sentinel/McCoy)
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS02/306050010/TN-tea-parties-influence-may-limited?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS02/306050010/TN-tea-parties-influence-may-limited?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/06/04/dean-duvall-antioch-zombie-bonds.htmlhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS0202/306050033/Nashville-property-tax-hike-supporters-may-get-drowned-out?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS0202/306050033/Nashville-property-tax-hike-supporters-may-get-drowned-out?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/05/budget-battle-7-million-more-for-schools/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS02/306050010/TN-tea-parties-influence-may-limited?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS02/306050010/TN-tea-parties-influence-may-limited?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/06/04/dean-duvall-antioch-zombie-bonds.htmlhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS0202/306050033/Nashville-property-tax-hike-supporters-may-get-drowned-out?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/NEWS0202/306050033/Nashville-property-tax-hike-supporters-may-get-drowned-out?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/05/budget-battle-7-million-more-for-schools/


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Knox County school board members said Monday night's Knox County Commission budget vote was a gocompromise. Board chairman Thomas D eakins, who helped come up with the last-minute proposal that passsaid the 7-4 decision made a statement. "What it does is it allows us to say that education is very important anallows us to fund those classroom initiatives," he said. "The good thing is that it allows us to continue thdialogue and put education in the forefront. So I'm very excited about it." Deakins said he was disappointofficials aren't addressing capital needs. But that's a topic for future discussion. "What we can do now is wowith Commission to understand the capital needs and come up with a plan to address those," he said. "So hopeful that next year we pull the Commission and the mayor into this, and we say, 'These are our needs goforward,' and we come up with a way to fund them." Some school board members said they were disappointKnox County Schools won't get all that it asked for. Still, they're glad for what they got.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/05/school-board-members-pleased-with-commission/

Memphis city budget battle looming (Commercial Appeal/Maki)Dueling tax rates among proposals before council Memphis City Council members say one outcome is certwhen they debate today on a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1: Mem phis Mayor AC Wharton's requfor a 47-cent property tax increase will be turned down. "Dead" is how councilman Jim Strickland, chairmanthe council's budget committee, described the tax hike Wharton is seeking. Council mem bers -- who control city's finances -- will sift through at least three council-generated budget proposals that aim to lower the citcurrent property-tax rate of $3.19 per $100 of assessed value. Wharton requested the 47-cent increase to cothe cost of the last year of state-mandated funding for Memphis City Schools. He says he stands by his pl"Let me make it clear," he said in a letter sent to council members Monday, "I am still of the sincere convictthat my original proposal is the best." The budge t Wharton presented to the council calls for a combined tax rof $3.66, with $3.01 for city operations and the rest for schools.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/05/budget-battle-looming/(SUBSCRIPTION)

Council Looks to End Budget Season (Mem phis Daily News)Memphis City Council members are likely to end their budget season Tuesday, June 5, with final votes on operating budget ordinance as w ell as a tax rate ordinance. But going into the week there was no single budproposal or tax rate proposal that had the formal endorsement of a majority on the council. The council meets3:30 p.m. at 125 N. M ain St. The council budget committee will meet one final time Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. withattempt to come up with a committee recommendation for the full 13-member council. At a session last wethree council members rolled out their individual budget proposals in a committee meeting that includedmajority of council members. Each one of the plans by council members Edmund Ford Jr., Harold Collins abudget committee chairman Jim S trickland proposed lowering the existing $3.19 city property tax rate. Each aproposed using one-time-only funding to pay, in part, the last year of the citys obligation to fund Memphis CSchools, which they now put at $64 million instead of an earlier figure of $68 million.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/5/council-looks-to-end-budget-season/

Border status could be 'game-changer' for East Ridge (TFP/Harrison)East Ridge officials are heralding a special state-granted tax designation as an "economic game-changer." Monday the city learned that several areas within the city had been approved as a "border region retail touridevelopment district" by the Tennessee's commissioner of Revenue and the commissioner of Economic aCommunity Development. "It's hard to quantify the impact this could have, and we probably won't be ablequantify it till about 20 years down the road," explained Mayor Brent Lambert, who said the designation could"the single most significant event to occur in East Ridge" during his lifetime. "This provides us with the toolsreally see a makeover of the city. It allows us to really go after some big-time economic developmeLegislation passed in 2011 by the Tennessee General Assembly allows for Border Region districts to be creaunder several conditions: Cities must border other states and have an interstate highway running through themhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/border-status-could-be-game-changer/?local

Move to change Memphis development rules sparks sharp criticism (CA/Bailey)New development rules that encourage walkable neighborhoods and discourage sprawl face a threat in comweeks, say proponents of sustainable communities. Memphis and Shelby County's planning departm
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/05/school-board-members-pleased-with-commission/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/05/budget-battle-looming/http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/5/council-looks-to-end-budget-season/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/border-status-could-be-game-changer/?localhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/05/school-board-members-pleased-with-commission/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/05/budget-battle-looming/http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/5/council-looks-to-end-budget-season/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/border-status-could-be-game-changer/?local


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proposes to weaken the 17-month-old Unified Development Code (UDC), say spokesmen for a groupplanners, preservationists, architects, attorneys and others who've been poring over the dense details for fmonths. Planning Director Josh Whitehead countered that the existing code makes it too difficult to devewithin the city. The issue may set up a classic battle between developers seeking lower barriers to economgrowth and neighborhood activists fighting for the kind of growth they can live with. "We all agree we needcode that does two things: Discourages suburban sprawl ... and at the same time promotes reinvestment in texisting part of the city," Whitehead said. "The way the UDC is written now, it sets the bar to the level that it readoes, in my opinion, make reinvestment in this area very difficult.''http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/04/move-change-memphis-development-rules-sparks-sharp(SUBSCRIPTION)

Cohen Plans Rollout of Endorsements (Memphis Daily News)There will be a Cohen ballot of political endorsements for the Aug. 2 and Nov. 6 elections. U.S. Rep. SteCohen, D-Memphis, opened his campaign headquarters Saturday, June 2, with a pledge to not only campahard for re-election but to campaign on behalf of President Barack Obama and several local Democrats in cougeneral election and state legislative races. We are going to run a full complete campaign looking for evsingle vote, Cohen told a group of more than 100 on the parking lot of his Midtown campaign headquarteThis is the take-no-prisoners campaign. Cohen never mentioned Democratic primary challenger and schboard member T omeka Hart by name. But he referred indirectly to Republican Primary contender and formShelby County Commission member George Flinn. Cohen said he is taking neither lightly. Weve got a primabut the enemy is the Republicans, he said. Weve got a self- funder who is going to be running against us in fall. Hes going to spend a lot of money so were going to have to spend some money too. And were goingdo everything we can to see that this is his worst defeat that hes ever suffered.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/5/cohen-plans-rollout-of-endorsements/

Scottie Mayfield rebuffs term limit critics (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/CarrollScottie Mayfield's self-imposed term-limit pledge is attracting criticism from both sides of the political aisle, the dairy executive appears to be standing firm. Mark Caldwell, a conservative blogger from Lookout Mountasaid Mayfield missed the point of term limits when the dairy executive promised to serve no more than 10 yearhe unseats U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District Republican primary. Innewsletter emailed Friday to mostly Republican activists, Caldwell skewered Mayfield's belief that a term-lipledge "creates the opportunity to vote for what the m ember believes is right" on controversial issues that m iotherwise jeopardize re-election. "Limiting congressional terms," Caldwell wrote, "has nothing to do with howmember of Congress votes." Caldwell said term limits are important for a different reason -- to limit "power amoney which ensures their perpetual re-election and undermines the democratic process." He called Mayfie"clueless" and advised Republican primary voters to "stay vigilant against this menace." A Mayfield campaspokesman did not respond to requests for comment, but P aul K. Brock Jr., Mayfield's finance chairman, praisthe candidate's pledge.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/mayfield-rebuffs-term-limit-criti cs/?local

Filmmakers Shoot for Breaks (Wall Street Journal)California Gives $100 Million in Rebates as Other States Poach From Hollywood In a conference room habove Hollywood Boulevard, California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Luevano reached into a glass bow l hold310 blue paper tickets representing proposed film and television projects. He selected one at random. Thticket, and the next 27 pulled by O fficer Luevano last Friday afternoon, made those projects eligible for somethe $100 million in tax rebates awarded by the California Film Commission. The annual exercise is partCalifornia's effort to cope with "runaway production"the flight of movie and TV producers to other states anations that offer filmmakers generous subsidies to shoot on their turf. A total of 44 states, plus Puerto R ico aWashington, D.C., now offer filmmakers incentives of some kind, according to the Motion Picture AssociationAmerica. A low-budget romantic comedy, "Walk of Shame," was one of the lucky few in the lottery. RichaWright, head of production at Lakeshore Entertainment, got the news over the weekend. W ithout the rebate,said, "either we wouldn't have shot it at all, or we would have shot it elsewhere." Declining theater attendanand crumbling DVD sales have squeezed profit margins in the movie business, making tax breaks an essenpart of producers' calculations about where to film.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303506404577446773703322492.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1(SUBSCRIPTION)
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/04/move-change-memphis-development-rules-sparks-sharp/http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/5/cohen-plans-rollout-of-endorsements/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/mayfield-rebuffs-term-limit-critics/?localhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303506404577446773703322492.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/04/move-change-memphis-development-rules-sparks-sharp/http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/5/cohen-plans-rollout-of-endorsements/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/mayfield-rebuffs-term-limit-critics/?localhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303506404577446773703322492.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1


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BlueCross Tests Bundling Payments to Doctors (WPLN-Radio Nashville)BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is testing a different way of paying doctors. Instead of a piecemeal seriesbills following a medical procedure, BlueCross is experimenting with bundling those bills into one. The reasyou get all those separate bills is because each provider bills your insurance separately. But with bundling, insurance company cuts a single check to cover everyone. Supporters say bundling will reduce costs aimprove care, since it forces different health providers to coordinate with one another. BlueCross is testing

bundled payments with some orthopedic practices in Tennessee. Medicare has a pilot program of its owfunded by the health reform law. But in terms of reducing costs Vanderbilt health economist Larry Van Horn sabundling is just window dressing. For it to be successful, it has to change the process of care and also hopefreduce the costs of care.http://wpln.org/?p=378 91

75 jobs lost in Dalphis America closure (Memphis Business Journal)Dalphis America LLC has laid off 75 employees as the company which recently came out of Chapter bankruptcy and its assets are reportedly being put up for sale. According to the Tennessee DepartmentLabor and Workforce Development , the layoffs were effective May 18. A story by The Commercial Appindicated the company was unable to compete against foreign competitors in Canada and M exico despite havreceived financial backing from an Atlanta-based group of investors. In late 2010, Memphis Business Jourreported Dalphis had received approval for a three-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes application that the compa

planned to use to consolidate its operations and expand its work force. The company did relocate to industspace in Southeast Memphis in early 2011, but plans to expand sputtered as a halted line of credit forced company into C hapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/06/04/75-jobs-lost-in-dalphis-america-clo sure.html

Customer service called key to Chattanooga's tourism industry (TFP/ONeil)Persuading a stranger's 7-year-old kid not to touch museum artwork can be a difficult task. Pulling that without ruffling any feathers and promoting a fam ily friendly atmosphere is even harder, but the Hunter Museof American Art's security manager can't stress enough the importance of overcoming that challenge. "It's hard to get the families in," Lynn Hicks said. "If they have a good experience, they're going to come back or somebody about it. So Hicks and several other Hunter Museum staffers attended a Monday morning hospitatraining session to hone their customer service skills and ensure today's tourists are tomorrow's Chattanoo

promoters. Tourism is a more than $800 million-a-year industry in Chattanooga employing about 8,000 peopDan Nausley, who led two Monday training sessions and will lead a third this morning, said being receptivecustomer needs and friendly to the occasional cranky visitor can be the difference between a positive or negatexperience. "You never get a second chance to make a first impression," Nausley said to a room full of lohospitality workers. "Well, for those 3 million visitors who come to our area, you are that first impression."http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/customer-service-called-key-to-tourism/?busine sstnvalley

Great Hearts Must Soon Decide On Charter Appeal (WPLN-Radio Nashville)A controversial charter-school operator could soon announce whether it will try again for permission to launchNashville. Last week the Metro school board rejected an application from Phoenix-based Great Heaprompting calls for an appeal, and criticism from the mayor. Great Hearts application ran into trouble amquestions over location, as well as the racially-charged issue of student transportation. Some had specula

Great Hearts would use public money to teach students from rich families who would otherwise turn to privschools. Megan Proctor heads the PTA at Maxwell Elementary south of downtown. She says her family wthinking of m oving to the suburbs for better schools, but put those plans on hold at the prospect of Great Heacoming in. Our house has been on the market, and we had plans to move to Williamson County solely education purposes and had, since hearing about Great Hearts, decided to take the house off the market astay, in hopes that it would be the right fit for us.http://wpln.org/?p=378 65

Commissioners say schools are getting raw deal in land swap (TFP/Hama

Hardy)A proposed three-way land swap among the city of Chattanooga, Hamilton County Schools and C hattanoo
http://wpln.org/?p=37891http://wpln.org/?p=37891http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/06/04/75-jobs-lost-in-dalphis-america-closure.htmlhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/customer-service-called-key-to-tourism/?businesstnvalleyhttp://wpln.org/?p=37865http://wpln.org/?p=37865http://wpln.org/?p=37891http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/06/04/75-jobs-lost-in-dalphis-america-closure.htmlhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/customer-service-called-key-to-tourism/?businesstnvalleyhttp://wpln.org/?p=37865


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Housing Authority has county commissioners fuming and feeling as if they've been "hoodwinked." The proposdeal involving cash and three properties -- East Brainerd Elementary School, the old Maurice Poss Homes sand Dogwood Manor Apartments -- appears to short the schools, according to seven of nine coucommissioners. The other two commissioners, Warren Mackey and Greg Beck, are said to have helped brothe deal and did not return calls for comment Monday. Though School Superintendent Rick Smith submittedwritten proposal to CHA and the city March 28, most county commissioners only learned about the swap in last few days. Although the comm ission doesn't own any of the property involved, commissioners say they dolike the apparent secrecy surrounding the deal, noting that during a May 2 commission meeting in which the EBrainerd property was discussed, the three-way swap was not mentioned at all.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/commissioners-say-schools-are-getting/?local

OPINION

Tre Hargett: Summer reading can help (Jackson Sun)We all know how important school is to a childs development, but learning outside the classroom is extremimportant, too. In fact, students who dont continue to learn after school lets out for the summer run the riskfalling behind their classmates. Studies show that students who dont read over the sum mer lose up to a mo

of the instruction time they received during the previous academic year. Students w ho fall behind during summer often dont catch up after the school year resumes. Its particularly a problem with students freconomically-disadvantaged backgrounds. In a 2003 Education Digest article, University of Florida educatprofessors Richard L. Allington and Anne McGill-Franzen wrote that less-affluent students without accesssummer reading opportunities may fall as much as a year and a half behind students from more-afflubackgrounds by the end of the fifth grade. By ninth grade, researchers believe up to two-thirds of the differenin reading skills among students is attributable to the types of learning activities the students were exposedduring the summer months while they were in elementary school. Thats the bad news. The good news is therea remedy that is as close as the local public library.http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120605/OPINION/306050001/Hargett-column-Summer-reading-can-helpnclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial: Metro Council should be resolute in support of mayor's budget plan (TWhen members of the Metro Council prepare to vote tonight on the second of two readings on Mayor KDeans $1.71 billion budget for 2012-13, some of them undoubtedly w ill be sweating it. After all, the outcry othe proposal to increase property taxes by 13 percent has often been angry and emotional, and its easy to show an elected official could feel singed by the heat of the response. So it will be a test for Davidson Countlegislative body to see if they can calmly consider all the pros and cons and then vote in favor of the mayoplan. The city of Nashville needs the revenue that would be generated under this budget, because consequences of rejecting it would make it difficult for Metro to ensure adequate public safety and to keep school system on track to improve educational outcomes for its 80,000 students. Without question, maproperty owners are nervous and upset. They continue to struggle with high prices and a slowly recovereconomy, and a tax increase feels difficult to absorb. But we urge property owners and their council membersconsider the higher costs they will incur in the near future if this very pragmatic budget were to be rejected. A
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/commissioners-say-schools-are-getting/?localhttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120605/OPINION/306050001/Hargett-column-Summer-reading-can-help?nclick_check=1http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120605/OPINION/306050001/Hargett-column-Summer-reading-can-help?nclick_check=1http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/05/commissioners-say-schools-are-getting/?localhttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120605/OPINION/306050001/Hargett-column-Summer-reading-can-help?nclick_check=1http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120605/OPINION/306050001/Hargett-column-Summer-reading-can-help?nclick_check=1


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increase of a few dollars a month now will cost much more if police and fire units are understaffed, resultingmore property crimes and more insurance claims. It costs more to a community as a whole if too many ofchildren dont receive a good education, which in turn qualifies them for better-paying jobs.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/OPINION01/306050012/Metro-Council-should-resolute-support-mayor-s-budget-plan?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7COpinion%7Cp&nclick_check=1(SUB)

Guest columnist: Keep, reward local teachers in Metro (Tennessean)

When I talk to our best and brightest new teachers, I am impressed by their strong desire to serve where thare truly needed. For them, its all about outcomes, not income. In fact for many, the tougher the challenge, more they want to dive in and meet it! To borrow an oft-used phrase, Teaching isnt for sissies! Unfortunatesome of the toughest teaching challenges in Nashville are also among the lowest-paid. Teachers are alreacandidates for burnout and turnover based on the work they do, but when they see how their work is valued our city vis--vis other options, it is doubly discouraging. An excellent teacher willing to take on any challengeNashville has plenty of higher-paying opportunities in other school systems. As dean of Lipscomb UniversitCollege of Education, I have been closely following the proposal to raise teachers starting salaries in MeSchools. Many of our graduates want to teach in Metro Nashville schools after graduation, because they see tpotential for impacting students lives and our community. But in return for their willingness to do this hard ameaningful work that ultimately affects quality of life in our city, they have to accept thousands of dollars lethan they can earn in another city.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/OPINION03/306050013/Keep-reward-local-teachers-Metro?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7COpinion%7Cp&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial: Filling open jobs crucial to success in schools (Daily News Journal)Weve said it before. Were pleased with the selection of Don Odom as director of Rutherford County SchooHe is phasing into the job this month as Harry G ill phases into retirement. He has a huge task ahead. But ofthe most important part of the job for any CEO, or schools director, is surrounding himself or herself with the bstaff. And Odom has already had plenty of opportunity to start on that as the retirements of principals such Siegel Highs Ken Nolan and Andra Helton at Thurman Francis Arts Academy put into motion a game of muschairs. Odom participated with Gill in placing Richard Zago in his own current job as assistant superintendover curriculum and instruction at the central office. Zago will be leaving S tewarts Creek Elementary, where job as principal is sti ll open. And at Holloway High School, a princ ipa l is needed to replace Jason Bridgemwhos been nam ed Siegel principal. Jeff Duke, Thurman Francis assistant principal for the past six years, wanatural choice to replace Helton, but the search is still on to fill his former spot. In City Schools, CatheriStephens is leaving for a job with another schools system, and so Scales Elementary will have its top spot opehttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120605/OPINION01/306040038/EDITORIAL-Filling-open-jobs-crucial-success-schools?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_c heck=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Sam Stockard: Technicality a veil for religious battle (Daily News Journal)Mosque foes finally got the technical ruling they were looking for to derail construction of the Islamic CenterVeals Road. Too bad it wont do them any good. Chancellor Robert Corlews ruling last week did little more thshow the county failed to provide enough notice of a Regional Planning Commission meeting in May 20Corlews decision stated that the planning commission needs only to re-advertise the meeting, provide mnotice and take another vote on the matter. The county doesnt even have to hold a public hearing since mosque site plan didnt require rezoning, he determined. Mosque opponents knew two years ago thatechnicality was their best option in stopping construction. Plaintiff Kevin Fisher said as much in an interview wThe Daily News Journal. Yet, even though Fisher told The DNJ he didnt want to step on anyones freedomworship, this thing has been about religion from the outset. When he went before the County Commission tyears ago to speak about the matter, he wore a tie with John 3:16 on it. No problem here, but it does sendreligious message. As further proof, plaintiffs attorney Joe Brandon told The DNJ last week, This is the Lorbattle, and thats God, not Allah, as he sat at his desk w ith a Bible open to Exodus in the O ld Testament.http://www.dnj.com/article/20120605/OPINION02/306050001/STOCKARD-Technicality-veil-religious-battle?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_c heck=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial: Putting off work on infrastructure is not an option (News-Sentinel)The nation's infrastructure the roads, bridges, water lines and sewer systems that make modern life possi

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is crumbling. Tennessee is in bette r shape than most other states in keeping bridges in good repa ir, but there are nearly 1,000 bridges in the 23-county area around Knox County that either are functionally obsoletefunctionally deficient. On the national level, Republicans and Democrats trying to hammer out a long-tetransportation and infrastructure compromise remain far apart. Keeping infrastructure in good repair should jus t as high a priority in Washington as it is in Nashville . As the In terstate 35 bridge co llapse in Minneapolis2007 showed, ignoring needed work can be deadly. Tennessee Department of Transportation officials citestudy published in November 2011 in Better Roads Magazine that ranks the state No. 10 among all statesbridge condition. TDOT spokesman BJ Doughty told the News Sentinel that state officials began addressaging bridges in the late 1980s and the state Legislature typically appropriates $30 million to $40 m illion in stdollars each year on bridge repair. One of TDOT's major initiatives is repairing the Henley Bridge in Knoxviwhich will cost about $25 million by the time it is completed next year.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/05/editorial-putting-off-work-on-infrastru cture-is/

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tues., june 5 news summary

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