wednesday, july 25 news clips

7/31/2019 Wednesday, July 25 News Clips

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2012

States ask help collecting Internet sales taxes (Associated Press)More than 21 states have simplified how they collect taxes in hopes of recovering an estimated $20 billitaxes that go uncollected by out-of-state online merchants every year. But the nation's governors saneed help from Congress. Speaking on behalf of the National Governors Association, Tennessee Gov. Btold the House Judiciary Comm ittee on Tuesday it isn't fair to local businesses that online sellers are nto collect and distribute state sales taxes for purchases made where they don't have a physical presencewith sales tax, online buyers are required to pay a "use tax" for items upon which no sales tax has beenoften sellers don't enforce it or buyers are not aware of the requirement. "This discussion isn't about raor adding new taxes," Haslam said. "This is about states having the flexibility and authority to collect tax

already owed by their own in-state residents."http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hKOHUmVWBytgZ0QlFp9EN1JY_yYg?docId=f2dd93d583794b048fb464b445c777f5

Gov. Haslam pushes Congress on online sales taxes (Nashville Business JoGov. Bill Haslam urged members of Congress Tuesday to pass national online sales tax reform, sadollars" affecting fairness to businesses and strapped state budgets are at stake. Speaking before Judiciary Committee, the Republican governor gave the latest estimate of sales tax revenue Tennesbecause of online retailers who don't have to collect: $400 million annually. He said legislation to requireby online retailers a version of which U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., has crafted wouldmajor problem in the regulation of the economy. "It is not a small business," Haslam said of online commargument that this is a small piece of the economy just does not hold up." The testimony puts Haslamthe national spotlight after he negotiated w ith Amazon.com for the online retailer to begin collecting sale2014 if federal reform does not occur. While the federal legislation also has the support of Amazon, it prickly issue. eBay, for example, has opposed it as a tax increase on the small businesses that sell on itand conservatives have been split over the matter.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/07/24/haslam-pushes-congress-on-online-sales.html

Haslam represents governors in urging online sales tax bill (Tennessean/BarStates lose $20B, he tells Congress Tennessee loses $400 million a year in sales taxes to online involving out-of-state merchants who face no requirement to collect them, Gov. Bill Haslam told a conpanel Tuesday. Haslam represented the National Governors Association in testifying before the HouseCommittee in favor of giving states the power to require out-of-state online vendors to collect and rem it son such items. This discussion isnt about raising taxes or adding new taxes, Haslam said. Instead, habout collecting taxes already owed. Haslam added a note of emphasis: Let m e be clear. I am a Rgovernor that does not believe in raising taxes. Not only does Tennessee miss out on $400 million, hethe amount of uncollected sales taxes nationwide on Internet sales approaches $20 billion. That money critical programs that taxpayers depend on, the Republican governor said.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS0201/307240054/Haslam-represents-governors-urgsales-tax-bill?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Gov. Bill Haslam urges federal fix for Web taxes (Times Free-Press/Sher)Gov. Bill Haslam urged a congressional committee Tuesday to pass legislation allowing Tennessee
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hKOHUmVWBytgZ0QlFp9EN1JY_yYg?docId=f2dd93d583794b048fb464b445c777f5http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hKOHUmVWBytgZ0QlFp9EN1JY_yYg?docId=f2dd93d583794b048fb464b445c777f5http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/07/24/haslam-pushes-congress-on-online-sales.htmlhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS0201/307240054/Haslam-represents-governors-urging-online-sales-tax-bill?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS0201/307240054/Haslam-represents-governors-urging-online-sales-tax-bill?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hKOHUmVWBytgZ0QlFp9EN1JY_yYg?docId=f2dd93d583794b048fb464b445c777f5http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hKOHUmVWBytgZ0QlFp9EN1JY_yYg?docId=f2dd93d583794b048fb464b445c777f5http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/07/24/haslam-pushes-congress-on-online-sales.htmlhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS0201/307240054/Haslam-represents-governors-urging-online-sales-tax-bill?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS0201/307240054/Haslam-represents-governors-urging-online-sales-tax-bill?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1


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Knoxville, a city thats budget depends on property taxes from both businesses and residents. AnGovernor of a state thats budget relies heavily on sales tax collections. Let me be clear I am a RGovernor that does not believe in increasing taxes. Tennessee is a low tax state to begin with, and wable to cut taxes over the past two years. This discussion isnt about raising taxes or adding new taxeabout states having the flexibility and authority to collect taxes that are already owed by their owresidents.http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/07/24/haslam-to-congress-internet-sales-tax-collections-a-fairn ess

Haslam testifies before Congress in support of online sales tax reform (NoogFour months after signing a bill that would require Amazon to charge sales tax by 2014 unless Congbeforehand, Gov. Bill Haslam testified before the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday morning and elawmakers to move forward on the issue. "This is the right time for Congress to act," Haslam said. Thein Washington to testify on behalf of the National Governors Association, said that the issue was not abcurrent taxes or adding new ones, but rather for states to recoup tax revenues to further fund state prcover federal mandates. In remarks published by The Tennessean, the governor estimated $400potential state revenues were being lost annually because of uncollected taxes on items sold by giretailers. "This is about states having the flexibility and authority to collect taxes that are already owed byin-state residents," Haslam said. "This discussion is also about leveling the playing field for local brick-businesses in communities across Tennessee and across the country In the past two decades, techadvanced more than almost anyone could have believed, and it is not only possible, but it is easybusinesses to collect the taxes owed, just like local businesses with cash registers do."http://www.nooga.com/156413/gov-bill-haslam-testifies-before-congress-in-support-of-online-sales-t ax-re

Gov. Haslam talks sales tax bill in D.C. (WBIR-TV Knoxville)Governor Bill Haslam was in the nation's capital Tuesday to talk about a tax bill involving online purTennessee. He shared the state's experiences at a House judiciary committee. Governor Haslam salaws are causing Tennessee to m iss out on $400 m illion in sales taxes each year. He wants Congress tocollect taxes from businesses, even if they don't have a physical presence in the state. Tuesday's meetas federal lawmakers discuss a new bill. It would allow states to immediately collect taxes from online pno matter where the retailer is located. Governor Haslam recently signed a bill requiring Amazon to starsales tax in 2014, but Amazon says it supports new federal legislation so it doesn't have to deal with difffor each s tate. http://www.wbir.com/news/article/227957/2/Gov-Haslam-talks-sales-tax-bill-in-DC?ody s%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clarge

Governor Haslam Testifies About Online Sales Tax (WTVF-TV Nashville)Tennessee Governor Bil l Haslam was in Washington Tuesday to urge a Congressional committelegislation requiring Internet retailers to collect sales tax. "This is an issue of fairness and I urge you to taissue at this time," the governor implored the House Judiciary Committee. Haslam was quick to point ofor raising taxes or adding new taxes. He said the issue is about states having the flexibility and au thorittaxes that are already owed by their own residents. Haslam said the fact that online retailers without presence in Tennessee do not have to collect sales tax is not fair to brick and m ortar businesses in the Governor also said he doesn't think requiring sales-tax collection would be a hardship on online reunderstand their issues. I can understand that it's different jurisdictions. I understand there are sales tax different places, but given the capacity that we have today, I am very confident that we can solve these isaid.http://www.newschannel5.com/story/19100673/governor-haslam-testifies-about-online-sales-tax

Haslam: Getting 'best people' to work for Tennessee is what matters (NS/ColGov. Bill Haslam defended his administration Tuesday against critics from within his own party, saying want him to rid state government of Democrats, gays and a Muslim don't represent the views of most TRepublicans. "Recent polls show that people who self-identify as conservative Republicans 80 percentus," Haslam said, referring to a Vanderbilt University poll released in May. "So I think you have to pucontext." Asked what might be motivating his GOP critics, Haslam said, "I certainly can't get inside theunderstand." But he suggested the criticism is unfair and said his administration continues "to focus onthat I think people elected us to do bring jobs to Tennessee, keep improving our education systemgovernment as effectively and as efficiently as we can." Haslam, a former Knoxville mayor who is in year as governor, has come under attack in recent weeks from a dozen or so self-described "Republica
http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/07/24/haslam-to-congress-internet-sales-tax-collections-a-fairness-issue/http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/07/24/haslam-to-congress-internet-sales-tax-collections-a-fairness-issue/http://www.nooga.com/156413/gov-bill-haslam-testifies-before-congress-in-support-of-online-sales-tax-reform/http://www.wbir.com/news/article/227957/2/Gov-Haslam-talks-sales-tax-bill-in-DC?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clargehttp://www.wbir.com/news/article/227957/2/Gov-Haslam-talks-sales-tax-bill-in-DC?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clargehttp://www.wbir.com/news/article/227957/2/Gov-Haslam-talks-sales-tax-bill-in-DC?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clargehttp://www.newschannel5.com/story/19100673/governor-haslam-testifies-about-online-sales-taxhttp://www.newschannel5.com/story/19100673/governor-haslam-testifies-about-online-sales-taxhttp://tnreport.com/blog/2012/07/24/haslam-to-congress-internet-sales-tax-collections-a-fairness-issue/http://www.nooga.com/156413/gov-bill-haslam-testifies-before-congress-in-support-of-online-sales-tax-reform/http://www.wbir.com/news/article/227957/2/Gov-Haslam-talks-sales-tax-bill-in-DC?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clargehttp://www.wbir.com/news/article/227957/2/Gov-Haslam-talks-sales-tax-bill-in-DC?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clargehttp://www.newschannel5.com/story/19100673/governor-haslam-testifies-about-online-sales-tax


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who are urging county party organizations to adopt resolutions condemning his hiring decisions. At county party groups have adopted such resolutions.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/haslam-getting-best-people-to-work-for-te nnessee/

Haslam asks whether Tennessee colleges are preparing future workers (CA/

Gov. Bill Haslam w ill host a roundtable discussion with business and education leaders in Jackson Thurswhether Tennessee's public higher education system is adequately training students for the workforcea.m. event in the student union building at the University of Mem phis Lam buth campus is open to thethe governor's office says the purpose of the series of discussions across the state is "to haveconversation with area businesses and local education institutions" about what public higher educatiowell and not so well in teaching students the relevant skills that employers need. Haslam launched thepublic higher education two weeks ago with a large meeting at the governor's residence. Participmembers of the state's three higher ed boards and leaders of the Tennessee Business Roundtable and TChamber of Commerce and Industry. The Jackson meeting is the second of seven planned odiscussions and follows a similar event last week at N ortheast State Comm unity College in Blountville.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jul/24/haslam-asks-whether-tennessee-colleges-are/(SUB)

No DNA Collected from DUI Suspects Under No Refusal Law: State (TN RepThe blood samples collected from suspected drunk drivers under a new No Refusal law are not anational DNA database used by prosecutors, according to Tennessee state public safety officials. Blooobtained by a search warrant from a suspected DUI offender are tested for blood alcohol conDepartment of Safety Spokeswoman Jennifer Donnals said via email. Those blood samples are not usother purpose and are NOT placed in a DNA database. Theres no DNA ever run on those, said Krspokeswoman for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. I can assure you thats not the case. Thesummer began enforcing a new law that allows cops to seek a warrant to compel people accused of drithe influence to involuntarily give up a blood sample if they refuse a Breathalyzer or blood test. Statforced eight people to submit to blood tests over the Fourth of July holiday weekend during the first test law, DPS said.http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/07/24/no-dna-collected-from-dui-suspects-under-no-refusal- law-state/

Memphis wins TDOT grants (Memphis Business Journal)Memphis has scored a hat trick of Tennessee D epartment of Transportation grants. The city applied for$1.5 million worth of grants for $2.35 million in improvements to Highway 61, Walker Avenue and the Greenway. The Highway 61 (Third Street) project designates the street as a Blues Trail, completesignage. The W alker Avenue Pedestrian Safety Connectivity Project will improve the streetscape of theof Memphis thoroughfare, while the Wolf River Greenway Trails segment four will also receive fundarchitecture firm LRK Inc. has drawn up streetscape improvement plans for Walker Avenue. These planfunding total of $661,795, which breaks down to $529,436 in federal construction funds and $132,3matching funds. Improvements will include new decorative light poles, greenspaces and improved paHighland Street to Brister Street. The work will also include park benches, bicycle racks, decorreceptacles, new curbs and gutters, bicycle lanes and a pedestrian plaza.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/memphis-in-motion/2012/07/memph is-wins-tdot-grants-for-blu

Oliver Springs woman facing TennCare fraud charges (Oak Ridge Today)An Anderson County wo man is charged with TennCare doctor shopping in nearby Roane County, aftethe run from authorities for the past nine m onths, according to WYSH Radio in C linton. Doctor shoppinusing TennCare to go to multiple physicians in a short period to get prescription drugs. On Monday, theInspector General announced the arrest of Melissa Ann Adkins, 28, of Oliver Springs, WYSH said. She with two counts of doctor shopping, obtaining the painkiller Oxycodone through visits to multiple doctoby TennCare, the radio station said. Adkins was being held in the Anderson County Jail on unrelated chwas later transported to Roane County to be served with TennCare fraud charges, WYSH said. TennCaa Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison, and District Attorney GeneJohnson is prosecuting the case, WYSH said.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/haslam-getting-best-people-to-work-for-tennessee/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jul/24/haslam-asks-whether-tennessee-colleges-are/http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/07/24/no-dna-collected-from-dui-suspects-under-no-refusal-law-state/http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/memphis-in-motion/2012/07/memphis-wins-tdot-grants-for-blues.htmlhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/haslam-getting-best-people-to-work-for-tennessee/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jul/24/haslam-asks-whether-tennessee-colleges-are/http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/07/24/no-dna-collected-from-dui-suspects-under-no-refusal-law-state/http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/memphis-in-motion/2012/07/memphis-wins-tdot-grants-for-blues.html


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http://oakridgetoday.com/2012/07/24/state-oliver-springs-woman-facing-tenncare-fraud -charges/

11 of 12 appellate judges recuse them selves from selection case (AssociatedEleven of Tennessees 12 Court of Appeals judges have recused themselves from a case concerning system for selecting appeals court judges. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports the legal m atter is the lby John Jay Hooker, a two-time Democratic Party nominee for governor, to invalidate the system. Hookfirst lawsuit against the system in 1996. Two years later, a specially appointed state Supreme Court u

constitutionality of the plan in a separate lawsuit with Hooker involved. Earlier this year, Hooker filedcontending Republican Gov. Bill Haslams appointment of Jeff Bivens to the Court of Criminal Appealviolates that state constitution. A Davidson County Circuit Court judge dismissed the lawsuit last monthlawsuit contends the only time a governor can appoint a top judge under the state constitution is whenCourt judges recuse themselves because of a conflict of interest. Other gubernatorial appointments because the state constitution says judges shall be elected by the qualified voters within the jurisdiccourt involved, the lawsuit says.http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120725/NEWS21/307250102/11-12-appellate-judges-recuse-themfrom-selection-case?odyssey=tab|topnews|text| News(SUBSCRIPTION)

TN kids are healthiest in South, according to Kids Count ranking (TN/GonzalDespite gains, Tennessee lingered among the bottom 10 states for education Kids in Tennessee ra

healthiest in the South to the surprise of even som e state officials in the latest state-by-state comthe well-being of children. The 2012 Kids Count Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Fshows fewer teens abusing alcohol and drugs, fewer kids living without health insurance and fewer baborn at low birth weights in the Volunteer State. Those measures placed Tennessee 16th in the nation inhealth, one place ahead of V irginia and far above other southern states. Measures the state has struggpast Kids Count studies, including childhood obesity, infant mortality and access to dental care,considered. Going beyond health, the foundation considered 16 total factors, and ranked the state at 3for child well-being, the states best placement to date and an improvement on last years 39th-place rathe news wasnt all good. The study found economic hardship still rising, with one of four Tennesseeliving in poverty. And Tennessee lingered among the bottom 10 states for education. Three-fourthsgraders fail to read proficiently, a decline that goes against a national trend of improvement.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS21/307250105/TN-kids-healthiest-South-according-KCount-ranking?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Report suggests Tennessee's children are getting healthier but poorer (NS/NWhen it comes to the "Overall Well-Being" of its children, Tennessee can say it's moved up among the syear, Tennessee ranked No. 39 in the Annie E. Casey KIDS COUN T National Data Book. This year, it'shigher than most other Southern states. Did life improve for Tennessee children? Yes, in some waynonprofit foundation also changed the way it ranks states. This year's rankings center around four main cEconomic Well-Being, Education, H ealth and Fam ily and Community. In each category, the state look"key indicators." It was in the Health category that Tennessee scored highest, ranking No. 16 among all driving up its overall ranking. Tennessee showed imp rovement in each of the four indicators, including a percent) drop in low-birthweight babies but notable improvements in the number of teens reportedalcohol and drugs (5 percent, compared to 8 percent in 2005-2006) and the number of child and teen dpercent fewer, though still higher than the national average). In addition, the number of children withinsurance decreased by 29 percent, to a number lower than the national average.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/report-suggests-tennessees-children-are-getting/

1,000 ballots incorrect, but still count, Shelby Co election official says (CA/MThe chairman of the Shelby County Election Commission conceded Tuesday that nearly 1,000 voters rewrong ballots during early voting for state and federal primary races in the Aug. 2 elections. But vreceived the wrong ballots wont get to vote again with the right ballots, said comm ission chairman RobeMeyers, a Republican, publicly thanked the Democratic nominee for a Shelby County Commission sRoss, for identifying the glitch that caused the problem. Saying that the information Ross released on hprogressive blog Monday was a correct report, Meyers at a late afternoon news conference Tuesdassure voters that proper corrective action had been taken. The mistakes appear to be related to a la
http://oakridgetoday.com/2012/07/24/state-oliver-springs-woman-facing-tenncare-fraud-charges/http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120725/NEWS21/307250102/11-12-appellate-judges-recuse-themselves-from-selection-case?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120725/NEWS21/307250102/11-12-appellate-judges-recuse-themselves-from-selection-case?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS21/307250105/TN-kids-healthiest-South-according-Kids-Count-ranking?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS21/307250105/TN-kids-healthiest-South-according-Kids-Count-ranking?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/report-suggests-tennessees-children-are-getting/http://oakridgetoday.com/2012/07/24/state-oliver-springs-woman-facing-tenncare-fraud-charges/http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120725/NEWS21/307250102/11-12-appellate-judges-recuse-themselves-from-selection-case?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120725/NEWS21/307250102/11-12-appellate-judges-recuse-themselves-from-selection-case?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS21/307250105/TN-kids-healthiest-South-according-Kids-Count-ranking?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS21/307250105/TN-kids-healthiest-South-according-Kids-Count-ranking?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/report-suggests-tennessees-children-are-getting/


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the Election Comm ission to update voter files based on redistricting in state and federal races. The votescast for the wrong race will still count, and those voters will not get a chance to cast ballots in the coMeyers said, citing the one-man, one-vote principle. The wrong ballots appear to be dispersed acroraces, with the vast majority in state House contests.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jul/24/election-commission-says-limited-number-of-got/(SUB)

State Election Coordinator Confirms: Shelby Error Rate in Early Voting is 5 %

Mark Goins, the state Election Coo rdinator, confirms that allegations made by two local investigators co5 percent error rate in the assigning of early-voting ballots in Shelby County are accurate. Blake spokesperson for Goins,further acknowledged to the Flyer Friday that 1300, the number of erroneopinpointed as of Monday by Dr Joe W einberg, sounds about right. Weinberg and blogger/candidate Sboth Democrats, have been independently checking into cases of erroneous ballot assignment. Ross hattested to some 1,019 such errors, both in a conversation with the Flyer, and later in a M onday press cWeinbergs higher totals w ere arrived at also on Monday. Both Weinberg and Ross have been compvoter records with participating voter lists released locally by the Shelby County Election Commission.told the Flyer on Tuesday that Goins had called him from Nashville and expressed interest in his findingto confirm them for himself on the basis of state data.http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2012/07/24/state-election-coordinator-confirms-sh erate-in-early-voting-is-5-percent

Republican Voters Outnumbering Dems (Memphis Daily News)U.S. Rep. Steve Cohens campaign sent out an email newsletter Monday, July 23, that summarized threality of early voting so far in Shelby County. The Republicans are turning out to vote in massive numthey are outvoting us, read the lead line from the Democratic incumbent. Through Monday, 30,816 Shevoters had cast early ballots. Of that number, 53.4 percent or 16,441 voted in the Republican prim44.2 percent or 13,628 voted in the Democratic primaries. The remaining 747 voters cast early ballots partisan county general elections only. Four years ago in the same Shelby County election cycle, eturnout in the August Democratic primaries was twice the turnout in the companion Republican primarsame ballot. July 28 is the final day of the early voting period in advance of the Aug. 2 election day.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jul/25/republican-voters-outnumbering-dems/

Blood supply for TN region is at 15-year low (Tennessean/Haas)The donation room w as nearly empty Tuesday m orning before lunch at the American Red Cross headqCharlotte Avenue with just one woman there to give blood. And thats the problem. The blood supply oCross Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region is lower than its been in 15 years. Red Cross workers sand overbearing heat are making donors even scarcer than usual during the slow summer monthhospitals have not had to stop providing blood for elective surgeries, regional and national Red Cross gworried. Were at about half the blood supply that we were at last year, nationally, and in parts of the reRegina Raccuglia, spokeswoman for the Red Cross. This blood is used for emergencies like csurgeries, cancer patients, people going through joint replacement surgeries, heart surgeries, organ trpremature babies. The Red Cross headquarters likes to see 50 to 60 blood donation appointments peon Tuesday had only 31 lined up. The Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region, which includes 70 cTennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri, has been seeing fewer than the 600 donors it needs eamaintain its supply.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS07/307250101/Blood-supply-TN15-year-low?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

A few years after shrinking, Commission ponders growing in size (NS/DonilaVoters opted for fewer seats four years ago The Knox County Commission is again looking into whethemore members just four years after voters shrank it. The proposal if one is ever hamm ered out whave to go before voters. To get there by Novem ber, officials would have to move fast. The Knox CounCommission would need the ballot language by the end of August, and the commission would have to off on the proposal and hold at least one public forum. O fficials says it's doable, but they're not quite surready to pull the trigger this year. Members suggested Monday in a discussion that a smaller board is mcontrolled by outside political forces, and that the large districts are too big for one person to oversee ancostly campaign expenses. "We've been cut in half and don't have as much time to represent (the cou
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jul/24/election-commission-says-limited-number-of-got/http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2012/07/24/state-election-coordinator-confirms-shelby-error-rate-in-early-voting-is-5-percenthttp://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2012/07/24/state-election-coordinator-confirms-shelby-error-rate-in-early-voting-is-5-percenthttp://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jul/25/republican-voters-outnumbering-dems/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS07/307250101/Blood-supply-TN-region-15-year-low?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS07/307250101/Blood-supply-TN-region-15-year-low?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS07/307250101/Blood-supply-TN-region-15-year-low?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jul/24/election-commission-says-limited-number-of-got/http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2012/07/24/state-election-coordinator-confirms-shelby-error-rate-in-early-voting-is-5-percenthttp://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2012/07/24/state-election-coordinator-confirms-shelby-error-rate-in-early-voting-is-5-percenthttp://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jul/25/republican-voters-outnumbering-dems/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS07/307250101/Blood-supply-TN-region-15-year-low?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS07/307250101/Blood-supply-TN-region-15-year-low?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1


7/11

Commissioner Dave Wright, who spearheaded the discussion. Wright added that although the positiontime job it's "more than just a Monday afternoon once a month," referring to the commission's voting sesaid commissioners are the point people in their respective districts, and residents often call them funrelated to county government. Residents, he said, expect them to either have answers or respond.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/a-few-years-after-shrinking-knox-county- ponders/

City pension referendum takes one step forward (News-Sentinel/Witt)

Knoxville's pension board approved of cost-saving terms in a referendum that city voters w ill likely seeballot item intended to avoid a m assive shortfall in the system from happening again. The current deficitemployees pension system cost $2.2 million more in the current city budget over last year, for a totamillion. That stopgap payment is expected to grow to $30 million a year in 10 years. A report approved Tthe Knoxville Pension Board on proposed changes to the city pension next will be reviewed by the Citand marks a key step toward putting the item on ballots. The city charter requires proposed pension reto go before the pension board before Council votes to put the item to voters. "There's no m agic to whathis," said Michael Cherry, director of the city pension system. The report does not include major chancity's proposed pension plan. The new pension system would double the vesting period to 10 yearsretirement age and remove City Council members from being able to join. It would also cut a 2.5 perceliving adjustment for retirees in favor of one that is tied to markets and doesn't exceed 3 percent.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/city-pension-referendum-takes-one-step-forward/

Zelenik colleague foots bill for ads targeting Rep. Diane Black (USA Today)Two outside political action committees that have unleashed TV, radio and bil lboard advertisingTennessee Rep. Diane Blacks congressional record are funded entirely by a businessman with close rival in next weeks Republican primary. Andrew Miller Jr., a Nashville health-care investor, told USA Thas pumped more than $260,000 into the two super PACs Cit izens 4 Ethics in GovernmenCongressional Elections PAC running anti-Black ads. M iller previously served as finance chairmcampaign of Blacks challenger, Lou Ann Zelenik. Miller also is on the board of the Tennessee Freedomwhose top issues include opposing the spread of Islamic Shariah law. Zelenik is the groups formerdirector. Miller said his spending helps an underfunded challenger compete against an incumbent. Whold these elected officials accountable, and one of the most interesting ways has been the advenPACs, he said. The playing field can be leveled in ways it wasnt before. The last-minute spending bliin this little-noticed House race underscores the potential of a handful of wealthy donors to shape Ncongressional and W hite House battles. Super PACs are a relatively new weapon in politics, unleashed b2010 federal court rulings that allow unions, corporations and wealthy individuals to band together to spend unlimited amounts in federal races.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS02/30725012Ann-Zelenik-colleague-foots-bill-ads-targeting-Rep-Diane-Black?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Scottie Mayfield reception raises eyebrows (TFP/Carroll, Harrison)It may have been just an hour of cookies and punch, but a recent reception sponsored by East Ridge cfor a congressional candidate is drawing questions about how local taxpayer money may be used. AboRidge employees m illed in the lobby of East Ridge's City Hall on July 13, shaking hands and making smaScottie Mayfield, a Republican running for Tennessee's 3rd District seat. The reception took place w hile ewere on the clock, and about $80 was spent on snacks for the employees. City Manager Tim Gobble inthe reception was not meant to be an endorsement and was an attempt to be "hospitable," but other chave said it was an inappropriate use of city funds. "It just looks bad," said Councilman Jim Bethune, whthe event but said flatly he is not a Mayfield supporter. "I don't think he meant it as an endorsement, but ythink about whether this is really our place, as a city, to do that." The event stemmed from conversatiosaid he had with Mayfield several weeks ago, when the city manager invited the candidate to stop by Cmeet employees. Other local candidates have stopped by City Hall to glad-hand with residents, but been afforded a formal reception.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/25/scottie-mayfield-reception-raises-eyebro ws/?local

Ban on politicking at Northgate Mall pushes Weston Wamp off stump (TFP/CFrom eminent domain to religious expression, Republicans usually jump to defend the rights of privat
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/a-few-years-after-shrinking-knox-county-ponders/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/city-pension-referendum-takes-one-step-forward/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS02/307250121/Lou-Ann-Zelenik-colleague-foots-bill-ads-targeting-Rep-Diane-Black?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS02/307250121/Lou-Ann-Zelenik-colleague-foots-bill-ads-targeting-Rep-Diane-Black?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS02/307250121/Lou-Ann-Zelenik-colleague-foots-bill-ads-targeting-Rep-Diane-Black?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS02/307250121/Lou-Ann-Zelenik-colleague-foots-bill-ads-targeting-Rep-Diane-Black?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/25/scottie-mayfield-reception-raises-eyebrows/?localhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/a-few-years-after-shrinking-knox-county-ponders/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/25/city-pension-referendum-takes-one-step-forward/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS02/307250121/Lou-Ann-Zelenik-colleague-foots-bill-ads-targeting-Rep-Diane-Black?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS02/307250121/Lou-Ann-Zelenik-colleague-foots-bill-ads-targeting-Rep-Diane-Black?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/NEWS02/307250121/Lou-Ann-Zelenik-colleague-foots-bill-ads-targeting-Rep-Diane-Black?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/25/scottie-mayfield-reception-raises-eyebrows/?local


8/11

owners. But 3rd Congressional District hopeful Weston Wam p sees an exception when it comes to Nortand early voting. For four days this month, the 25-year-old son of former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp stoNorthgate's early voting location, asking passers-by to choose him over his father's successor -- U.S. RFleischmann -- in the Republican primary. That didn't fly with mall management after 10 complaints frofficials said. Interested in pleasing the owners of a popular early voting destination, Hamilton CountCommission deputies sided with Northgate and asked W amp to leave. "It's private property, and it's beeforever," said Charlotte Mullis-Morgan, administrator of elections for Hamilton County. Wamp left butNorthgate should expect "to forego some type of p roperty rights so the public can come and vote."http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/25/chattanooga-northgate-ban-on-politicking-pus hes/?loca

Justice: Statesman needed (Jackson Sun)Congressional candidate Annette Justice said Tuesday evening that she is a statesman and not a politgovernment didnt give us our rights, she said. Our rights were given to us by our creator. Our governgiven to us to protect those rights, and our politicians are supposed fight for the ones they represent. Thaim to do. Justices words fell upon the ears of six supporters who attended a town hall meeting aRestaurant in Jackson. She held the meeting to share her viewpoints with local community members atheir opinions. She is running against first-term U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher, of Frog Jump, in the Rprimary for the 8th District seat. Justice said she chose to run because she felt that Fincher ran his camconservative, but that after he arrived in W ashington he voted like a liberal. She asked those attending thto educate themselves about Finchers voting record. Do not make a decision based on the fact that hebefore his name, she said.http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120725/NEWS01/307250003/Justice-Statesman-needed?nclick_ch(SUBSCRIPTION)

The Semi-Private Lottery (Stateline)Early this year, the Illinois Lottery trotted out a new commercial: A giant red ball rolled through the Chicago, into small towns and then through the farmlands of downstate, while a sonorous voiceover intone has small dreams, especially in Illinois. And this year, well have more winners, and more millionairour beautiful state The new, bigger, better Powerball. This is the revamped edition of the Illinois Lottnew management, promoted by new ad agencies, and, its managers hope, able to draw a new and mstream of revenue. Last year, Illinois became the first state in the nation to semi-privatize its lottery ocontracting with a management consortium, Northstar Lottery, to run things on a day-to-day basis. Thhoping that this experiment will help it win the fiscal jackpot. What Illinois has done is a first for the Umarket, says James Kilsby of GamblingCompliance, an online research service that tracks the gaminSo far, things look relatively good. This week, the Illinois Lottery released its sales figures for fiscal yAccording to the lottery, its sales topped $2.67 billion and transferred a record $708.6 million to Kschools, the capital projects fund for roads and bridges, and targeted causes such as breast cancer resIllinois veterans assistance.http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/the-semi-private-lottery-8589 9407191

TVA considering fuel made from nuclear weapons to power local plants (TFPTVA was taking the pre-emptive route Tuesday when it released a set of talking points about its part inan environmental impact statement on the use of MOX fuel made from surplus nuclear weaponsSequoyah and Browns Ferry nuclear plants. MOX, short for mixed oxide fuel, is a blend of plutonium anand the draft environmental impact statement is to be posted this week in the Federal Register, accordspokesman Ray Golden. But the variety of MOX the Tennessee Valley Authority has tentatively agreed tits Soddy-Daisy and Athens, Ala., reactors is made from retired nuclear weapons, and it never has anywhere else, according to TVA and nuclear experts. "TVA is w illing to consider using m ixed oxide fuethree criteria: It is operationally and environmentally safe; economically beneficial to TVA customers; anby the Nuclear Regulatory Commission," Golden said. He said the timetable is 2018. Critics say MO X, ablend, is a taxpayer boondoggle that makes reactors harder to control. "The use of this experimental fueaging reactors could have negative safety reactions," said Tom Clements, the Southeast nuclearcoordinator for Friends of the Earth.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/25/chattanoog-tva-considers-use-of-controversial- fuel/?loc
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/25/chattanooga-northgate-ban-on-politicking-pushes/?localhttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120725/NEWS01/307250003/Justice-Statesman-needed?nclick_check=1http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/the-semi-private-lottery-85899407191http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/25/chattanoog-tva-considers-use-of-controversial-fuel/?localhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/25/chattanooga-northgate-ban-on-politicking-pushes/?localhttp://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120725/NEWS01/307250003/Justice-Statesman-needed?nclick_check=1http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/the-semi-private-lottery-85899407191http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/25/chattanoog-tva-considers-use-of-controversial-fuel/?local


9/11

Fewer Advertised Tech Jobs Left Unfilled (WPLN-Radio Nashville)The number of tech jobs advertised in Middle Tennessee has gone down over the last few months. Owith the Nashville Technology Council says thats partly because its efforts to recruit tech workers are bepay off. There were 728 advertised technology jobs in the region this past quarter a 17 percent drop fthis year. John Kepley serves on the tech councils Board of Directors. He says outside the recruitment efof businesses are holding off until after November. Kepley says many have the capital to pull the triggpeople but are waiting to see what happens in this falls elections. Right today, again, I know of

positions or more on top of that number just here in middle Tennessee that you go, wow, if they evespigot on Theres a real need there but there are some companies sitting on the sidelines that are gjus t go ing to wa it and see. Kepley figures as Nashvil le builds a reputation as a place for tech jobs and capable workers here, more tech companies could follow. Right now he says theres a lack of human cahttp://wpln.org/?p=397 48

School Board Committee On Consolidation Plan Calls It A Day (M. Daily NewThe countywide school boards ad hoc committee to review the schools consolidation plan is about without acting on the plan sent to the board by the schools consolidation planning commission. The scwill consider its next step at its voting meeting Tuesday, July 31. The original goal was to have a plan ap

August a year from the merger of the countys two public school systems at the start of the 2013-20year. Board member Freda Will iams, who chaired the ad hoc committee, told the board that thedisbanding. Next week I w ill request an item be added to agenda to m ake a determination of next step ascrapped the plan previously approved, Williams said referring to a cancelled special board meetmerger plan earlier this month that has now changed the timeline for board approval of a plan whamended or not. Its just kind of murky since we abandoned the initial approved plan. What we need board is determine our next step.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jul/25/school-board-committee-on-consolidation-plan-call

Wilson farmers forced into winter stockpiles (Tennessean/Ruf)The rains have finally come, but is it too little, too late? The sum mer of 2012 is shaping up to be one odroughts in memory, and stockpiles are dwindling as the sun burns up forage for Wilson County crops

animals. The quantity and quality of crops will suffer this year, said Ruth Corell, Wilson County aextension agent. Were they too far along, is the big question. This is just something we just dont knowlivestock fed and watered is a major concern. The rains have helped soybean crops, but healthy cornand water are running low. Grass is dead or dying. This month, the University of Tennessee Extension ca drought information meeting for farmers with livestock and horses on how to cope with the extremconditions. And earlier, Gov. Bill Haslam issued an order allowing hay transporters to haul up to 95,000a width of 14 feet during daylight. The change lets haulers stack standard hay bales side by side, sompossible with the standard width limit of 10 feet. The order expires Sept. 8.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/WILSON/307250028/Wilson-farmers-forced-into-winter-stoodyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Area farmers first face drought, followed by excess rain (Johnson City PressWalking around any farmers market can give customers a pretty good indication of just how the growihas been, and the Johnson City Farmers Market Saturday was no different. There was plenty of prodaround, but many farmers said the drought conditions, and even the surplus of rain, caused some mawith either rotted produce or plants that had essentially died because of the extreme heat. Randy SShipley Farms, said the season started out fine, but the heat and lack of rain made it tough for some othat are completely dependent on rainfall. It started out a good season as far as planting and theweather ... hit and the crops have really been struggling, unless you have water to water it, Shipley said.water on the tomatoes and the cucumbers and the cantaloupes, but the corn and the beans ... we cant beans and the co rn have struggled. The corn Ill be lucky to get my m oney back out of the corn this year.http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=101503#ixzz21dETGgzq
http://wpln.org/?p=39748http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jul/25/school-board-committee-on-consolidation-plan-calls-it-a-day/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/WILSON/307250028/Wilson-farmers-forced-into-winter-stockpiles?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/WILSON/307250028/Wilson-farmers-forced-into-winter-stockpiles?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=101503#ixzz21dETGgzqhttp://wpln.org/?p=39748http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jul/25/school-board-committee-on-consolidation-plan-calls-it-a-day/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/WILSON/307250028/Wilson-farmers-forced-into-winter-stockpiles?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/WILSON/307250028/Wilson-farmers-forced-into-winter-stockpiles?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=101503#ixzz21dETGgzq


10/11

OPINION

Editorial: TN takes better care of kids (Tennessean)Tennessee has typically ranked so low in measures of social well-being lately that its important to call aany success. And thats just what has occurred in childrens health. Today, the Annie E. Casey Freleased its annual Kids Count report (http://datacenter.kidscount.org/tn or http://mobile.kidscount.oassesses the well-being of children nationwide and state by state. This year, the report adopted methodology. So while it makes it difficult to measure this years results to previous years, its importathat the new evaluation formula appears to be a more balanced approach to gauging what matters in tchildren. This year, Tennessee ranked 36th overall in child well-being, based on four domains: health;well-being; education; and family and community. While our state hovered in the low 30s to 40s in the

categories, it ranked 16th in child health. Under this domain, researchers looked at data on low-birthweigchildren without health insurance; child and teen deaths; and teens who abuse alcohol or drugs. Lindexecutive director of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, attributes this to good publand investing in Tennessees children. And for that, we must give credit to the administrations of Gov. Band Phil Bredesen before him.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/OPINION01/307250093/TNbetter-care-kids?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7COpinion%7Cp&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial: Tennessee kids make progress but still have long way to go (J. SunTennessee continues to make progress in the area of child welfare. According to the 2012 Kids Coudata book on child well being, the state now ranks 36th in the nation. It also ranks better than most othestates. The status of child well being in Tennessee is largely the product of state public policies thahealth, economic well being, education, and family and community factors. This is the 22nd year of the K

report, a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The states greatest improvement in recent years is of child health care. It now ranks 16th in the nation. This reflects a substantial increase in the availabilitinsurance for children through TennCare and the State Childrens Health Insurance Program. Butcontinues to lag behind other states in adequate prenatal care for mothers, low birth weight babies mortality. In the area of economic well being, Tennessee ranks 38th. This largely is attributed to the children living in poverty and in low-income families. The nations struggling economy has made it more families to secure economic p rogress.http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120725/OPINION/307250001/Our-View-Tennessee-kids-make-proglong-way-go?nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial: Don't pull lottery out from under students (Daily News Journal)

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http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/OPINION01/307250093/TN-takes-better-care-kids?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7COpinion%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/OPINION01/307250093/TN-takes-better-care-kids?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7COpinion%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/OPINION01/307250093/TN-takes-better-care-kids?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7COpinion%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120725/OPINION/307250001/Our-View-Tennessee-kids-make-progress-still-long-way-go?nclick_check=1http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120725/OPINION/307250001/Our-View-Tennessee-kids-make-progress-still-long-way-go?nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/OPINION01/307250093/TN-takes-better-care-kids?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7COpinion%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/OPINION01/307250093/TN-takes-better-care-kids?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7COpinion%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120725/OPINION/307250001/Our-View-Tennessee-kids-make-progress-still-long-way-go?nclick_check=1http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120725/OPINION/307250001/Our-View-Tennessee-kids-make-progress-still-long-way-go?nclick_check=1


11/11

Inaction by the state Legislature this spring is turning out to be the right move for college students who paying tuition. While the Senate passed a bill that would have cut the number of students eligible scholarships, the measure stalled in the House when its sponsor couldnt muster enough votes to sengovernor. Sometimes failure to act is the best thing that can happen. In this case it would have made littdiminish a program that is recording record-setting revenues. Tennessee lottery officials reported recenprogram brought in m ore than $323 million for education this year, its eighth straight record year, which10.2 percent increase over last years $293.4 million. Since 2004, the lottery has raised more than $2education and funded more than 600,000 scholarships, meeting the will of the voters who supportedcurrent guidelines, students can qualify for $4,000 annually at a four-year institution if they obtain a 3.0 gaverage in high school or score 21 on the ACT. The bill that passed the Senate would have cut that students who reach only one of those benchmarks.http://www.dnj.com/article/20120725/OPINION01/307250003/EDITORIAL-Don-t-pull-lottery-out-from-undstudents?nclick_check =1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Gail Kerr: State is on the hook for unanswered calls to unemployment office Dawn Kingsley of Gallatin said she is at the end of my rope. Kingsley, who has a masters degreworked for health-care corporations for 25 years, was laid off July 6. She applied for unemploymenapproved. But a simple glitch on an online weekly certification form has caused the state not to pay heNo problem, right? She called the state number given on her form and held on through the lengthy in

only to hear: We are unable to take your call now because of extremely high call volume. Please trylater. Which she did. Dozens of times. Same result. It doesnt give you a chance to get into a queue voice mail, Kingsley said. She sent an email on July 16, and theres been no response to that at all. Shto go to the office for help. There isnt one. She found a direct number for someone who couldnt hetrue, said Jeff Hentschel, communications director for the state Department of Labor. Theres a reaClearly, we dont have enough people or telephone lines to accommodate all the calls. The problems2009, with the crushed economy putting people on the rolls. Adding to the volume right now: A lot ofapply during the summer. Also, unemployment overall is high. And there are changes dealing withbenefits that created a lot of questions.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/COLUMNIST0101/307250089/Gail-Kerr-TN-hook-unansweunemployment-office?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cp&nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

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http://www.dnj.com/article/20120725/OPINION01/307250003/EDITORIAL-Don-t-pull-lottery-out-from-under-students?nclick_check=1http://www.dnj.com/article/20120725/OPINION01/307250003/EDITORIAL-Don-t-pull-lottery-out-from-under-students?nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/COLUMNIST0101/307250089/Gail-Kerr-TN-hook-unanswered-calls-unemployment-office?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/COLUMNIST0101/307250089/Gail-Kerr-TN-hook-unanswered-calls-unemployment-office?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.dnj.com/article/20120725/OPINION01/307250003/EDITORIAL-Don-t-pull-lottery-out-from-under-students?nclick_check=1http://www.dnj.com/article/20120725/OPINION01/307250003/EDITORIAL-Don-t-pull-lottery-out-from-under-students?nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/COLUMNIST0101/307250089/Gail-Kerr-TN-hook-unanswered-calls-unemployment-office?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cp&nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120725/COLUMNIST0101/307250089/Gail-Kerr-TN-hook-unanswered-calls-unemployment-office?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cp&nclick_check=1

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