SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2011 Gov.

Haslam speaks at Legacy Parks Luncheon (WTVF-TV Knoxville)

Governor Bill Haslam returned to Knoxville address a crowd of about 500 business leaders Friday at the Legacy Parks Foundation's Annual Luncheon. The fundraiser was at River Bluff Park, a future city park on the Tennessee River. The land is the site of a civil war battle, a green space of land that could have been covered by condominiums until the foundation bought it last year. The foundation raised more than $2.5 million so far, added 200 acres of parkland and protected 1000 acres of forest and farmland in East Tennessee. "Our goals are to create recreational destinations in South Knoxville," Carol Evans, executive director of Legacy Parks. "It's so that people have access to it, and kids have green space to play in like we did." More green means more than just access to your outdoor activities. "Interestingly, it increases property values in every community. The more green space you have, if you live near a park your property value will improve." It could also lure new business to East Tennessee. Governor Haslam said better quality of life will attract businesses and their families http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/Legacy_Parks_Foundation__131887528.html?ref=528

Haslam OKs Larger Hay Loads on TN Highways (TN Report)

Gov. Bill Haslam recently signed an executive order allowing haulers of hay to carry larger loads in their trucks as long as they observe safety requirements. The order is in response to drought and extreme weathers conditions in Texas and across the Southeast, which has left some farmers without access to hay for livestock. Its been a tough year for farmers across the Southeast, and we want to be responsive to their needs, Haslam said. This order will ensure that much needed hay can be shipped safely and without delay through Tennessee and along our major interstate corridors. Gov. Haslams executive order increases the gross vehicle weight to 95,000 pounds, not to exceed 20,000 pounds per axle load, for semi truck/trailers. The order also increases the height of trailer loads to 13 feet, 6 inches and the width to a maximum of 14 feet during daylight hours. The increase in width allows haulers to transport standard six- to seven-foot round hay bales side by side, increasing the capacity being hauled per truck without a permit. The executive order is in effect for 60 days. http://www.tnreport.com/2011/10/haslam-oks-larger-hay-loads-on-tn-highways/

Tennessee Redirected to Official Path for NCLB Waiver (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Tennessee was the first state that turned to the federal government and asked for leniency under No Child Left Behind. Now that the Department of Education has created a formal process, Tennessee will have to start over with its request. Originally, the state just drafted a letter, says Tennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman. Now he has to outline how the state will focus on 15 percent of its most troubled schools. Huffman says there are a few hoops to jump through. Its not a massive number of hoops, but we submitted a seven page letter. This will be longer than seven pages. Tennessee is well-positioned for a waiver after making recent changes to teacher evaluations and adopting so-called common core standards. Both are set as criteria to apply. Huffman says he expects to hear whether the state is approved sometime in December. Without a waiver from No Child Left Behind, he says a vast majority of the states public schools will fall short of ever-increasing standards next year. http://wpln.org/?p=30853

Gibbons outlines state changes ahead (Cleveland Daily Banner)

Tennessee Commissioner of Public Safety and Homeland Security Bill Gibbons outlined some major changes in the highway patrol, driver services and homeland security in an attempt to put a better face on the state and make communities safer. He said part of the mix included in Gov. Bill Haslams desire for economic growth is to create safer climates for the type of investment in economic growth Haslam wants. Gibbons was in Cleveland Thursday afternoon as part of a statewide tour of driver service centers. He visited with State Reps. Eric Watson

and Kevin Brooks, State Sen. Mike Bell, Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland and Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis, and spoke of a changes in the department. There has been a lot of frustration for years over people going into our driver service centers and trying to get their license renewed, he said. I share that frustration. W hen you think about it, our driver service centers are in a lot of ways the face of state government, he said. W e have between 1.5 and 2 million people going into our 49 service centers every year and a lot of them leave with a bitter taste in their mouth. http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/16048726/article-Gibbons-outlines-state-changes-ahead? instance=homefirstleft

Knox Co. clerk partners with state officials to ease access to voter photo IDs (NS)
Knox County Clerk Foster Arnett Jr. announced Friday he's partnered with the state Department of Safety and Homeland Security to ease access by area registered voters to photo driver licenses that will allow them to vote. Arnett is one of 30 clerks across the state that has agreed at no charge to issue for several months photo driver's licenses to registered voters who currently have non-photo licenses. Under a new state law that goes into effect next year, voters must show a state or federal photo ID to cast a ballot at polls in Tennessee. Arnett has a standing partnership with the department and currently issues renewal and replacement driver's licenses and ID cards to residents. Under the new agreement, the clerk's office will forgo a $4 service fee normally paid for issuing the license. Arnett and the 29 other county clerks have agreed to provide that service from now through March 12. The following East Tennessee clerks' offices will also offer the updated service: Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, McMinn, Monroe, Polk, Unicoi, Scott and Union. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/15/knox-county-clerk-partners-with-state-officials/

Waters urges CoverKids awareness (Cleveland Daily Banner)

Children who do not qualify for TennCare or other government health care programs can still have complete health care coverage thanks to Coverkids, a guaranteed issue policy with no pre-existing condition exclusions for its members. The low cost, comprehensive health insurance program is for children 18 and under whose families cannot afford private health insurance or do not have access to coverage. It also provides maternity coverage for pregnant women. Eloise Waters, director of the Bradley County Health Department, said more awareness is needed in getting the word out about CoverKids to families in Bradley County. Im sure it needs more attention. We use (CoverKids) a lot for pregnant women with low incomes and families who dont qualify for TennCare, Waters said. Also it pays for well child examines. CoverKids offers services children need most, including prescription drugs, doctors visits, hospitalization, mental health needs and immunizations. Waters said there may be a small monthly premium based on a familys income, but if they are at or below 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, coverage is free. http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/16049085/article-Waters-urges-CoverKids-awareness? instance=home_features

39 apply for ETSU president job so far (Johnson City Press)

The whittling down of candidates who have applied to become the next president of East Tennessee State University will begin Monday. Thirty-nine people have applied for the job as of 5 p.m. Friday evening. Eleven of those candidates have applied in the past 10 days. The process to replace Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr. as president began this past summer. Stanton, who is the eighth leader of the school, announced earlier this year he intends to retire in January. The following candidate names are in the same order on a master list kept by the Tennessee Board of Regents and most recently updated Friday evening: - William Anderson, principal (special assignment), Columbus City Schools - Ronald Brown, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Wayne State University - Zelphia Brown, online associate campus dean; online full-time faculty; regional academic dean; campus dean, Strayer University - James Conneely, associate provost and vice president for student affairs, Eastern Kentucky University - Todd Diacon, deputy chancellor, University of Massachusetts-Amherst - Donald DiPette, vice president for medical affairs, University of South Carolina - David Fluharty, technology/field integrator, LMU Inc. http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Living/article.php?id=95026#ixzz1aqCjehbz

Nearly 1,000 State Employees On Food Stamps (WTVF-TV Nashville)

Nearly 1,000 Tennessee state employees have such low salaries that they must rely on government assistance to put food on their tables. Robert O'Connell with the Tennessee State Employee Association said they were shocked when they discovered the number of state workers on food stamps. "We were floored by the number of 2

people," said O'Connell. "I don't think Tennesseans are going to be proud that we are paying this large group not enough to feed their families." The TSEA fired off a letter to Governor Bill Haslam demanding the state pay more. The group believes part of the problem is that state salaries haven't kept up with the cost of living. After it made a public records request, the state employee association learned 964 state workers were on food stamps. The Department of Environment and Conservation had 129 employees on food stamps. The Department of Corrections had 191 employees on public aid, and the Department of Human Services had 228 workers on welfare. Ironically, DHS which gives out food stamps, had the largest number of workers on the program. O'Connell said if salaries aren't raised, state workers will start to leave the public sector. http://www.newschannel5.com/story/15700399/nearly-1000-state-employees-on-food-stamps

THP partners with local agencies for DUI blitz (Daily News Journal)
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is teaming up with local law enforcement agencies in Davidson County to conduct a multi-jurisdictional DUI enforcement blitz this weekend. State Troopers will join forces with officers from the Metro-Nashville Police Department and the Davidson County Sheriffs Office, as well as the Governors Highway Safety Office (GHSO) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), according to a THP news release. As part of the enforcement, sobriety checkpoints will be held throughout the weekend in an effort to reduce alcohol-related fatalities and serious injuries, according to the release. The sobriety checkpoints will take place on Friday and Saturday night on Murfreesboro Road between McGavock Pike and Donelson Pike in Nashville. In addition to the checkpoint, the Davidson County Sheriffs Office will provide a mobile booking unit, equipped with a breathalyser. State Troopers, as of Sept. 30, have made 3,488 DUI arrests this year, according to the release from the THP. That is 1,003 more DUI arrests, a 40.36 percent increase, compared to the 2,485 arrests troopers made over the same time period a year ago. http://www.dnj.com/article/20111014/NEW S01/111014006/THP-partners-local-agencies-DUI-blitz-

State board disbars former Knox County judge (Associated Press)

The state board that disciplines attorneys has disbarred former Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner. The jurist earlier resigned his judgeship and pleaded guilty to official misconduct after an investigation revealed he bought prescription painkillers from a probationer in his court. The notice filed by the Board of Professional Responsibility on Thursday means Baumgartner can no longer practice law in Tennessee. The notice states that Baumgartner consented to disbarment through his attorney, according to The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/psww9n ). The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation file on Baumgartner remains sealed from public view. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37688059.story

Gun bills still on legislative agenda or not (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Humphrey)

While the House Republican leader has indicated that expansion of gun owner rights may be de-emphasized in the coming legislative session, the sponsor of pending gun bills sees no reason for putting off action. "I can walk and chew gum at the same time. We (legislators) can act on jobs and constitutional freedoms at the same time," said Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville. House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, who set up the Republican Firearms Task Force in July, says he may now disband it. At the time, McCormick said he believed the economy would be rebounding, but that appears not to be the case now. The chairman of the task force, Republican Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville, resigned the post this week after his arrest on charges of drunken driving and illegal possession of a firearm. McCormick said that is not the reason for de-emphasizing gun legislation. "I was really hoping the economy would be roaring back by now, and it's not," McCormick told the Chattanooga Times-Free Press. "I think people want us to focus more on economic development and jobs and leave some of the other issues to the side for the time being." http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/15/political-notebook-gun-bills-still-on-agenda-151/

Rep. Brenda Gilmore thinks anti-gay bias bill has shot (Tennessean/Humbles)
State Rep. Brenda Gilmore believes her fellow state legislators will change their minds and allow local governments to set their own anti-discrimination policies. Gilmore held a news conference at Legislative Plaza on Friday to announce her intention to sponsor legislation that would allow cities such as Nashville to expand workplace protections for gays, lesbians and transsexuals. The legislation would repeal a state law passed in May that prevents cities from denying contracts to businesses that dont offer the workplace protections. The law voided a Metro ordinance. Gilmore, D-Nashville, said legislative members considering her repeal bill should be made aware of anti-discrimination policies adopted by businesses and organizations such as FedEx and 3

Vanderbilt University. Im afraid the legislation passed last year tarnished our image, Gilmore said. Its clear business is on our side. I dont think (state representatives) had all the information. The importance of a uniform code of conduct for business was one reason state lawmakers supported the bill that nullified Metros action, Rep. Glen Casada, R-Franklin, said earlier this week. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111015/NEWS0201/310140120/Rep-Gilmore-thinks-anti-gay-bias-bill-hasshot?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Ramsey Favors Adding Picture on Drivers Licenses for Seniors (TN Report)
Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey said Thursday in Clarksville he may pursue legislation to require citizens over age 60 to have a photograph on their drivers license a big wrinkle in the debate over the states new voter ID law. Ramsey, on the first leg of his Red Tape Road Trips tour designed to hear concerns about government regulations, said he doesnt understand any justification for allowing those citizens to go without a photo on their drivers license. He wants to study the history of how that came to be. W hile his meeting at a Clarksville real estate office Thursday addressed regulations, some unrelated questions arose, and one was about the states new law that requires voters to have a photo ID when they show up to vote. The law goes into effect Jan. 1 and would first come into play in the states presidential primary March 5. The question came from a man who recently moved to Tennessee from Iowa who was unaware the state had a new voter ID law. In telling the new Tennessean about the law, Ramsey said he didnt know until recently about the exemption for people 60 and over allowing them not to have a photo on their drivers license. http://www.tnreport.com/2011/10/ramsey-favors-adding-picture-on-drivers-licenses-for-seniors/

Knox County commissioners to discuss redistricting plans on Monday (NS/Donila)

Knox County commissioners on Monday begin the final talks to determine the district makeup for the commission and board of education for the next decade. And depending on the redistricting plan the body choose some officials could get displaced. It doesn't mean, however, they would lose their office. But an opponent could use their residency against them in a re-election campaign. As it stands, the county school board endorsed one plan and a joint committee comprised of school board and commissioners recommended two other plans. All three would align the borders of the nine commission districts with the nine school board districts. The commission, however, can pick one plan for its members and another for school officials. None of the plans affect the schools students attend. "I haven't taken a position yet, but it's not an issue to me whether another elected official gets moved," commission Chairman Mike Hammond said. "My No. 1 priority is to do whatever is best for the voters, but I don't know what that is yet because I haven't looked over all the details." Hammond, though, said he'd like to see a plan that "lines up the school board districts and the commission districts as much as possible." http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/15/knox-county-commissioners-to-discuss-plans-on/

Bluff City faces $6M lawsuit over camera enforcement program (NS/Satterfield)
An Upper East Tennessee town's already troubled traffic camera enforcement program has hit another speed bump a federal proposed class-action lawsuit. Attorney Dan Stanley has filed on behalf of motorists Chris Cawood and Jonathan Kelly Proffitt a $6 million proposed class-action lawsuit against Bluff City and its mayor, Irene W ells, and the Arizona-based traffic camera firm American Traffic Solutions Inc. Cawood is a Kingston attorney. The lawsuit alleges the city and the firm are conspiring to violate the Fair Debt Collections Act, state law and the city's own ordinances by imposing an administrative fee of $40 on top of the $50 fine imposed for motorists allegedly captured on the city's two speed enforcement cameras on Highway 11E. The plaintiffs further allege the city and firm are "threatening criminal prosecution for contempt of court and suspension of driver's licenses" if the fees and fines aren't paid. The action also alleges the city created a "speed trap" on the section of Highway 11E under enforcement by the city's cameras by dropping the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph less than a mile from where the cameras are posted. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/15/bluff-city-faces-6-million-lawsuit-over-speed/

Fincher introduces bill to require testing for welfare recipients, apps (CA/Sullivan)
New applicants and current recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the welfare program reaching more than 4 million Americans, would be required to consent to drug testing under a bill introduced today by U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher, R-Tenn. The Welfare Integrity Act calls for random drug testing of at least 20 percent of a states TANF applicants and recipients. States that dont comply would forfeit 10 percent of their TANF funding. In explaining his rationale for the measure, Fincher said in a statement: Americans are generous in providing assistance to those in need but they also expect their tax dollars to be used in a responsible mannerIts not too much to ask folks to keep clean in order to receive federal assistance. Tennessees 4

Department of Human Services reported 157,468 individuals receiving TANF payments in August, the most recent figures available. Of them, 113,320 were children. The average monthly cash payment for participating families was $165.72. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/14/fincher-introduces-bill-require-drug-testing-20-we/? partner=yahoo_feeds

Long-Term Care Gets the Ax (Wall Street Journal)

The Obama administration said Friday it wouldn't implement a long-term care insurance program that is part of the 2010 health overhaul, its first major reversal on its signature domestic achievement. The program, known as the Class Act, was included in the law to help Americans cover the cost of aid for daily living needs such as bathing and using the toilet if they became unable to care for themselves. Mounting concerns that the program was too costly over the long run prompted officials at the Department of Health and Human Services to reexamine the program in recent months. "I do not see a viable path forward for Class implementation at this time," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a letter to congressional leaders released Friday afternoon. The move emboldened critics of the law, who said the pullback undermines the broader foundations of the health overhaul. Despite the popularity of some individual provisions, Americans remain divided in their support for the overhaul. All the Republican president candidates have pledged to repeal it, and GOP leaders consider the health overhaul a political liability for President Obama in the 2012 president race. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204002304576631302927789920.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Health Law to Be Revised by Ending a Program (New York Times)

The Obama administration announced Friday that it was scrapping a long-term care insurance program created by the new health care law because it was too costly and would not work. Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services, said she had concluded that premiums would be so high that few healthy people would sign up. The program, which was intended for people with chronic illnesses or severe disabilities, was known as Community Living Assistance Services and Supports, or Class. We have not identified a way to make Class work at this time, Ms. Sebelius said. She said the program, which had been championed by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, was financially unsustainable. Kathy J. Greenlee, the assistant secretary of health and human services in charge of the program, said: We do not have a viable path forward. W e will not be working further to implement the Class Act. The administrations decision was another setback for the new law, which is under attack in court, in Congress and in many state legislatures. Ms. Sebelius said her decision does not affect the rest of the health care law, which is supposed to provide coverage to more than 30 million people who are uninsured. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/15/health/policy/15health.html? _r=1&ref=todayspaper (SUB)

Economy wears on mental health (Tennessean/Wilemon)

Tina Alston discovered the therapeutic benefits of a coffee shop years ago. Im one of the few Vanderbilt Ph.Ds that was a cleaning lady at Starbucks, she said. Theres freedom in that. Alston learned to use a cash register at age 62 to get health insurance until she qualified for Medicare. She soon realized a boost more powerful than caffeine the camaraderie of co-workers and customers. A psychotherapist, Alston now advises her clients to go to a house of worship or a coffee shop to build a support system. Shes seeing more and more who need support. The prolonged economic downturn is causing chronic mental health problems as people get stuck in depression or trapped by anxiety, according to Alston and other therapists in Middle Tennessee. A lot of people are having more feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, said Melvin Ferguson, clinic manager of Centerstone. They are not having a clear expectation that things are going to get better any time soon. First, the housing bubble burst and then the stock market crashed in 2008. Massive layoffs occurred in 2009. A fledgling recovery in 2010 stalled, leaving most of the unemployed behind. Predictions of a double-dip recession come daily. Americans say their emotional health has worsened this year, according to the latest GallupHealthways W ell-Being Index issued Thursday. The score plunged to the lowest level for September in four years. Therapists want people and their families to recognize the dangers behind the trend lines. Dont let joblessness be an excuse for why my husband is drinking a lot, Alston said. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111015/NEWS07/310150025/Economy-wears-mental-health?odyssey=tab| topnews|text|News

Many suggestions but little time for debt panel (Associated Press/Taylor)
Conservative senators are urging the debt-cutting supercommittee to raise the eligibility age for Medicare and require many retirees to pay more. The top Senate Republican on defense is endorsing some of President Barack Obamas proposed benefit curbs for the military. Even farm state lawmakers are offering cuts to agriculture subsidies and food programs. Fridays deadline for lawmakers to offer ideas to Congress bipartisan 12-member panel brought out a flood of advice. Some lawmakers offered up sacred cows. Others just restated political talking points. Whether it will help the supercommittee make actual progress remains to be seen. What appears clear is that the fundamental disputes remain the same: Democrats and Republicans remain at loggerheads on taxes and proposals to cut benefit programs such as Medicare. Republicans are, so far, standing fast against tax increases; Democrats wont touch Medicare without them. Its not at all certain that the panel, due to act byNov. 23, will find success in reaching its goal of generating at least $1.2 trillion in deficit savings over the coming decade. The conventional wisdom in W ashington is that it wont. Its impossible to do it in the next month, said Joseph Minarik, research director for the private, business-led Committee for Economic Development, citing the technical complexities of crafting such a measure as well as the political challenges of enacting it. Deficit reduction is doing things you dont want to do. The political pressures are awful. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111015/NEWS/310150017/Many-suggestions-little-time-debt-panel? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Sizing Up the Small-Business Jobs Machine (Wall Street Journal)

Praise of small businesses as the engine of the American economy is as much a part of political campaigns as bus tours, small-town diners and recycled stump speeches. This week, no fewer than five of the eight Republican presidential candidates participating in a debate in Hanover, N.H., spent time talking about the importance of small businesses. No wonder, given that politicians through the years have credited small businesses with creating anywhere from 60% to 80% of new jobs. So, do small businesses deserve their job-generating reputation? In short, yes. Armed with new tools for tracking job creation, the Small Business Administration estimates such firms create about 65% of the nation's net new jobsjobs created minus jobs eliminated. And economists generally agree the figure is sound given the SBA's criteria. There are big caveats, though, ranging from how small business is defined to how much the jobs pay and how long they last. The first question: How small is small? The SBA's Office of Advocacy, which produces the statistics, counts small businesses as those with fewer than 500 employees, which covers far more than garage tech start-ups and mom-and-pop stores. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203914304576630973840478808.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Drop in TVA fuel cost in November (Associated Press)

Tennessee Valley Authority ratepayers will get another slight decrease because of lower fuel cost in November, with a drop between 50 cents and $1.00 for average residential customers. TVA said in a statement Friday that the third straight monthly reduction is due to significantly lower fuel costs, mild temperatures, reduced demand and increased hydro generation. The monthly fuel cost is at its lowest point in more than a year following drops of up to $3.50 this month and up to $1.50 in September for average residential customers. On Oct. 1, the nation's largest public utility's rates increased for average residential customers by $1.60 a month. TVA supplies power to about 9 million people in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37689879.story

TVA offering cash incentives to EnergyRight participants (Knoxville NewsSentinel)

TVA is increasing the incentive it will pay to businesses and industries taking part in its EnergyRight Solutions program to conserve energy. The federal utility and local electric utilities are offering a 100 percent increase in cash incentive payments to businesses and industries that participate in the program, which conducts energy audits of participating companies to identify energy savings opportunities. Companies completing the recommended energy updates then are eligible for incentives on their power bills. Effective immediately, TVA will increase the cash incentive payment from 5 cents to 10 cents for each kilowatt-hour saved by businesses that enroll in the program. More than 500 companies, large and small, have been evaluated through the program this year, according to TVA. The utility said it has made more than $4 million in reimbursements to those businesses, resulting in a savings of nearly 123 million kilowatt-hours, which is enough to power nearly 7,800 typical Tennessee Valley-area homes for a year. "TVA has made increased energy efficiency a key part of meeting 6

power demand in the Tennessee Valley in the years ahead," said Bob Balzar, TVA vice president of Energy Efficiency and Demand Response. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/14/tva-offering-cash-incentives-toenergyright/

Most TN lawmakers reject tougher coal ash rules (Tennessean/Groppe)

All but one of Tennessees House members voted Friday to block tougher federal regulations of the waste left after burning coal for electricity. The bill, which is opposed by the White House, passed the GOP-controlled House 267-144. Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper of Nashville was the only member of the Tennessee delegation who voted against the measure. GOP Reps. Stephen Fincher of Frog Jump, Diane Black of Gallatin, Scott DesJarlais of Jasper and Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood joined the states other three Republican House members in voting for the bill. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis joined 36 other House Democrats in crossing party lines to support the measure. The vote was one of a series that House Republicans are holding this fall to delay or overturn regulations they argue will hurt the economy. Republicans said tougher coal ash rules being considered by the Environmental Protection Agency would cost jobs and increase electric bills. In exchange for no benefits, were going to give up more jobs in states and in a country that cant afford more setbacks, said GOP Rep. Larry Buchson of southwestern Indiana, where coal is mined. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111015/NEWS/310150023/Most-TN-lawmakers-reject-tougher-coal-ashrules?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

U.S. House approves Sentinel/Collins)

bill

limiting

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reach

over

coal

ash

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The U.S. House voted Friday to block federal environmental officials from regulating ash from coal-fired power plants as a hazardous waste, prompting an outcry from watchdog groups that charged the decision would jeopardize public health. The legislation, which passed on a 267 to 144 vote, would grant states the authority to set their own standards for coal-ash disposal but would prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from regulating the residue as a hazardous material. The Obama administration is in the process of developing the first-ever federal regulations for coal ash disposal in light of the catastrophic ash spill at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston Fossil Plant in Kingston on Dec. 22, 2008. One of the proposals under consideration would treat coal ash as a hazardous substance. But lawmakers from coal-producing states including Tennessee argue that would devastate the coal industry, raise electricity bills and kill the market for recycled coal ash, which is used in road construction and building materials. "W e cannot afford to let the EPA put more Americans out of work," said U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W .Va., who accused the Obama administration of an "ideological war on Appalachian jobs." http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/15/us-house-approves-bill-limiting-epasreach-over/

Delta company to move to city (Commercial Appeal/Dowd)

SentryNet will move its head office to Memphis from Mississippi by next April, creating about 60 jobs in the city. Officials at the security firm confirmed Friday they will shut down operations in the Delta city of Greenville, where the company now employs 70. "We're excited about moving the headquarters to Memphis because of the opportunities for growth that it will offer," said David Avritt, the firm's founder and president. W hile the Memphis area has landed big industrial projects such as Electrolux and Mitsubishi, the region remains starved for jobs with an unemployment rate of 10.1 percent. "It's fantastic news for Memphis because these workers will be living here, buying houses or renting here and spending their money here," said Susan Hadley Maynor, managing director of economic development for the Greater Memphis Chamber. "We're seeing more technologically based companies making Memphis their home." The company opened in 1986 as Central Monitoring Service and was later renamed SentryNet. It expanded in 1997 to Pensacola, Fla., and employs 50 there. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/15/delta-firm-to-move-to-city/

Proposal for theme park at TN state fairgrounds ignites debate (Tennessean/Cass)

After losing a battle to demolish the racetrack at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, a group of neighbors was annoyed to hear Metro Council members saying the city should consider putting up some roller coasters, too. It would be extremely damaging to the surrounding neighborhoods if something like that happened and you tried to keep the existing uses there, said Colby Sledge, who lives near the fairgrounds and supports its redevelopment. But some councilmen say its smart business for the city, which is about to study the best use of the 117-acre site, to explore the possibility of opening a theme park there. As part of the master plan, I think it would be 7

appropriate to have information about whether theres somebody out there who would be willing to build a theme park, Councilman Duane Dominy said. Thats part of due diligence. A bill the council will start debating Tuesday would require the citys fair board to solicit proposals for development of a theme park on part of the site, which already holds the racetrack and an expo center. The city also plans to build a $2 million park with no theme other than recreation on 35 to 40 acres of the property. The proposed ordinance, the first filed in the new council term, promises to continue a debate that consumed much of the previous councils energy after Mayor Karl Dean and the fair board pulled the plug on Metro operations of the Tennessee State Fair and tried to remove the racetrack and redevelop the city-owned site. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111015/NEWS01/310130088/Proposal-theme-park-TN-state-fairgroundsignites-debate?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Erlanger, Heart Institute under federal scrutiny (Times Free-Press/Carroll)

Erlanger Health System officials confirmed Friday they are expecting a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General regarding contracts with the Chattanooga Heart Institute. Doug Fisher, Erlanger's vice president of government and corporate affairs, confirmed the subpoena request in a written statement to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. "We have little information about this situation but do believe it dates back several years," he said. "The administration has taken very extensive and expensive measures in the compliance area in recent years, and we are very confident that steps are in place to assure that our contracts follow all legal requirements." Beyond that, federal and hospital officials were not forthcoming. Donald White, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, declined to discuss details. "As a matter of investigative procedure, we can neither confirm nor deny operations that may be pending before the agency," he said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/15/erlanger-heart-institute-under-federal-scrutiny/?local

Workers at Music City Center project didn't receive paychecks (W SMV-TV Nashville)
Friday means payday for a lot of us, but not for some workers at the Music City Center. They did the work this week but didn't get their paycheck. There are so many workers at the Music City Center work site and so many layers of contractors, it's tough to tell how many workers didn't get paychecks this week. One source told Channel 4 it was several dozen. But the fact it happened to even a single worker is enough to have those in charge taking action to get to the bottom of it. "It's been pretty rough," construction worker Daniel Mayo said. Work this tough deserves a fair paycheck, so you can imaging the frustration when Mayo found out his week's worth of metal framing and drywall work didn't pay off. "Work all week and then you figure out you ain't going to get paid Friday, got to wait until Monday," he said. Mayo said at least 20 other workers at LMC didn't get paychecks, either, so he isn't the only one hurting. http://www.wsmv.com/story/15700202/workers-at-music-city-center-project-didnt-receive-paychecks

West High School NJROTC program in danger of being dismantled (N-S/McCoy)

When she graduates from West High School, Victoria Nokes plans to pursue a career in law enforcement. To help her begin on that path, the 16-year-old joined the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, or NJROTC, at the school. "This program has taught me more about discipline and leadership than I would have learned by myself," said Nokes, who's a sophomore at West. "It's showed me that there's more out there than what everyone thinks there is. This is more of a family, not really a group or a class, so I think it just brought it all together for me." Unless school officials and community leaders are able to convince the Navy otherwise, the school's program will be one of 29 chapters nationwide that will be disestablished at the end of the school year, effective June 2012. The Navy requires the programs to have at least 100 students active. Michaal Miller, public affairs specialist with the Naval Service Training Command, said the decision was not an easy one for the Navy. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/15/west-high-school-njrotc-program-in-danger-of/

Alabama: Law affects all aspects of immigrant life (Times Free-Press/Trevizo)

The full provisions of Alabama's new immigration law have yet to be implemented, but already its impact in the immigrant community -- including fear -- is considered much larger than in other states with similar get-tough measures. "I don't think we saw anywhere near the level of terror from families and children we are seeing [in Alabama]," said Mary Bauer, legal director with the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala., in a telephone news conference last week. It's been over two weeks since Alabama's law -- considered by many on 8

both sides of the debate as the toughest in the country -- went into effect. Advocates and immigrants say the result has been a climate of fear that affects everything from families and schools to business and agriculture. In other states, "we've heard stories of families choosing to leave and rotting crops [because farmers can't find laborers], but not wholesale terror and destruction of families," Bauer said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/15/alabama-law-affects-aspects-of-immigrant-life/?local

Alabama: Part of Alabama Immigrant Law Blocked (New York Times)

A federal appeals court in Atlanta temporarily blocked two provisions of Alabamas far-reaching immigration enforcement law on Friday, but left much of it in effect as the state and the United States Justice Department continued to fight over the law in the courts. The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit issued a preliminary injunction against a section of the law that requires schools to determine the immigration status of children who are enrolling, as well as the status of their parents. It also blocked a section making it a state crime for illegal immigrants not to carry registration documents. The law, considered the toughest state immigration law in the nation, was signed by Gov. Robert Bentley in June, but it was challenged shortly thereafter in lawsuits by the Justice Department, a coalition of civil rights groups and others. On Sept 28, a federal district judge in Alabama issued an injunction against several provisions but allowed most of the law to take effect while the challenges made their way through the courts. The 11th Circuit court has expedited the appeals process and is scheduled to hear arguments within the next two months. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/15/us/2-alabamaimmigration-law-provisions-are-blocked.html?ref=todayspaper (SUBSCRIPTION)

Iowa: An earlier N.H. primary could force electoral event to Nov. 28 (SC Journal)
As unappealing as it might be to think about serving Thanksgiving leftovers at the Iowa precinct caucuses, it remains a real possibility. New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner has sent shivers up the backs of Iowa political activists with a warning -- or, perhaps, a threat -- that the Granite State might hold its first-in-the-nation presidential primary Dec. 13 -- or even as early as Dec. 6. Typically, the New Hampshire primary is eight days after the Iowa caucuses. If Iowa maintains that interval, the caucuses would be Nov. 28 -- the Monday after Thanksgiving. "If New Hampshire moves to December, then Iowa would have to predate that," Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said Thursday. "We don't want to start in December, but that could happen." In New Hampshire, Democratic National Committee Vice Chairman and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley seemed resigned to that possibility. "Only God and Bill Gardner know that," Buckley said when asked when the primary would be held. "If he has to pick December, he'll pick December," added James Pindell, political director at W MUR-TV in Manchester, N.H. http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/a1/article_043913a0-2b45-52cc-ac40fda647f225a5.html#ixzz1aqGbXpEC

Missouri: Carnahan: Mo. should hold primary that has generated controversy (AP)
Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan said Thursday that a proposal to scrap the state's presidential primary is "wrong-headed" and that Missouri should hold the vote to encourage participation in the process of choosing a president. "Nominating a candidate is a pretty serious business. A lot of Missourians will have opinions about that, and the best way to make sure their voices are heard is to have a primary," Carnahan said in an interview with The Associated Press. The Missouri presidential primary and the timing of it have prompted controversy this fall. State law currently schedules the primary on Feb. 7, which is about a month earlier than what now is allowed under rules set by the national Republican and Democratic parties. To avoid jumbling the national presidential selection calendar and getting penalized by losing half its delegates at the national convention, the Missouri Republican Party has opted for a caucus process that starts in March. County caucuses select delegates, who can signal allegiance to a presidential candidate but are not required to do so, to attend congressional district conventions April 21 and the state convention June 2. At each of those meetings roughly half of Missouri's delegates to the Republican National Convention will be selected and bound to support a presidential candidate. http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/4e1f5f6fe3d141a59b8dbc6391e4e2e9/MO--Presidential-Primary/

Pennsylvania: Mayor and State Oppose Bankruptcy Petition for Harrisburg (AP)
Lawyers for the State of Pennsylvania and for Harrisburgs mayor have asked a federal judge to throw out the bankruptcy petition filed for the city this week after the City Council voted for it. The states lawyer said a state law expressly forbids it, while a lawyer for Harrisburg said the council majority and the lawyer it hired did not have the authority to file for bankruptcy. Judge Mary D. France of the United States Bankruptcy Court scheduled a conference on the matter for Monday. The council majority and Mayor Linda Thompson have clashed over a 9

recovery plan developed with state officials, prompting state lawmakers to push a bill that would instead let the governor declare a fiscal emergency and install someone to make spending decisions. That measure, supported by Gov. Tom Corbett, has passed the House and is expected to be taken up by the Senate next week. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/15/us/harrisburg-mayor-and-state-oppose-city-bankruptcy.html? ref=todayspaper (SUBSCRIPTION)

Wisconsin: Governor and Lieutenant Broke Promise on Pension Contributions (AP)

Gov. Scott Walker, who forced public workers to pay more for their pensions as part of a push to curb union rights, broke a campaign promise to pay the full cost of his own pension immediately after taking office in January. Mr. Walker, a Republican, promised in June 2010 that he would begin paying the cost immediately in order to lead by example. Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch made the same pledge but did not pay as promised either. Pay stubs of Mr. Walker provided Friday in response to an open records request by The Associated Press redacted his pension details. His spokesman said the governor did not start paying the full cost until August, when the law he pushed began requiring elected officials and other state employees to contribute 5.8 percent. The contribution was part of a bill that also took away nearly all collective bargaining rights from public employees. His spokesman did not have an explanation for why Mr. W alker did not pay until the law forced him to. An aide to Ms. Kleefisch did not explain why she did not begin the contribution in January. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/15/us/governor-scott-walker-broke-promise-to-pay-his-pension.html? ref=todayspaper (SUBSCRIPTION)

OPINION Free-Press Editorial: Chattanooga on the move (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

Chattanooga, like the rest of the nation, has suffered during the economic difficulties of the past few years. But Chattanooga has had a number of advantages that a lot of other cities across the country have not enjoyed -advantages that are helping our city weather the economic downturn better than many cities have. Decades ago, forward-thinking private citizens and local officials began the process of investing in and revitalizing our downtown and both sides of our riverfront. With additions such as the Tennessee Aquarium and various parks, they succeeded in making the area a delightful, appealing place for residents and tourists alike. Those and many other improvements -- as well as an eager workforce and other factors -- helped position Chattanooga for major economic developments that have come in more recent years. They, of course, include the billion-dollar Volkswagen manufacturing plant and a large distribution center for online retailer Amazon at Enterprise South industrial park. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/15/chattanooga-on-the-move/?opinionfreepress

Editorial: School funding shortfall requires involvement of all (News Sentinel)

The current fiscal year is not yet half over, but Knox County's school system is already looking at a $7 million shortfall next year. And that's before any increase in fixed costs is factored into the equation. Superintendent Jim McIntyre warned school board members in a memorandum this week they would have to make some unpleasant choices to balance the books and that it is not too early to start the discussion. That conversation will begin at the board's Oct. 18 work session. This likely will be the most important issue facing Knox County government in the coming months, and everyone involved from students and parents to the county commissioners who appropriate the funds must be engaged. The education of Knox County's students is too important and the shortfall facing the schools is so large that the entire community should look for a consensus on how to move forward. The school system's $384.6 million budget for fiscal year 2010-11 was propped up with $7 million from the federal Education Jobs Bill. That money primarily went to keep teachers employed as state and local governments slashed expenditures. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/14/school-funding-shortfallrequires-involvement-of/

Free-Press Editorial: Governments can go broke (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

Many of us would like to think it really can't happen. But the fact is that when governments -- local, state or national -- continue to spend more than they take in from even too-high taxes, they can go broke. Recently, you may have read that the capital city of Pennsylvania -- Harrisburg -- filed for bankruptcy after piling up a crushing debt. W ell, our federal government -- meaning all of us -- has a staggering debt of $14.8 trillion! That means the federal government owes $47,000 per U.S. citizen -- or $132,000 per taxpayer! And our debt is going up every 10

day, because we let our government keep spending more than our high tax rates bring in. Unfortunately, much of our tax money goes not for solid and necessary governmental purposes. We spend too much on other things, including many unconstitutional budget items, such as subsidies for farms and passenger rail service. We have to pay hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes every year just to cover the interest on our national debt. And that cost is going up. Disgustingly, we are not about to pay off or even significantly reduce our debt anytime soon. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/15/governments-can-go-broke/?opinionfreepress

Editorial: The Death Penaltys De Facto Abolition (New York Times)

A new Gallup poll reports that support for the death penalty is at its lowest level since 1972. In fact, though, the decline, from a high of 80 percent in 1994 to 61 percent now, masks both Americans ambivalence about capital punishment and the countrys de facto abolition of the penalty in most places. W hen Gallup gave people a choice a year ago between sentencing a murderer to death or life without parole, an option in each of the 34 states that have the death penalty, only 49 percent chose capital punishment. That striking difference suggests that more Americans are recognizing that killing a prisoner is not the only way to make sure he is never released, that the death penalty cannot be made to comply with the Constitution and that it is in every way indefensible. But there are other numbers that tell a more compelling story about the national discomfort with executions. From their annual high points since the penalty was reinstated 35 years ago, the number executed has dropped by half, and the number sentenced to death has dropped by almost two-thirds. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/15/opinion/the-death-penaltys-de-facto-abolition.html?ref=todayspaper (SUBSCRIPTION) ###

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