WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012 Tax Cuts on Food, Inheritances Pushed by Haslam (TN Report)

Gov. Bill Haslam Tuesday afternoon introduced his 2012 legislative agenda, announcing that he will push for two tax cuts during this years Tennessee General Assembly session, which also began Tuesday. The tax cuts come by way of the governors proposals to raise the state inheritance tax exemption from $1 million to $1.25 million and to lower the states portion of the sales tax on food from 5.5 percent to 5.3 percent. A family of four spending $884 a month on groceries would save about $21 a year under the Haslam tax cut. The proposals were something of a surprise move from the governor, who has said as recently as last month that such cuts would be unlikely this year due to the states tight financial situation. The proposed tax cuts are just the beginning for the governor, who said the cuts were the first step toward his goals of lowering the food tax to 5 percent and raising the inheritance tax exemption to $5 million, to match the federal exemption mark, by the end of his first term. http://www.tnreport.com/2012/01/tax-cuts-on-food-inheritances-pushed-by-haslam/ TEXT:http://www.tnreport.com/2012/01/haslam-outlines-legislative-agenda/

Gov. Haslam proposes cuts in estate, food taxes (AP/Johnson, Schelzig)

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam announced Tuesday that his legislative priorities for the year will include securing reductions in the state's estate tax and a small cut on the sales tax on groceries. Haslam's stance marked a reversal from statements made over the winter that he didn't believe the state could afford tax breaks amid a tough budget situation. Improving revenues have now made the tax cuts possible, Haslam told reporters after announcing his legislative agenda at the state Capitol. Lawmakers earlier in the day got to work on this year's legislative session, with Republican leaders calling for rapid adoption of redistricting proposals. The governor's plan to increase the inheritance tax exemption on the first $1 million of estates to $1.25 million would affect about 200 taxpayers and cost the state $14 million in lost revenue. Haslam said his plan is to eventually raise the state exemption to the federal level of $5 million. "There's a whole lot of people who used to live in Tennessee who don't anymore, because it's cheaper to die in Florida," Haslam said. "They're taking capital and creating jobs in other places." http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38306305?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Haslam unveils legislative agenda (Nashville Business Journal)

Gov. Bill Haslam unveiled a legislative agenda Tuesday afternoon that changes economic development incentives, eases taxes on two fronts and pushes a range of educational initiatives. Surrounded by members of his administration, legislators and others, the Republican governor delivered an agenda that throws down an early marker in trying to steer the legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly , which reconvened Tuesday. These bills reflect my priorities in moving Tennessee forward by focusing on issues that make a difference through performance, accountability and efficiency in state government, Haslam said in a statement released this afternoon as he made his remarks at the state capitol. Haslam plans to increase by a stillundisclosed amount the funds the Department of Economic and Community Development has for direct cash grants through the states FastTrack program. Thats in contrast to tax credits through the Department of Revenue that are part of a companys long term and confidential tax burden. The governor said this provides more flexibility while also being more visible. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/01/10/haslamunveils-legislative-agenda.html

Haslam proposes reductions on grocery, estate taxes (Tennessean/Sisk)

Gov. Bill Haslam unveiled a legislative agenda that would cut estate and grocery taxes while also revamping work rules for civil servants and teachers, as lawmakers gathered at the state Capitol at noon Tuesday to begin the second year of the 107th legislature. Haslam also proposed bolstering economic development grants, eliminating a cap on classroom sizes, and restructuring nearly two dozen state boards and commissions at a

press conference laying out a legislative plan that ran to 55 bills. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and House Speaker Beth Harwell gaveled in lawmakers and urged them to vote quickly on proposed plans to redraw legislative districts. The day proceeded smoothly amid protests outside and inside the Capitol staged by Occupy Nashville demonstrators and supporters of a state income tax. The legislature got off to a flying start following promises by Republican leaders for a fast, focused session that will wrap up earlier than last years mid-May adjournment date. House and Senate committees passed the redistricting plans Tuesday, setting the course for final votes on new district borders that could be set by the end of the week. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120111/NEWS0201/301110093/Haslam-proposes-reductions-groceryestate-taxes?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Haslam wants to lower food, inheritance taxes (Times Free-Press/Sher)

Gov. Bill Haslam announced Tuesday that his legislative package of bills includes plans to begin reducing Tennessee's sales tax on food and raising the exemption on the state's inheritance tax. Haslam also said he wants to overhaul the civil service system for state workers to make it easier to hire and fire employees, to let school systems offer merit pay to teachers, to boost the state's FastTrack grant incentive program for businesses and to restructure 22 boards and commissions, including the Tennessee Regulatory Authority. "The issues we are going to bring up today focus on things that matter for Tennesseans, helping us move forward," Haslam said at an event that started with a rally with his supporters and administration, then was followed by a news conference. Earlier in the day, Haslam briefed House and Senate Republicans on his proposals. A Republican, Haslam said he is asking lawmakers to reduce the state's 5.5 percent sales tax on food to 5.3 percent, costing about $18 million annually. The goal is to get the tax down to 5 percent in three years. Haslam also wants to raise the exemption on inheritance taxes from $1 million to $1.25 million, a "first step" toward eventually raising the exemption to $5 million. This year's move would cost the state $14 million in revenue. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/11/haslam-wants-to-lower-food-inheritance-taxes/?local

Haslam calls for tax cuts on inheritances, groceries (News-Sentinel/Humphrey)

Gov. Bill Haslam has proposed to incrementally lower both the Tennessee sales tax on groceries and the state inheritance tax as part of a package of 55 bills his administration will push in the legislative session that began Tuesday. Other highlights of the legislative package as outlined by Haslam at an afternoon news conference would: Overhaul "antiquated" rules and laws for hiring, firing and paying state employees. Haslam said the changes would "simplify" the hiring process, change the method of laying off workers and "streamline" the appeals process for workers who believe they were fired or disciplined illegally. Change laws that set teacher salaries on the basis of seniority and training so local school districts will have "flexibility to make decisions such as how to address hard to staff schools or subjects along with rewarding teacher performance." Eliminate average class size requirements in schools, though there would still be a limit on the maximum number in any given class, varying by grade levels. Increase the amount of direct cash grants given to businesses that locate or expand in Tennessee, though declining to give a figure at this point on how much money would be involved. The cash would be provided "only in exceptional cases" providing jobs to Tennesseans, Haslam said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/10/haslam-calls-for-tax-cuts-on-inheritances/

Tennessee Gov. Haslam sees new merit in tax cuts (Commercial Appeal)
Republican Gov. Bill Haslam announced Tuesday that his legislative priorities for the year will include reductions in the state's estate tax and a small reduction in the sales tax on groceries. Haslam's stance marked a reversal from statements made over the winter that he didn't believe the state could afford tax breaks amid a tough budget situation. Improving revenues have now made the tax cuts possible, Haslam told reporters after announcing his legislative agenda at the state Capitol. Lawmakers earlier in the day started on this year's legislative session, with Republican leaders calling for rapid adoption of redistricting proposals. The governor's call for reducing the state's sales tax on groceries from 5.5 percent to 5.3 percent would cause a loss of about $18 million in annual state revenues. Local governments tack additional taxes on top of the state sales tax. The . 2 percent reduction would save 20 cents on a $100 grocery bill. The governor's plan to increase the inheritance tax exemption on the first $1 million of estates to $1.25 million would affect about 200 taxpayers and cost the state $14 million in lost revenue. Haslam said his plan is to eventually raise the state exemption to the federal level of $5 million. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/11/haslam-sees-new-merit-in-tax-cuts/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Haslam Proposes Overhaul to Civil Service Rules, Tax Cut on Food, Estates
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(WPLN)
Governor Bill Haslam wants to completely revamp civil service rules for state workers. As part of his legislative package unveiled Tuesday, Haslam proposed loosening hiring restrictions and allowing performance pay. When asking his 22 departments what would help state government run more efficiently, Haslam says they all reported back that work rules need to change. The state cannot recruit for open positions. Experience is almost the only factor in who gets the job, Haslam says. And when it comes to raises, either everyone gets more money, or no one does. As in all work places, we have some people who excel and some that dont. We should have the ability to recognize for performance, and our bills give managers that opportunity. The legislation would also overhaul whats known as bumping. Thats when state workers whose positions have been cut can bump less senior employees and take their jobs. The Tennessee State Employees Association says its willing to work with the governor, particularly on allowing the state to go out and recruit. But TSEA executive director Robert OConnell says theres a good reason behind some of the http://wpln.org/?p=32751 rules.

Governor Bill Haslam Announces Legislative Priorities for 2012 (WDEF-TV Chatt.)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced his priorities for the 2012 legislative session during a press conference where he was joined by legislators in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the Capitol. His legislative agenda is designed to move Tennessee forward by supporting his goal to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs through economic development efforts, meaningful education reform, a more efficient and effective state government and improved public safety. The legislative leadership of the General Assembly is committed to a productive and efficient session, and Im proud to support their efforts by introducing our legislation today, the first day of session, and presenting them with a budget in the next several weeks, Haslam said during the press conference. These bills reflect my priorities in moving Tennessee forward by focusing on issues that make a difference through performance, accountability and efficiency in state government. The governors legislation: Strengthens the Department of Economic and Community Developments FastTrack program by budgeting more for the grants and giving the department more flexibility in utilizing them to attract and grow Tennessee jobs. http://www.wdef.com/news/state/story/Governor-Bill-HaslamAnnounces-Legislative/wc9U_g1kdUuhB9O83VmxXA.cspx

Haslam Plans To 'Move Tennessee Forward' (WCYB-TV Chattanooga)

A lower grocery tax, pay raises based on merit and a more efficient government -- those are just a few of the proposals that Governor Bill Haslam outlined as part of his legislative agenda Tuesday. The plan includes a reduction in the state's estate tax. As for groceries, the tax would go from 5.5 percent to 5.3 percent. Haslam had said previously that he didn't think the state could afford a tax break. He also outlined plans to restructure nearly two dozen state boards and commissions. He also wants to make changes in the hiring process for state workers, which he calls antiquated. "It's like a college football team deciding by who's been on the the team the longest, not by the best person for the job," Haslam said. Haslam added that it's important workers get raises based on merit and performance, not just across-the-board increases for everyone. He also addressed education and the idea of giving local schools districts more choices. http://www.wcyb.com/news/30180554/detail.html

Haslam targets teacher salaries (Tennessean/Hubbard)

Governor wants more flexibility for each district Tennessee teachers may lose the promise of annual raises based solely on years of service and number of degrees, a system the governor wants to replace with salaries based on student performance, how tough a teaching position is to fill and other measures. Gov. Bill Haslam said Tuesday he wants to give districts the option of ditching a state-mandated salary scale and creating pay plans that address their own needs, plus reward high performers. Denver City Schools and several other districts tie teacher pay to student performance. In Tennessee some extra money to fund raises or bonuses would come from removing the mandate on schoolwide average class sizes. Tennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman said too many state mandates suppress district-level innovation. We dont think that every single person in our education system should be treated the same, he said. But Tennessee Education Association President Gera Summerford echoed what the nations teachers unions long have said about pay-forperformance plans they dont encourage necessary collaboration. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120111/NEWS0201/301110097/Haslam-targets-teacher-salaries? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

TNTrade pushes for exporters (Commercial Appeal/Dowd)

Gov. Bill Haslam's statewide TNTrade initiative, which launched last month at the FedEx Institute of Technology 3

on the University of Memphis campus, will be the focus of an upcoming public forum aimed at owners of small and midsize businesses. The hourlong event Thursday will provide an overview of the program that officials hope will boost exports from the state's small and medium-sized companies. The chamber is hosting the public meeting in partnership with the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce, Memphis Bioworks Foundation, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and the U.S. Commercial Service, which is the trade promotion arm of the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration. Representatives of companies interested in applying for the program are encouraged to attend. For those unable to attend, a live teleconference will be offered during the presentation. Regina Whitley, vice president of marketing and communications for Bioworks, said the program will offer a unique opportunity for area medical-device companies to develop export trade ties in Asian markets. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/11/tntrade-pushes-for-exporters/

Tenn. meeting most Race to Top goals (Associated Press)

Tennessee is meeting most of its goals for implementing educational reforms tied to a $500,000 federal Race to the Top award, according to a report released today by the U.S. Department of Education. It found the state's major challenge during the 2010-2011 school year was a delay in hiring management and support staff for several key programs. At least in part, that was because of turnover that occurred with the election of Gov. Bill Haslam and his appointment of new education commissioner, Kevin Huffman. Race to the Top funds are meant to improve public schools by raising educational standards, providing instruction and support to teachers and administrators, helping officials use data to track student progress and turning around the lowest-performing schools. Accomplishments during its first year in Tennessee included training more than 4,000 educators on the new common core state standards. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120110/NEWS01/201100315/Report-Tenn-meeting-most-Race-Top-goals

Tennessee receives praise for Race to the Top grant (Times Free-Press/Hardy)
Tennessee received a mostly favorable review from the U.S. Department of Education for its first year of implementing school reform measures under the federal Race to the Top grant program. On Tuesday, the Department of Education released reports on 12 states that received pieces of the $4.35 billion grant program. Tennessee was one of two states to receive funding in the first round in 2010, when it won more than $500 million to implement changes in public education. The report, which examines the 2010-11 school year, the first of four years of the grant, lauded Tennessee for creating a teacher evaluation model tied to student achievement, implementing a statewide Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative and creating a special school district to help turn around the state's lowest-performing schools, among other efforts. "Race to the Top states have made tremendous strides in this first year," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a released statement. "These 12 states have acted with courage and commitment in taking on ambitious education reform. Their Year One work has helped lay the foundation for long-term, statewide improvements centered on doing what's best for students." Of the 12 state reports released, nine states, including Tennessee and Georgia, were labeled as being on track, while the Department of Education pointed out significant issues with Hawaii, Florida and New York. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/11/tennessee-receives-praise-for-race-to-the/?local

Officials make case to save Taft (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Sohn)

If Taft Youth Development Center is closed, Juvenile Court judges and East Tennessee lawmakers are worried not only for its teenage inmates, but also for the more vulnerable residents at the other facilities where Taft's "worst of the worst" may be sent. "A greater number of our older juveniles would be tried as adults out of necessity," said Bledsoe County Judge Howard Upchurch, who hears the cases of the inmates at Taft, located in Pikeville, who get in trouble for fighting other offenders or staff members at the center. If that happens, the judge said, then the last chance these teenagers have to turn their lives around prior to real adulthood would be gone, he said. Over the past few decades, the staff of Taft, along with the judicial workers of Bledsoe, have honed a system that, judging from the results, appears to work. Taft -- even with its high proportion of the state's toughest juvenile offenders -- has the lowest recidivism rate and highest number of children receiving high school graduations or GEDs of all of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services youth development centers. "A recent study conducted by DCS showed a recidivism rate of 3 percent for Taft students," said Upchurch, who has organized 20 Juvenile Court judges across the state to oppose Taft's closure. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/11/officials-make-case-to-save-taft/?local

New UT-Biowork Research Park addition is expected to foster research (CA/Sells)

Construction has begun on a $22 million research laboratory in the UT-Bioworks Research Park that will help researchers and biotechnology companies get their ideas to market. The footprint for the 26,000-square-foot, single-story, brick building has been cleared at 45 S. Dudley, and crews are now pouring the foundation of the structure. Construction work is expected to be complete in a year, but the building will likely be opened in the spring of 2013. A new company, Memphis Specialized Operations, will run the lab and will employ about 20 to 30 people from entry-level technicians to those with doctorate degrees, according to Memphis Bioworks Foundation chief financial officer Brandon Wellford. Those employees will work in 18 separate laboratories throughout the building. They will conduct custom research for companies that may not have the facilities or the human resources to do it on their own. "If you do the math on what we're building here -- including the equipment that goes inside of it -- it is somewhere around $850 per square foot," Wellford said. "Nobody wants to invest in something that you only need two or three times per year and have it sit idle for any period of time." http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/11/lab-work/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Court of Appeals: Developer snoozes, loses (Nashville Post/Lind)

When the rules of the road change, developers have to follow along. The state Court of Appeals ruled last week that a Nolensville developer will have to comply with the town's new road standards for an unfinished subdivision, even though planning permission for the project was granted before the standards changed. The court's ruling reversed a Williamson Chancery Court decision. CK Development, the developer of Nolensville's Bent Creek planned unit development run by industry veteran Steve Cates and Bill Kottas, sued the city in 2009 after the city insisted the final phase of the master-planned project comply with new road standards passed in 2007. This despite the fact original permission for the project was given in 2003, under previously existing rules. In February 2010, a trial court ruled CK had "vested rights" to continue with the project as originally approved based on the initial action of the planning commission and city council and that the planning commission's requirement of adhering to the new road standards constituted a zoning change, which, under state law, must be made by a legislative body. Nolensville appealed, noting that "CK Development had neither begun substantial construction ... nor incurred substantial liabilities" when the Planning Commission ruled the new road standards applied to the seventh phase. The court of appeals agreed and ruled that road standards do not fit the definition of zoning ordinances. http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/1/10/court_of_appeals_developer_snoozes_loses

Judges left to 'clean up mess' left by judge turned criminal (N-S/Satterfield)

How's this for thanks? For nearly three years, two fellow judges picked up the slack so former Knox County County Criminal Judge Richard Baumgartner could focus his attention on the myriad motions hearings and trials in a January 2007 torture slaying. Then, just as the pair's own dockets were headed toward normalcy, Baumgartner gets busted for a years-long prescription painkiller scandal, detonating a bombshell on the entirety of Knox County's judicial system. "I was caught up as much as a criminal court judge can be until all this happened," presiding Criminal Court Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz said in an interview this week. "Now, I'll never be caught up." She's not afraid to work, but she is worried about just how crushing a blow Baumgartner's misdeeds which she says she was entirely unaware of have dealt the system. "I'm worried, and I just want to work," she said. "I want to do what needs to be done to make this right. We've all been painted with a brush we didn't deserve, and now we have to clean up this mess." The work to "right the ship," a catchphrase coined by Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood in describing the ordeal ahead that has caught on around the courthouse, began from the moment Baumgartner stepped down from the bench a year ago, she said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/11/judges-left-to-clean-up-mess-left-by-judge/

Lawmakers want more time on redistricting plans (Associated Press/Johnson)

State lawmakers opposed to legislative redistricting plans are questioning the desire of Republican leaders to pass them so quickly. GOP leaders hope their redistricting plans can come up for a vote early as Thursday after the judiciary committees in both chambers passed the plans on to the House and Senate floors. House Democrats complained that the proposal could reduce the number of African-Americans serving in the Legislature. Some Republicans have also raised concerns about new district boundaries. House Speaker Beth Harwell, in a brief speech on the House floor, said Tuesday that she understands that not all members will be happy with the new district lines. But she argued that the new maps need to be approved so potential candidates can firm up their plans before the April 5 filing deadline. "I hate starting the year in such a rush with a divisive topic, but I would like to remind you that we have responsibilities," the Nashville Republican said. "One of those responsibilities every decade is to process these bills and get them out to the citizens." House Democrats 5

signaled their unhappiness with the process by blocking a GOP motion to skip sending hundreds of pages of proposed changes to the bills to all 99 members. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38312447? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Republicans pave way for final redistricting vote (Tennessean/Gonzalez, Sisk)

Republican leaders wasted no time in pushing for speedy passage of redistricting proposals on Tuesday, but Democrats seeing detailed maps and descriptions of how their districts would be altered for the first time labored to slow things down. The Democrats, several of whom have threatened to sue over the district proposals, asked for changes to maps and balked at having only a few minutes to study the specifics. But they didnt have the votes to stop proposals from passing rapid-fire through committees in both chambers by 7 p.m., paving the way for final votes, without major changes, later this week. Thats what Republican leaders say they want. Our intention is to pass redistricting this week in both the House and the Senate and get on with the peoples business, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey said. I want to put redistricting behind us and move forward. When Democrats controlled the redistricting process a decade ago, they held up a final vote to negotiate a compromise with Republicans that averted a federal court challenge. House Speaker Beth Harwell said no such talks are taking place this year. We have drawn a plan that is fair, that is legal, she said. Anyone can sue, but if you look at this plan, theres absolutely no basis on which to do that. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120111/NEWS02/301100076/Republicans-pave-way-final-redistrictingvote?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

GOP remap plans move to House, Senate (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Sher)

Republican-drawn redistricting plans for legislative and congressional districts are headed to the House and Senate floors for final action later this week after GOP-controlled committees approved them Tuesday on largely partisan votes. The bills, which make major changes in Southeast Tennessees state House and Senate districts as well as congressional districts are scheduled to come to the House floor on Thursday. Senators are scheduled to vote on them Friday. Republican leaders in both chambers expect they will pass. The General Assembly kicked off the second session of the 107th General Assembly on Tuesday. House Republicans quashed Democrats efforts to rewrite the GOP House map. They also lodged separate amendments dealing with specific situations, which were defeated. They withdrew an amendment changing GOP plans to merge parts of the 29th Legislative District, held by Chattanooga Democrat JoAnne Favors, with the 28th Legislative District represented by Rep. Tommie Brown, D-Chattanooga. Both lawmakers are black. Republican Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, has said the move is necessary to protect the black-majority status of Browns district under federal Voting Rights Act requirements. Favors district is not a majority black district. Brown said she accepted Republicans redistricting proposal after holding a meeting Saturday with constituents who told her they wanted the largest percentage of black voters possible to maintain the districts representation by a black legislator. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/11/gop-remap-plans-move-house-senate/?local

Redistricting plan would eliminate post of state Sen. Jim Kyle (CA/Locker)
State Senate Republican leaders unveiled a plan Tuesday that would leave Democratic Leader Jim Kyle of Memphis without a district to represent in November. The plan, which involves a switch in district numbers from the redistricting plan unveiled last week, would force Kyle out of the Senate when his term ends in November. Kyle told reporters he saw the renumbered districts for the first time Tuesday afternoon. I have represented certain neighborhoods in Shelby County for right at 30 years and have a knowledge and rapport with those constituents, and it appears this plan tries to diminish that but also it appears to try to make it impossible for me to run. Theyve been writing my political obituary ever since last falls elections, but I am working hard to keep it from being published. I do believe that this rush is to try to get it out of the publics view and viewpoint, Kyle said. The legislature convened its 2012 session Tuesday and immediately began fighting over the decennial redistricting of the legislature as well as Tennessees nine congressional districts. By Tuesday night, the new maps had won committee approval in both chambers and were headed to floor votes in the House on Thursday and the Senate on Friday. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/10/plan-would-eliminate-tennesseestate-sen-jim-kyles/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

New Voter Districts Fly through Legislature (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

On the same day the 2012 legislative session convened, committees in the General Assembly approved new voter district lines. They now go the full state House and Senate. But some lawmaker want more time to look the 6

plans over. Democrats complained they had had only hours to study the actual precinct-level maps by which the Republican majority had redrawn their districts. State Senator Tim Barnes of Clarksville tried to slow down the bills as they went through the Senate Judiciary Committee. We had a lot of people from Robertson and Sumner County, who feel like they are losing a senator that they elected. And I think those people are entitled to more deliberation. I do think that this is being rushed, unnecessarily. Barnes, a Democrat, is talking about a Republican, Senator Kerry Roberts of Robertson County, whos being drawn into a district with a more senior GOP senator a district that doesnt even come up for election until 2014. Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris says he expects some friction over the new maps. Its resistance to change. And I respect and appreciate that. In fact I wish I could give members an additional week, if it were up to me. Butthe clock is ticking. http://wpln.org/?p=32757

Redistricting would bring new name to county ballot (Leaf Chronicle)

Tidwell would pick up much of Phillip Johnson's area State legislators are now back in session and getting ready to deal with the always-thorny issue of redistricting. But this time it's different: For the first time in a long time, Republicans are drawing the maps. Every 10 years following the census, redrawing of state House and Senate and Congressional lines is required. It becomes a matter of contention for national and state legislators striving to maintain or strengthen party leverage. Almost without fail, the minority party will cry foul as the majority party creates the maps. "Redistricting always involves politics," said state Sen. Tim Barnes, D-Adams. "You can't take politics out of politics." The state's Republicans have complained about Democrat redistricting plans in years past. Now, as a majority for the first time since the mid-1800s, they will be driving the train, with a vote as early as Thursday. Meet John Tidwell For those who represent Montgomery and surrounding counties, the contention is minimal. In fact, one Democrat in particular, Rep. John C. Tidwell, D-New Johnsonville, of the 74th District, says he's happy with the proposal, despite major changes. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120111/NEWS01/201110309/Redistricting-would-bring-new-namecounty-ballot

Shelby Co unified school board focuses on defensive legislative agenda (CA/Kelley)

If the General Assembly can manage to do no harm in the session that opened on Tuesday, it will largely satisfy the legislative aims of the Memphis and Shelby County unified school board as it moves toward consolidation of the city and county public school districts next year. The board's proposed wish list, unveiled at an ad hoc meeting among a dozen or so members of the board Tuesday night, is largely a "defensive legislative agenda," Shelby County Schools attorney Valerie Speakman said, designed to give the board a rest from a barrage of legislative mandates. Board members present for the meeting largely agreed on the agenda, a list of items that Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools could agree on, although some minor differences emerged on such issues as support for legislation requiring fair market value for rent or purchase of charter schools. But there were no objections to the notion that the board should go on record in opposition to "any legislation" -State Sen. Brian Kelsey, a sponsor, isn't mentioned by name -- "to implement a program designed to provide students with a taxpayer-funded opportunity scholarship/tuition voucher to attend a nonpublic school of their choice." http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/11/unified-board-takes-defensive/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Legislators, lobbyists beat donor clock (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Sher)

Legislators, special interests and lobbyists over the past week and early Tuesday sought to beat the clock and make or receive final campaign contributions before an annual fundraising blackout went into effect when the General Assembly convened at noon. Delivering contributions for their clients, lobbyists made pilgrimages Monday and on Tuesday morning to legislators' offices to deliver last-minute checks. Lawmakers enacted the insession fundraising ban in 1996 to avoid the appearance of special interests giving campaign cash while laws were being considered. On Monday night, Republican Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey from Blountville held a dinner at a Nashville steakhouse for his Republicans Achieving A Majority PAC. According to a copy of the invitation, annual contributions that add up to $20,000 or more gave donors a "private dinner in the city of your choice" with Ramsey and earned them the designation of "lieutenants." Ramsey is the state's lieutenant governor. Contributions of $20,000 or more also came with entry into Monday night's Nashville event, which included "top legislative leaders and committee chairman" as well as invitations to regional meetings to "discuss the top issues facing Tennessee's future." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/11/legislators-lobbyists7

beat-donor-clock/?local

Rep. Curry Todd's DUI, gun arrest hearing delayed (Associated Press)
Arrest took place in Nashville on Oct. 11 State Rep. Curry Todd's hearing on charges of drunken driving and carrying a loaded handgun while intoxicated has been delayed until next month. The Collierville Republican was arrested in a neighborhood near Vanderbilt and Belmont universities on Oct. 11. Todd is a retired Memphis police officer and the main architect of a new law allowing handgun carry permit holders to be armed in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. He stepped down as chairman of the House State and Local Government Committee after his arrest. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120111/NEWS0201/301100058/Rep-Curry-Todd-s-DUI-gun-arresthearing-delayed?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Occupy Murfreesboro court hearings delayed (Daily News Journal)

City court hearings for a small group of Occupy Murfreesboro protesters who were cited for illegal camping on the Civic Plaza in early December have been rescheduled, according to city court personnel. Occupy Murfreesboro members were first cited by MPD officers in the early morning hours of Dec. 6 for violating the city's ordinance on camping and storing property on the Civic Plaza. Those cited early on in the protests were scheduled to appear in Murfreesboro City Court Tuesday morning on the "must appear" misdemeanor citations, but hearings were postponed until Feb. 7. Another group of Occupy Murfreesboro protesters will appear in court Jan. 31, according to the city court docket. Police issued citations based on Section 10-28 of city code only after the protesters were warned about the law against camping and storing property on the plaza, and were given a chance to remove their tents and other personal belongings from the area, MPD officials said at the time. Various members of the group continued to receive citations daily until the Murfreesboro encampment ended earlier this month. A news release from Occupy Murfreesboro stated that general assembly and workgroup meetings will still be taking place on the plaza and in the Linebaugh Public Library. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120111/NEW S01/201110316/Occupy-Murfreesboro-court-hearings-delayed

Corker defends Fannie, Freddie bill at Realtors event (Nashville Biz Journal)
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker defended his bid to privatize the secondary mortgage market this morning, taking questions and explaining his rationale before dozens of Nashville Realtors. The meeting with the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors highlighted a major effort by the Tennessee Republican to engage industries worried about his proposal, which would unwind Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and replace them with a kind of private futures market. Corker approached the group for the meeting, and received a warm reception coupled with pointed questions from an industry typically not at odds with the conservative senator with a history in the construction business. Im not trying to stick a stick in anybodys eye, Corker said of his bill to build back the private market in the housing industry. Im just trying to make sure we dont miss this opportunity. A central part of the housing industry is a secondary mortgage market, on which banks and other lenders sell loans theyve made to free up their balance sheets for more lending. Government-sponsored enterprises Fannie and Freddie have long facilitated that market, along with an implied government guarantee backing mortgages as they are sold, packaged and resold. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/01/10/corker-fannie-freddierealtors-gnar.html

Realtors Cheer Concept, Express Concern over Privatizing Mortgage (WPLN)

Realtors in Nashville cheered when Senator Bob Corker told them the best thing government can do is stay the heck out of the housing market. But the applause stopped Tuesday as Corker outlined his plan to get the government out of the mortgage market. Over a 10 year period, Corker wants to wind down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which back 90 percent of all new home loans. Thats so investors will buy bundles of mortgages, allowing banks to make more loans and keep the market moving. The Republican senator says he figured real estate agents might be skeptical. I can say this about every industry I know in America, ok. Everybody is a strong supporter of free enterprise until it affects them in an adverse way. Members of the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors say some people would not have become homeowners if it werent for Fannie and Freddie. They worry private investors might demand higher interest rates or larger down payments. Christie Wilson owns her own real estate company. Right now were really making some strides in this market getting 8

good again, and it just concerns me how the consumer will take this, and at the end of the day, its the main street that makes the decision. http://wpln.org/?p=32748

Democrats slam Roe as hypocrite for handing out funds from stimulus (T-N)
The Tennessee Republican Party is backing U.S. Rep. Phil Roes so-called trash and cash actions involving the $800 billion-plus federal stimulus package passed early in President Barack Obamas administration. Roe, RTenn., is one of more than 120 House Republicans who voted against the 2009 economic recovery package and then sought stimulus funds, according to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Last week, Roe presented Takoma Regional Hospital officials in Greeneville with a $1.3 million stimulus check as partial reimbursement for the hospitals investment in electronic health records. Afterward, the Tennessee Democratic Party fired off an e-mail to news media outlets calling the check award a hypocritical handout. The TDP e-mail said: Congressman Roe doesnt want to spend taxpayer dollars but hes happy to dole it out. This is exactly the kind of sham leadership that has Tennesseans so frustrated with the Republican Congress. When contacted for a response, Roe said in an e-mail: You cant spend over $816 billion dollars and not do some good things. But the real question is, was the stimulus legislation a waste of taxpayer dollars? http://www.timesnews.net/article/9040614/democrats-slam-roe-as-hypocrite-for-handing-out-funds-from-stimulus

Bill Taylor says hospice can cut Medicare bills (Times Free-Press/Carroll)
A Democrat vying for U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's job on Tuesday suggested hospice care as a way to curtail Medicare spending, using his deceased mother's experience with breast cancer as an example. W rapping up a speech to the Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women's Club, Bill Taylor recounted his mother's various rounds of chemotherapy and radiation before praising her decision to sign up for hospice. "She was home the whole time, and she died in early August of 2000 with all the family around her and on her own terms," Taylor said. "Now for our discussion tonight, she also saved the Medicare program a boatload of money." A pause hung in the air as Taylor waited for applause and about 25 Women's Club members simply waited. "I'm not advocating that the government get involved in that because that decision is too personal for the federal government to tell you what to do," he said. "But it's something that ... society needs to start looking at to save [Medicare] and to make life better for ourselves." Earlier, Taylor said hospice saved taxpayer money because doctors eased his mother into life's final stages rather than keeping her alive with Medicare-approved procedures and tests. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/11/taylor-says-hospice-can-cut-medicare-bills/?local

Break on sales taxes could vanish for TN (Tennessean/Bewley)

A federal provision that provides more than $1 billion in tax breaks to Tennesseans each year is in danger of disappearing. State taxpayers who itemize their federal taxes will no longer be able to deduct the state and local sales tax they pay if Congress doesnt renew the benefit, which expired Dec. 31. It has been available since 2004 and is mostly used by residents in Tennessee and six other states Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming that dont tax wages but do charge a state sales tax. Late last year, lawmakers were on track to extend the sales-tax benefit for another year. But partisan wrangling over how to pay for extending a payroll-tax cut delayed renewal of the sales-tax deduction and other generally popular tax breaks. The expiration wont affect taxpayers filing this year who are claiming a sales-tax deduction on purchases made in 2011, because the old law still applies. But lack of action would affect sales-tax payments made in 2012 that are claimed on returns filed next year. The deduction is popular in Tennessee, which has the nations highest average sales-tax rate, at 9.43 percent, according to the Tax Foundation. The state sales-tax rate is 7 percent and local taxes average 2.43 percent, the group says. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120111/NEWS0201/301110073/Break-sales-taxes-could-vanish-TN? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Tenn. getting $2.8M in federal funds for repairs (Associated Press)

Tennessee is getting $2.8 million in federal funds to help cover the costs of repairing roads and bridges damaged last April during tornadoes and flooding. The money is part of about $1.6 billion awarded to states and territories. The funds were announced in W ashington by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The funds are from the Federal Highway Administration's Emergency Relief Program. Tornadoes killed 37 people in Tennessee last April. The Mississippi River flooded Memphis and parts of West Tennessee. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38315137?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Federal disaster aid available in Middle TN (Tennessean/Marsteller)

Small businesses, nonprofit organizations and agricultural interests in several Middle Tennessee counties that suffered economic losses from last years excessive heat and drought are now eligible for federal disaster assistance, the Small Business Administration said. Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner and Wilson are among 43 Tennessee counties in the disaster area declared by federal agricultural officials. Eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities can obtain up to $2 million in low-interest loans. Email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or go to www.sba.gov for loan applications, which must be returned no later than Aug. 29. Call 800-659-2955 for more information. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120111/NEWS01/301110109/Federal-disaster-aid-available-Middle-TN? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Two local USDA agencies to shut due to cost-cutting (Times-Gazette)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday it will close nearly 260 offices nationwide, including the Farm Service Agency and Rural Development offices at 709 East Lane St. in Shelbyville, which serve Bedford and Moore counties. USDA's plans won praise for cutting costs but raised concerns about the possible effect on food safety. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the goal was to save $150 million a year in the agency's $145 billion budget. About $90 million had already been saved by reducing travel and supplies, and the closures were expected to save another $60 million, he said. The plan calls for 259 offices, labs and other facilities to be closed, affecting the USDA headquarters in Washington and operations in 46 states. Seven foreign offices also will be shut. A list of the offices to be closed at the USDA website includes the Shelbyville FSA and Rural Development offices. Some surprises Some of the closures had been previously announced. The USDA said last year it would shut down 10 agricultural research stations, including the only one in Alaska, where scientists were seeking ways to use the vast waste generated by the largest wild fishery in the nation to make everything from gel caps for pills to fish meal for livestock feed. http://www.t-g.com/story/1802810.html

State's Arnold center doing heat shield testing (Associated Press)

The Arnold Engineering Development Center is testing a scale model of the Orion crew capsule that will carry humans back into deep space. According to a news release from the Middle Tennessee center, its hypervelocity wind tunnel 9 is doing aerothermal testing on a 4 percent scale model of the capsule. Specifically, officials are analyzing the heat transfer rate on the capsule's heat shield. Their first goal during testing is collecting a baseline of data to compare to the original 2006 Orion crew capsule data. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38315135?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Medicaid: a year of excruciating decisions (Stateline)

In health care history, 2012 will be remembered for the U.S. Supreme Courts upcoming decision on the Obama administrations health overhaul. But in the states, 2012 will likely be remembered less as an historic turning point than as a gradual continuation of their longstanding struggles to get Medicaid costs under control. Thats not to say the states arent watching the Supreme Court closely. The case set to be heard in March and decided in June was brought by 26 states who argued the federal laws individual mandate, as well as a massive expansion of Medicaid in 2014, were unconstitutional. While the outcome could have long-term consequences for states, it likely wont change their most pressing short-term budget considerations. And those considerations are huge. Continuing sluggishness in the economy means that Medicaid rolls are still rising. But with the federal stimulus program over, support from W ashington is no longer going up along with enrollments. The result is that Medicaid spending is ballooning, despite deep cuts states have made over the past three years to make the federal-state health insurance program for the poor less and less generous. Two years ago, Medicaid eclipsed K-12 education as the most expensive item in state budgets. Since then, it has only kept growing. http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=624072

Texas congressman Ralph Hall visits ORNL (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Munger)

U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Texas, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee and the oldest member in Congress, was in town Tuesday for his first tour of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Hall was accompanied by U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., who welcomed the Texas congressman during a pretour meeting with the news media and called ORNL a "critically important" research institution. "I'm a little sick of hearing of Oak Ridge," Hall joked to his host. "I want to find out if all those things you say are true." Hall was scheduled to visit the High Flux Isotope Reactor and other ORNL facilities, including the National Center for 10

Computational Sciences, which houses some of the world's fastest supercomputers. The 88-year-old congressman said he was aware that ORNL is a "very, very valuable" asset, especially for its energy research. He said knowledge from the visit would be important in upcoming budget discussions. Other than prayer, energy may be the most important word in the dictionary, Hall said. "Energy or lack of energy causes wars," he said. At one point in the briefing, Hall took a jab at researchers who've predicted dire consequences of global warming. "I think global warming is based on as little science as anything in the history of the United States Congress," he said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/11/texas-congressman-visits-ornl/

E-Verify goes statewide (Leaf Chronicle)

Legal worker check required of all employers Clarksville-area employers are breaking in a new state law aimed at proving that businesses are hiring and maintaining a legal work force. It hinges on the online E-Verify program. "This online verification process is designed to be convenient for employers and only takes a few minutes to complete. The department can provide assistance to employers who don't have Internet access," said state Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Karla Davis, in a news release. Signed into law by Gov. Bill Haslam on June 7, the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act requires verifying the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees through E-Verify (www.uscis.gov/everify), or requesting all newly hired employees to provide one of the following identity and employment authorization documents as required: A valid Tennessee driver's license or photo identification. A valid driver's license or photo identification from another state where the license requirements are at least as strict as those in Tennessee. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120111/BUSINESS/201110315

500 jobs on the line in Clarksville (Nashville Business Journal)

Massachusetts-based Agero is looking to bring 500 jobs to one of two U.S. cities: Florence, South Carolina or Clarksville, Tenn. The roadside assistance company is using a novel technique to gauge the workforce in each of those cities by holding job fairs before they make a final decision. Typically, companies are mum about expansion or relocation plans until the ink is dry. The 500-plus jobs would equal the amount that Michigan-based Hemlock Semiconductor Group is bringing to town as part of its billion-dollar investment in a polysilicon manufacturing facility. If the Agero deal comes to fruition, it would mark the biggest jobs announcement in Clarksville since 2008. On Monday, more than 1,200 job seekers attended the first day of a two-day job fair held by Agero in Florence, South Carolina, which company officials said publicly is one of two places the firm is considering opening a call center. Ageros roadside assistance network protects more than 75 million drivers each year, according to the companys web site. Agero has offices in Texas, Arizona, Florida and Canada. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/01/10/clarksville-is-finalist-for-500-jobs.html

500-job call center has eye on Clarksville (Leaf Chronicle)

Job fair next week to test available local work force A Massachusetts-based company could bring more than 500 jobs to Clarksville if an upcoming job fair is successful. Agero, a roadside assistance service, is looking for a new call center site, and executives will soon choose between Clarksville and Florence, S.C. In Clarksville, Agero is interested in the FRE Resource Building in the Clarksville-Montgomery County Corporate Business Park, according to Mike Evans, executive director of the Industrial Development Board. Before deciding between Clarksville and Florence, Agero is hosting job fairs in both communities to gauge the quality of each work force, according to Sandy Savage, Agero's vice president of human resources. The job fair in Florence drew about 3,000 applicants, Savage said. The Clarksville job fair is slated for Jan. 17 and 18 at the Hilton Garden Inn off of Exit 4. "Once we look at the labor pool that has come to either job fair, we'll make a decision," Savage said. That decision could come as early as February. Savage said she would be looking for applicants with a high school education, customer service experience and empathy for the distressed drivers who will be calling the center. Agero is looking to hire 500 call center agents and about 60 managers. The first wave of hires is scheduled to begin in May with 50 agents, according to reports. The call center should reach full capacity by 2013. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120111/NEWS01/201110308/500-job-call-center-has-eye-onClarksville?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Nashville's new convention center reports bookings (Associated Press)

Nashville's under-construction convention center has booked more than 600,000 room nights. The Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau says the goal is 1 million room nights for the new center prior to its opening in 2013. The 600,000 represents 65 individual meetings. The new convention center will be roughly three times the 11

size of the existing one just a couple of blocks away in Nashville's downtown entertainment district. The average size of the conventions already booked in the new facility is 6,800. According to a news release from the bureau, convention planners book their meetings several years ahead of their date. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38314981?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Amazon pays $7M for 'Boro property (Daily News Journal)

Land conveyed to IDB, leased back to retailer Seattle-based Amazon.com paid $6.86 million for 87.2 acres along Joe B. Jackson Parkway where the online sales giant is building a distribution center, according to the seller's agent. At $79,800 per acre, the December sale to Amazon went for slightly less than NHK Seating of America paid for adjacent land, said John Harney of the Parks Group, who represented land owner Corporate W oods G.P. in both deals. NHK bought 51 acres for $4.15 million, or $81,261 per acre, from Corporate Woods in September 2010, according to the Register of Deeds office. "This (Amazon deal) was a lot more meaningful for the whole county," said Harney, who specializes in corporate real estate. "Even the sellers knew this was good for them as well as the community. Every sale's different from that standpoint." As part of a tax-break arrangement approved by the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board, Corporate Woods conveyed the property to the board for zero dollars, according to records on file at the Register of Deeds office. In turn, the Industrial Development Board is leasing the property to US Real Estate Limited Partnership of San Antonio, Texas, which is handling the 20-year deal for the tenant, Amazon.com. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120111/NEW S05/201110314/Amazon-pays-7M-Boro-property?odyssey=tab| topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Crowd shares concerns of Memphis-Shelby County schools merger (CA/Wolff)

Suburban residents worry county schools will falter Members of the transition team who came to Collierville to listen to Shelby County citizens' hopes, concerns and fears of a merged school system got an earful Tuesday night. More than 600 people filled Collierville United Methodist Church for two hours to tell the Transition Planning Commission that they are worried that instead of lifting up lower-performing Memphis City Schools to match the higher-performing county schools, the merger will bring the county system down. Suburban governments are awaiting a report that will be ready next week that will look at the feasibility of individual cities operating their own school districts. Some suburbs have talked about joining together for a mini-district. That option raises questions about what sort of property tax the suburbs would need to finance their systems. Would they be able to pay teachers and administrators the same salaries they make now? Suburban leaders hope the report will answer many of those questions. Many of the 45 speakers during the two-hour session Tuesday were Collierville residents who praised the schools in their town. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/11/crowd-shares-concerns-of-merger/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Schools Transition Committee Hears Few Hopes In Collierville (M. Daily News)
The first public hearing in the schools consolidation process Tuesday, Jan. 10, drew more than 600 people to Collierville United Methodist Church. Hosted by the schools consolidation transition planning commission, the forum featured lots of opposition to the coming schools consolidation and concerns about student achievement and the movement of students and teachers among schools. One of the last speakers was Vanecia Kimbrow, the attorney and Collierville resident who represents the area on the countywide school board. She is one of the seven board members appointed last year to the 23-member school board by the Shelby County Commission. Let us allow the process to work, she said as she expressed concern that the opposition could make any consolidation plan a formality if citizens walk away from the table before we even know what is possible. The dominant concern expressed was that a merger between Shelby Countys two public school systems would bring down achievement is what is for the time being the Shelby County Schools system in the county outside the city rather than improve achievement in the Memphis City Schools system. Memphis City Schools need to be brought up to our level, one Collierville parent said. We need to take them over. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jan/11/schools-transition-committee-hears-few-hopes-incollierville/

Loss of fed start-up funding 'a significant strain' to charter schools (CA/Roberts)
Until now, new charter schools in Tennessee got between $600,000 and $700,000 in federal grants to cover startup costs in their first three years, including big-ticket items such as building leases. The money has dried up, a factor of the rapid rise of charter schools in Tennessee. "It's a significant strain to say the least," said Freedom 12

Prep principal Roblin Webb. "That's the money you use to find and lease facilities, pay your teachers. "We could not have started without the money. This is huge." Former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton expects he will have to delay opening of several of the seven charter schools he hoped to open in the fall of 2012 in Orleans Elementary, Manassas High and Booker T. W ashington High in Memphis. "In all candor, I was shocked to hear the new startups would not have necessary ingredients to launch new programs," he said. He plans to seek funding from philanthropic and corporate sources. For years, Tennessee charter operators got $225,000 to use the year before the school opened, followed by another $250,000 to cover operational costs before state perpupil tax money began flowing to the schools, said Rich Haglund, director of charter schools at the state Department of Education. "If a school opened with 100 students, they would get one-tenth of their (Basic Education Program tax funds) that August. That is not going to pay their operational costs," he said. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/11/charter-schools-pinched/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Arizona-based charter group plans 5 to 10 Nashville schools (CP/Garrison)

An Arizona-based charter school network called Great Hearts Academies announced plans Tuesday to open five to 10 Nashville charter schools over several years, with hopes of locating its first school near Vanderbilt University. The charter groups media advisory arrived Tuesday via the Metro Councils office, which listed contacts of four W est Nashville-area council members: Emily Evans, Carter Todd, Jason Holleman and Burkley Allen. The City Paper was the first to report in November about a push for a West Nashville charter school with an untapped focus for publicly financed, privately run charters in Davidson County. Instead of catering to only atrisk, economically disadvantaged students, parents and educators are looking for a charter that would target middle- and upper-class children as well. A forthcoming proposal for a Great Hearts Academies charter schools would seek to meet that demand. Here in Phoenix, we have schools that serve a very diverse demographic, Peter Bezanson, chief academic officer of Great Hearts Academies, told The City Paper in a phone interview. W e have schools in basically every suburb of Phoenix as well as schools that serve a more traditionally underserved urban-student population. We would seek to do the same thing in Nashville, he said. The next round of charter applications is set to go before the Metro Nashville Board of Education for approval in April. Bezanson said his organization plans to apply formally at that time. His group hopes to open the new school in the 2013-14 school year http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/arizona-based-charter-group-plans-5-10-nashville-schools-overseveral-years

Nashville school board backs DREAM Act (Tennessean/Young)

Metro's decision is 'human' one A federal bill that would open a path to citizenship for more than a million undocumented students failed more than a year ago, but the Metro Nashville School Board passed a resolution supporting it Tuesday. Some political analysts say the election season and increasing support from educators could give new life to the DREAM Act, originally introduced a decade ago. Under that act, if students were brought to the country illegally as children, they could attend college or serve in the military for a chance at citizenship. Tennessee immigration advocates estimate 1,000 undocumented students graduated from high school last year, but districts dont track students by immigration status. We are always interested in what happens with our students, though, board Chair Gracie Porter said. We dont want any of them to be deported. Its our responsibility as a system to do everything we can to make sure they receive a quality education. When asked why the Metro School Board decided to support undocumented students in a public way, Porter replied, Because theyre human. Its OK that (the DREAM Act) didnt pass last time, she said. The board also briefly discussed Director of Schools Jesse Registers evaluation and offered him congratulations on his highly rated performance. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120111/NEWS04/301110100/Nashville-school-board-backs-DREAM-Act? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Former state board (CP/Greenberg)

member,

county

official

faces

fed

fraud

charges

A former Gov. Phil Bredesen-appointed member of the state Department of Commerce and Insurances Collection Service Board now faces federal charges, including 16 felony counts, related to three different investment schemes. In March 2011, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested Edward Shannon Polen, on three felony charges of theft, but the full scale of his alleged crimes came into focus on Monday when prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Nashville charged Polen with scamming 74 individual investors and banks out of $8,796,000. Bredesen appointed Polen to the Collection Service Board, which oversees debt 13

collection agencies in the state, in July 2008. He served a full term, before resigning on April 5, 2011, according to board minutes. Polen, also a former Robertson County commissioner, is charged with five counts of bank fraud, three counts of mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering for operating three investment schemes. Despite his assurances to investor-victims of significant returns on their investment Edward Shannon Polen never intended to invest their funds as promised, the charges state. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/former-state-board-member-county-official-faces-numerousfederal-fraud-charges

Sheriff's narcotics officers arrest suspect with meth lab in coat pocket (SG)
Dyer County Sheriff's narcotics officers arrested a suspect in Evansville on Friday evening who was allegedly carrying a working meth lab inside his coat. Colter Gourley, 21, 126 First St., Evansville, was taken into custody by Deputy Stoney Hughes and Chad Jackson and charged with promotion of methamphetamine manufacture. The narcotics officers received an anonymous tip that Gourley was cooking meth and went to patrol the area around 5 p.m. Upon their arrival, they observed Gourley walking next to the railroad tracks and approached him for questioning. Gourley reportedly began acting nervous and started shaking as the officers questioned him. Growing suspicious, the officers asked Gourley if they could search his person and he gave them consent. Officers then discovered an active meth lab on the inside of his coat pocket. The lab was in the form of a plastic bottle with a chemical reaction taking place inside it To prevent a possible explosion of the bottle, Jackson placed it on the ground and loosened the top to relieve the pressure and allowed the reaction to continue. The residents were asked to go back inside their homes while the Meth Task Force was called to remove the hazardous chemicals. http://www.stategazette.com/story/1802788.html

Alabama: Governor wants unified education, general fund budget (AP)

Gov. Robert Bentley is planning an ambitious second year, starting with asking the Legislature to pass a constitutional amendment combining Alabama's two state budgets into one and allowing some money now allocated for education to be spent on state agencies. Bentley said Tuesday he's also developing plans for a bond issue of roughly $2 billion for highway projects at the county and state level, but he's not sure when he will propose it. "I like to stir things up, and I can tell you we are going to do that," Bentley told the Birmingham Kiwanis Club in a speech that recounted his first year in office and looked ahead to his second, which begins next week. Bentley said that in the legislative session starting Feb. 7, he plans to propose a constitutional amendment that would end the tradition of Alabama having a budget for education and a separate General Fund budget for non-education programs, such as Medicaid, prisons and state troopers. He said Alabama should have a unified budget like 47 other states have and some, but not all, of the tax revenue set aside for education by state law must be made available for other uses. "I'm not opposed to some earmarking," he said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/11/alabama-governor-wants-unified-education-general-f/?local

Georgia: Gov. Deal outlines agenda for lawmakers (Associated Press)

Gov. Nathan Deal outlined his agenda Tuesday for Georgia lawmakers, calling for a boost in education funding, new ways to steer drug addicts away from the state's overcrowded prison system and tax breaks that he said would stimulate the economy. The Republican governor described Georgia's situation as "strong" in his annual State of the State address to lawmakers now that tax revenues are rebounding following a bruising recession that prompted massive cuts in state spending. Despite the signs of a gradual recovery, nearly 10 percent of workers remain unemployed. Deal used the bulk of his address before lawmakers to outline proposals contained in his spend plan that's set for release on Wednesday. "W ith a sluggish global economy we still face challenges, but we are beginning to see indications that things are stabilizing," Deal said in prepared remarks. Among his top goals is increasing funding for beleaguered school systems repeatedly hit with funding cuts over the last few years. "Our schools are the front line in our effort to create prosperity," Deal said. "It is here we make our most strategic investment in the future." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/11/georgia-gov-deal-outlines-agenda-lawmakers/?local

Mississippi: Gov., Already Criticized on Pardons, Rides a Wave Out of Office (NYT)
On Tuesday, his last day in office, Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi granted full and unconditional pardons to 193 criminals an unusually high number for the state, and one that is likely to inflame controversy about Mr. 14

Barbours pardon practices. The governors outgoing pardons had attracted an outcry when it was revealed that he had pardoned five people last week who had been convicted of murder and had worked at the governors mansion while in custody, performing odd jobs. Other Mississippi governors have issued full pardons to people convicted of murder Kirk Fordice, for example, issued two such pardons before he left office in 2000 after two terms but none have issued so many pardons to so many criminals. Governor Fordice issued only 13 full pardons; Gov. Ray Mabus (1988-92) issued four; and Mr. Barbours immediate predecessor, Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (2000-4) issued only one, to a man convicted of marijuana possession. They also granted lesser degrees of clemency, like suspended sentences and commutations, but even counting all of those, they did not come close to Mr. Barbour. Altogether, Mr. Barbour granted 203 full pardons over his two terms, including 17 to convicted murderers. He also granted 19 other criminals lesser degrees of clemency, like conditional suspensions of their sentences. It is really inexplicable, said Brandon Jones, a former Democratic state representative who had tried to pass legislation that would have added some oversight to the pardoning process. I think that in some ways he has broken the mold. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/us/gov-haley-barbour-of-mississippi-is-criticized-on-wave-of-pardons.html? ref=todayspaper

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OPINION Editorial: Gov. must set steady tone with Legislature (Daily News Journal)
2012 could be the year for Republican Gov. Bill Haslam to use his bully pulpit on Capitol Hill. When Haslam entered office in 2011, he was caught a bit flat-footed by the Republican-dominated Legislature led by veteran Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, who had competed with him for the state's top executive post and wasn't shy about flexing his political muscle inside the state Capitol. The result was a spate of legislation designed to reduce the influence of the Tennessee Education Association and muzzle the majority of the state's teachers, in addition to several other bills that sparked controversy. After regrouping, the governor spent much of the year making conciliatory statements and showing himself to be a pragmatist focused on creating jobs. As part of his legislative agenda unveiled Tuesday, one of his first priorities is to strengthen the Department of Economic and Community Development FastTrack program by increasing funds and allowing more flexibility to attract jobs. Murfreesboro recently received such a grant that was vital to landing Amazon.com. Showing a willingness to disagree with fellow Republicans, Haslam said recently he doesn't want to eliminate the Hall income tax or inheritance tax immediately because losing that revenue could hurt the state budget. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120111/OPINION01/201110311/EDITORIAL-Gov-must-set-steady-tone-Legislature

Editorial: Fiscal concerns will dominate legislature (Jackson Sun)

Tennessee lawmakers began the second session of the 107th General Assembly, and Gov. Bill Haslam submitted his legislative agenda for the session on Tuesday. We look for fiscal conservatism to be the overriding issue of this session. It will be a tough balancing act that will demand sacrifice, and delayed gratification of many 15

legislative desires. As set by the state constitution, the General Assembly's sole responsibility is to pass a state budget to take effect on July 1. That means the thousands of bills submitted, and past legislative efforts still pending, mostly will be subject to legislative agreement on proposed state spending. Lawmakers must work closely with Haslam, who will submit the proposed budget, in order to get things done. One might suspect that with Republican control of the House, Senate and the governor's office, agreement would be easy to accomplish. But that would be nave. State lawmakers from both parties have legislative agendas that often don't fit well with budget limitations, or with proposals set by the governor. For example, Republican lawmakers in both houses would like to see a tax reduction created by changes to the Hall income tax and the state's inheritance tax. But Haslam already is on record saying this is not the year for tax reductions. Legislators up for re-election would like to be able to campaign on having passed lower taxes. Another issue likely to find differences between lawmakers and the governor involve higher education spending. On the one hand, legislators have been talking about reducing Hope Scholarship payments. Haslam has been talking about a significant increase in higher education spending supported by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120111/OPINION01/201110303/Fiscal-concerns-will-dominate-legislature

Guest columnist: Focus needed for legislative session (Leaf Chronicle)

The 2012 session of the 107th Tennessee General Assembly convened this week, and the challenge for lawmakers will be to focus on important matters. It's unlikely any legislation will have a greater effect over a longer period of time than the once-a-decade redistricting of legislative and congressional offices. Because they control the Legislature, Republicans control redistricting, and as expected the state GOP redrew district lines to strengthen the party at the expense of Democrats. That's politics, and to be expected. After all, Democrats have done the same over the years. Under the proposals released last week, after months of private, behind-thescenes wrangling, Democrats stand to lose several seats in the House, and Senate. ... Democrats are all but certain to mount a legal challenge on the Republican plans. The GOP leadership is hoping to set a quick pace for the session. House Speaker Beth Harwell and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey have said they want to adjourn the session earlier than last year. The May 21 closing in 2011 was the earliest since 2004. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120111/OPINION01/201110303/GUEST-EDITORIAL-Focus-neededlegislative-session

Gail Kerr: Lawmakers' return garners low expectations (Tennessean)

Unlock the liquor cabinet and dust off lobbyists credit cards the state legislature is back in Nashville. Expectations are not exactly brimming over with optimism that the Tennessee General Assembly will accomplish mighty works that change the world. I asked readers with a variety of political opinions what they hope for this year. The results demonstrate widespread doubt about the potential for this legislature to accomplish much that helps Tennessee. People are watching a slew of issues, with a lot of people saying that job creation is the most important yet is often ignored by the General Assembly. What do you think? Ill host a live chat today from noon to 1 p.m. at Tennessean.com log on and join the discussion. I am simply hoping the General Assembly will not make things worse, said Jim Cabbage, who lives outside Lebanon. He leans to the right politically. I do not know what our General Assembly can do to improve things economically in Tennessee. I remain frustrated that my log home business is non-existent for now. Johnny Morton, who leans to the left, said, Im always apprehensive when they return to the Capitol. They never address the real needs of the state. They pass idiotic bills like the road kill bill and allow all the wannabe Wyatt Earps to pack their guns in parks. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120111/COLUMNIST0101/301110099/Gail-Kerr-Lawmakers-returngarners-low-expectations?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Free-Press Editorial: Tenn. General Assembly has full plate as session starts (TFP)
There may be mixed feelings as the Tennessee General Assembly begins a new legislative session in Nashville. We always hope for the best, but we justly may be a little on guard against troubling and difficult issues that often arise when lawmakers convene. In any event, 99 members of the Tennessee House of Representatives (64 Republicans, 34 Democrats and one independent) as well as 33 members of the state Senate (20 Republicans and 13 Democrats) will be working, deliberating and voting in the Capitol over the coming weeks. For their efforts, they are paid a bit over $19,000 per year, besides a daily expense allowance of about $170 when they meet as a legislature or in committees in Nashville. That may be a bargain or a steep price -- depending on the wisdom or lack of wisdom with which they conduct themselves. Their debates and votes on both important and lesser issues will be widely reported by the Times Free Press and other news media. But their job is not easy, 16

and neither is it always easy for us as voters to have a clear understanding of their actions. So we urge all Tennesseans to inform themselves about what our elected lawmakers are doing and to be in touch with their senators and representatives on the issues. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/11/generalassemblys-full-plate/?opinionfreepress

Editorial: Making sausage in Nashville (Commercial Appeal)

Sausage tastes good, but watching it being made could make the squeamish ill. The same goes for the process of redrawing the boundaries of state legislative and congressional districts. For the first time in the state's history, Republicans in the General Assembly are in control of the redistricting process this time around, charged with reshaping district boundaries to reflect population changes in the 2010 Census. The menu of new legislative boundaries is out. Tasty to some. Overcooked to others. But the whole, secretive process can make your stomach turn. Despite public declarations that the redistricting process has been fair and balanced, that's a stretch. Clearly some winners and some losers have emerged. The winners: Nashville. Republicans. Rural dwellers. The losers: Memphis. Democrats. City folk. Given the system, this cannot be much of a surprise. Republicans drew the new lines for legislative districts and, voil, the new district boundaries favor the election of Republicans. And with Nashville and its suburbs growing faster than Memphis, the loss of three legislative seats in Shelby County -- two in the House and one in the Senate -- is unavoidable. But the extra turn of the knife that has shafted Memphis and its Democratic leaders isn't exactly a textbook example of being fair to all. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/11/editorials-making-sausage-in-nashville/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Free-Press Editorial: Tantalizing prospects to build Audi at Enterprise South (TFP)

With Volkswagen providing thousands of local jobs and much welcome economic investment -- and with the Chattanooga-built VW Passat headed for "blockbuster" sales -- there's lots for our community to celebrate. And the celebration will get even more festive if prospects for manufacturing the VW luxury brand Audi here come to fruition. There have been hints of that possibility recently, and there was another hint Monday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Chattanooga is "an attractive potential location" for the manufacture of Audis at some point in the future, said Johan de Nysschen, Audi of America's president. He didn't make any promises along those lines, and no final decision has been made on where Audis might be built. Sites in Huntsville, Ala., and Mexico reportedly are also under consideration, and production is expected to start by 2015. But it is a tantalizing possibility that production of Audis could be added at Enterprise South industrial park, bringing jobs and further economic development to our dynamic community. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/11/tantalizing-audi-prospects/?opinionfreepress

Editorial: Troubled Online Charter Schools (New York Times)

Charter schools, which receive public money but are subject to fewer state regulations, are operating in 40 states. A growing body of research shows that charter schools generally perform no better than traditional schools and are often worse as measured by student test data. This is particularly true of online charter schools, which educate more than 200,000 full-time students and are spreading quickly across the country. The need for closer scrutiny of these schools by state officials is underscored in a report published last week by the National Education Policy Center, a research center at the University of Colorado in Boulder. The study found that only 27 percent of privately managed online schools achieved adequate yearly progress on standardized tests, as defined by the federal government, in the 2010 school year as opposed to 52 percent of privately managed brickand-mortar charter schools. A recent investigation by The Times focusing partly on K12 Inc., one of the biggest online learning companies, and on Pennsylvania, which allows full-time online students, found that some high school teachers complained of managing too many online students. The overall picture was one of low student achievement and high turnover rates. These complaints are similar to those made about the for-profit college industry, which has been criticized for recruiting students who have no hope of graduating. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/opinion/troubled-online-charter-schools.html?ref=todayspaper ###

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