TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011 Haslam urges quicker permitting for chicken farms (Associated Press/Schelzig)

Gov. Bill Haslam said Monday that his administration is trying to speed up the time it takes for poultry farms to get environmental permits. The Republican governor said after a speech to the Farm Bureau that his goal is for the state to strike the "right balance between our stewardship responsibilities and making certain we're providing product and providing jobs." Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson said neighboring states are quicker to grant permits for chicken farms and noted that Tennessee's rules are slightly stricter than federal standards. "And that's one of the problems," he said. Animal waste-handling permits are issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and Johnson said he's been holding discussions with that agency to try to streamline the process. "We're competing with Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Kentucky, who are doing it faster than we are," Johnson said. "Industry is expressing concerns." http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=38086593.story

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam says state job cuts haven't hurt services (TFP/Sher)
Tennessee government services have not suffered even though there are fewer full-time state workers on the job today than before the 2008 recession, Gov. Bill Haslam says. Following a speech to the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, the governor said Monday that "our focus is on producing results. And one of the things you have to look is what's the best way to do that. So I actually think that the state services in Tennessee have not fallen off." Haslam, who took office in January, was responding to a Times Free Press report about the 9 percent decline in full-time employees over the past four budgets. Tennessee State Employees Association officials said fewer workers are creating problems in state services. Tennessee State Employees Association Executive Director Robert O'Connell said he has concerns about the impact of cuts both on state workers and ordinary Tennesseans because "the services that these people provide are not going to be available." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/dec/06/126-a1-haslam-says-state-job-cuts-havent-hurt/?local

Haslam speaks about Baumgartner, possibility of new trials (WBIR-TV Knoxville)

Governor Bill Haslam talked spoke about Judge Baumgartner and what the possibility of new trials could mean for the families of several victims including the Christian and Newsom families. "My first thought was of the two families, the Christian and Newsom families that have had to go through, and I was the mayor in those trials. They were happening in the building while I was mayor and you know it's a fairly horrific scene to have to replay all that," said Haslam. Governor Haslam also said new trials will add years of back work to an already overloaded judicial system. He said the process will be difficult for everyone involved. http://www.wbir.com/news/article/194450/2/Haslam-speaks-about-Baumgartner-possibility-of-new-trials

Haslam's jobs program continues to move forward (Nooga)

Public comment sought for co-investment fund State leaders continue to move forward with the governor's jobs plan, and the latest action involves federal funding for Tennessee businesses. In May Gov. Bill Haslam announced a $50 million initiative called INCITE. It focuses on innovation and is part of the governors Jobs4TN plan. Now leaders want public comment about a co-investment fund that is being established to increase access to seed money, early and expansion-stage capital, for Tennessee businesses as part of INCITE. In a global economy, a focus on innovation, along with raising our achievements in education is the best approach to moving our states economy forward, Haslam said when INCITE was introduced. A spokesman for the governor said the statement still reflects his current perspective of INCITE. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development released draft program guidelines for an INCITE co-investment fund and are giving Tennessee residents the opportunity to provide feedback. http://www.nooga.com/25188_haslams-jobs-program-continues-to-move-forward/

State-Run INCITE Fund Shopping for Feedback (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

The states Department of Economic and Community Development is deferring to big time investors to decide who will get $30 million from the U.S. Treasury. The plan is up for public discussion this week. The so-called INCITE fund comes from a federal grant meant to spur small business lending. But instead of companies going directly to the state for a loan, Tennessee has elected to go another way. Venture capital firms or big time private investors can apply for as much as $3 million and use it along with their investment into Tennessee startups. Ryan Gooch, the states innovation director, says to qualify, participants must have $15 million already invested in other companies. We think its important to have professional investors who have a track record of making the types of investments into potential high growth companies. Gooch says partnering with experienced financiers should also help the state make smart investments and could actually stretch the money. If the state gets repaid, Gooch says the fund can invest in more companies. http://wpln.org/?p=32055

Wrigley adds 54 jobs with expansion of local gum, candy plant (Nooga)
The W rigley Manufacturing Company will add 54 new jobs locally when a $409,244 expansion of its existing facility is completed. Hamilton County commissioners approved a grant awarded from Gov. Bill Haslam's FastTrack Infrastructure Development Program to fund the gum and candy company's expansion, including the addition of a rail spur. "Many many years ago ... people were going to create 100 jobs and they created 10," Commissioner Fred Skillern said. "But this company we have here today, from every report I've seen on (them), they've done what they said they are going to do." Bruce Verburg, a Wrigley representative, said the company will add 54 new jobs with annual salaries ranging from $48,000 to $69,000 in the next three years. Verburg said the company is closing other facilities and within the next few months the Jersey Pike location will have have complete capacity for the North American market. Mayor Jim Coppinger said the county appreciated the Wrigley investment. http://www.nooga.com/25333_wrigley-adds-54-jobs-with-expansion-of-local-gum-candy-plant/

State honored for budget and financial reporting (Associated Press)

The state has been honored for its budget and financial reporting. The Government Finance Officers Association recognized the state for both its annual budget document and the financial report that closes each fiscal year. Both are produced in the Department of Finance and Administration, which manages the state's budget and also is responsible for accounting practices in all state agencies. The association awarded the state its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The state has received these awards multiple times previously. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=38089251.story

Tennessee moves up in health rankings (Tennessean/W ilemon)

Residents are losing weight, smoking less Tennessee is a healthier state than it was a year ago because people are losing weight and smoking less, fewer babies are dying and violent crime is down. Those are some of the measures that moved Tennessee out of the bottom 10 states, according to Americas Health Rankings. The 2011 report, released today, ranks Tennessee 39th compared to 42nd last year. The state has shown steady improvement in recent years on the annual report, which is compiled by United Health Foundation, a nonprofit established by UnitedHealth Group. It is a testament to a lot of hard work from not only lots of government agencies and communities but also individuals, said state epidemiologist Tim F. Jones. Obviously, 39th is not where we want to stay, but seeing steady improvement is a really good sign. The state is no longer the thirdfattest state in the nation. The prevalence of obesity in Tennessee decreased from 32.8 percent to 31.7 percent. Tennessee now ranks ninth. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111206/NEWS07/312060018/Tennessee-moves-up-health-rankings? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Sports Illustrated names Pat Summitt sportswoman of the year (WKRN-TV Nash)
Lady Vols head basketball coach Pat Summitt was named Sports Illustrated sportswoman of the year for 2011, the publication announced Monday. When Summitt revealed in August that she was diagnosed with early-onset dementia, SI.com's Alexander Wolff says she embraced the disease. "If she takes up this cause with even half the energy and commitment with which she has championed Lady Vols basketball and women's sports at large, she'll be a worthy companion to other sports figures who have personified high-profile crusades against disease, from Lance Armstrong to Magic Johnson," W olff wrote. Bill Haslam Gov. congratulated Summitt in a video posted on YouTube. Sen. Bob Corker said, "As the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, Pat Summitt's 2

name is synonymous with women's basketball, yet her impact off the court might be even more impressive. W e are all tremendously proud of the contributions she has made to the University of Tennessee, to the game of basketball, and, most importantly, to the young women she has coached over the years, preparing them for success both on the court and in life." http://www.wkrn.com/story/16189980/sports-illustrated-names-pat-summitt-sportswoman-of-the-year VIDEO:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti4YYjxbkXw&hd=1

Summitt "humbled" by Sports Illustrated honor (WBIR-TV Knoxville)

Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt has been named Sports Illustrated's sportswoman of the year. She shares top honors with another coaching legend, Mike Krzyzewski, Duke's successful "Coach K." The two were selected for their success, but as Sports Illustrated points out: "The career victory numbers -- 1,075 for her, 907 for him, totals that leave every other male and female coach in Division I basketball behind -- only hint at why Sports Illustrated has chosen Mike Krzyzewski and Pat Summitt as its 2011 Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year." Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam issued a video statement congratulating Pat on the honor, calling her a true Tennessee hero. Coach Summitt says she is humbled by this "tremendous honor," and to share it with Coach K makes it even more special. She says she is looking forward to the trip to New York, and that her son, Tyler, would be attending with her. http://www.wbir.com/news/article/194345/5/Summitt-humbled-bySports-Illustrated-honor

TBI starts probe of former Sumner County election official (Gannett)

Items allegedly taken, destroyed The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has opened a criminal investigation into allegations of wrongdoing by former Sumner County Administrator of Elections Darlean McDougal, a TBI spokeswoman confirmed Monday. Investigators are looking into allegations that McDougal destroyed documents and took items from the election office, said TBI public information officer Kristin Helm. Sumner County District Attorney Ray Whitley requested the investigation after members of the Sumner County Election Commission asked for the probe. On Nov. 15, the election commission voted to replace McDougal, a 39-year employee. They appointed Lori Atchley, a Hendersonville Realtor and construction business owner, as the new election administrator. Atchleys appointment became effective immediately after the vote and Election Commission Chairman Art McClellan directed McDougal to clean out personal items from her office. Election commission members said that no one from the board accompanied McDougal to clear out her personal belongings. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111206/NEWS01/312060049/TBI-starts-probe-former-Sumner-Countyelection-official?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Business owners try to ride out Henley Bridge closure (News-Sentinel/Flory)

Fred W illiams says his business is down about 30 percent since Jan. 1. Things could be worse, though. Williams and his wife, Linda, run Knoxville Cleaners, a Chapman Highway laundry business whose "Go Vols" roadside sign is located just south of the Henley Bridge. The bridge has been closed since Jan. 3, and W illiams indicated the closure has squeezed the flow of customers from other parts of town. As an example, he said downtown customers who normally would have crossed the bridge to drop off their laundry and grab lunch don't have the time to make the trip now. Knoxville Cleaners still is in business, though, which is something that other entrepreneurs can't say. A Ruby Tuesday restaurant at 2714 Chapman Highway closed earlier this year although a company spokeswoman attributed that move to damage from an April storm and the Rally's restaurant at 2320 Chapman Highway also shut its doors. Jennie Ritchie owns the property where the burger restaurant was located and said that after the bridge closed she cut the rent charged to the eatery's owner by roughly the amount that his business was down. "The idea was that if he got profitable again we'd go right back to where we were," she said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/dec/05/business-owners-try-to-ride-out-henley-bridge/

MTSU settles contract dispute (Tennessean/Brooks)

Issue angered some professors Middle Tennessee State University has resolved a contract dispute that briefly put the school in the crosshairs of a national organization of university professors. MTSU unnerved some of its faculty last month by announcing plans to rewrite the contracts for 219 full-time professors who teach on temporary, three-year contracts, off the usual tenure track. The mid-November letter warned that those faculty would have their job titles changed from assistant professors to lecturers. The announcement drew protests from some faculty, and an angry letter from the American Association of University Professors. In response MTSU agreed to delay any changes until each faculty members three-year contract expires. The demotions 3

werent MTSUs idea in the first place, Provost Brad Bartel said. The Tennessee Board of Regents, which governs the university, ordered the rank change in April, wanting the universitys policies to line up with other TBR schools. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111206/NEWS04/312060044/MTSU-settles-contract-dispute? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Tennessee Arts Commission has new website (Associated Press)

The Tennessee Arts Commission has a new website emphasizing grant applications. The site, http://www.tn.gov/arts , has more than 450 pages with resources that can be accessed through a search engine. According to a news release from the commission, it took a year to plan and "is much like a front door." It contains a quick response code, allowing users of mobile devices to reach the website more quickly. The commission funds various arts throughout the state. Consequently, the site lists grant guidelines, data gathering information and application forms. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=38089257.story

Civil War items evaluated by state library workers (Jackson Sun)

Archivist calls relics 'priceless' to historians Archivists from the Tennessee State Library and Archives and State Museum in Nashville came to McKenzie Monday to evaluate Civil War memorabilia such as rifles, photographs, diaries, letters, swords, knives and buttons at the Gordon Browning Museum. "People have brought in so many items today," said State Library archivist Jami Awalt. "We don't assign any monetary value to any of the items. They are priceless and interesting to us." The Gordon Browning Museum in downtown McKenzie invited residents of W est Tennessee to bring in Civil War artifacts from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday. Some of the photographed items will be considered for an exhibit at the museum called "Looking Back: The Civil War in Tennessee." "This is an important project for the Tennessee State Library and Archives," Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. "The Civil War was a major event in our state's history, so we need to take appropriate steps to make sure these treasures are properly preserved for future generations." Awalt said about a dozen people brought items for evaluation. She said archivists would be visiting all 95 counties in Tennessee. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20111206/NEWS01/112060307/Civil-War-items-evaluated-by-state-libraryworkers

THP honoring fallen officers with blue lights (Associated Press)

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is displaying blue lights at various offices this month to honor those who have died in the line of duty. Two state troopers have died in 2011 in motorcycle crashes, one of them while on duty. A blue light is on display at each of the eight THP district headquarters across the state, and at the nine scale complexes. The THP is encouraging Tennesseans to display a blue light in their homes to honor fallen law enforcement officers in the state and across the country. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=38086165.story

3 on short list for Davidson County judgeship (Tennessean/Gee)

Nominating commission quizzes candidates on demeanor, temper Tennessee Judicial Nominating Commission members put a premium on civility Monday as they interviewed candidates for what is expected to become a family law judgeship in Nashville. The commission publicly interviewed 10 applicants and voted to recommend Davidson County Juvenile Court Magistrate W. Scott Rosenberg and private attorneys Phillip Robinson and Stanley A. Kweller for the post. The short list will be sent to Gov. Bill Haslam, who will make his first judicial appointment in Nashville since taking office. A vacancy was created on the Davidson County Circuit Court when Judge Barbara Haynes retired last month, but her replacement is expected to take over the caseload abandoned by Circuit Judge Carol Soloman earlier in the year. In August, Soloman asked out of an offer she made eight years ago to handle 50 percent of the domestic caseload, leaving Circuit Judge Philip Smith as the only dedicated family law judge on the court. Other judges are pitching in, but Haynes departure presents an opportunity to install another dedicated domestic judge. Soloman is one of Nashvilles most controversial judges and has been rebuked by the state Court of Appeals for creating the appearance of partiality and treating litigants inappropriately. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111206/NEWS03/312060026/3-short-list-Davidson-County-judgeship? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Workers Comp Tweak Could Add New Categories (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Tennessee lawmakers could tweak how employers pay for workers compensation. The head of a Republican task force on economic development says that could save some businesses enough money to add more jobs. Representative Jimmy Matlock runs a tire and car repair shop in East Tennessee. Businesses like his have to be able to pay out in case a worker gets hurt on the job. Insurance costs for that depend on the line of work and how dangerous it is. For example, Matlock says a mechanic in his shop has a higher risk and cost than an office worker there. But Matlock says he does some of both. Well, in which area do I fall? Because it makes a tremendous difference on your rate. We believe there needs to be another gap in our automotive field that would allow a store manager who is both a sales person and also maybe go out in the shop to move a car or retrieve a tire or something, that his rate would not be as high as the guy whos out there all day. The state already makes some similar exceptions in the construction industry. http://wpln.org/?p=32097

Hamilton Co. officials, Tenn. legislators discuss 2012 state budget (TFP/Haman)
As state legislators prepare to head to Nashville to cut 2012's state budget pie, Hamilton County officials asked Monday for bigger slices. And if they can't get more money for schools, jails, roads and law enforcement, Mayor Jim Coppinger is asking that the General Assembly at least refrain from making new regulations without providing the necessary funding for implementing them. County officials and the state legislative delegation discussed their plans Monday at their annual priorities meeting at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. "You're probably saying, 'Great job, Jim, that's a good wish list you've got,'" Coppinger said, "but we're pleading with you not to be sending any unfunded mandates." Acknowledging that he knows Tennessee is also in a fiscal pinch, Coppinger said the state hasn't been in the habit of requiring the counties to do things it doesn't fund. But he doesn't want it to begin passing the buck to local governments now. Coppinger then asked the state delegation to request additional money for housing state inmates in county jails. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/dec/06/b1-county-officials-state-legislators-discuss-2012/?local

Rep. Brown wants City of Chattanooga to delay redistricting (TFP/Hightower)

State Rep. Tommie Brown, D-Chattanooga, said Monday she has asked for the City Council to delay a vote on redistricting expected for next week. She said she and other plaintiffs from a case in the 1980s that changed city government want time to look over the redistricting plans. "I have asked them to back off if they would give us time," Brown said. But City Councilman Peter Murphy, chairman of the City Council's Legal and Legislative Committee, said he saw no reason for a delay and would continue forward with a first reading of the proposed redistricting ordinance next Tuesday. "The problem is the law requires us to be done by Dec. 31," Murphy said, who is in charge of the city's redistricting process. The city is in the middle of changing the boundaries of its nine City Council districts and has spent the last month looking at different scenarios. The latest scenario calls for three strong districts with a majority of minority voters and a swing district made up of blacks and Hispanics as a minority block. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/dec/06/rep-brown-wants-chattanooga-to-delay-redistricting/?local

Commission Approves Flat Bonus, Moves Toward Redistricting End Game (MDN)
Shelby County Commissioners approved a flat $650 bonus per county employee Monday, Dec. 5, after a lengthy debate about what to do with $2.5 million of an $8.7 million surplus from the fiscal year that ended June 30. The Luttrell administration had proposed an across the board 1.5 percent bonus for all employees as its first preference. The flat amount bonus as proposed by Commissioner Walter Bailey and approved by the commission will show up on Dec. 15 paychecks. The percentage bonus was a casualty of a wide ranging commission debate in which some commissioners said the county owed the bonus to employees, others said it wasnt owed and still others said the money should be used to pay down the countys debt or be parceled out to school teachers in both public school systems to use for school supplies. The proposal for school supplies by Commissioner Chris Thomas fell by the wayside to concerns about whether the money would have to be split between the two school systems based on average daily attendance and whether it might create a maintenance of effort obligation. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/dec/6/commission-approves-flat-bonus-moves-towardredistricting-end-game/

Shelby Co. Commission (CA/Connolly)

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Extra money will be hitting the paychecks of county government workers in time for Christmas: The Shelby County Commission voted 7-4 on Monday in favor of using part of an unexpected surplus in the county general fund to pay for a flat bonus of about $650 each to county employees. The move is a departure from County Mayor Mark Luttrells proposal to give eligible employees a bonus equal to 1.5 percent of their salaries. Commissioner Walter Bailey convinced colleagues Monday to accept his flat bonus proposal, which is better for lower-paid workers. Employees will get the bonus on Dec. 15, said county Chief Administrative Officer Harvey Kennedy. The bonus will apply to about 5,700 county employees hired before July 1, with the exception of elected officials and those working at Head Start, the federally funded preschool program, administrators said. Some temp workers will receive a $200 bonus. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/dec/05/shelby-county-commission-votes-give-650-bonus-coun/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Council to Discuss City Employee Bonuses (Memphis Flyer)

The day after the Shelby County Commission considered a one-time bonus for county government employees, the Memphis City Council will talk about a bonus for city employees. The council takes up the item during an 8:30 a.m. committee session Tuesday, Dec. 6, at City Hall, 125 N. Main St. It could be added to the agenda for the full council meeting at 3:30 p.m. The bonuses are the result of budget surpluses from the previous year from budget cuts made with layoffs, pay cuts and unfilled vacant positions in both local governments. In the case of city government, all employees took a 4.6 percent pay cut. Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.s administration puts the operating budget surplus at $5.5 million. Its proposal is to spend most the surplus -- all but $1.5 million -- on a one-time bonus of at least $600 per employee or 1.5 percent of a workers annual base salary, whichever is greater. The bonus applies to all permanent, full-time city employees hired on or before June 30, 2011, who are still on the city payroll on Dec. 22. The councils agenda includes the delayed third and final reading of an ordinance that would change the citys pension system by setting an age minimum for when city employees can retire. It would allow workers who would now retire on full disability to be assigned to other duties at comparable pay when the city can find jobs that allow them to work around their disabilities. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/dec/6/council-to-discuss-city-employee-bonuses/

Rainfall causes some flooding, no damage (Jackson Sun)

Madison, Gibson, Henderson, Benton counties see some road closures A slow-moving storm front dumped up to 5 inches of rain on parts of West Tennessee on Sunday and Monday, causing some flooding in low-lying areas but no real damage to homes, roads and businesses, according to emergency management officials. Authorities on Monday said they would continue to monitor river and lake flood stages today for more potential flooding. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the South Fork of the Forked Deer River in Jackson until 6 p.m. today. The river was at 33 feet at 1 p.m. Monday. Flood stage is 34 feet, and the weather service forecasts the river will pass flood stage today. Today's forecast shows a chance of drizzling rain but no heavy rainfall, according to the weather service. Skies will be cloudy, with a high near 42 degrees. Skies will continue to be cloudy this evening with a low of around 33 degrees. Marty Clements, director of the Madison County Emergency Management Agency, spent most of Monday driving around checking on low-lying areas. A number of roads in Jackson and in surrounding counties were closed on Monday. By Monday afternoon, portions of Bemis, South Jackson and the Turkey Creek area experienced minor flooding. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20111206/NEWS01/112060311/Rainfall-causes-some-flooding-no-damage

Rain, city rules welcome Occupiers to Civic Plaza (Daily News Journal)
Police advise Murfreesboro protesters: No camping allowed About two dozen Occupy Murfreesboro protesters were greeted on a rainy Monday night by a visible police presence and portable lights run by generators on the Murfreesboro City Plaza as they protested "corporate greed" and an array of other issues into the late night hours. The heavy presence by the Murfreesboro Police was in response to reports that some Occupy protesters planned to set up an encampment on the plaza, something city authorities have said is illegal under current and long-established city codes, according to MPD spokesman Kyle Evans. It was also an attempt by the city to offer protection to protesters and the portable lights were an attempt to improve visibility on the plaza, Evans added. Occupy protesters on Facebook called the move by Murfreesboro Police an "intimidation tactic." "Police have surrounded the Civic Plaza and erected large spotlights in an attempt to intimidate and prevent Occupy Murfreesboro from exercising their First Amendment right to protest," the Facebook post read. Elizabeth Sharp, an Occupy Murfreesboro protester, said she and several other protesters were fully prepared to receive citations or to even be arrested for "exercising our rights as given in the Constitution." MPD officers remained in their vehicles and never attempted to interfere with protesters. 6

http://www.dnj.com/article/20111206/NEW S01/112060318/Rain-city-rules-welcome-Occupiers-Civic-Plaza

White House pressuring Corker, Alexander on agency nominee (N-S/Collins)

U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker are under pressure from the White House to vote to confirm Richard Cordray as the director of a new federal agency responsible for protecting consumers who deal with the financial industry. The Obama administration said Monday it intends to wage an aggressive public relations campaign to persuade the two Tennessee Republicans and GOP senators from six other states to confirm Cordray as the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The agency was created under the Wall Street reforms that President Barack Obama signed into law last year. Obama nominated Cordray, a former Ohio attorney general, to head the agency back in June. But Alexander, Corker and most other Republicans have said they won't vote to confirm anybody for the position until changes are made in the way the agency operates. The White House argues the agency cannot do its job and fully supervise financial institutions such as payday lenders, debt collectors and credit reporting agencies until the bureau's director has been confirmed. Some of those institutions' practices have been blamed for the country's financial crisis. "Every day that we wait is a day that consumers continue to be at risk," Brian Deese, deputy director of the White House's National Economic Council, said in a briefing with a small group of reporters on Monday. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/dec/05/white-house-pressuring-corker-alexander/

24-year-old candidate Weston Wamp tops $250,000 at fundraiser (TFP/Flessner)

Supporters of Weston W amp gave the 24-year-old Republican challenger more than $250,000 Monday night in the biggest fundraiser ever in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District. "This is the start of a winning congressional campaign," Wamp told nearly 100 supporters who each donated from $500 to $5,000 to help seed the campaign. "People are obviously frustrated by what is going on in Washington and are looking for a new generation of leadership and people who will break the mold. I'm vowing to you that I'll break the mold." Wamp is trying to oust U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., the 49-year-old attorney who won his seat in Congress in 2010. Fleischmann succeeded W amp's father, former U.S. Rep. Zach W amp, R-Tenn., who gave up his congressional seat after 16 years to run unsuccessfully for governor. The elder Wamp said his son "is even better than I was" in campaigning and, if elected, will bring more energy and attention as potentially the youngest member of the next Congress. The younger Wamp praised his father's congressional career but said new leaders are needed in Washington willing to make "deep long-term reforms" of government, its tax system and entitlement programs. Unlike Fleischmann, W amp insisted, "I am not a partisan," calling himself instead "a young conservative." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/dec/06/weston-wamp-tops-250000-at-fundraiser/?local

3rd District candidates willing to debate Fleischmann (Nooga)

The 3rd District Republican primary may be eight months away, but candidates hoping to unseat Rep. Chuck Fleischmann have said they are ready to begin discussing political issues with the incumbent in a debate setting. Last Saturday, political blogger Joe Lance prompted discussion by saying on Twitter he hoped local organizations would plan a 3rd District debate. Weston Wamp replied: "Just name the time and the place." Wamp later said he would "absolutely" be willing to debate with Fleischmann and any other candidates. "I hope there are several opportunities for voters to see all the candidates in a setting where we get to explain our positions on the issues," Wamp said. "I expect that there will be debates, and multiple opportunities for voters for the 3rd District to see candidates in that type of format. I hope that the voters will demand it happens." Dr. Jean Howard-Hill, the only other candidate to announce a bid for the 3rd District seat, said that while the primary was still a long way off, she would welcome a debate as long as the questions came from district residents. http://www.nooga.com/25406_3rd-district-candidates-willing-to-debate-fleischmann/

Snail mail to slow down: USPS proposes delayed deliveries (TFP/ONeil)

The U.S. Postal Service's proposal to close 252 mail processing plants, including one on Shallowford Road, likely will have ripple effects in Chattanooga beyond the 110 jobs that could be lost here. With 90,000 to 100,000 pieces of mail sent daily, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is the city's biggest mailer. Slowing first-class delivery standards, as the postal service has also proposed, would mean the company's checks, bills and timesensitive membership information would all be delayed with potentially costly consequences, said Robert Pettway, the insurer's manager of mail operations. "That kind of information needs to get out quickly, so that's a real concern," he said. Bill Hope, chief executive officer of local Kickoff Publishing, said it would be a big problem for his business, as well. His company sends mailers and, during football season, produces a weekly sports 7

roundup newsletter. If the local plant operations are rolled into a metro Georgia center, he said, "that stuff's got to go to Atlanta, come back here and go all the way around the world until anyone looks at it. "There's just all sorts of problems it's going to cause, not only to us, but anyone who sends out any type of mail," he said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/dec/06/126-a1-snail-mail-to-slow-down-usps-proposes/?local

Some annoyed, but most understanding of Postal Service cuts (NS/McCloskey)

Jessica Hughes of West Knoxville was at the U.S. Postal Service location on Sutherland Avenue on Monday afternoon, sending off an armful of boxes of homemade cookies to people around the country. Beginning in the spring, the cookies may take longer to reach their destination. That's because the Postal service will be reducing services and consolidating mail processing centers nationwide in an effort to avoid bankruptcy. Hughes was most concerned about the tens of thousands of jobs that could be affected by the processing center cuts. "I guess it makes sense, but I don't see how it's going to help the economy. People need jobs," Hughes said. She said she's worried slower delivery times could encourage more people to choose other private delivery services. "People rely on getting their mail fast. If that's affected, it's probably not going to be a great outcome," she said. The decision to move forward with the proposal to close 252 of the 487 mail-processing centers throughout the nation, including two in East Tennessee, means that first-class mail will reach its destination in two to three days, not the one- to three-day standard that has been in place since 1971. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/dec/05/some-knoxvillians-annoyed-but-most-understanding/

GOP field set for Tennessee presidential primary (Nooga)

Representatives begin endorsing candidates Next year's presidential primary, scheduled for March 6, will have 10 names on the ballot for Tennesseans to choose from, and nine are Republicans. In a news release from the Tennessee Department of State, Secretary Tre Hargett announced the candidates scheduled to compete in the elections. Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Gary Johnson, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Buddy Roemer, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum make up the GOP field. President Barack Obama is the lone Democrat. The list does not include Herman Cain, who announced last weekend he would be suspending his campaign for president. In a recent poll conducted by Vanderbilt University, Cain came out nearly 10 percentage points ahead of Romney as the favorite in Tennessee. The final list of candidates was released on the same day Romney announced three endorsements from Tennessee Reps. Diane Black, Jimmy Duncan, and Phil Roe, who all said they would be supporting the former Massachusetts governor in next year's elections. http://www.nooga.com/25430_gop-field-set-for-tennessee-presidential-primary/

Many Workers in Public Sector Retiring Sooner (New York Times)

As states and cities struggle to resolve paralyzing budget shortfalls by sending workers on unpaid furloughs, freezing salaries and extracting larger contributions for health benefits and pensions, a growing number of publicsector workers are finding fewer reasons to stay. The numbers of retirees are way up in Wisconsin, where more applications to retire have been filed this year than ever before. Workers in Californias largest public employee pension system have retired at a steadily increasing rate over the last five fiscal years. In New Jersey, thousands more teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public workers filed retirement papers during the past two years than in the previous two years. In part, the flood of retirements reflects a broader demographic picture. Baby boomers, wherever they work, have begun reaching the traditional retirement age. But increasingly workers fear a permanent shift away from the traditional security of government jobs, and they are making plans to get out now, before salaries and retirement benefits retreat further. You start to feel like, What will they do next? said Bob McLinn, 63, a labor union president who left his job with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections in March, earlier than he planned, after political leaders pressed to cut benefits and collective bargaining rights for workers. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/us/more-public-sector-workers-are-retiring-sooner.html? _r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=todayspaper&adxnnlx=1323172863-75O1UfdMJobNo9xs4I+rmw

Infrastructure banks explained: A common state tool gets mixed marks (Stateline)
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell unveiled an ambitious plan a year ago to improve his states clogged roads and aging sewers and bridges. The Republican governor touted a number of ideas that would put more money toward the problem without raising taxes. One of those ideas was the creation of a new state infrastructure bank. The bank would lend out money to agencies or localities that wanted to build expensive projects, such as bridges or roads, and needed cash. The state would loan them the money, which would be repaid over a period of many years. Once the repayment money came in, the bank would it for other infrastructure improvements around the 8

state. While McDonnells plan made a splash in Richmond, it was not because infrastructure banks were a brand-new idea. Most states use them. In fact, Virginia already had one. The real debate came over the specifics of McDonnells plan: where the money would come from, how it would be spent and whether an infrastructure bank was the best way to use the money. In the end, McDonnell walked away with a major transportation package, but his ambitious plans for the new infrastructure bank were seriously scaled back. He wound up with a bank with assets of $283 million, but lawmakers were responsible for adding barely a tenth of that. http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=617280

Y-12 complex to update conditions at creek (Associated Press)

Officials at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge on Tuesday will update the status of East Fork Poplar Creek. The creek, which originates at the complex, had mercury and other contaminants discharged into its shallow waters years ago. Officials will compare recently collected biological monitoring data from the creek with data from other local streams. Y-12 is required under a state permit to do toxicity testing. The complex maintains a nuclear arsenal and provides nuclear fuel to the Navy and to research reactors worldwide. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=38089237.story

Lottery chooses Chattanooga magnet school students (Times Free-Press/Hardy)

It looked a lot like your typical game of Bingo -- though perhaps less exciting. Pulling small cards out of a metal bin, Hamilton County Schools officials held their first-ever live lottery to select students for the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences and the Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts. The lottery represents a huge change of course for the CSAS and CSLA admission process, which for years had parents camping in line for weeks to snag a spot in two of the school systems most-popular magnet schools. The live lottery lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours as officials drew small cards, each numbered with a corresponding student. Several hundred names were chosen for each school in order to establish a complete waiting list for each school. About 25 parents and a few students quietly watched the lottery in person at the school district's central office. Some sighed or mumbled as numbers were selected, while others were busy sending text messages with their news. Many more watched the live-streamed event online. School district leaders thought the tradition of waiting outdoors for CSAS and CSLA had grown out of hand, especially given concerns that it might leave out some families who were unable to donate large amounts of time to waiting in line. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/dec/06/chattanooga-lottery-chooses-magnet-students/?local

California: California's Brown Seeks Tax Boost on Wealthy (Wall Street Journal)
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday filed an initiative to ask voters to raise state income taxes on the wealthy, as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also lays the groundwork for a tax overhaul that may increase revenue from top earners. Mr. Brown's plan would have Californians voting in November 2012 whether to boost wealthy residents' income taxes along with raising the state sales tax. Specifically, income taxes for individuals making $250,000 and up would rise by up to two percentage points from 2012 through 2017. Meanwhile, the sales tax would rise by half a percentage point from 2013 through 2017. That tax currently is 7.25%, plus an added levy in some local jurisdictions. The $7 billion raised by the changes would be dedicated to funding education and public safety, said Mr. Brown, a Democrat. That approach would likely make the idea more palatable to voters who would otherwise be on the fence, according to polls. The California plan comes a day after New York's Mr. Cuomo, also a Democrat, said he would pursue a "comprehensive reform of our tax code." One possibility in New York is a bill that would raise more money from wealthier New York residents and include tax breaks for lower-earners. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204083204577080971610748332.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION) .

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OPINION Editorial: Proposed changes to lottery not a winner (Daily News Journal)
While we are pleased a state Senate task force has taken a proactive stance on keeping the lottery scholarship program funded, we fear members may have jumped the gun in their recent recommendations for tougher standards. We are especially concerned with a Gannett Tennessee report that says the task force recommendations, if approved, will affect mostly African-American students and those who attend classes at Tennessee Board of Regents schools, including MTSU. The task force report, released Nov. 29, recommends high school students obtain both a 3.0 GPA andmake a 21 on the ACT to be eligible for a full $4,000 annual lottery scholarship. Those who meet only one of these requirements will have their scholarship awards cut in half, to $2,000 for those attending a four-year institution. The task force voted unanimously to send the plan to the General Assembly in the next session, which starts in January. Led by Senate Education Chairman Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, the task force recommends the tougher requirements go into effect in fall 2015. http://www.dnj.com/article/20111206/OPINION01/112060304/EDITORIAL-Proposed-changes-lottery-not-winner

Sam Stockard: Hargett's visit to MTSU just more fuel for science facility (TFP)
If and when MTSU gets a $126 million science building, the old Wiser-Patten and Davis science halls need to be preserved for science experiments. With labs in Wiser-Patten dating to 1932 and in Davis to 1969, there's enough goo growing in there to hatch the missing link between dinosaurs and birds, maybe a cure for some dreaded disease. This is not a joke. MTSU leaders have been saying for years that the university needs a new science building, and it's been the No. 1 capital project for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for at least four years. Numerous state legislators have toured the science buildings to see the need for new digs, and local legislators have begged Gov. Bill Haslam and former Gov. Phil Bredesen to put the building in their budgets. The DNJ has run pictures of the outdated labs and rooms over the years and has backed its construction. But until you visit Wiser-Patten and Davis Science, you won't understand the gravity of the situation. www.dnj.com/article/20111206/OPINION02/112060305/STOCKARD-Hargett-s-visit-MTSU-just-more-fuelscience-facility

Guest columnist: Upgrade shoddy jobless records (Leaf Chronicle)

The state of Tennessee needs to get its house in order on the issue of paying benefits to those who are unemployed. The jump in the state's unemployment rate during the Great Recession that began officially about four years ago apparently overwhelmed the state's 40-year-old mainframe computer, one official contends, but surely that reason cannot cover the entire problem. ... The state's jobless rate was a modest 4.6 percent in March 2007, about nine months before the recession hit the following December. It reached a high of 10.8 percent in July 2009. The rate for October 2011 was 9.6 percent a sign the recovery is frustratingly slow. The 10

national rate was 9 percent for October but dropped to 8.6 percent for November, the lowest since March 2009. State Employment Security Administrator Don Ingram told The Chattanooga Times Free-Press that some parts of the report are misleading. He pointed to the computer issue and also said that funding for the department has been flat for 13 years. One issue that complicates the problem for Tennessee is a requirement that only a relatively small number receiving jobless benefits verify they are seeking employment. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20111206/OPINION01/112060347

Times Editorial: W hat passes for 'progress' on joblessness (Times Free-Press)

Do you consider it "progress" if the unemployment rate drops, not necessarily because very many jobs were created but because hundreds of thousands of Americans gave up the job search and therefore were not technically counted by the federal government as "unemployed"? W e don't. In fact, that sounds more like a cynical exercise in numbers charades. But that is what happened in November, so the slightly lower rate of joblessness unfortunately is not a big cause for celebration. Here are the numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor: Unemployment dropped -- officially -- from 9 percent in October to 8.6 percent in November. Nationwide, employers added 120,000 jobs in November. That sounds great, except for one troubling fact: More than 300,000 frustrated Americans abandoned their job search in November, so the Labor Department does not count them as unemployed -- even though a great many of them clearly are! If those Americans -- plus millions of others who have previously given up the job search and millions more who can get only part-time jobs -- were counted in the official figures, the combined unemployment and "underemployment" rate would be close to 16 percent! http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/dec/06/1206b-fp2-progress-on-joblessness/?opinionfreepress

Editorial: A bonus for city employees (Commercial Appeal)

Go ahead and give the workers a bonus. But don't lose sight of the long-term goal of budget stability. Abracadabra! Just like Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell's administration, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton's administration has found enough surplus funds to give city employees a one-time bonus. Earlier this year both administrations' forecasts of dismal fiscal circumstances resulted in staff cuts and other measures to help balance their budgets. Most city workers took a 4.6 percent pay reduction and city residents were hit with a onetime 18-cent increase in the property tax rate. But on Sunday, Wharton proposed spending $5 million to give each city employee a one-time 1.5 percent bonus, or a minimum of $600 each. The mayor said the bonuses would be funded from an unexpected $6 million surplus that resulted from savings on the city's health plan. If the City Council acts expeditiously, employees could receive the money before Christmas. The Shelby County Commission on Monday voted to give county employees a one-time, across-the-board bonus of $650. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/dec/06/editorial-a-bonus-for-city-employees/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

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