THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2012 Governor's Innovation Conference reflects new era for TN startups

(TN/Underwood)
If your neighborhood coffee shop lacks a few of its regular faces this morning, you can probably thank (or blame) the inaugural Governors Innovation Conference, a two-day venture capitalist and entrepreneur schmooze-fest that starts today in downtown Nashville. Actually, the term inaugural is a bit of a curveball. This will be the fourth such conference hosted by the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization created in 1998 by legislative fiat to broker economic ties between educational institutions, startups and investors. Officially, the name change reflects this years involvement by Gov. Bill Haslam, who will speak at the events keynote today. Unofficially, the new name serves as the latest signal of the growing importance of startups as well as the companies that fund them to the states economic future. Im pleased with the increasing emphasis on the need for robust innovation-focused economic development initiatives in our state, said Leslie W isner-Lynch, president and CEO of the TTDC. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/COLUMNIST03/304260064/Governor-s-Innovation-Conferencereflects-new-era-TN-startups?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Haslam's Spending Plan Headed to Senate Floor (Associated Press)

Gov. Bill Haslam's more than $31 billion spending proposal is headed for a vote on the Senate floor. Members of the Senate Finance Committee approved the plan 10-0 Tuesday night. It's expected to be voted on W ednesday. The plan seeks to phase out Tennessee's inheritance tax and lower the state's sales tax on groceries. The inheritance tax currently applies to estates worth more than $1 million, and was paid by 845 estates in the last budget year. Haslam's plan would bump that exemption up to $1.25 million next year and to $5 million by 2016. The sales tax on food would be cut from 5.5 percent to 5.25 percent. The proposal also calls for raises for state employees and more spending on construction on college campuses. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/26/haslams-spending-plan-headed-to-senate-floor/

Penalties stiffened for domestic violence (Commercial Appeal/Locker)

The state Senate gave final legislative approval Wednesday to a bill enhancing penalties for repeat domesticviolence offenders. The bill was part of Gov. Bill Haslam's anti-crime legislative package and his administration helped draft a compromise that led to its passage, so he will sign it into law later. SB 2251 provides at least 30 days in jail and a fine ranging from $350 to $3,500 for those convicted of a second offense of violence involving a family member when bodily injury occurs. For third and subsequent convictions, the mandatory jail time increases to 90 days and a fine ranging from $1,100 to $5,000. "Tennessee is ranked second in the nation in domestic violence and is fifth in the number of women murdered by men as a result of domestic violence. This legislation will help curb this despicable and ugly crime," said Sen. Doug Overbey, R-Maryville, its sponsor. Its co-sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said 52 percent of violent crimes reported in Tennessee involve domestic violence. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/26/tennessee-legislative-briefs/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Senate approves increases in penalties for domestic assault (TFP/Sher)

State senators took final action today on Gov. Bill Haslams proposed increases in penalties for repeat offenders of domestic assault. The bill, part of Haslams anti-crime package, was approved on a 33-0 vote and is now headed to the governor for his signature. It passed the House last week on a 97-1 vote. The legislation boosts jail time and fines on second and subsequent convictions for domestic assault, imposing a mandatory 30-day

minimum sentence for second offenders in domestic assault cases and mandatory 90-day minimums for third and subsequent convictions. The bill originally was estimated to cost local jails about $8 million annually, which caused local governments and their supporters to protest about unfunded mandates. But the legislation was amended to decrease jail time. http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/25/tennessee-senate-approves-increases-penalties-dome/? breakingnews

TN Senate passes drug-testing, domestic violence bills (Tennessean/W ilson)

As part of marathon end-of-session meetings Wednesday, the Senate passed separate bills requiring select people to take drugs tests as a condition for receiving welfare and elevating penalties for repeat domestic offenders. The drug testing bill must still pass the full House and its Finance committee, while the domestic violence legislation has passed in the House and is headed to the governors desk. The drug testing legislation, which passed 24-9, would require those receiving benefits and suspected of drug use after a screening process to take a drug test as a condition of receiving welfare benefits. After two or more failed tests and an attempt at rehabilitation, these people would be temporarily ineligible for benefits for as long as one year. The legislation originally required all adult welfare recipients to take a drug test as a condition to gain unemployment benefits. The legislation eventually was amended after constitutional issues were raised by multiple parties. Despite the changes, Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, the bills sponsor, was still overwhelmed by what he called his major legislative victory of the year. This has been one of those issues that has been around for so long, Campfield said. To finally hopefully get it out of the Senate and hopefully pass it into law is very due. This is one of the things I came to the Senate to do. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/NEWS0201/304260034/TN-Senate-passes-drug-testing-domesticviolence-bills?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Haslam signs civil service reform bill into law (Nooga)

In a ceremony outside the state capital Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Bill Haslam signed legislation aimed at reforming Tennessee's civil services into law. The bill, called the Tennessee Excellence, Accountability and Management, or TEAM, Act, is designed to provide more flexibility for state agencies in the selection, retention and termination of government employees. Along with streamlining the process for hiring, retention and firing, the bill allows for merit raises and pay decreases for both high- and low-performing workers. In a news release, Haslam said the bill was part of his efforts to build a "top-notch" workforce for Tennessee's future. "For decades, employment decisions in state government have been based solely on seniority with job performance never being considered, and employees have either received modest, across-the-board pay increases or nothing at all," Haslam said. "No one has been able to convince me that is a good way to manage our employees and serve our taxpayers. We have to do better." http://www.nooga.com/155005/haslam-signs-civil-service-reform-bill-intolaw/

Tennessee to business community: Innovate (Memphis Business Journal)

Bill Hagerty, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, recently cited a statistic he wants to help change. Tennessee is among the top 10 states nationally for research and development expenditure, but among the worst in the country when it comes to related output. "Where we're focusing on now is sowing the seeds of long term growth and opportunity," he said in a recent interview with the MBJ affiliate publication Nashville Business Journal. "That has a long-term horizon, it requires patience and it requires a clear plan." It's a major focus not only for the state department responsible for maintaining and attracting jobs to Tennessee but also top of mind for Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, who will give the key note address later this week at the annual Governor's Conference for Innovation. The annual meeting of minds, put on by the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation, a quasi-governmental agency that administers the investments in the INCITE co-investment fund, is aimed at helping shape the state's economic future through various input as well as investor pitches and interactions with Tennessees investment community. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/04/25/tennessee-to-business-community.html

Haslam signs saggy pants bill (Associated Press)

A proposal that would prohibit students from dressing in an indecent manner at school has been signed by the governor. Gov. Bill Haslam signed the measure this week. The legislation prohibits students from exposing underwear or body parts in an indecent manner that disrupts the learning environment. A stricter version of the proposal failed to pass the legislature three years ago. That measure targeted individuals who wear pants below 2

the waist-line and imposed a fine of up to $250 and 160 hours of community service. Under the current legislation, school districts would decide a less severe punishment. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/NEWS0201/304260068/Haslam-signs-saggy-pants-bill

Lipscomb, Nashville State team up for dual enrollment program (City Paper)
Lipscomb University announced a dual admission program with Nashville State Community College Tuesday, marking the first private school-community college program in the state. The program allows students at Nashville State to apply for the program and be admitted to Lipscomb upon completion of an associates degree. W ith the student being enrolled in both places, it allows us to monitor the students academic progress together to help ensure they are on track to continue their education after they complete their associates degree at Nashville State, said Aaron Burtch, director of transfer recruiting at Lipscomb, in a press release. We are making a concerted effort to make the transition as smooth as possible for the student. According to a Lipscomb news release, the program began taking applications in the fall and has admitted two students so far. Middle Tennessee State University announced a similar dual admission plan with Nashville State in March. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/lipscomb-nashville-state-team-dual-enrollment-program

Old Tenn. newspapers now online at state archives (Associated Press)

More than 60,000 pages of Tennessee newspapers dating from 1850 to 1876 are now online at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Through a project called Chronicling America, selected papers from cities and towns across the state are being converted to digital format and made available for free searching online. Dozens of Tennessee newspaper titles have been scanned, indexed and posted on the Internet, with focus on the Civil War era. It's through a partnership with the Library of Congress, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the University of Tennessee. The site is http://www.tn.gov/tsla/resources/index.htm . http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/26/old-tenn-newspapers-now-online-at-state-archives/

Shelby Farms Park officials raise objections to proposed parkway (CA/Charlier)

A Memphis road project that has been a source of disagreement since Richard Nixon was president is again generating objections. The group operating Shelby Farms Park has sent a letter to the Tennessee Department of Transportation saying it "cannot at this time agree" that the design of the proposed Shelby Farms Parkway will cause only minimal harm to the 4,500-acre park. In response to the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement for the road, the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy said the project could disrupt access into the park and "connectivity" within it. The group also objects to tractor-trailers using the road, and it questions whether the project will harm the source of Memphis' drinking water and create an increased flood risk. The group sent its letter in advance of the conclusion today of a public-comment period on the environmental document. Conservancy executive director Laura Adams said the letter is not an attempt to further delay the project, but to get assurances that the road won't harm the park. "We still have some very serious questions that have not yet been answered," Adams said.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/25/25parkwayweb/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

TN judge won't hear cases until DUI charge is resolved (Tennessean/Gang)

A Court of Criminal Appeals judge charged with drunken driving will not hear any cases pending the outcome of his criminal case, the courts presiding judge said Wednesday. Given that he has been charged in Knoxville with driving under the influence of an intoxicant, Judge Jerry L. Smith has requested, and I have agreed, that he will not hear or be assigned any cases coming before the Court of Criminal Appeals pending resolution of the charge, Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton said in a statement. Although the Tennessee Supreme Courts Code of Judicial Conduct states that judges shall respect and comply with the law, nothing in the rules precludes them from hearing cases when facing a misdemeanor charge. That decision would have been up to Tipton, court officials said. Smith, 58, was on Cumberland Avenue in Knoxville about 11:40 p.m. Monday when a Knoxville police sergeant spotted his 2010 Subaru Forester with its rear hatch open and a piece of luggage about to fall out, court records show. Smith had a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech and was unable to perform standard field sobriety tests, records say. He refused a blood alcohol test, according to court records. The judge faces first-offense driving under the influence and implied consent violation charges, both misdemeanors. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/NEWS03/304260029/TN-judge-won-t-hear-cases-until-DUIcharge-resolved?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News 3

Loser Pays Rule for Lawsuits Passes State Senate (W PLN-Radio Nashville)
State senators signed off today on a bill to punish someone who brings a lawsuit that gets dismissed as groundless. The proposal would force the loser to pay the other sides attorneys fees and court costs, up to $10 thousand. Backers say the measure will cut down on pointless lawsuits. But opponents have complained it could scare people away from suing, even if they have a valid case. A few Democrats also argued it could add more work for some judges. They might want to throw a case out, but end up taking it just to keep from punishing someone. The measure passed the Senate 17 to 12, with two Republican members who are also lawyers joining Democrats in opposition. The measure now heads back to the state House to approve minor Senate changes. http://wpln.org/?p=36527

Budget Deadlock Resolved GOPs Local Projects Cut Back (WPLN-Radio Nash.)
The state budget is back on track after being put on hold for three hours Wednesday while House Republicans and Democrats negotiated out some local projects sometimes called pork barrel projects- that the Senate had slipped in. Former House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh asked the House Finance Committee to kill five projects added by the Senate. After some Republicans voted with the minority Democrats, GOP leaders shut down the committee and took the issue behind closed doors. They emerged late Wednesday afternoon and stripped out the controversial amendments. House Democratic Leader Craig Fitzhugh said Democrats brought the motions to kill the projects because a gentlemans agreement had fallen through. They were brought because of what we understood to be an agreement between the houseswas that we, you know, there werent going to be any local projects. Now, that is not to say those local projects were not worthy. Several of the projects could be thought of as regional, not local. House Republican Leader Gerald McCormick agreed, even as he read the list of dead projects. He regretted one in a state park. http://wpln.org/?p=36553

TN budget delayed by bickering over pet projects (Tennessean/Cass)

State budget dispute appears to be tied more to principle than actual money Final votes on the states $31 billion budget were put off Wednesday after a revolt by some Republican House members over spending on pet projects by their counterparts in the Senate. Tennessee lawmakers delayed floor debates on the budget until at least today after a move initiated by Democrats to strip out half a dozen local projects that quickly drew the support of some rank-and-file Republicans. Democrats argued that the spending would violate an agreement in the House of Representatives not to fund any special projects this year. Several Republican members of the House Finance Committee sided with them, forcing House leaders to relent. Elected representatives are funny in that they dont take orders very well, said House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga. They sent a clear signal, and we responded to it. The fight scuttled plans to pass the state budget today, and it could complicate efforts to pass it by the end of the week. McCormick said the Senate had been told projects were being stripped but had not signed off on the plan. The dispute involved a little more than $1.5 million in total spending far less than is typically inserted by lawmakers into the budget but the principle appeared to overshadow the sums that would be spent. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/NEWS02/304260066/TN-budget-delayed-by-bickering-over-petprojects?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Tennessee budget deal falls apart (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Sher)

The Tennessee Legislature's $31.4 billion budget train came to a screeching halt Wednesday when a chasm opened up between House and Senate Republican leaders over a previously cut deal. The cause? About $2.25 million in Senate Republicans' amendments for projects, some of them attacked by House minority Democrats in the House Finance Committee on Wednesday as local "pork barrel" spending. Problems began when House Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington, pushed an amendment deleting a $200,000 grant for a higher education building in the hometown of Senate Education Commissioner Delores Gresham, R-Somerville. Republicans sought to table the amendment. It failed, with several Republicans siding with Democrats. That prompted Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, to call for a brief recess that stretched into several hours as Republicans argued behind the scenes. W hen they returned, several projects were cut. And that stopped Senate Republican leaders' plans to pass the budget Wednesday night dead in its tracks. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/26/state-budget-deal-falls-apart/?local

'Pork barrel' spending charge triggers budget blockage (News-Sentinel/Humphrey)

Democrats' contentions that Senate Republicans had slipped "pork barrel" projects into the state budget derailed plans for passage of the $31 billion plan Wednesday after House Republicans at least partially agreed with them. The House Finance Committee voted to strip $1.5 million in Senate-approved spending amendments from the budget including $300,000 for Knoxville's E.M. Jellinek Center after a two-hour, closed-door GOP conference triggered by House Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington. Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey responded by saying House leaders had broken a deal. In effect, House members said the same thing of the senators. Ramsey abruptly canceled plans for Senate floor action on the budget Wednesday night and indicated the Senate may retaliate by cutting projects favored by the House. "We're going into the cutting room," Ramsey said, adding that the House move jeopardizes the goal of ending the 107th General Assembly by Friday and "we're prepared to come back next week." The dispute started in the House Finance Committee, which began with Republicans killing Democratic budget proposals for increased spending in several areas. Democrats contend Haslam's budget leaves at least $214 million in surplus revenue unallocated and perhaps as much as $400 million, if state tax collections continue at present rates. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/26/pork-barrel-spending-charge-triggers-budget/

Voter ID Law Tweaked (TN Report)

Republicans threw a bone to opponents of Tennessees new voter ID law by allowing retired state employees to flash their old work IDs at the polls to vote. But the GOP-led Legislature which passed a law last year requiring all voters to present a photo identification card before casting a ballot easily swatted off attempts from the minority party and other critics to fully repeal the law. The General Assembly has been considering three bills that would open up the new voter ID law. One, HB3195, which won final approval Monday, would allow state workers to continue to show their employer ID card at the polls after retirement. The measure passed 90-3 Monday in the House, following a 31-0 vote in the Senate earlier this month. Another, SB2267, would require adding photos to drivers licenses for people at least 60 years old, which are now processed without pictures. The new IDs could then be presented at the polls. The Senate approved the bill 20-12, and the measure now awaits a vote in the House. http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/04/25/voter-id-law-tweaked/

House Votes to Require Older Kindergarten Students (Associated Press)

The House has voted to approve a Republican bill aiming to require children to be older before they can enroll in kindergarten over Democrats' arguments that the measure is aimed at laying off teachers. The bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Glen Casada of Franklin was approved on a 68-30 vote on W ednesday. Currently children must be 5 years old by Sept. 30. The measure would move that cut-off to Aug. 31 in the school year beginning in 2013, and to Aug. 15 the year after that. Casada said he disputes a fiscal analysis that the change would affect 4,200 children at an annual cost savings to the state of more than $21 million. Four-year-olds could qualify if they pass a maturity test. The companion bill is awaiting a Senate vote. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/26/house-votes-to-require-older-kindergarten-students/

TN House approves earlier cutoff for kindergarten (Tennessean/Sisk)

The state House of Representatives passed legislation moving up the age cutoff date for kindergarten and prekindergarten by six weeks, a change that could affect thousands of parents annually. The House voted 68-30 for House Bill 2566, which changes the eligibility date for starting school from Sept. 30 to Aug. 15. The change is meant to reduce the number of 4-year-olds who start kindergarten. The trend is to start children older, said the measures sponsor, state Rep. Glen Casada, R-Franklin. Im simply doing what kindergarten teachers in this state are recommending, which is let these children be 5 when they start kindergarten. The change places the cutoff date for kindergarten in a closer alignment with the start dates for most Tennessee school districts. Supporters argued that children who start school at an older age are more likely to succeed, but Casada conceded there is no research that specifically backs that claim. About 4,200 students in Tennessee have birthdays between Aug. 15 and Sept. 30. Those students would still be able to start kindergarten at age 4, but only if they can show on a test that they are prepared to start. The bill would go into effect for the 2013-14 school year, but the cutoff date for that year would be Aug. 31. The Aug. 15 cutoff would go into effect in 2014-15. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/NEWS0201/304260069/TN-House-approves-earlier-cutoffkindergarten

Tennessee House moves up kindergarten eligibility birth date (CA/Locker)

5

The Tennessee House on Wednesday approved a measure that would mean most kids turning 5 after Aug. 31 would have to wait a year before entering kindergarten in public schools in 2013. The cutoff date would move to Aug. 15 beginning in 2014. The House approved the bill on a 68-30 vote, and it awaits a vote in the Senate. Currently, children may enter kindergarten if they turn 5 on or before Sept. 30 of the school term they're entering. House Bill 2566 as amended would move up the cutoff date in two phases: Children entering kindergarten would have to be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31 for the 2013-14 school year, and on or before Aug. 15 for all school years thereafter. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Glen Casada and Sen. Jack Johnson, Republicans from Franklin, contains two exceptions: If the director of schools finds, through evaluation and testing, at the request of the parent or guardian, that a child who is 5 on or before Sept. 30 is "sufficiently mature emotionally and academically," then the child may be permitted to enter kindergarten. Children who participated in a prekindergarten program during the 2012-13 or 2013-14 school years may enter kindergarten in the 2013-14 or 2014-15 school years respectively. Casada said he sponsored the bill after hearing from kindergarten teachers that many children are not ready for kindergarten. "But if you are ready, you can get in to kindergarten," if the child passes the test. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/25/tennessee-house-moves-kindergarten-eligibilty-birt/ (SUB)

House Gives Schools Leeway to Let 4-Year-Olds Start Kindergarten (WPLN-Radio)

Thousands of Tennessee parents may be affected by a proposal to require their children to turn five a month earlier in order to start kindergarten. But the measure also includes a maturity test that would allow four-yearolds to enroll. Under the proposed system, a youngster could start kindergarten if he or she shows the maturity of a five-year-old on a standardized test. Representative John Forgety says that makes more sense than requiring a child be past his fifth birthday on a particular date. There is no, to my knowledge, no absolute hard and fast date where all youngsters mature, acceptably and appropriately, to attend kindergarten. The East Tennessee Republican is a former school superintendent in McMinn County. He says the proposed law would help kindergarten teachers who now struggle with youngsters who arent necessarily emotionally, experientially or culturally as mature as they should be. The bill passed the House 68 to 30 and could be taken up by the Senate within hours. Under the bill, a child turning five by August 31, 2013, would be eligible for kindergarten that year. Currently the cut-off date is September 30th. In following years, the eligibility date would be August 15th. http://wpln.org/?p=36534

Parent Grading Bill Passes Senate 27-0 (Associated Press)

A proposal that would allow parents to grade themselves on how involved they are in a student's school performance has passed the Senate. The legislation sponsored by Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown was approved 27-0 on Wednesday. The companion bill passed the House 94-2 earlier this week. Kelsey says the measure will allow parents to do a self-evaluation of how involved they are in helping their child or children with things like homework, or how often they attend parent/teacher meetings. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Utah passed legislation this year that creates an online survey where parents can evaluate their own involvement, but the school does not assign them a grade and it's voluntary. Another proposal that has been signed by the governor would encourage the state Department of Education to develop a parental involvement contract. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/26/parent-gradingbill-passes-senate-27-0/

Roll-your-own

cigarettes,

an

apology,

prescription

drugs

(News-

Sentinel/Humphrey)
The Senate has approved legislation that would increase taxes on cigarettes made with "roll-your-own" machines to more closely align with taxes on packaged cigarettes. The sponsor of SB1738, Republican Sen. Jack Johnson of Franklin, said it is a "matter of simple fairness" to the manufacturers and sellers of regular cigarettes. As things stand now, he said, a 10-pack carton of roll-your-own cigarettes, processed in about eight minutes with a machine, goes for about $25 compared with about $50 for manufactured cigarettes. Much of the Senate floor debate was devoted to when the proposed new law which still needs House approval should take effect. Ultimately, the senators settled on July 1, 2013. The bill was then approved, 25-5. Johnson said the delay would allow businesses owning the cigarette processing machines 85 of them statewide at last count a reasonable time to prepare for compliance. Faison apology: Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, apologized 6

Wednesday for remarks made a day earlier during House floor debate over a bill dealing with "cyberbullying. During the debate on HB2641, proponents had cited cases of suicide by youths who were the target of bullying. Faison, while questioning the bill, had this comment: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/26/legislativenotebook-roll-your-own-cigarettes-an/

Tax On Roll-Your-Own Tobacco Passes Senate (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Cigarettes from roll-your-own tobacco shops could soon be taxed at a higher rate under a bill approved yesterday by the state Senate. Roll-your-own shops sell raw tobacco, which is taxed at a lower rate, and then let customers make their cigarettes using a machine in the store. Republican Jack Johnson held up a pack of Marlboros on the Senate floor, and told members theres little difference compared to roll-your-own cigarettes, before passing out some of both to colleagues. He says the bill aims to level the field for cigarette sellers competing against roll-your-own. The proposal has come under fire from workers in roll-your-own shops, who say the tax would put them out of business. Johnson told colleagues the measure didnt leave anyone happy, but it passed the Senate 26 to 5, with just a handful of Democrats opposing. Meanwhile the House version has sat bottled up in committee for weeks. http://wpln.org/?p=36539

Tennessee Senate passes synthetic drug legislation (Times-News)

Two final legislative pieces creating new felony offenses for synthetic drug sellers, makers and distributors unanimously passed in the Tennessee Senate Wednesday. The state Senate conformed to House-passed versions of the synthetic drug bills sponsored by state Reps. Tony Shipley, R-Kingsport, and Jon Lundberg, RBristol. Shipley said he expected Gov. Bill Haslam to sign the bills immediately, with the legislation going into effect in 14 days. A ceremonial signing of the bills by Haslam, Shipley added, is expected to be held in the Kingsport area within the next 10 days. (Haslams) preference is to do it in a high school, Shipley said of the ceremonial bill signings. Their similar bills addressed synthetic drugs like K-2 and bath salts sold in local head shops and convenience stores. While creating jail time and new fines, both bills also declared businesses selling synthetic drugs to be a public nuisance. http://www.timesnews.net/article/9045801/tennessee-senate-passes-synthetic-drug-legislation

Late Innings (Memphis Flyer)

"As I said back in the very beginning, we're in this for the long haul!" That was Bartlett mayor Keith McDonald in Nashville last week, responding to a question as to how he would react if his city was forced to remain within the confines of the Shelby County Unified School District for at least a year before it could legally take steps to create its own municipal school district. McDonald, along with Arlington mayor Mike Wissman, Collierville mayor Stan Joyner, and other suburban officials had just patiently sat through hearings of the House finance ways and means committee, which ultimately would clear House Bill 3234/Senate Bill 2908 for passage. As originally written by Senate majority leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville), its prime sponsor, the bill would have advanced the date for suburban municipalities to become eligible for new school districts from the August 2013 date provided in last year's Norris-Todd bill to January 1, 2013. Increasing bipartisan doubts among legislators concerning the effect of such a bill upon the rest of the state had caused it to be moderated, however, and the version just approved by House Finance merely repeated the Norris-Todd eligibility date of August 2013. http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/late-innings/Content?oid=3170293

Gun Rights Advocates, Democrats Taking Shots at GOP (TN Report)

The National Rifle Associations point man in Tennessee favors putting the states Republican leadership on the spot for all to see regarding controversial gun-rights expansion measures in the General Assembly. This is an issue that has been pending for four years, NRA lobbyist Darren LaSorte said of legislation designed to ensure employees can keep a firearm in their vehicle parked on their employers property during work hours, even if the employer doesnt approve. Another bill bars a company or business owner from requiring that prospective employees disclose if they own or carry a gun. Republicans on the House Calendar and Rules Committee voted 15-8 Tuesday to send the so-called guns-in-parking-lots or guns-in-trunks bills, HB3560 and HB3559, to a summer study committee, thus hoping to ensure their demise. Under pressure from businesses arguing against the bills, GOP leaders in both the House and the Senate have been trying for weeks to deep-six the legislation. Large companies like Volkswagen and FedEx, as well as the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, have expressed opposition to any gun-carry legal protections being extended onto a business-owners property. 7

Universities and health care facility proprietors have joined in opposing the bills on safety grounds. http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/04/25/gun-rights-advocates-democrats-taking-shots-at-gop/

Gun lobby out to end Rep. Debra Maggart's career (Tennessean/Hall)

'Crucifix' email clarified, criticized Gun advocates are envisioning the end of a top Tennessee House Republicans career after she helped scuttle a bill that would have allowed employees to bring guns to work as long as they kept them locked in their cars. Theyre still hoping lawmakers will bring the bill directly to the floor which would take a two-thirds vote after Rep. Debra Maggart, R-Hendersonville, blocked it in the calendar committee. Maggart, who is chairwoman of the House Republican Caucus, consistently voted with the gun lobby in the past, but her latest move is one the National Rifle Association will remember when its time to hand out grades and endorsements, a spokesman for that group said. Maggart has a challenger in Augusts Republican primary. When a legislative body goes through the process and attempts are made to prevent legislation from being heard on the floor, that will definitely be a factor when we do grades and endorsements, said Chris Cox, the NRAs chief lobbyist. Its not just votes that are taken into consideration. The Tennessee Firearms Associations executive director was more direct in an inflammatory email he spent part of Wednesday clarifying. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/NEWS0201/304250143/Gun-lobby-out-end-Rep-Debra-Maggart-scareer?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

TN, other states push for abortion restrictions (USA Today)

New restrictions on abortion are sweeping through legislatures from Virginia to Arizona, and voters in some states could see proposed constitutional amendments on November ballots that would define life as beginning at conception. The 2012 anti-abortion push is not as heavy as last year, when legislators in 24 states, many elected in the 2010 Republican tide, passed a record 92 laws restricting abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a group that conducts sexual and reproductive health research, policy analysis and public education. The abortion rights group NARAL Pro-Choice America is tracking 235 bills in legislatures that it says would restrict abortion and says a dozen have passed so far this year. Some proposals put new restrictions on when women can have abortions. Some prevent insurance coverage of abortions. Some are aimed at funding or activities of the reproductive health organization Planned Parenthood, which provides abortions as one of a broad array of womens health services. We are still feeling the ramifications of the 2010 election and what happened in 2011, said Elizabeth Nash, state issues manager for Guttmacher. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/NEWS02/304260077/TN-other-states-push-abortion-restrictions? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Henry Returns to Legislature After Hospital Tests (Associated Press)

State Sen. Douglas Henry has returned to the Legislature. The Nashville Democrat was in the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. The 85-year-old lawmaker was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Tuesday for tests after he experienced high blood pressure and felt dizzy in a caucus meeting. Henry has been a state senator since 1970. His District 21 seat represents southwestern Nashville, including some of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/26/henry-returns-to-legislature-after-hospital-tests/

Charlie Daniels Honored by Tenn. Lawmakers (Associated Press)

The Tennessee Senate paid tribute to country music legend Charlie Daniels Wednesday morning. Daniels sang the national anthem before being honored with a resolution. Daniels is best known for his 1979 hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." The Charlie Daniels Band earned a Grammy for best country vocal for the song. Daniels suffered a mild stroke while snowmobiling in Colorado in 2010. The 75-year-old told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he's glad to be honored by his state and that he's feeling "real good." http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/26/charlie-daniels-honored-by-tenn-lawmakers/

Permits: State Capitol set for $9.3 million rehab (Nashville Business Journal)
A $9.3 million construction permit has been issued for interior rehab work at the Tennessee State Capitol. Hardaway Construction Corp. is leading the work, according to the Metro permit. The work includes plumbing, heating and cooling and electrical upgrades to property at 600 Charlotte Ave. Meanwhile, Metro Nashville has also issued a $3.7 million permit for construction of a 26,700-square-foot, three-story administration building for 8

Harpeth Valley Utilities District R.C. Mathews Contractor is leading the work at 5838 River Road. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/25/permits-state-capitol-set-for-93.html

Synthetic Drug Debate Focuses On Chemistry (WTVF-TV Nashville)

A battle has been won in a Nashville courtroom for the manufacturers of synthetic drugs. On Monday, a local market owner won a four month delay after questions arose over the chemistry of a product sold at a Lebanon market. Something police called synthetic marijuana, but a defense attorney said was just potpourri. When an undercover Metro Police officer bought what he believed to be an illegal synthetic drug at this market on Lebanon Pike he probably never thought he'd run into a legal battle. Defense Attorney Fletcher Long got a four month delay in the prosecution of the market owner while the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation tested for illegal chemicals in the product that was labeled potpourri. Police said it was synthetic marijuana. Long said when the TBI tests the potpourri they won't find anything illegal. "These officers don't have any back ground in chemistry. How do they know? And even a showing of probable cause still requires the entrance of proof," said Long. It's another example of what seems to be the never ending battle to remove synthetic drugs from markets in Tennessee. http://www.newschannel5.com/story/17759864/synthetic-drug-debate-focuses-on-chemistry

Nashville launches online tool to assist residents during disaster (Tenn./Cass)

Map will show evacuation routes, emergency shelters Whenever a weather emergency or some other kind of disaster hits Nashville from now on, residents will have an online tool to help them navigate the situation, Mayor Karl Dean announced W ednesday. Dean said the Nashville Emergency Response Viewing Engine, or NERVE, will allow residents to type in an address and see where roads and schools are closed, how to evacuate an area and where emergency shelters and food, water and clothing distribution centers are located. During the flood, the public really sought out road closure information, and it was challenging to provide real-time updates using our traditional communication tools, the mayor said. If you are trying to seek shelter or reconnect with family members during an emergency, the last thing you need is to get blocked by road closures or to spend time figuring out detours. The program, which also will include a Twitter feed and news releases, is available at maps.nashville.gov/NERVE. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/NEWS01/304260031/Nashvillelaunches-online-tool-assist-residents-during-disaster?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Bradley County 911 faces revenue crisis (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Leach)

Bradley County 911 has requested $351,000 in local government funding to help it through ongoing revenue shortfalls. Earlier this week, Bradley County 911 Director Joe Wilson met with the Bradley County Commission regarding money problems facing the county's 911 communication center. The imminent challenge will be finishing its books in the red for three consecutive years and possibly having to accept state-mandated oversight through Tennessee's Emergency Communication Board for being a "distressed district," said Wilson. If revenues don't increase, layoffs and reductions in service likely would be the result of state oversight, said W ilson, which he described as a "terrible scenario." "We're really proud of what we've got right now and the services we provide the citizens," said Wilson. In a letter addressed to the County Commission, Cleveland City Council and Charleston City Commission, Wilson proposed to get the 911 center past this year through proportionate funding based on how the three bodies currently fund dispatcher salaries: 49.5 percent each for Bradley and Cleveland, and 1 percent for Charleston. The percentages amount to $173,745 each for Bradley County and Cleveland, and $3,510 for Charleston. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/26/bradley-county-911-faces-revenuecrisis/?local

Commissioners, sheriff wrangle over Sullivan budget shortfall (Times-News)

After about an hour of what turned out to be little more than they said, they said, and nothing resolved, members of the Sullivan County Commissions Budget Committee and staff from the Sullivan Countys Sheriffs Office agreed Wednesday to get together again sometime to discuss how to cover a shortfall in county funding for the sheriffs office and jail. They on the Budget Committee were represented largely by Committee Chairman Eddie Williams. They with the sheriffs office great in numbers in the audience were represented, at least in speech, primarily by Sheriff Wayne Anderson. Both sides said they are gung ho to work together. Both sides said they expected the other to come forth with a plan. Williams said the county once widely believed to have reserve funds at or near $30 million has depleted that surplus below the point necessary to provide cash flow throughout the annual budget cycle. http://www.timesnews.net/article/9045807/commissioners-sheriff-wrangle-over-sullivan-budget-shortfall 9

Cuts to Montgomery County budget requests begin, will continue (Leaf Chronicle)
Five patrol deputies were approved by the county Budget Committee Wednesday during a daylong meeting marked by deep cuts to budget requests. The Sheriffs Office had requested 11 deputies. Requests for 14 other new positions across the county were denied, but the Sheriffs Office secured added, if truncated, manpower with broad support. We know that public safetys priority No. 1, County Mayor Carolyn Bowers said. Expanded demands pushed the committee to fund two full-time employees for the county clerks office, the only other new positions approved for the next fiscal year. I know were going to sustain that growth, County Clerk Kellie Jackson said. W eve done everything that we know to do at this point without adding manpower. The $7.5 million RichEllen Park project was split into two parts, with $3 million set to be spent on excavation in 2013 and construction planned for the following fiscal year. Including the RichEllen Park cuts, capital project requests were cut from almost $11.5 million to $5.8 million. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120426/NEWS01/304260011/Cuts-Montgomery-County-budgetrequests-begin-will-continue

Plaintiffs: County failed to provide adequate notice for mosque site plan (DNJ)
Land that Ronald Todds family once farmed for 94 years will soon be home to the Islamic Center of Murfreesboros new mosque, but he says the government never told him that. Todd, who still lives nearby and who is one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit over the county Planning Commissions site plan approval for the mosque, said the government didnt make an effort to inform him about the mosque the way the county does in sending him a property tax bill every year. Are we in a secret government or a public government? Todd asked from the witness stand during the first day of a two-day non-jury trial in Rutherford County Chancery Court on Wednesday. I wasnt born yesterday. I want to know who my neighbors are. Asked by the countys defense attorney if Todd complained about the county approving Grace Baptist Church being built on Veals Road before the mosque came next door, he said he did not. Testimony in the case against the approval process over the mosque, specifically the countys public notice about the agenda item, continues at 8:15 a.m. today. Plaintiffs hope to void the May 2010 meeting where the mosques plans were approved. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120426/NEW S01/304260013/Plaintiffs-County-failed-provide-adequate-noticemosque-site-plan

Democrats hear encouragement (Times-Gazette)

Bedford County Democrats heard a message of encouragement Tuesday night, even in a time when Republicans have dominated statewide and federal races across Tennessee. "I do think there's a lot of positives to the Democratic Party right now, and there's a lot we can be proud of," said local party member Mark Farrar, who emceed the party's annual banquet Tuesday night at the American Legion center on Kingree Road. New district State Sen. Eric Stewart of W inchester, a Democratic candidate for the 4th District U.S. House of Representatives, had been announced as the keynote speaker for the event, but was detained in Nashville as the General Assembly works on the state budget. His finance director, Jake Dunavant, spoke on his behalf. Stewart, the nephew of local educator Kay Prince, is running to unseat incumbent Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais of South Pittsburg. Bedford County, which had been in the 6th District, is moving into the 4th District effective with this year's election cycle. http://www.t-g.com/story/1841534.html

Alexander comments on college tuition rates, VP vetting process (Nooga)

Reaching back to his experience as former national education secretary, Tennessee governor and president of the University of Tennessee, Sen. Lamar Alexander offered his insight on what could be done to stave off increasing tuition rates at the nation's public schools Tuesday. Alexander's comments were made on the "Daily Rundown with Chuck Todd," a political talk show broadcast on MSNBC, the same day as President Barack Obama began a three-state tour of universities, calling on Congress to prevent rates on nearly 7 million student loans from doubling. During brief remarks, the senator said he thought the majority of college students didn't realize the ties between student tuition rates and costs associated with health care to states. "The reason tuition is going up primarily and this didn't start with President Obama, but he's made it worseis because the federal government is dropping these huge Medicaid costs on states," Alexander said. "I know this as a former governor. And the kind 10

of money that you want to put in the University of Tennessee or California instead goes to Medicaid, and then the university raises tuition to make up for it." http://www.nooga.com/154999/alexander-comments-on-college-tuition-rates-vp-vetting-process/

Tire damage gets attention in 3rd District race (Times Free-Press/Carroll)

A staffer for U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann ended up with a damaged tire at a recent campaign event for opponent Scottie Mayfield, and officials said video evidence shows the culprit came from Mayfield's bus. Mayfield is challenging Fleischmann in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District Republican primary. Officials said surveillance cameras captured the incident at the Roane County Courthouse, where Mayfield brought his campaign bus tour early Tuesday. A Kingston, Tenn., Police Department report indicates that a man "came from a tour bus," walked up to Fleischmann campaign manager Tyler Threadgill's 2005 Audi, knelt down near the left rear wheel and "[appeared] to be fooling with the wheel." "It was found that the man did cut the tire stem causing the tire to go flat down the road," according to the report. "The man is caught on video, and it is being determined who he is. The man left the vehicle and entered the courthouse and was caught on video there as well." Kingston Assistant Police Chief Gary Nelson said he saw the video and wrote the police report. He said Mayfield's bus was the only bus he saw in the courthouse footage. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/26/tire-damage-gets-attention-in-3rd-district-race/?local

Domestic violence law jeopardized by partisanship (Tennessean/Bewley)

Angel has chilling memories of the domestic violence she says shes experienced most of her life, beginning with an abusive father and continuing with a husband who beat her and later, a violent fiance. The 43-year-old Nashville woman said that when her fiances latest assault broke her neck in four places, she decided it was time to leave. Angel, who asked that her last name not be used because she fears for her safety, called a crisis hotline run by the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee and moved into the groups shelter for victims of domestic violence. Now she lives in an apartment in Nashville with her children and works as a nursing assistant all with the help of a YWCA transitional housing program, which will subsidize her rent until December. When I moved into my apartment, it was a powerful feeling, a feeling of security, said Angel, who was contacted with the help of the YWCA. Im living so free and independent now. The transitional housing program that helps pay Angels rent is one of dozens of Tennessee programs funded through the Violence Against Women Act, the 18year-old domestic violence law at the center of a partisan dispute in Congress. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/NEWS0201/304250153/Domestic-violence-law-jeopardized-bypartisanship?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Pools may close instead of installing pricey chairlift (Tennessean/Williams)

Hotels say measure to add lifts for disabled is too costly Some pools and spas, including the whirlpool at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel downtown, may close rather than comply with a federal rule that all public pools and hot tubs must install an expensive chairlift for the disabled. Hotel operators are crying foul because they say there are less costly fixes that work just as well as the lift equipment federal officials want installed by May 21. Theyre seeking a delay of at least six months. Its going to cost hotel operators nearly $1 billion to comply with these rules, and in many cases, the answer will be to fill in the pools and take out the hot tubs rather than adding the lifts, which can cost $12,000 or more each (to install), said Greg Adkins, president of the Tennessee Hospitality Association, which represents hotel owners. The rules are being issued by the U.S. Justice Department under the Americans With Disabilities Act or ADA and they will affect more than 300,000 pools and spas around the country. Advocates for the disabled favor the governments initiative and say theyre opposed to any steps by hotel operators to delay things. The rules were written in 2010. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/BUSINESS01/304260063/Pools-may-close-instead-installingpricey-chairlift?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

States Up the Online Ante (Wall Street Journal)

Push to Sell Lottery Tickets on the Web Faces Resistance From Retailers, Casinos The director of the New York State lottery said a few months ago he had cleared hurdles in his quest to sell lottery tickets over the Internet, but now that plan is stalling. When the U.S. Justice Department in December narrowed its interpretation of the 50year-old Wire Act, saying it banned only sports betting and not other forms of online gambling, the decision sparked hope in state capitals that lotteries could start selling tickets online and lead a charge into online 11

gambling. But the convenience-store lobby in New York protested the state's plan, and now the plan is under review as the governor's office re-examines state gambling policy. Lottery directors in other states also are sparring with store owners fearful of losing customers who buy tickets. The battle is one front in a broader struggle among state lotteries, casino operators, Internet companies and convenience stores that could determine how an expected wave of legal online gambling takes shape in the U.S. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303978104577362121444589922.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Drug Database Dilemma (Stateline)

Dr. Shawn Jones, an ear, nose and throat surgeon in Paducah, Kentucky, was conducting a routine office appointment when he got a phone call from a worried pharmacist. The pharmacist had just received a prescription from Jones for 90 Percocet pain pills, an unusually large order for a doctor who rarely prescribes more than 20 pills at one time. Jones asked the pharmacist to fax over the prescription, and he immediately recognized it as a forgery. It was for a female patient he hadnt seen in five years. She had somehow gotten hold of one of his prescription pads. Jones asked the pharmacist to delay filling the prescription, went back to the exam room and talked with a policeman who happened to be in the office at the time. The policeman called in to the precinct to have the woman arrested. Under Kentuckys current prescription drug laws, only a vigilant pharmacist could have stopped these fraudulent prescriptions. The regulations dont allow physicians to monitor their own prescribing habits to check for fraud, and the Kentucky board of medical licensure can look up a prescribing record only if a formal complaint against a physician is filed. http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/drug-database-dilemma-85899382817

Education Slowdown Threatens U.S. (Wall Street Journal)

Throughout American history, almost every generation has had substantially more education than that of its parents. That is no longer true. When baby boomers born in 1955 reached age 30, they had about two years more schooling than their parents, according to Harvard University economists Claudia Goldin and Lawrence Katz, who have calculated the average years of schooling for native-born Americans back to 1876. In contrast, when Americans born in 1980 turned 30 in 2010, they averaged about eight months more schooling than their parents. This development already has broad ramifications across the U.S. job market: Those with only a highschool diploma had an 8% unemployment rate in March, roughly double that of college graduates, who had a 4.2% unemployment rate. Workers with bachelor's degrees earn 45% more in wages on average than those of demographically similar high-school graduates. And in today's highly automated factories, many manufacturers demand the equivalent of a community-college degree, even for entry level workers. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304177104577307580650834716.html?mod=ITP_pageone_0 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Postal Rescue Passes Senate (Wall Street Journal)

The Senate approved a bill that would avert closings of post offices and distribution centers for two years and continue Saturday mail delivery. It also would trigger early retirement for as many as 100,000 postal workers, as part of a plan to save $20 billion a year at the financially distressed U.S. Postal Service. But a congressional rescue of the 237-year-old service remains in doubt as another bill languishes in the House. Senators voted 6237, on a bipartisan basis, for the legislation, which took shape during months of negotiations. Thirteen Republicans, mainly centrists and lawmakers from rural states, voted with the Democratic majority, while four Democrats, who voiced concerns about the impact on rural states, joined most Republicans in opposing the bill. Republicans in general were critical of the bill's impact on the federal budget deficit. Under the bill, the early retirements would save $8 billion a year, and the Postal Service would receive $10.9 billion from the U.S. Treasury, money the service has overpaid to the federal employee pension system. The bill would allow current Postal Service retirees to opt out of the federal employee health-benefits system and use Medicare, which is generally cheaper, as their primary source of health-care coverage. It also would allow the Postal Service to set up its own health-care plan if management and labor unions agreed to do so. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304811304577366341665567810.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Nuclear Renaissance Leader Powers Through Cost Overruns (W PLN-Radio Nash.)

For all the talk of a nuclear renaissance in the U.S., only one reactor is technically under construction right now. 12

Watts Bar has a nearly 40 year history. And the Tennessee Valley Authoritys effort to complete a second reactor on site isnt going well. Last years nuclear meltdown in Japan sent shockwaves through the world of atomic power, but it wasnt enough to kill the buzz thats been going since Congress passed new nuclear incentives in 2005. In February, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted the first construction license in more than 34 years. But that plant hasnt gotten out of the ground. Watts Bar Unit 2 in Spring City, Tenn., has been out of the ground for decades, but crossing the finishing line is getting even more expensive. The TVA board will be asked Thursday to approve an extra $2 billion and a three year extension to finish the reactor. That would nearly double the original budget and push a five-year timeline to eight. TVA once had an ambitious plan for 17 reactors. But like many utilities around the country, it walked away in the 80s. Power demand was down, and fears of nuclear had grown after the disaster at Three Mile Island. But three-quarters of the work at Watts Bar had been done. http://wpln.org/?p=36558

TVA Board, Watchdogs to Weigh In on W atts Bar Cost Overruns (WPLN-Radio)

The board of the Tennessee Valley Authority will be asked Thursday morning to approve a near-doubling of the budget to complete a second nuclear reactor at Watts Bar. TVA has already spent the $2.5 billion originally projected to finish the East Tennessee power plant. Watchdogs plan to comment at the meeting in Greeneville, Tennessee, and basically say we told you so. Activists argue that they suspected from the beginning that TVA would need more money and more time to revive the stalled reactor. Stephen Smith is executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and says the extra $2 billion being requested could have been spent on something else. They could be putting that money into energy efficiency investments. They could be investing in cleaner technologies that in the long run are going to be cheaper overall, and much less risky. TVA CEO Tom Kilgore has been dismissive of calls for greater investment in solar and wind power, saying theyre still nowhere near cost-competitive with nuclear, even in spite of the cost overruns. And while natural gas is cheap right now, he says it wont be forever. http://wpln.org/?p=36524

UT honored for purchase of green power (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

Earlier this month, the University of Tennessee received kudos for making the largest purchase of green power in 2011 from the Tennessee Valley Authority. Last year, UT purchased nine megawatt hours of green power. That's the equivalent of eliminating the yearly greenhouse gas emissions from 1,535 passenger vehicles, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Representatives from UT, including sustainability manager Gordie Bennett and students Maria Rosales and Nick Alderson, accepted an award on behalf of the university in Memphis. UT was one of several regional businesses, entities and local power distributors recognized for their leadership roles in TVA's Green Power Switch program. "This program is successful only through the efforts of local distributors of TVA power and people and businesses who commit to making the region a little bit 'greener' each month," said Patty West, TVA's director of renewable energy programs. Over the past seven years, UT has used funds from a student environmental fee to gradually increase the amount of green power it purchases. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/26/ut-honored-for-purchase-of-green-power/

Asurion, Dean schedule 'expansion announcement' (Nashville Post)

Mayor Karl Dean and Sean McKinless, senior vice president of global operations at Asurion Corp., have scheduled an expansion announcement for 10 a.m. on Thursday at SoBros Ragland Building. The Ragland Building is located at Second Avenue South and Korean Veteran Boulevard. A major renovation of the building, which rises five stories and contains about 42,000 square feet, was completed in 2010. Asurion, worlds largest provider of wireless handset insurance and wireless roadside assistance programs, had 2010 profits of $100 million on revenues of $4 billion and early this year paid its private-equity owners a $1 billion dividend. The company has its international headquarters in Grassmere, its North American headquarters in Kansas City and offices in California, Georgia, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia as well as various foreign countries. The company has in recent years added hundreds of local jobs and been one of Nashville's more prominent economic development success stories. But it also has had to resolve a number of legal cases and faced complaints from a number of its customers. http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/4/25/asurion_dean_schedule_expansion_announcement

Asurion to expand into downtown's Ragland Building (Nashville Biz Journal)

Nashville-based Asurion plans to expand into downtown's Ragland Building at 300 Second Avenue South, the 13

company is expected to announce Thursday. Asurion, which provides mobile phone insurance plans for some of the nation's top carriers, had been scouting Music City for about 100,000 square feet to accommodate an expansion. The company will occupy the Ragland Building and the connected XO Communications building, according to commercial real estate sources. The Ragland Building, originally built in 1930, went through a multimillion dollar renovation in 2010, which included installation of several green aspects, including an energy efficient heating and cooling system and insulated glass. The expected announcement will be made 10 a.m. Thursday at the Ragland Building, where Nashville Mayor Karl Dean will be joined by Sean McKinless, senior vice president at Asurion, according to a Metro news release. The rapidly expanding company has previously said it plans to create more than 500 jobs in Nashville in the coming years. A year ago, when the company explored moving its headquarters out of Nashville, it was awarded $12.4 million in local and state incentives to stay and create hundreds of jobs. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/25/asurion-to-expand-intodowntowns.html

Logistics company to add jobs to meet demands of production increase (Nooga)

Chattanooga company Team 3 Logistics will add 150 jobs to meet the needs of the Volkswagen production ramp-up. Team 3 provides warehousing, transportation, packaging and manufacturing support for the automotive industry. Team 3 will have 350 full-time employees by the end of April, Don Friddell, director of marketing for the company, said in an email. We plan to add 150 [more full-time jobs] by July. The company was founded in 2009 and is a joint venture between Wolfsburg, Germany-based Schnellecke Logistics and Chattanooga-based Kal-Serv, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kenco Logistic Services LLC. Since 2010, Team 3 Logistics has served Volkswagen, providing plant site logistics as it ramped up its critical pre-series warehouse operations. Team 3s staff has gone up and down since it started in 2009, Friddell said. Most of the 350 positions have been recent hires to support our new internal logistics agreement with VW. At the end of January, leaders announced that they were adding 200 employeesin addition to the 2,500-member workforce it already employedto keep up with production increases from 31 to 35 cars per hour. http://www.nooga.com/155022/logistics-company-to-add-150-jobs-to-meet-demands-of-vw-production-increase/

Report: Tennessee 5th in green jobs (Nashville Business Journal)

Tennessee was fifth in clean energy jobs in the nation in the first quarter, according to a new report. The U.S. Department of Energy highlighted a report today from Environmental Entrepreneurs, which highlights more than 2,500 new green jobs in Tennessee during the first quarter, citing activity by solar manufacturer Wacker Chemie and Nissan North America for its Leaf. Tennessee ranked behind Connecticut, Illinois, California and Indiana in job creation by new or ongoing projects. "Not only are these jobs creating new economic opportunities in Tennessee, but also better-paying ones," the report said. Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, made solar and other renewable energy a major economic development priority, both in terms of recruitment and subsidy to various ventures. Tennessee has continued to wrestle with that legacy the most recent example being a debate over a tax break to renewable energy with some Republicans questioning the wisdom of the investment. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/25/green-department-of-energy-tennessee.html

Schools decision draws criticism (Times-Gazette)

Two members of Bedford County Board of Education criticized School Superintendent Ray Butrum and school board chairman Barry Cooper on Thursday night for committing to an educational software package prior to final approval by the board. The board was asked on Thursday night to approve a three-year agreement with Curriculum Advantage Inc. of Lawrenceville, Ga., for its Classworks software for grades K-8. The bundle includes practice and review software, assessment, managed services and professional development, and technical support. The contract will total $503,289 over a three-year period. Early payment The software package had been mentioned at previous school board meetings, but not formally voted upon. Butrum said the school system had been preparing to adopt the Classworks package for the next school year and the next fiscal year. But the company told the school system that if it could make a payment during the current fiscal year, training for teachers could start immediately. State approval to allow line-item shifts in the county's Race To The Top budget, as well as a refund from the county's previous software provider, provided enough money to go ahead and make that payment. http://www.t-g.com/story/1841475.html 14

OPINION Editorial: TCAP time is more important than ever (Jackson Sun)
Area public school students in grades 3 through 8 are in the midst of taking the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) tests this week. This is an especially important year for the tests, and we wish each student and their teachers the best of luck. This is the first year that TCAP test results will be figured into student grades and teacher evaluation scores. The new rules created a heightened sense of awareness about the importance of TCAP results. They also sets the stage for a higher level of accountability for students and for teachers. As part of Tennessees education reform legislation passed in 2010, student test results become more than mere statistical measures of education success. This years scores also will have real-life consequences when it comes to student report cards that go home to parents, and to teachers who will have the scores factored into their evaluations. For students, this years TCAP results will count as 15 percent of their second semester grades. The reasoning behind including student TACAP scores is that if teachers are going to be held accountable for TCAP results in a meaningful way, so should students. We cant argue with that logic. Including the test results sends a message to students and to parents that these tests matter, and should not be taken lightly. Students should be prepared, fed a good breakfast and come to school fully aware that test results will impact their grades. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120426/OPINION/304260001/Our-View-TCAP-time-more-important-thanever

Frank Cagle: Banning Baggy Pants (Metro Pulse)

Ill be the first to admit that some legislators in Nashville and in state capitols across the country have been proposing controversial bills to provide solutions for problems that dont exist. But I would point out that it is possible for serious people in the Legislature to be doing important work while the clowns are out in the hall getting all the press attention. I rise today, however, to defend a bill that has met with almost universal derision and has often been used as an easy example of frivolous meddling. Im talking about the baggy pants bill. You might think a law to stop schoolchildren from wearing their pants hanging off their hips was the idea of an uptight white Republican who hates hip hop. Joe Towns, the principle sponsor of the legislation, is a black Democratic legislator from Memphis. Why has he pursued this idea for some years? The style of pants around the butt with several inches of underwear sticking out the top began in prisons and jails, where inmates are not allowed belts. Is it a good thing if our high school students look at convicts as role models? That they want to identify with thugs and drug dealers, cause its, like, cool? It seems a trivial thing unless you think about it. Baggy pants wont get you a job. It wont help you have an attitude conducive to learning in school. It is a way of identifying with losers. http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/apr/25/banning-baggy-pants/ ###

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