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Tennessee is among the top states in the country in which to do business, according to an annual survey of CEOs by Chief Executive magazine According to the survey, Tennessee ranks No. 4 in the U.S., unchanged from last year. Texas claimed the No. 1 spot, followed by Florida and North Carolina. CEOs deemed California as the worst state in which to do business, followed by New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and Michigan. Chief Executive's complete rankings are available here. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/05/02/tennessee-in-the-top-5-for-doing.html
Haslam Uses First Veto on Bill Targeting Vanderbilt Anti-Bias Policy (WPLNRadio)
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has slapped down a bill that takes aim at Vanderbilt Universitys controversial anti-discrimination policy. This is the governors first veto since taking office. Haslams written statement leads off with this: I dont agree with Vanderbilts all-comers policy. It requires that student organizations though not fraternities and sororities allow anyone to join and run for leadership positions. Christian organizations have butted heads with the university. Some have chosen to leave campus over the issue. Haslams own party pushed the bill targeting Vanderbilt. Perhaps directed at fellow Republicans, the governor says as someone who strongly believes in limited government it is inappropriateto mandate the policies of a private institution. The
legislation would have also prevented such an all-comers policy at state colleges. The governor says he agrees with that part of the bill. http://wpln.org/?p=36845
Gov. Bill Haslam uses first veto on Vanderbilt's 'all-comers' bill (Tennessean/Sisk)
Governor says state should stay out of private affair Gov. Bill Haslam announced Wednesday that he will veto legislation that targets Vanderbilt Universitys all-comers nondiscrimination policy, saying it is inappropriate for the state to meddle in a private affair. Haslam also said in a prepared statement that he will allow legislation that caps hiring of foreign nationals by charter schools to become law without his signature, a sign of his misgivings about the measure. But he did not say whether he will sign or veto a third piece of high-profile legislation, a bill that rewrites the states abstinence-first sex education curriculum. The veto of House Bill 3576/Senate Bill 3597 would be Haslams first since taking office in January 2011. Haslam said he disagrees with Vanderbilts policy personally but believes state lawmakers had overstepped by getting involved. It is counter-intuitive to make campus organizations open their membership and leadership positions to anyone and everyone, even when potential members philosophically disagree with the core values and beliefs of the organization, Haslam said in a prepared statement. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120503/NEWS0201/305020149/Gov-Bill-Haslamuses-first-veto-Vanderbilt-s-all-comers-bill
Chattanooga officials hope RICO law will lessen gang violence (TFP/Burger)
When Gov. Bill Haslam signs an anti-gang bill just passed by the Legislature, Chattanooga investigators and prosecutors will be able to start building cases to send away some of the most violent gang members, officials say. At a news conference Wednesday, local officials said they hope gang violence will decline now that the state's RICO, or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, law encompasses gang members. Rep. Vince Dean, R-East Ridge, who sponsored the bill in the House, said the law will give authorities better tools to go after gangs. "It's kind of like going from a screwdriver to an electric drill," he said. Mayor Ron Littlefield said that, while the law would not be an "instant cure," it would be part of the solution in dealing with a "systemic problem." Chattanooga Police Chief Bobby Dodd said he anticipates RICO cases will be rare but effective when they are made. The law requires prosecutors to prove people in gangs are committing crimes in the interest of the gang, said Boyd Patterson, who is one of the city's project coordinators in charge of implementing a federal anti-gang plan. Just membership in a criminal street gang is not enough to prosecute someone, he said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/may/03/officials-hope-rico-law-will-lessen-gang/?local
engineering and technology into middle school classrooms. The Dickson County, Henderson County and Jackson-Madison County school systems will each send 10 science and mathematics teachers from grades 5-9 to participate in the one-week summer academy at UTM. Participants will learn to integrate various academic disciplines to provide students with a more comprehensive picture of the scientific world. We hope to create effective teachers in STEM integration. When teachers learn to integrate, then students can learn more effectively, said Becky Cox, co-writer of the project proposal and associate professor of educational studies at UTM. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120503/NEWS01/305030006/UTM-receives-200K-grant
crime and tax cuts. With Tennessee lawmakers back home for the year, Gov. Bill Haslam can boast that most of his proposals have been enacted, despite an environment at the state Capitol that seemed to revolve at times around everything but the 55-bill plan he put forward in January. State legislators approved Haslam-backed bills that revamp Tennessees civil service rules and reorganize government agencies that date back to the New Deal era. They also passed tougher penalties on domestic abusers and gangs, while cutting Tennessees estate, gift and food taxes. But lawmakers actions on social issues overshadowed that list of legislative victories. Battles over whether workers should be able to keep guns in their cars, how to teach science and sex education in schools, and whether to publish more data about women who seek abortion garnered attention across the state and nation, burnishing Tennessees reputation as a hotbed of socially conservative activism. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120503/NEWS0201/305030030/Tennessee-legislature-ends-session-seachange-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Taxes, civil service, controversy cap notably short legislative session (CP/Hale)
While the 2012 legislative session was notably short, as legislators had hoped, it was still full of political story lines and, often, national-news making proposals. In his second legislative session as the states top executive, Gov. Bill Haslam oversaw sweeping changes to the states civil service rules and cuts to the states inheritance and food taxes. Swirling all around though, were controversial measures on God, guns and gays, which tested the governors preference for deferring to the legislature and several times forced visible interference on the part of Republican leadership. The legislators wrapped things up earlier this week. Here are the major story lines of the session: Taxes: Haslams $31 billion budget includes cutting the sales tax on food from 5.5 percent to 5.25 percent or 25 cents on $100 of groceries with the goal of reducing it to 5 percent by the end of his first term. The spending proposal also includes a plan to phase out the states inheritance tax, which applies to estates worth more than $1 million and was paid by 845 estates last budget year. The plan raises the exemption to $1.25 million next year and up to $5 million by 2016. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/taxes-civil-service-controversy-cap-notably-short-legislativesession
Dems Take Less Cheery View Than GOP at Sessions End (W PLN-Radio Nashville)
Tennessee Democrats are bemoaning the legislative session that just ended, using words like crazy and embarrassing to describe laws passed this spring. Its a sharp contrast to the glowing review from majority Republicans. After the sessions end Republicans championed the governors civil-service overhaul, as well as cuts to the estate tax. House Speaker Beth Harwell praised lawmakers for setting partisanship aside. Meanwhile top Democrats complain Republicans afforded them no give and take late in the budget process, saying if they had it couldve passed unanimously. Democrats also pointed to a host of controversial bills from Republicans, like one to rework whats taught in sex education, and another targeting evolution in science classes. Memphis Democrat Joe Towns says such bills make it harder to recruit businesses. Any progressive-minded business know its a volatile situation when youre going into a state with politics as youve seen on display of late. When you travel around the country, youre the butt of jokes when youre from Tennessee, because we have all this wacko stuff. http://wpln.org/?p=36850
A proposal that would allow Tennessee to join an interstate compact challenging the federal health care law failed in the House on Tuesday after about 28 members were either absent or abstained on the vote. The chamber voted 45-26 along partisan lines to approve the bill, which was sponsored by Republican Rep. Mark Pody of Lebanon. That was five votes short of the majority needed to pass measures in the 99-member chamber. The legislation would have provided a waiver for each participating state to create its own health care system. Sponsors said the proposal was intended to give Tennesseans more choices concerning health care if the compact were approved by Congress. The House had earlier approved a change to make Tennessee's participation in the compact optional. That provision was taken out in the Senate. Senate sponsor Mae Beavers said she was "very disappointed" that the measure failed and criticized the members who left. Sixteen Republicans didn't vote and three were listed as absent. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/may/3/health-care-compact-falls-short-in-tenn-house/
firm of Southern Educational Strategies -- the company that advised the suburbs on the feasibility of school systems earlier this year. The contract extension is part of the suburbs' continuing efforts to get municipal school plans underway by the end of the year with an August 2013 target date for opening. The suburbs want to avoid inclusion in the overall unified school system, set to begin in August 2013. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/may/03/suburbs-rush-to-discuss-schools/ (SUB)
A Heavyweight Brawl for the 3rd District House Seat (Metro Pulse)
A frequent campaign tactic these days is to have someone follow your opponent from event to event, hoping to capture a YouTube moment that can be devastating. Congressional candidate Scottie Mayfield got a YouTube clip recently when he spoke to a group of University of Tennessee students. It is believed to have been filmed by someone friendly to one of his opponents, Weston W amp. In rambling answers to questions, he couldnt list any of his top priorities if elected, saying it would depend on what committee he is assigned. The clip made the rounds and Mayfield was lampooned by supporters of incumbent Congressman Chuck Fleischmann. Two Fleischmann staffers were following the Mayfield campaign at stops last week. There may have been some suspicion that the tag-a-longs were doing it to collect some gotcha video. Mayfields son has confessed to cutting the valve stem on a tire, leaving the Fleischmann team stranded at the Roane County courthouse while the Mayfield campaign went on to Morgan County. Michael Mayfield, 33, hadnt counted on a security camera at the courthouse. http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/may/02/heavyweight-brawl-3rd-district-house-seat/
Memphis mayor A C Wharton, and state Democratic chairman Chip Forrester of Nashville. Cohen's declared Democratic-primary opponent, Tomeka Hart, was among those in the crowd, but the congressman paid her little heed. Likewise ignored in his remarks was Charlotte Bergmann, his Republican opponent in 2010 and a candidate again in this year's GOP primary. Cutting to the chase, Cohen focused on the man he saw as the likely winner of the Republican primary: radiologist/radio magnate George Flinn, the former Shelby County Commissioner. "While our Republican opponent is going to spend lots of money," Cohen said, "we're going to let him spend it. It's unfortunate that his ego doesn't allow him to spend that money by contributing it to the Med and having a Flinn Medical Center, which would be remembered for time immemorial and would do some good for some people." http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/party-lines/Content?oid=3174704
Hammond: Sales tax hike could fund part of school system's proposal (NS/Donila)
Some Knox County commissioners are ready to let voters have a voice in paying for at least part of the school system's multimillion-dollar spending plan. Officials say the only way to fully fund a $35 million proposal from Knox County Schools is to raise taxes. Knox County Commission Chairman Mike Hammond supports offering a ballot measure by which residents could raise the sales tax by a half cent in exchange for reducing or eliminating the county wheel tax. "To me, if the people are going to vote for a sales tax increase, then I'd like to see us get rid of the wheel tax," he said. "It's become a controversial thing. Most people thought it was going to go to schools and that's not what happened. If we're going to vote for a tax increase, then there should be some type of relief at the end." Hammond said he'll start the discussion with his peers at Tuesday's budget meeting. Already, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett has said he won't support it. On Tuesday, he gave commission his proposed $673.7 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. It includes an $13 million increase for the school system to cover natural growth. It does not include the $35 million for a much broader, long-term plan that targets a number of educational investments, including technology and additional instructional time in the classrooms. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/03/hammond-sales-tax-hike-could-fund-part-of-school/
on a test and artificially inflating home appraisals to keep tax revenues high. W SMV-Channel 4 reports that five women with a combined 70 years of experience in the assessors office have recently leveled charges against Bill Boner. Each of them either was fired, resigned or retired since Boner took office three years ago. Two of the employees, Cathy Dumm and Janie Zumbro, have filed federal Equal Employment Opportunity complaints against Boner. It should be pointed out that he is not the Bill Boner who was mayor of Nashville from 1987 to 1991. He used to come to my desk and just squeeze his legs together and say, Oh, God. I gotta get out of here, Dumm said of the property assessor. I had my arms on my chair. He started rocking, bouncing his private parts into my arms. I moved, so he adjusted his stance. I got up, and I didnt know what to do. Zumbro said Boner never sexually harassed her, but she watched him target Dumm. He was always almost into her breasts. She got to where she would take a step back, and he would take a step forward. And she would take another step back, Zumbro said. I have watched her go backward until she ran out of room, and he was right up on her chest. I thought it was totally unnecessary, unprofessional and totally disgusting. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120503/NEWS01/305030027/Rutherford-County-assessor-accusedsexual-harassment?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News
Tax bill aims to aid families of the fallen (Columbia Daily Herald)
A state legislator has introduced a bill this week that could ease the financial burden for families of fallen soldiers a bill inspired by a local soldier and the taxes his family was left with after his death. U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais introduced H.R. 5044, the Andrew P. Carpenter Tax Act, named for Columbia native Lance Cpl. Andrew P. Carpenter, who was killed in action Feb. 19, 2011, in Afghanistan. About four years ago Carpenters parents co-signed for a private loan to help pay for his college education. After learning that Carpenter was killed in action, the lender agreed to forgive the debt, but Carpenters parents were told that the discharged loan would be factored into their gross taxable income. If passed, the bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code by exempting student loan forgiveness from being categorized as gross taxable income for families of veterans killed while serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces. It is a fitting way to fix a glaring problem in our tax code while paying tribute to the memory of Lance Corporal Carpenter, DesJarlais said in a press release. His family has experienced the pain of losing their son, husband and father. Hopefully, if passed this measure will in some way ease this burden. http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/sections/news/local/tax-bill-aims-aid-families-fallen.html
Smog ruling for Knox, Blount could hit economic development (NS/Collins, Fowler)
The Environmental Protection Agency has found Knox and Blount counties and part of Anderson County in violation of federal smog regulations primarily because they contribute to air pollution in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The EPA's nonattainment label could hamper future economic development, officials said Wednesday. Bob Martineau, the state's commissioner of the Department of Environment and Conservation, called the EPA's decision disappointing and said the state has been working hard to improve air quality. "Current monitoring indicates Tennessee's air is cleaner than it has been in decades," Martineau said. The director of Air Quality Management for Knox County said the ruling frustrated her. "There's nothing for us to do," Lynne Liddington said. "We're already meeting the standard. That's the interesting part of this." Officials said only one of 18 air quality monitors across the state showed ground-level ozone or smog levels higher than allowed, and that by only a small amount. Jim Renfro, air quality specialist with the Great Smoky Mountains National 9
Park, said the Look Rock monitor had an average ozone reading of 77 parts per billion over three years, while the EPA cutoff for air quality standards is 75 ppb. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/02/smog-ruling-for-knox-blount-could-hit-economic/
National Weather Service, which the plaintiffs say resulted in tardy notice to businesses that otherwise might have moved equipment and inventory to higher ground. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120503/BUSINESS01/305030023/Nashville-flood-brings-lawsuit-byGibson-Nissan?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s
Matt Murray, director of the Baker Center, said in a statement. The study estimates the solar industry will produce 200,000 to 430,000 jobs in the United States by 2020. Installed solar capacity has grown by 77 percent a year over the last five years and the number of installed systems nearly doubled between 2009 and 2010, the study said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/03/baker-center-predicts-up-to-430000-solar-jobs-by/
Mountain States Health Alliance announces $70 million reduction plan (H-C)
Mountain States HealthAlliance, one of our region's largest employers, announced major cuts to its job force. Mountain States HealthAlliancemade the announcement this morning during a press conference inJohnson City. The job reductions are a small part of the organizations plan to eliminate $70 million in expenses over the next several months. MountainStateHealthAlliancereports they have released 168 total job positions. The organization says 133 positions inWashington County,Tennesseehave been cut. A third of the job reductions will take place in Mountain States' Corporate offices. The organization also reports 63 jobs have been cut at theJohnson CityMedicalCenter. According to Mountain States Health Alliance President and CEO Dennis Vonderfecht says these changes are changes that all health care organizations and the country will go through within the next couple of years. Vonderfecht says several challenges led to the organizations restructuring need and include a decrease in in-patient care, a decrease in surgical patient care, and an increase in charity care; those patients in debt and who do not pay their bills. Vonderfecht says those things suppressed the organizations revenue, requiring the health care provider to cut 168 currently occupied jobs and eliminate 90 open jobs. http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/may/02/2/mountain-states-health-alliance-announces-70-milli-ar-1886397/
Mountain States to cut 168 jobs, mostly in Washington County (J. City Press)
A perfect storm of factors has forced Mountain States Health Alliance to announce the elimination of 168 positions across its expansive system as the health care company prepares to handle coming changes that will affect the health care industry nationwide. Mountain States President and CEO Dennis Vonderfecht announced the cuts W ednesday morning during a news conference at the companys Market Street Centre. This is not a one time thing in terms of the challenges we face. Its all related to health care reform, positioning our organization for whats ahead of us, Vonderfecht said. The reductions are expected to save the health care company $11 million in salaries and benefits as part of its $70 million systemwide cost-saving effort to be implemented over the next several months. Of the cuts, which are mostly in management at the corporate and facility level, 133 positions will be in Washington County. Sixty-three of those positions are at Johnson City Medical Center the systems flagship hospital while five were cut at Franklin Woods Community Hospital, one at Woodridge Hospital and 64 positions within the systems corporate structure. http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=100061#ixzz1tnrxzpQJ
Scott schools ask for extra $3.3 million from county (Times-News)
The Scott County Board of Supervisors will have some tough decisions on education funding to make in the coming weeks following a request from school officials Wednesday for an additional $3.3 million to help cover budget gaps and avoid layoffs. Supervisors took no immediate action on granting the roughly 70 percent increase for the 2012-13 fiscal year following a presentation from Scott County School Superintendent John Ferguson. Fergusons request for local match funding totaled approximately $8.1 million, up from the current amount of $4.8 million. The main goal of the school board is to keep everyone employed. They dont want to relieve anyone of their duties by any means, Ferguson said. But realistically, it is going to be very difficult, especially with everything that has been mandated. Ferguson said the additional funding from the county is needed to cover state-mandated increases in Virginia Retirement System contributions and associated fringe benefits. The 5 percent increase in VRS rates alone plus an added 1.25 percent to cover employee tax withdrawals will account for an additional $2.2 million in expenses during the coming school year. A step increase for teachers the first they would receive in the past four years would account for $300,000 if it is granted. http://www.timesnews.net/article/9046112/scott-schools-ask-for-extra-33-million-from-county
began attending sixth grade at John Early Middle School in fall 2009, after the rezoning plan at issue moved her there. Three weeks later, Spurlock and her husband, Jeff, filed suit against the district, saying their daughter had no textbooks. A federal judge ordered the district to give textbooks to every John Early student. Metro allowed the Spurlocks daughter to return to Bellevue Middle, and shell finish there soon. Thats brought on another slew of concerns for her mother, who says the 13-year-old was zoned to Hillwood High School in West Nashville after her magnet school lottery application was somehow lost. Then, after Frances Spurlock complained, the district assigned her daughter to Pearl-Cohn High School in her neighborhood. So we dont know where shes going next year, Spurlock said. Testimony continued Wednesday in Spurlock v. Fox a federal case also named for David Fox, a former school board chairman and most of it was aimed at deconstructing the districts efforts to improve Pearl-Cohn High after the rezoning. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120503/NEWS04/305020137/Pearl-Cohn-takes-center-stage-Nashvilleschools-rezoning-trial?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News
OPINION Editorial: Governor sends strong message with veto against meddling bill (Tenn)
Thank you, Gov. Haslam. Your decision to veto HB 3576/SB 3597, a bill that would force Vanderbilt University to exempt student religious groups from its nondiscrimination policy should send a signal that attempts by some legislators to force their social agenda on private entities is neither appropriate nor appreciated in Tennessee. Vanderbilts forward-thinking policy, intended to protect students from discrimination on campus, has been turned on its head in recent months by politically motivated groups and individuals who claimed their rights would be violated by being unable to reject any student from their on-campus organization without cause. In real terms, 13
such rejections have typically been because of that students race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. The university wisely chose not to condone such behavior in organizations that hold university charters and benefit from its funding. The opposing groups arguments that, for example, a Muslim could infiltrate a Christian group and somehow destroy it are little more than paranoid scenarios intended to intimidate the university into backing off so that these groups could continue to act with impunity. State Rep. Mark Pody and Sen. Mae Beavers, both Republicans from Mt. Juliet, got into the act a little late, but clearly tried to punish Vanderbilt by tailoring their legislation to deny state funding to the university. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120503/OPINION01/305030020/Governor-sends-strong-message-vetoagainst-meddling-bill?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p
Frank Cagle: Its Refreshing W hen Legislators Refuse to Kiss Lobbyists Feet (MP)
Where do you find a used crucifix these days? A gun lobbyist suggests one be installed at the entrance to the General Assembly as a symbol of his plans to crucify the political career of the leader of the Republican majority in the state House of Representatives. W hen the Republicans came into the majority in the state House and Senate, they passed a raft of gun bills expanding the rights of gun owners across the state. I doubt you can find a state legislature anywhere more Second Amendment friendly than the folks in Nashville. The list of legislators, especially the Republicans, overlaps a roll call of National Rifle Association members. So what the hell happened? The Republican leaders of the House and Senate wanted the focus of this session, in an election year, to be on cutting taxes. Tax cuts were central to Gov. Bill Haslams legislative package. The Republicans told the gun lobbyists they would take up a controversial gun bill next session, but did not want to bring it up this year. They were warned that it would not be wise to pursue it this session. The bill allows employees to keep a gun locked in their car in the parking lot whether the business owner wants to forbid it or not. It pits gun rights against property rights, a tough call for conservatives. http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/may/02/its-refreshing-when-legislators-refuse-kiss-lobbyi/
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/03/editorial-defined-contribution-plan-best-pension/
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