SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2011 No Child waivers drawing criticism (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Hardy)

Virtually no one seems to favor the current No Child Left Behind law, yet not everyone seems willing to throw it out entirely. National opposition has surfaced following this months announcement from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan that some states will receive waivers from the current law and its punitive sanctions. Some say the waivers could create even more headaches for states and school districts, while others warn that a waiver could result in the elimination of a program that provides valuable tutoring for at-risk children. That could affect more than 700,000 students nationwide who participate in tutoring under No Child Left Behind. An official with the Hamilton County Department of Education did not provide a local number by press time. An estimated 800 students in Hamilton County signed up for tutoring in 2007, according to Chattanooga Times Free Press archives. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam asked the federal government last month to exempt the state from No Child Left Behind because of its recent reform efforts. It is expected that many more states will follow suit. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/14/no-child-waivers-drawing-criticism/?local

STEM school classes start on Monday at former Knoxville train station (NS/McCoy)
Old L&N is home for new learning plan During the summer, Becky Ashe visited the former L&N train station every other week to witness the building's transformation into the Knox County STEM Academy, which opens for class Monday. "We had lots of people who said you'll never make it on time. You better have a plan B of where to put the kids on the first day," said Ashe, the school's principal, recently. "We're on schedule. We'll be ready." Knox County Schools' 15th high school is the first of its kind in the district and the beginning of an even larger focus on STEM disciplines. STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, has become a buzz word in education, and not just locally. Surrounding counties have created initiatives to focus on the disciplines of science and math in their elementary and middle schools. And as a state, Tennessee is working to become a national leader in STEM education. Part of the emphasis comes from research that indicates the United States is losing its grip as the world's leading innovator, said Ashe, adding that the way to get the position back is research and development items inherent in STEM disciplines. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/14/stem-school-classes-start-on-monday-at-former/

Haslam Not Close to Picking GOP Presidential Favorite (Missouri News Horizon)
Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Haslam said Friday he has not decided whom to support in the Republican field for president and isnt inclined to tell his family or members of his administration whom to support either. Haslam said roughly half the GOP candidates have called him to say they would like his help. Im honestly not close to making a decision about who Ill support, he said. Haslam said he met with a group of business representatives Thursday night and so did not see a televised debate among the GOP candidates in Ames, Iowa. Im like most people. Im interested in the political process, probably a little more than most, Haslam said. Im obviously interested in the Republican primary, so Ill be watching that. The governor downplayed the significance of a widely anticipated Iowa straw poll scheduled in Iowa on Saturday. Im not an expert on Iowa presidential politics, but Im not sure the straw vote is the final word on where Iowa goes, or where the country goes, he said. http://missouri-news.org/midwest-news/tennessee/haslam-not-close-to-picking-gop-presidential-favorite/7556

Tenn. Transportation Commissioner embarks on 'Projects Tour' (State Gazette)

Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer stopped at the Lannom Center on Tuesday morning as part of his statewide "Summer Projects Tour". The commissioner is visiting all four regions in the state on his summer tour with elected officials and transportation officials to view transportation projects currently under way as well as proposed projects under the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.

The four-day tour of West Tennessee (Region 4) began with a detailed tour of the northwest portion of the state on Tuesday with stops in Reelfoot Lake, Union City and Milan. "It is a priority of mine to see firsthand the investments we are making in transportation projects across the state," said Schroer. "These viewing tours will also give us the opportunity to share valuable information about these projects with our elected officials and engage the public along the way." http://www.stategazette.com/story/1753084.html

Long-awaited bypass to open W ednesday (Times-Gazette)

After a wait of over 20 years, ribbons will be cut Wednesday to mark the official opening of the Shelbyville bypass. Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer will be on hand with local officials at 2 p.m. W ednesday at the intersection of the bypass, also known as State Route 437, with U.S. 231 North. Signs have been erected near the new overpass spanning U.S. 231 but are mostly concealed until the bypass opens. However, TDOT Public Information Manager B.J. Doughty explained how traffic will flow over the overpass. Motorists using the northbound lanes of U.S. 231 going toward Murfreesboro will need to keep an eye out for traffic leaving the bypass. The ramp on the north side of the new bridge will be for traffic exiting the bypass, Doughty said, and at the intersection drivers will be able to turn left towards North Main St. or right onto U.S. 231. She added that there is no signal if the traffic is wanting to turn left, but a turn lane is available. The south ramp will be for eastbound bypass traffic. Motorists will use the ramp to cross U.S. 231. http://www.tg.com/story/1753060.html

DCS stops placements at largest rehab facility (Associated Press)

The Department of Children's Services has stopped placing children at Tennessee's largest drug rehabilitation facility. DCS notified New Life Lodge of the decision on July 28. That was three days after The Tennessean published the results of an investigation that uncovered the deaths of two adult patients, complaints about care and reduced oversight by the state. New Life Lodge, in Burns, is owned by California-based CRC Health. CRC executive Randal Lea said he believes the placement freeze will be temporary. Lea said recent inspections have found no life-safety concerns. New Life Lodge received $1.8 million from DCS last year and was on track to surpass $3 million this year, according to state records. The center does about $10 million annually in government business. In its July 28 letter, Larry Post, a DCS official who oversees the inspection process, wrote that a recent DCS inspection of New Life Lodge found that the facility "has no effective means to assess risks." The department also cited concerns with the facility's clinical care and concerns that New Life Lodge is not properly submitting or tracking serious incident reports. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37212303.story

Concern grows over Amazon debate (Cleveland Daily Banner)

Local elected officials were surprised and concerned by recent comments from Gov. Bill Haslam about his administration now negotiating with Amazon.com about collecting sales taxes. The governor said Friday lawmakers should not force Amazon to collect Tennessee sales taxes without a prior agreement. He said his administration is negotiating with Amazon to expand its presence in the state and also collect sales taxes. State Rep. Eric Watson said Saturday evening he is very concerned the governor might be changing his position on the agreement between the state and online retailer. Its news to me, Watson said of the negotiations. After learning of Haslams statements, the state representative called the governors office twice Friday for clarification. No one from the governors office has returned my calls, Watson said. Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis said he also was surprised and now worries about the outcome and consequences the discussions will have on the fulfillment center in the county. http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/15087129/article-Concern-grows-over-Amazon-debate? instance=homefirstleft

Fleischmann plans meeting with Haslam, state leaders on Amazon (Nooga)

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann said Friday that he has not yet had time to sit down with state leaders and discuss the Amazon sales tax issue. Jordan Powell, press secretary for Fleischmann, who represents Tennessee's 3rd District, said that the congressman was planning to address the issue with both Gov. Bill Haslam and other state leaders later this month. Two of the three Amazon facilities under construction in Tennessee are in Fleischmann's district. "At this time, Chuck has not had the chance to sit down with Gov. Haslam and other state leaders, like Gerald McCormick, to discuss this issue in great detail," Powell said. "He is hoping to do that while he is home in August." Gov. Bill Haslam made headlines this week when he said he preferred that Tennessee 2

eventually collect sales taxes from new Amazon distribution centers under construction in Hamilton and Bradley counties. An agreement struck by Haslam's predecessor, Phil Bredesen, exempted Amazon from paying sales taxes in exchange for placing the facilities in the area, which are expected bring more than 1,200 full time and 2,000 part time jobs. http://www.nooga.com/13028_fleischmann-plans-meeting-with-haslam-state-leaders-on-amazon-sales-tax-issue/

Ruling may force Supreme Court to decide on health care mandate (AP/Bluestein)
Mandate struck down on appeal A federal appeals panel's ruling striking down the centerpiece of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul moves the question of whether Americans can be required to buy health insurance a step closer to the U.S. Supreme Court. A divided three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that Congress overstepped its authority when lawmakers passed the so-called individual mandate, the first such decision by a federal appeals court. It's a stinging blow to Obama's signature legislative achievement, as many experts agree the requirement that Americans carry health insurance or face tax penalties is the foundation for other parts of the law and key to paying for it. Administration officials said they are confident the ruling will not stand. The Justice Department can ask the full 11th Circuit to review the panel's ruling and will also likely appeal to the Supreme Court. Legal observers long expected the case would ultimately land in the high court, but experts said Friday's ruling could finally force the justices to take the case. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20110814/NEWS01/108140320/Ruling-may-force-Supreme-Courtdecide-health-care-mandate

Starved State Budgets Inspire New Look at Web Gambling (New York Times)
The District of Columbia is not thrilled that its residents are traveling to Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to gamble in casinos. Starved for cash, like states across the country, the district wants some of the millions in revenue that gambling generates each year. So district officials want residents to gamble closer to home inside their homes, actually. Or in cafes, restaurants and bars. By years end the district hopes to introduce an Internet gambling hub that would allow Washington residents to play blackjack, poker and other casino-style games. They can do it from Starbucks, a restaurant, bar or hotel, or from a private residence, said Buddy Roogow, executive director of the D.C. Lottery, who expects the new games to eventually raise $9 million a year. Thats real money in D.C. Its an idea gaining currency around the country: virtual gambling as part of the antidote to local budget woes. The District of Columbia is the first to legalize it, while Iowa is studying it, and bills are pending in places like California and Massachusetts. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/business/states-study-online-gambling-to-bring-needed-revenue.html? _r=1&hp

New Y-12 contract could bring big changes to security (News-Sentinel/Munger)

WSI official says Y-12 contract proposal would hurt security; union chief says plan has good, bad points The government's plan to consolidate management of Y-12 with another nuclear weapons plant in Texas could have a big impact on security operations in Oak Ridge. Under the proposed plan by the National Nuclear Security Administration, the security services and the hundreds of security police officers would become part of the overall contract for managing and operating the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and the Pantex warhead assembly/disassembly plant near Amarillo, Texas. Currently, security at Y-12 is provided by WSI-Oak Ridge (formerly known as Wackenhut Services) under a separate contract with NNSA. At Pantex, security is already part of the management contract at that plant. W SI is working fiercely to get the proposal modified to keep Y-12 security under a separate contract before the government officially puts the Y-12/Pantex management contract out for bids later this year. Lee Brooks, WSI's general manager in Oak Ridge, said he believes plant protection will suffer if there isn't a separate contractor to provide a "dedicated voice" for security interests. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/13/new-y-12-contract-could-bring-big-changes-to/

Will millions in incentives pay off in Middle TN? (Tennessean/Marsteller)

Counties take big risks, hopes for big return With jobless rates above 9 percent in much of Middle Tennessee, local governments are turning more often to tax incentives and other perks to attract new jobs, reigniting a fierce debate over how much cities and counties should pay for progress. Its not just a philosophical argument. Theres a lot at stake at least $248.3 million in todays dollars in Davidson, Rutherford and W illiamson counties alone, according to a Tennessean analysis of available records for 10 incentive-based projects since 2006 for which tax packages are fully known. In return, the county governments hope companies deliver on promises to create several thousand new jobs with call centers, headquarters buildings and distribution centers. The fundamental problem in evaluating the effectiveness of incentives is determining what would happen if there were no 3

incentives, said Matt Murray, an economics professor at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Economic development officials say the money is well spent because it generates positive economic benefits, such as higher-paying jobs, increased tax revenues and an enhanced business climate, that might not exist otherwise. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110814/BUSINESS01/308140069/Will-millions-incentives-pay-off-MiddleTN-jobs-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

How government makes deals - and what they cost (Tennessean/Marsteller)

The Metro government has become more aggressive in making deals laced with various levels of incentives, putting together at least six projects in the past two years. The largest one, valued at a minimum of $128 million in todays dollars, is for the 800-room Omni Hotel being built next to the Music City Center convention complex south of Broadway. Omni will get slightly more than $5 million a year for 20 years from excess tourism taxes generated by the convention center complex starting in 2013. With inflation, those payments could equal $245.5 million over time, according to a Metro analysis. Metro also has agreed to give Omni about $25 million to finance the companys land acquisition costs and a 62.5 percent discount on property taxes. The tourism revenues promised to Omni are legally obligated to pay off the convention centers annual construction debt first. Metro will pledge to use non-tax revenues in its general fund to pay Omni if the tourism dollars ever fall short. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110814/BUSINESS01/308140070/How-government-makes-deals-whatthey-cost?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Vital signs strong for MTMC finances (Daily News Journal)

Nonprofit filing touts healthy diagnosis, but preventive measures prescribed Middle Tennessee Medical Center has passed its annual financial health checkup. But, like many of the patients it serves, maintaining that vitality requires a prescription regimen. A patient, for instance, may be prescribed medicines to help lower cholesterol or high blood pressure or be given instructions to lose weight. In MTMC's case, its preventive steps include keeping a close watch on costs and trimming expenses wherever possible. "A hospital's two biggest expenses are personnel and supplies," MTMC President and CEO Gordon Ferguson explained in a recent interview at his office at the new MTMC on Medical Center Parkway. According to the hospital's most recent Form 990 tax filing with the Internal Revenue Service which is required annually for nonprofit hospitals MTMC paid out $68 million in salaries and nearly $129 million for other expenses in 2009-2010, including such things as management fees, supplies and $24 million in bad debt expenses. The hospital reported a total of $217.2 million in revenues for the year over $197.26 million in expenditures, leaving approximately $19.9 million in net revenues. http://www.dnj.com/article/20110814/NEW S01/108140313/Vital-signs-strong-MTMC-finances

New riverboat service to boost Memphis economy (Associated Press)

The return of riverboat passenger service to Memphis is expected to provide not only additional entertainment, but a boost to the city's struggling economy. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, announced last week that a deal had been finalized to bring the refurbished, 436-passenger American Queen steamboat back to the Mississippi River. The Mississippi has not had regular steamboat passenger service since 2008 when the Delta Queen took its final cruise. The American Queen's owner, the Great American Steamboat Company, said the vessel will travel along the Mississippi and its tributaries, offering luxury accommodations, food, nightly entertainment and "a view of America that harkens back to the days when life was slower and a lot easier." The service is expected to also be a bonanza to the city's hotel industry, as well as the hotel-motel tax revenue stream. For passengers boarding in Memphis, the start of the trip will mean an overnight stay in Memphis hotels. "We'll be buying 7,000 to 10,000 room nights a year in Memphis not recommending our guests go buy them," Jeff Krida, CEO of the Great American Steamboat Company, told The Memphis Daily News. "W e'll be booking them and giving them to our guests." http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37211817.story

Middle Tennessee schools (Tennessean/Hubbard)

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Metro expands Web portal tracking students' progress Toyeka Hunter spends her workdays zipping around town in a UPS truck. But this year, in between stops, shell grab her Droid smartphone and check her daughters attendance, assignments and real-time grades. Before, she had to wait until mid-year teacher conferences or progress reports to find out how the girls, attending Carter-Lawrence and East Literature magnet schools in 4

Nashville this year, were performing. Theres no excuse not to know how your childs doing, Hunter said. Ill probably be checking it daily. Parents across Middle Tennessee are checking websites that allow instant access to teachers gradebooks. If they dont like what they see, they can take it up with their children or in quick emails and phone calls to teachers instead of taking off work for meetings. And while educators predict the technology will improve performance on the whole, some are noting heightened parental alarm that may not be merited. This year, parents of Metro Nashville elementary school students can use a W eb portal called Parent Connection to check their childrens grades from a mobile phone or computer. Middle and high schools have had access for the last few years.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110814/NEWS04/308050101/Middle-Tennessee-schoolshelp-parents-peek-report-cards?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Weaving answers to Memphis-Shelby County schools merger (CA/McMillin)

The comprehensive order issued by U.S. District Court Judge Samuel 'Hardy' Mays last week resolves, for now, some of the questions surrounding city-county school consolidation. The 146-page order sorted out the tangle of conflicting legal statutes that opposing parties in the schools lawsuit were citing to advocate their preferred path toward the impending merger of Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools. Who won? County Commissioner Sidney Chism says Mays did a good job of "splitting the baby" with a compromise that managed to give most of the parties what they wanted most: The County Commission's top priority has been a countywide school board, and Mays ruled that electoral districts for the currently suburban-only Shelby County Board of Education are "unconstitutional." He ordered the parties to submit plans for a remedy that would give Memphians proportional representation and could unseat the current Shelby County Schools board members. Shelby County Schools won on the matter regarding the new Norris-Todd state law, which ensures a two-year process of transferring the Memphis City Schools administration. The judge also rejected the Commission's plan for a 25-member countywide board. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/14/weaving-answers-to-school-merger/

Assaults on Memphis-area teachers not uncommon, records show (CA/Goetz)

More than 230 students arrested from Jan. 2009 to May 2011 for attacks on school leaders The fatal stabbing of a private-school principal last week shined an intense light on the potential danger in Memphis-area classrooms once regarded as safe havens. And while the death of Memphis Junior Academy's Suzette York, 49, represents a tiny statistical outlier, an investigation by The Commercial Appeal reveals numerous instances in which teachers and administrators have been hurt in confrontations with students. More than 230 students were arrested for assaulting teachers, administrators or other school authority figures in public and private schools throughout Shelby County from Jan. 1, 2009, to May 27, 2011, the newspaper found. Those incidents, recorded by Shelby County Juvenile Court, reflect everything from teachers being punched or tackled to receiving death threats. Until last week, none of the student attacks had resulted in a teacher death as has been the case in at least one other city. But there have been plenty of frightening moments. A student at one high school tried to wrestle a gun away from a security officer. Another choked a teacher who had taken away his MP3 player. A middle school student kicked a teacher so hard she left a footprint. Former Fairview Middle School teacher Lynne Ribnick was assaulted by a 14-year-old. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/14/assaults-on-teachers-not-uncommon/

Georgia: Georgia to request No Child waiver (Associated Press)

After a decade of leaning on standardized test scores to determine whether schools are meeting federal benchmarks, Georgia soon may be able to overhaul how it measures success in public education. State education officials plan to apply next month for a waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements, joining a growing number of states looking for relief from the widely criticized education law. State schools Superintendent John Barge said in an interview with The Associated Press that he wants to add a long list of measures to the formula Georgia uses to determine whether a school passes muster. That list likely will include scores on ACT and SAT college entrance exams, performance on tests for Advancement Placement and International Baccalaureate classes and success in career tech classes like automotive repair. It could also include how students perform in dual enrollment classes where they earn both high school and college credit simultaneously and scores on end-of-course exams. The idea, Barge said, is to look at the complete picture of what schools provide students rather than just scores on one standardized test. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/14/georgia-request-no-child-waiver/?local

OPINION Arne Duncan: Tennessee is rising to tough educational challenges (Tennessean)

On a visit to Nashville this past week, I was repeatedly confronted by a very basic and important fact: that achieving our common goal of strengthening the U.S. economy requires strong leaders and educators working together to collaborate in the best interests of children. In the 21st-century economy, the countries that win the education race will win the future. Through education reform, we will produce the kind of innovation and job creation necessary for sustained economic recovery and growth. It is not enough to ask that Tennesseans contribute to this national effort they must also reap its benefits. On Wednesday, I participated in a panel discussion about Tennessees work under the Obama administrations Race to the Top with Gov. Bill Haslam, Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman, Tennessee Education Association President Gera Summerford, Chris Barbric from the Achievement School District, and Jamie Woodson, executive director of SCORE. Tennessee won one of the first grants from the program, and we expect great things from their work. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110814/OPINION03/308140021/Tennessee-rising-tough-educationalchallenges

Tom Humphrey: State a recipient of federal largesse (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

There seems to be a disconnect this summer between the great wailing and gnashing of teeth over federal deficit spending and the promotion and celebration of federal spending on the state level. Without going into the amply covered national deficit debacle, here's a sampling of some recent state-level stuff. A news release that begins, "The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced today that federal and state aeronautics grants totaling $22,415,775 have been approved for 12 Tennessee airports." It's mostly federal money, of course. Gov. Bill Haslam made multiple forays to various places around the state, often joining with local state legislators, to announce "enhancement grants" of Federal Highway Administration money. These totaled about $12 million, according to a TNReport account, and included such things as a $600,000 "hiking and biking trail" near Cookeville and $70,000 for a walkway in Spring Hill. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/14/state-a-recipient-of-federal-largesse/

Gail Kerr: Cops, not legislature, should control confiscated guns (Tennessean)
This is not a gun rights issue. Its about the autonomy of local law enforcement to make the best decisions possible for their communities. The Tennessee General Assembly this year passed a law that forbids local cop shops and sheriffs from destroying firearms confiscated after a crime was committed. Law enforcement must store, sell or trade them. Come January, therell be a legislative push to require the guns be sold or traded. Those who are not in law enforcement are telling law enforcement what to do, said Maggi Duncan, director of the Tennessee Association of Police Chiefs. Top cops in cities like Nashville do not want guns used in crimes back on the streets. But in smaller communities, selling confiscated firearms may make sense. They may not have secure storage space. Either way, it should be a local decision. Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said Metro confiscates 150 to 200 firearms each month. If we recover a firearm that has been taken during a burglary, we strongly believe it should be returned to the rightful owner, Aaron said. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110814/COLUMNIST0101/308140037/Gail-Kerr-Cops-not-legislatureshould-control-confiscated-guns?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Steve Barrett: Knoxville lawmaker, UT store create big Disappoint Mint (TFP)
Did you hear the one about the lawmaker who scolded the University of Tennessee bookstore about some breath mints because they poked fun at President Obama? Dont wait for a punch line; this actually happened. The bookstore, proving itself unworthy of that name, folded like a wet towel and censored its candy section by pulling the mints. And the lily-livered UT administration backed the decision. Come, let us savor every mintyfresh moment: * A student complains to Rep. Joe Armstrong, D-Knoxville, about tins of mints in the bookstore that feature a cartoon of Obama and read, This is change? Disappoint Mints. Ill stipulate that as satire goes, Disappoint Mints arent on a par with Swifts A Modest Proposal. Still, even bland political commentary has rights. * But rather than lecture the student on the virtues of free speech, Armstrong goes to the bookstore a university bookstore, which resides near the pinnacle of First Amendment protection, for crying out loud! and says hes offended. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/14/barrett-knoxville-lawmaker-ut-storecreate-big-dis/?opinioncolumns

Scott McNutt: Tennessee politicians covet 'Endorsemints' (News-Sentinel)

When state Rep. Joe Armstrong, D-Embarrassmint, made his improvident complaint to the University of Tennessee bookstore management regarding its sale of Disappointmints candies poking harmless fun at President Barack Obama, he had no idea he was starting a movement. But as word spread of Armstrong's rash act, sales of the candy skyrocketed, and Armstrong's name was blared through media outlets across the nation, again focusing an unflattering spotlight on Tennessee. When the maker of Disappointmints, the Unemployed Philosopher Guild company, produced the satirical "Joe Armstrong's Strong Arm Censored Mints," Armstrong's media profile grew even more. Pressed about his newfound notoriety, Armstrong has said only, "No commint." However, mindful of the old saw that there's no such thing as bad publicity, politicians of every alignment, including Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, are now clamoring for mocking mints bearing their own likenesses. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/14/tennessee-politicians-covet-endorsemints/

Editorial: High jobless rate labels Memphis area (Commercial Appeal)

High unemployment in the Memphis metro area is likely to persist unless communities work together to find a cure. The nation's high unemployment rate probably is the most persistently debilitating quality-of-life issue that has emerged from the recession of 2008. Even though the nation is supposed to be experiencing an agonizingly slow recovery, too many Americans still are out of work and that fact is not expected to change anytime soon. The national unemployment rate was 9.1 percent in July. That means that almost one in 10 Americans actively seeking employment can't find a job. If unemployed workers who have given up trying to find employment were added to those numbers, the percentages would be a lot higher. What should be disturbing to all of us is that 9 percent or higher unemployment is considered by some economists to be "the new normal." That new normal is kicking Memphis, Shelby County and the Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area in the butt. In June, the latest numbers available, Memphis' unemployment rate was 12.1 percent, three points above the nation's 9.1 percent. Shelby County's was 11.1 percent and the metro area's was 10.9 percent http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/14/editorial-high-jobless-rate-labels-area/

Otis L. Sanford: Abandonment is 40-year-old schools lesson (Commercial Appeal)

Last week's school consolidation ruling by U.S. Dist. Judge Samuel Mays will go down as the most monumental decision impacting public education in Shelby County in 40 years. It rivals -- but does not surpass -- the landmark ruling by federal Judge Robert M. McRae Jr., who in 1972 ordered busing of students in Memphis City Schools to achieve desegregation. But while the two decisions -- and the public response to them -- are different, they are in many ways strikingly similar, and lead me to conclude that history, unfortunately, is repeating itself. McRae, a staunch Democrat, inherited the volatile desegregation case after he was appointed to the federal bench in 1966. School leaders, along with a succession of mayors and a majority of white Memphians, had thwarted every attempt to fully integrate schools under the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Finally, in April 1972, McRae ordered the busing of about 27,000 students to 45 elementary and junior high schools as the only means to end school segregation. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/14/abandonment-is-40-year-old-schools-lesson/

Free-Press Editorial: For efficient hospital security (Chattanooga Times FreePress)

The use of tax dollars by any organization makes careful oversight of its financial decisions extremely important. 7

Taxpayers have a right to expect that their money will be used as efficiently as possible. Erlanger Health System gets tax dollars from Hamilton County, including $1.5 million this year, and questions have arisen about Erlanger's decision to outsource its security. W alden Security got a contract at $2.3 million per year. That is nearly $1 million more than Erlanger spent on security with its own Police Department in 2009-10. If the new services were going to be superior to the security formerly provided, the additional cost might be justified. But it is not clear that that's so. The previous police officers received a glowing review in a 2010 study paid for by Erlanger. They were called "knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated," despite limited funding and manpower. In addition, the new security workers do not have any more right to conduct arrests than private citizens would have. In contrast, the former Erlanger police officers had the arrest authority exercised by other members of law enforcement. (Some off-duty Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputies have been hired by Walden so that a level of arrest authority will be maintained.) http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/14/for-efficienthospital-security/?opinionfreepress

Editorial: Note to Congress: Move to center on debt soon (Tennessean)

While members of Congress enjoy their long vacation, they should reflect on the actual meaning of the words talk, listen, compromise and service. Americans heard plenty of talk from the lawmakers and President Obama over the summer as they postured and pointed fingers over their sorry excuse for a debt agreement, but the lawmakers themselves did not listen, either to their constituents or to each other. As for compromise, there was none; unless, by compromise you mean agree to avoid any real solution that might jeopardize chances for re-election. Just 10 days after the debt deal, America is shaken by the failure of its leaders to make any substantive decisions to resolve our economic crisis. Stocks are reeling, the trade deficit is growing, homeownership remains a challenge, unemployment is becoming the only status that some adults have known, and some middle-class Americans are being shoved into poverty. You will hear various reasons why this is happening. Obama and congressional Democrats say that the wealthiest Americans and large corporations are getting an easy ride and that the Bush administration put the country into debt with two unbudgeted wars. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110814/OPINION01/308140018/Note-Congress-Move-center-debt-soon? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Jim Cooper: 'Super-committee' isn't best hope; Americans are (Tennessean)

Dont expect the new congressional super-committee to suddenly act like superheroes and save the American economy. The 12 Democrats and Republicans on the committee dont need spandex; they need courage. Just creating a committee is a sign of weakness; committees delay action. Americas debt problems are mounting so rapidly that our fiscal gap increases by roughly $14 billion every day we wait. Thats $164,000 a second. Thats why Congress should go back to work immediately instead of taking August off. Millions of Americans need jobs; Congress should be doing its job. Congress already has plenty of committees. The most notable, the BowlesSimpson Commission, finished its work seven months ago. That committee won 60 percent bipartisan approval but could not get a congressional vote. Its report remains the best bipartisan blueprint for reform. Congress could vote on its proposals at any time. Will one or more of the six hard-core Democrats or six hard-core Republicans on the super-committee vote against their party? Doubtful. They are afraid of losing their leadership position in Congress and perhaps their next election. They were selected for their stubbornness, making stalemate the most likely outcome. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110814/OPINION03/308140020/-Super-committee-isn-t-best-hopeAmericans-are?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Guest columnist: Stick to basic economics to reach agreement (Tennessean)

If Washington truly wants to find a compromise on the debt and deficit, policymakers must agree on two simple principles rules that any household understands. No. 1, the government cannot spend more money than it brings in. No. 2, the government cannot spend money it doesnt already have it must run in the black. These principles, based on simple math and essential to sustainable economic policy, have no political orientation and allow both parties the freedom to advocate for their agendas. If the government can bring in greater revenue, its free to spend it on priorities hammered out in Congress. Going back to 1941, our government has seldom brought in revenue that exceeds 20 percent of GDP. This 70-year span covers presidents and legislative branches from both parties as well as periods of higher and lower tax rates. There is no evidence to suggest our current government can obtain more than 20 percent of the GDP in revenue, but current and projected federal spending is closer to 25 percent of the GDP. We are in violation of rule No. 1. To obtain more revenue, the government must change the tax system. While tax reform has been discussed in D.C., until such tax reform takes place with a corresponding increase in tax revenue, the focus must remain on cutting spending a result 8

of rule No. 2. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110814/OPINION03/308140019/Stick-basic-economics-reach-agreement? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Free-Press Editorial: U.S. economy stumbling (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

There is just no getting around it: Our nation's economy is in serious peril. Even the optimists among us cannot find much good news in the recent host of dismal economic figures. Here are just a few of them: * In June, for the first time in almost two years, consumer spending actually dropped. That reflects a general lack of confidence among the American people that things are turning around and that we are in recovery. That lack of confidence has major -- and highly negative -- implications for the United States, because consumer spending is the engine behind roughly two-thirds of our economic growth. If low consumer spending continues for very long, another recession will become a big possibility. * Congress' recent deal to increase its debt limit has not calmed investors' nerves. While stocks can obviously rise and fall rapidly, the deal was supposed to boost investor confidence and get the stock market back on track. That has yet to happen, with the Dow Jones industrial average dropping significantly even after the deal was struck. What may be obvious to investors is that the debt deal is big on new borrowing but "skimpy" on real reductions in our crippling $14.6 trillion national debt. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/14/us-economy-stumbling/?opinionfreepress

Editorial: A Growing Gloom for States and Cities (New York Times)
States and cities had already endured a harrowing three-year financial slide when the debt-ceiling crisis darkened their outlooks even further. In the space of just a few weeks, the Republican-led standoff on spending and taxes brought them a triple dose of bad news: a budget deal that will probably lead to a significant reduction in federal aid; a bond downgrade that could eventually trickle down to the local and state level, making borrowing more expensive; and a stock market plunge that is bleeding state employee pension funds. Washington should have been trying to find a way to help states avoid the layoffs and cutbacks that have contributed heavily to the high unemployment rate. Instead, it seems to be doing everything possible to make the situation worse in state capitals around the country. States have been cutting frantically for the last four years because of declining tax revenues, but the 2012 budget year will have the deepest cuts to education, health care and other services since the recession began. A recent report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities showed that nearly all states will spend less on vital services in 2012 than they did in 2008, after inflation, even though there are more children in public schools and more poor people on the Medicaid rolls. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/opinion/sunday/a-growing-gloom-for-states-and-cities.html?ref=todayspaper ###