TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2012 Judicial reforms head to governor (Tennessean/Sisk)

The state House of Representatives approved a plan to replace the court that reviews complaints of judicial misconduct, sending the bill to Gov. Bill Haslam for his signature. The House voted 86-7 Monday night for a bill that terminates the Court of the Judiciary, which critics say has been too lenient with judges. The court would be replaced with a new Board of Judicial Conduct, appointed in part by the governor and leaders in the state legislature. The Senate approved the bill last month, so the vote in the House appears to put an end to a long battle over supervision of the judiciary sparked by litigants who complained of bias and fueled by reports of judges who were chronically late or absent or battling addictions. Proponents say the law will give lawmakers greater power to rein in judges who misbehave. I think youre going to get more transparency and greater accountability, said state Rep. Vance Dennis, R-Savannah. When a judge is found to have committed misconduct, the public will know and we as legislators will know. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120410/NEWS0201/304090065/Judicial-reforms-head-governor? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Legislature enacts new discipline system for judges (News-Sentinel/Humphrey)

Court of the Judiciary abolished, new board created After years of sometimes heated argument, the House sent to the governor Monday night compromise legislation that puts into place a new system for disciplining judges for misdeeds on the bench. Final approval came on an 88-5 House vote without any debate. The Senate had approved SB2671 unanimously earlier. Though the votes came with virtually no discussion, the debate over the past three years has included repeated charges that the present Court of the Judiciary ignored judicial misdeeds and operated in unwarranted secrecy. Former Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner was offered by critics of the current system as a prime example of its shortcomings. The bill abolishes the Court of the Judiciary, which was composed of judges and lawyers appointed by the state Supreme Court and the Tennessee Bar Association. In its place, the legislation creates a new 16-member Board of Judicial Conduct, 10 of them judges and six nonjudges. Of the nonjudges, three will be lawyers and three will be "lay persons." http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/10/legislature-enacts-new-discipline-system-for/

Haslam Hints at Fleischmann Support, Stops Short of Endorsement (WPLN-Radio)

Governor Bill Haslam hinted today he might back an incumbent Congressman whos facing a tough Republican primary fight in East Tennessee. But Haslam stopped short of full-on endorsement for Chuck Fleischmann. In the district that includes Chattanooga, the freshman Fleischmann is hoping to fend off several challengers. One is the 25-year-old son of Zach Wamp, who held the seat for more than a decade before Fleischmann. Another is Scottie Mayfield, a dairy executive who says he raised almost a half-million dollars in his first seven weeks running. None of them has an official endorsement from Haslam yet, but the governor did say this: I think Ive actually already prior to everyone else announcing had already given Congressman Fleischmann I think, a campaign contribution. And he is the incumbent which has, in the past, tended to get our support. Finance records show several members of Haslams family contributing thousands of dollars to Fleischmanns campaign. But when a reporter said That sounds like an endorsement, Haslam answered he wouldnt go that far. http://wpln.org/?p=35771

Gov. Haslam to pick a side on evolution bill today (Times Free-Press/Sher)

Although the views of 3,200 Tennesseans urging him to veto a controversial bill on the teaching of evolution are important, Gov. Bill Haslam said, so is the fact that an overwhelming number of lawmakers voted to pass the measure. "Sure, one of the things we do is we weigh input of all kinds," Haslam said Monday after a 3,200-

signature petition opposed to the recently passed measure was delivered last week to his office. But "it's also worthy of note it didn't just barely pass the House and the Senate. It passed 3 to 1," he said. "You take that into account, as well. "But if I felt like a bill was bad for Tennessee, I just wouldn't sign it, regardless of how it was supported." The Republican governor, who last week said "probably so" when asked if he would sign the measure, has until today to decide whether he will sign, veto or allow the measure to become law without his signature. The measure, derided as the "monkey bill" by critics, including scientists and national science teachers' groups, was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Bo W atson, R-Hixson. Watson's bill protects public school teachers who describe so-called "weaknesses" in evolution, climate change and other theories. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/10/tenn-haslam-to-pick-a-side-on-evolution-bill-today/?local

Haslam likely to decide today on evolution bill (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

Gov. Bill Haslam said Monday it would probably be close to the signing deadline before he decided whether to sign a bill to protect teachers who allow students to criticize evolution and other scientific theories, such as global warming. The deadline is today. The Republican governor can also veto the measure or let it become law without his signature. He has said he would probably sign it. Last week, Haslam was handed a petition with more than 3,000 signatures urging him to veto the legislation, which encourages critical thinking by protecting teachers from discipline if they help students critique "scientific weaknesses." It passed the Senate 24-8 last month and 70-23 in the House last year. Haslam said the petition had an impact, but he also noted the support for the bill in the Legislature. "It passed 3-to-1 in the House and the Senate, so you take that into account, as well," he said. 'Kelsey Smith Act': The House sent to Haslam on Monday night legislation that would make Tennessee the sixth state to adopt a "Kelsey Smith Act," named after an 18-year-old Kansas woman abducted and murdered in 2007. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/09/haslam-likely-to-decide-today-on-evolution-bill/

VW reaches out to fill technical jobs (Associated Press/Sher, Pare)

Gov. Bill Haslam said Monday that although he is "disappointed" Volkswagen is using a national ad campaign to attract some of the additional professional and skilled technicians it needs from outside Chattanooga for its expansion, he understands why the company is doing so. "We've actually had those discussions with Volkswagen, and they told us they were going to advertise in those places," Haslam told reporters. "And I think it's a reflection of what I've been saying all along. We really do have to train more students" in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Volkswagen in late March announced plans to add an additional 800 workers at its Chattanooga plant to fill out a third team to accommodate high demand for its Chattanooga-made Passat. Some 700 of those are in production, and most are expected to be hired locally. But about 100 are higher skilled or professional positions like production supervisors, manufacturing and quality engineers, maintenance technicians and others. Hans-Herbert Jagla, executive vice president of human resources, Volkswagen "will hire locally as much as possible. "But to find people with specialized automotive experience we must reach out further," he said. "I think Chattanooga will be very attractive to people from other areas of the country because of the great quality of life here." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/10/volkswagenvw-reaches-out-to-fill-technical-jobs/?businesstnvalley

VW hiring outside to fill specialty slots (Associated Press)

Volkswagen is conducting a national search to fill some of the 1,000 new jobs at its Chattanooga plant. The German automaker told The Associated Press on Monday that it is using a national print and online advertising campaign to fill specialty positions, including maintenance technicians, manufacturing engineers and logistics supervisors. Officials stress that VW seeks to hire locally as much as possible, but the specialized experience needed for the new jobs requires casting a wider net. The ads seek to make the Chattanooga location a selling point. "Thanks to the fact that our plant is located in one of America's most up-and-coming towns, our employees aren't just building great cars, they're building great lives as well," according to one of the print ads. Gov. Bill Haslam said that although he is disappointed Volkswagen is looking outside Chattanooga and Tennessee, he understands why the company is doing so. Weve actually had those discussions with Volkswagen and they told us they were going to advertise in those places, Haslam told reporters. And I think its a reflection of what Ive been saying all along. We really do have to train more students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/09/vw-hiring-outside-fill-specialty-slots/?local

Natural Areas Week celebrates Tennessee scenery (Bristol Herald-Courier)

Tennessee is home to some of the most scenic areas in the country, and that's why this week has been declared 2

Tennessee Natural Areas Week by Governor Bill Haslam. Fourty-one years ago, the general assembly signed the Tennessee Natural Areas Preservation Act. Today, more than 120,000 acres of land have been saved from development so future generations can enjoy the beauty of indigenous wildlife and plants. One of those protected areas is the Hampton Creek Cove Natural Area and hiking trail near Roan Mountain. Meg Guy, a park ranger and hiking guide, is thankful the area is protected. "W e would have lost touch with our history our root and some important keystone species to our ecosystem that might affect our health as a human species as well," Guy says. The hiking trail cuts a path through various scenery, from pastures to woodlands. The preservation area also has buildings dating back to the 1800s and this is where men from the Revolutionary War walked. http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/apr/09/natural-areas-week-celebrates-tennessee-scenery-ar-1830112/

How Tennessee projects get their secret code names (Nashville Business Journal)
Spaghetti. Tango. Washington. Pearl. Buckeye. And let's not forget Project Dark, named after the Bruce Springsteen music video, "Dancing in the Dark," where Springsteen pulls Courtney Cox onto the stage. The names though rather innocuous on the surface each represent what officials consider a critical piece to the economic development process: keeping the names of companies that might expand or relocate here secret. Whether it's 600 new jobs or the expansion of existing business, project code names are created to hide the identity of the company until a final announcement Sometimes it's to keep sleuthing reporters off the trail (as was the case when Mars Petcare decided to change their project name to Project Skylar from Project Beta after we printed a story about their plans). But more often, it's a measure economic development officials said protects employees from conjecturing about future company plans and ensures that landowners don't gouge prices when they realize there is a powerhouse knocking on the door. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/04/whats-in-a-name.html

Department of Health delays start of new hospital codes (Nashville Biz Journal)
The Department of Health and Human Services announced today that it would delay the implementation of a new set of hospital codes. Conversion to the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision, or ICD-10, has been pushed back from Oct. 1, 2013 to Oct. 1, 2014. ICD-10 will replace the current ICD-9 system, which has been in place for 30 years and has about 16,000 procedure and diagnosis codes, which are shorthand means of referring to an injury. By comparison, ICD-10 has roughly 155,000 codes. "Many provider groups have expressed serious concerns about their ability to meet the Oct. 1, 2013 compliance date," said a statement released today by the Department of Health and Human Services. "The proposed change ... would give providers and other covered entities more time to prepare and fully test their systems to ensure a smooth and coordinated transition to these new code sets." Federal officials have previously expressed a desire to move the compliance date back. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/09/government-delays-icd-10-deadline.html

Chancellor Says Hard to Understand Bias Protection for Religious Groups (WPLN)
The Tennessee Board of Regents is questioning the logic of legislation that prevents public colleges from enforcing nondiscrimination rules on religious student groups. The bill responds to an ongoing dispute at Vanderbilt University, even though private institutions are excluded. The legislation would prevent administrators from requiring student groups to drop faith requirements for membership or leadership positions, as Vanderbilt has done. TBR Chancellor John Morgan says he doesnt know exactly how the proposed law would affect MTSU, Austin Peay or Tennessee Tech, but he doesnt see a need. Far as I know, that has not been an issue at any of the public institutions in Tennessee, yet were going to pass a law that only applies to public institutions? Its hard for me to understand that. A summary of the bill which is scheduled for a Senate vote Monday night says religious student organizations would be allowed to choose leaders who are committed to their mission and that no higher education institution could deny recognition of a group because of the religious content of their speech. http://wpln.org/?p=35650

Segment of I-24 to close for 13 weekends to repair bridges (City Paper/Nix)

Transportation officials will shut down a segment of Interstate 24 east of downtown for a series of 13 weekends beginning next week. The Tennessee Department of Transportation outlined plans for the $8.7 million bridge3

rehabilitation project to replace the decks of the two I-24 bridges at Woodland and Main streets. The first of the weekend closures set between 9 p.m. Fridays and 5 a.m. Mondays is scheduled to begin Friday, April 20. The project is expected to be complete by Aug. 31. Officials said they hope the drastic measure closing an entire interstate segment will decrease the time necessary to complete the bridge work. The weekend closures, in four different phases, will shutdown both directions of I-24 traffic from the I-24/I-65 split north of town to the I-24/I-40 split east of downtown, requiring eight different detours in the immediate area around the interstate. The weekend closures are meant to reduce the overall length of the rehab project with four crews working alternate 24/7 shifts each weekend, with scheduled closures weather permitting. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/segment-i-24-close-13-weekends-repair-bridges

Construction will close I-24 bridges in Nashville (Tennessean/Haas)

Part of Interstate 24 near downtown to shut down weekends through Aug. Weekend jaunts into downtown Nashville will be complicated for several months as the Tennessee Department of Transportation replaces two bridges on Interstate 24 near LP Field. TDOT plans to close I-24 in both directions between the I-40 and I-65 splits for 13 weekends starting April 20. TDOT is specifically replacing the bridges that pass over Main Street and Woodland Street. Drivers will find that section of the interstate closed for nearly every weekend until Aug. 31. Crews, working 24 hours a day, will begin construction each Friday at 9 p.m. and end at 5 a.m. on Mondays. During that time, all I-24 traffic between the I-40 and I-65 splits will be detoured around the city. In addition, Main Street and Woodland Street, from Interstate Drive to South Fifth Street, are expected to see closures during parts of construction. The I-24 on-ramps at Shelby Avenue and Spring Street are also expected to be closed at times. Obviously, where we are is an area thats got a lot of traffic, a lot of concerns, said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. We have taken all considerations in this project in how we can best build it and have the least amount of impact in what goes on in and around this particular area. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120410/NEWS01/304100029/Construction-will-close-24-bridges-Nashville? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

I-24 In Nashville to Shut Down on Summer W eekends (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

A crucial stretch of Interstate 24 in Nashville will be shut down for repairs nearly every weekend this summer. Officials say theyre trying to overhaul two bridges while keeping I-24 open on weekdays, as well as for a couple of big weekend events. Along the east side of the city near LP field, I-24 will shut down nearly every weekend through August. A pair of 50-year-old bridges need new concrete, but officials are trying not to disrupt rush-hour traffic. And theyll leave the road open for big events like the Music City Marathon and CMA Music Festival. Wayne Seger, the transportation departments director of structures, says theyll do the job in pieces. Usually workers would jack-hammer the road down before re-pouring concrete. Instead, Seger says theyll pre-make 24foot-long panels nearly a foot thick, and ready to drop in. The contractor will saw-cut the deck, lift those segments itd just be like slicing pie and lift those pieces out. And then be able to set these pre-cast panels into place. Seger says more than a hundred thousand people drive that stretch of I-24 each day, but during weekends its not concentrated during rush hour. Barring nasty weather, workers expect to get started April 20, and hope to be done in August, before the Titans football season gets underway. http://wpln.org/?p=35796

Rise in traffic fatalities fuels crackdown on traffic violations (C. Appeal/McKenzie)

An alarming rise in traffic fatalities in Tennessee for the first three months of this year and a federal demonstration project are helping to fuel a renewed crackdown on traffic and safety violations. Kendell Poole, director of the Governor's Highway Safety Office in Nashville, said that traffic fatalities in the state for the first three months of this year jumped to 238, up about 28 percent from 186 for the first quarter of 2011. The increase in traffic deaths, following several years of record reductions, coincides with Tennessee's participation in a demonstration project with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That "combined messaging" project for the first time allows law enforcement agencies to use federal grant dollars to simultaneously target multiple problems -- such as drunken driving, speeding or seatbelt use -- rather than just one at a time, Poole said. Oklahoma is the only other state participating. "We are coming up with and implementing a big game plan to get those fatalities back down," he said. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office on Monday announced its participation in the "More Cops, More Stops" project this month. Deputies will focus on violations including impaired driving, speeding, seatbelt use and distracted driving, according to Chip Washington, a Sheriff's Office spokesman. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/09/rise-traffic-fatalities-fuels-crackdown-traffic-vi/ (SUB)

UT-Memphis researcher earns $1.8M grant for glaucoma study (M. Biz Journal)
The National Eye Institute has awarded Tonia Rex, an assistant professor in the departments of Ophthalmology, and Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center a $1.8 million grant for glaucoma research. The award from the from the National Eye Institute, a subsidiary of the National Institutes of Health , will fund the five-year study on glaucoma. It is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S., affecting almost 3 million people Rexs research will focus on a neuroprotective therapy that could control red blood cell production in the eyes. I am grateful to have received this grant in this competitive environment, Rex said in a statement. I am excited about performing this translational research geared toward providing important insights into the pathogenesis of glaucoma and the development of much-needed treatments for this blinding disease. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research to investigate causes, treatments and cures for both common and rare diseases. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/04/09/ut-memphis-researcher-earns-18m.html

THP honors those who came to trooper's aid (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Lakin)

Dennis Stevens was leaving work when he saw the trooper's car ablaze. "It was scary," Stevens recalled. "Fire was shooting all around the car. I could hear those shells inside going off. He was still stuck in the car." The Tennessee Highway Patrol honored Stevens and four others Monday in a ceremony at the Knoxville district headquarters for their efforts that saved the life of THP Sgt. Lowell Russell in a fiery interstate crash last month. Col. Tracy Trott, commander of the THP, and deputy commissioners Larry Godwin and David Purkey of the state Department of Safety handed out certificates of recognition and shook the hands of Stevens, paramedics Freddie Leslie and Kristi Graham, and Knoxville Police Department officers Andrew Keith and Steve Taylor. "If they hadn't acted, Lowell would not be with us today," Trott said. "W e just hope one day Lowell will be able to stand up here and thank them personally." Russell, 39, had pulled onto the shoulder of Interstate 40 W est with his emergency lights on to finish paperwork when a flatbed tractor-trailer smashed into his cruiser around 2:50 a.m. Authorities say the rig's driver, Eric Dewayne Lewis, 32, of Orlando, Fla., had fallen asleep at the wheel. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/09/thp-honors-those-who-came-to-troopers-aid/

Currey Ingram finances key to attorney general review (Nashville Biz Journal)
The Tennessee attorney general is questioning the embattled Currey Ingram Academy in an inquiry focused on the school's finances, on which the academy's nonprofit status hinges. Experts say how a nonprofit uses its resources is not only a function of public trust, but can also carry deep consequences for the organization, from fines and penalties to revoking its tax status. Attorney General Bob Cooper's office is reviewing documents that stem from parental allegations surrounding how the school uses its resources. Larry Howlett, a certified public accountant and nonprofit expert, wrote a letter to the attorney general outlining his concerns, based on a review of school tax filings and parental complaints about school head Kathy Rayburn benefiting from school resources. The Brentwood school has been dealing with a range of criticism, largely tied to the conduct of Kathy Rayburn's son, E.B. Rayburn, who has faced sexual allegations. Financial impropriety can hold serious consequences for nonprofits, experts say, though the school considers largely anonymous complaints from some parents to be false. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/09/currey-ingram-rayburn-attorney-general.html

Plan to drug-test welfare recipients presses on despite roadblocks (CP/Hale)

Despite two unfavorable opinions from the states attorney general and litigation surrounding similar measures in other states a Republican initiative to require drug testing for welfare applicants is continuing to gestate in the state legislature. A bill that would have required drug testing for those seeking unemployment benefits was withdrawn last week. The idea to test welfare applicants cropped up last year as well, with the support of Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, but eventually failed. This year its being pushed by Rep. Julia Hurley (R-Lenoir City) in the House and Sen. Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville) in the Senate. Last week, Hurley begrudgingly agreed to delay a vote on the bill in the House Health Committee at the request of members who had lingering concerns about the details of the legislation. It also gave them time to further review a seven-page amendment, which made mostly technical changes. Campfields version of the bill is awaiting action by the Senates finance committee. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/plan-drug-test-welfare-recipients-presses-despite-potential-legalroadblocks

Senate approves bill authorizing suburbs to vote on school districts (CA/Locker)

The state Senate approved a bill Monday paving the way -- if the House also approves it -- for the Memphis suburbs to hold referendums this year on creating municipal school districts. The House put the bill on its agenda for Wednesday morning. Because the House has already approved the base bill, which deals with annual evaluations of local schools directors, its members will be deciding only whether to concur with the Senate amendment on referendums. That amendment sets out a process for municipalities to decide whether to call for public referendums on establishing their own school districts and, if approved, to call for elections of members of the new municipal school boards. The action was triggered by the upcoming merger of the Memphis and Shelby County school systems. Many suburban residents and leaders have made it clear that they do not want to be part of the merged systems. Several Shelby County suburbs had planned to hold referendums on May 10, but the state attorney general opined last month that current law would not allow referendums until the MemphisShelby schools merger takes effect. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/09/tennessee-senate-approves-bill-authorizing-suburbs/ (SUB)

Upper Cumberland Lawmaker Takes Second Swipe at Synthetic Drugs (WPLN)

Another bill aimed at synthetic drugs is moving through the General Assembly. Half a dozen bills are taking on so-called designer drugs. Two Republican lawmakers are moving down separate paths to outlaw drugs that can be bought in convenience stores with labels such as plant food or bath salts. Rep. Tony Shipleys bill outlaws synthetic drugs that produce similar highs to existing controlled substances. Shipley is also a co-sponsor of Rep. Ryan Williams bill, which passed the state House last night. Williams says the two proposals would work in tandem. Mine deals mainly with the chemistry of it. His deals with the symptoms that are generatedas a byproduct of these compounds. Last year, Williams passed yet another bill outlawing a list of known compounds. Since then, he says drug makers have come up with 20 new versions to get around the law that now need to be specifically banned. The bills dealing with synthetic drugs were stalled until Governor Bill Haslam put money in his budget to pay for enforcing them. http://wpln.org/?p=35809

Lawmaker Eyes Surveillance Rules for Police Drone Aircraft (W PLN-Radio Nash.)
The Federal Aviation Administration is preparing rules to let drone aircraft fly in the same air space as manned aircraft. But meantime, drones can still fly at lower elevations. And one state representative wants to make sure police in Tennessee dont use drones for illegal spying. If a cop were on board, Rep. Vance Dennis says flying over someones house with a camera could constitute an illegal search. There are currently limitations placed on manned aircraft, where you can use them in law enforcement, how you can use them. You cant just hover say a helicopter, 50 feet over somebodys back yard and just look around to see if you see some kind of something going on there. Dennis says besides a question of legal warrants, there are privacy issues in the mix. The Savannah Republicans wants to draft rules, but hes put the effort on hold until next year so he can confer with law enforcement. Still, he says hed rather be proactive than wait and let courts set boundaries for drones. Metro police say they have at least one drone, a mini-helicopter using line-of-sight radio control. Its purpose, they say, is not for spying, but when using a helicopter or officer might be at risk of taking http://wpln.org/? a bullet. p=35740

Applicants for top college posts could be kept secret under bill (CA/Locker)
The state Senate approved a bill Monday night that allows Tennessee's higher education governing boards to keep confidential the names of and information on all applicants for presidents and chancellors of state colleges and universities except for the three finalists. The bill was set for a House floor vote as well but was postponed to Wednesday. Its Senate sponsor, Sen. Jim Tracy, D-Shelbyville, said the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees and the Tennessee Board of Regents requested the bill to "encourage more qualified applicants. Many of the best candidates will not apply for fear of losing support where they are if they are not chosen" for the new position, Tracy said. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/10/legislative-briefs/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

House approves new Millington charter to replace 1903 document (CA/Locker)

The state House of Representatives approved a new Millington City Charter on Monday night. It now goes to the Senate, but no vote has been scheduled. The 32-page governing document for the city was drafted by the 6

Millington Board of Aldermen. After it wins final state legislative approval and is signed into law by the governor, it must be approved by two-thirds vote of the Board of Aldermen within 60 days of its signing. The charter replaces the city's current charter first adopted in 1903 and amended several times over the years. The new charter can be viewed on the state legislature's website at capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB3868.pdf The existing charter is on the city of Millington's website, millingtontn.gov/ under the "Municipal Code" tab. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/10/legislative-briefs/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Lawmakers approve bill allowing grants to battle community blight (CA/Locker)

The House gave final legislative approval Monday night to a bill allowing local governments to create grant programs to homeowners and developers who buy blighted property to help stabilize and increase property values in blighted areas. Sponsored by Rep. Johnnie Turner and Sen. Beverly Marrero, both Memphis Democrats, Senate Bill 3424 seeks to encourage the repair, rebuilding and renovation of existing structures in neighborhoods whose stability depends on the elimination of blight. Any city or county that creates such a grant program must submit the plans to the state attorney general for review and approval to ensure that the grants are not offered arbitrarily and comply with the state Constitution and state laws governing eminent domain. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/10/legislative-briefs/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Finney named top legislator (Jackson Sun)

State Sen. Lowe Finney, D-Jackson, recently was named the Northwest Tennessee Development Districts Legislator of the Year, the fifth consecutive year he has been honored, according to a news release. Our development districts across the state are often the first point of contact for many of our seniors and local government officials when they need guidance regarding programs and services, Finney said in the release. John Bucy and his staff do a great job in working with our counties to create healthy communities for our citizens. The district helps local governments obtain grants for revitalization and infrastructure projects for communities in Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion and W eakley counties. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120410/NEWS01/304100006/Briefly-Hearing-about-nightclub-nuisanceactions-reset-Community-Health-Fair-2012-planned-Finney-named-top-legislator-

Chattanooga city planners reject Hixson project (Times Free-Press/ONeil)

The developer of a $100 million, 190-acre Hixson development says he'll improve roads and spur the area's economy. But traffic is a top concern among city planners and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission voted 10-3 Monday to recommend against the rezoning request from developer Duane Horton. Planning Commissioners Barry Payne, Jon Bell and Kenneth Jordan voted in support of the project, which is more than twice the size of Northgate Mall a few miles down the road. The proposed development would sit near the intersection of Highway 153 and U.S. 27, both of which are projected to reach or exceed traffic capacity within the next three years. City planners and community members fear the addition of the development's 42-acre, 280-unit apartment complex and about 140 acres of offices and commercial space would increase traffic on the roads, which aren't scheduled for expansion until 2025. But the area will get plenty of construction whether or not this project goes through, Horton said. Majority property owner Jack Lonas already has the legal right to build single-family homes, a major church campus, golf course or other similar projects under the site's current zoning, he said http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/10/chattanooga-city-planners-reject-hixson-project/?local

Offense, probable cause general strip search rules among area jails (NS/Johnson)
Most inmates at Knoxville area jails can keep their pants on at least for now. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling permits jailers to strip search all inmates regardless of their offense, and Tipton County has decided to do just that. But law enforcement in East Tennessee is not following suit. "The Supreme Court ruling is under evaluation right now, and we haven't changed our policy while this is under evaluation," said Martha Dooley, spokeswoman for the Knox County Sheriff's Office. Dooley said all those the Sheriff's Office holds on felony charges are strip-searched. Those arrested on misdemeanor charges can be strip searched if probable cause exists, she said. Knox County's jail facilities see about 30,000 inmates a year, including federal inmates and those arrested by the Sheriff's Office and the Knoxville Police Department, she said. In Anderson County, the inmates generally are not strip searched unless they are going to be held in the jail's general population, said 7

Chief Jailer Avery Johnson of the Anderson County Sheriff's Department. Those staying in a holding area that is constantly monitored, such as those with misdemeanor charges who likely will make bond quickly, probably won't be strip searched, he said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/10/offense-probable-cause-general-strip-search-knox/

Rutherford County zoning debate rages (Daily News Journal)

County planners hear passionate pleas for, against update County planners heard passionate arguments Monday night both against and in favor of a proposed zoning resolution that calls for limiting development to one house per acre in the outer rural areas. Our liberty is at stake here, Milton resident Robert Latimer said during a public hearing before the Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission inside the County Courthouse. I feel like our rights are being trampled on. After hearing about 20 speakers during a meeting that lasted more than three hours, the planning commissioners decided to hold a work session on the issues during a meeting scheduled at 9 a.m. April 23 at the county Planning Departments Mezzanine Meeting Room. The goal will be to come back to the next night meeting next month to make a decision to recommend or reject the zoning resolution, Chairman Jeff Phillips said. The County Commission would then consider ratifying the proposed landuse regulations after holding another public hearing. Monday nights meeting involved the second public hearing after the planning officials held one about the zoning resolution in December. Most during Mondays public hearing opposed reducing development rights from the existing R-15 zoning that allows nearly three houses per acre development. The proposal would allow property owners closer to city limits to retain the current density. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120410/NEW S/304090033/Rutherford-County-zoning-debate-rages?odyssey=tab| topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Sen. Corker to visit Nashville, Franklin (Associated Press)

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker is scheduled to visit mortgage bankers in Nashville and community leaders in Franklin on Tuesday. Corker's office says the Republican member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs committee is expected to discuss reform of government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with members of the Tennessee Mortgage Bankers Association in Nashville. Later Tuesday, Corker is scheduled to meet with community leaders involved with "Franklin Tomorrow," an initiative designed to create a shared vision for the future of the city. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/10/sen-corker-to-visit-nashville-franklin/

Abortion issue slows action on trafficking bill (Tennessean/Bewley)

Two Republican lawmakers from Tennessee say theyre concerned that advertising policies at certain Internet companies may contribute to sex trafficking, even as advocates blame Republicans for delaying action on an anti-trafficking law. Sen. Bob Corker and 18 other senators wrote Jim Larkin, chief executive of Village Voice Media Holdings, last month asking him to shut down the adult services section of the companys classified advertising site, Backpage.com. It took only minutes on Backpage.coms adult services section for us to find posts that present clear advertisements for prostitution of young girls, the senators wrote. And last week, Rep. Marsha Blackburn co-wrote a letter asking Google chief executive Larry Page to explain how Google prevents sexually exploitative advertisements from appearing on its websites. She and her co-author, Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York, called themselves members of Congress committed to combating all forms of human trafficking. But advocates say some Republicans in Congress are putting partisan politics ahead of the needs of trafficking victims by delaying reauthorization of the nations anti-trafficking law which expired late last year because of an ideological opposition to abortion. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120410/NEWS02/304100031/Abortion-issue-slows-action-trafficking-bill? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Lamar Alexander, others revisit political 'pickle' of 1979 (Tennessean/Wilson)

Amid Blanton bribery scandal, Alexander knew he had to take office early Three days before the official start of his term as governor of Tennessee, Lamar Alexander had a decision to make. That afternoon, he was told by U.S. Attorney Hal Hardin that Gov. Ray Blanton was planning to continue a pay for pardons scheme that had already allowed 52 criminals and many felons to be set free in exchange for bribes. Hardin told Alexander he needed to take the oath of office on Jan. 17, 1979, and assume the governors office three days early. Alexander, preparing for a triumphant inauguration hed been working toward for five long years, needed time to think about it. I was in a pickle, Alexander said. A high-class pickle. That pickle, which eventually led to the decision to swear Alexander in later that day, was revisited Monday evening by a distinguished panel of the days 8

key figures more than 30 years later at Vanderbilt University. The panel was tied to an exhibit at Vanderbilt that included the pre-Senate papers Alexander donated to his alma mater. Alexander, now a U.S. senator, was joined by Hardin, former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice William Koch and others as they shared their sometimes balky memories of the dramatic early swearing-in of the states fourth Republican governor. The panelists, helped along by former Tennessean editor and publisher John Seigenthaler, recalled the uncertainty leading to the early swearing-in. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120410/NEWS01/304090064/Lamar-Alexander-others-revisit-politicalpickle-1979?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

States seek to ease financing for energy-efficient upgrades (Stateline)

Millions of New Yorkers are stuck on an energy-finance treadmill. They manage to meet their monthly expenses, but they cant afford home upgrades that would save energy and lower costs. For those living in New Yorks poorest 450,000 households those that earn below half of the federal poverty level energy payments have in recent years eaten up more than 40 percent of income, according to a 2011 report commissioned by the state. Home energy costs threaten not only the ability of New York households to retain energy services, the report notes, but also threaten access to housing, food, medical and other necessities of life. Though the plummeting price of natural gas amid a surge of domestic production has eased some of that burden, it hasnt eradicated it. But state officials are optimistic that a newly offered loan program will spur more New Yorkers even those with little capital to invest in new insulation and air sealing or other retrofits that reduce energy use in heating, cooling and lighting. http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=644373

Xerox filling 60 positions for Nashville call center (Nashville Business Journal)
Dallas-based Affiliated Computer Services Inc., a subsidiary of Xerox, is hiring more than 60 people at its Nashville call center. Positions include customer service representatives, quality assurance analysts, technical analysts and service center managers. To apply visit acs-inc.com or xerox.com/businessservices. The new call center at 545 Marriott Drive is needed to handle new client growth, according to a company news release. Last year, ACS acquired Nashville-based CredenceHealth, which provides software that captures and analyzes patient data to assist hospitals and health plans. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/09/xerox-filling-60-positions-for.html

Athens Distributing Adds to Presence (Memphis Daily News)

Athens Distributing Co.s Memphis branch is on the grow, adding a substantial amount of warehouse space and investing in more modern equipment. Construction began April 1 for an additional 53,700-square-foot warehouse adjacent to the wine and spirits wholesaler and distributors warehouse at 905 James St. Athens 905 James site already includes a 91,568-square-foot warehouse built in 1973 and improved in 1997. The Nashville-based company is privately held and has been run by four generations of family members. Brands that Athens distributes include Yellow Tail, Penfolds, W oodford Reserve, The Little Penguin and Canadian Mist. The Memphis presence is Athens third market and its largest, with 21 counties in its service area. The new space will allow busting-at-the-seams Athens to update equipment, said Phillip Aviotti, who oversees the Memphis office. W eve been behind the times technology speaking, and so we need a little bit more space to put the proper equipment in, for the most part, Aviotti said. Weve been kind of falling all over each other around here for years because we didnt have enough space, so were finally just trying get the space that we have needed for a long time. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/10/athens-distributing-adds-to-presence/

TN kids lack skills for kindergarten (Tennessean/Hubbard)

National report finds too few in state prepared to meet greater expectations Kindergarten used to be considered a place kids learned how to learn, with simple lessons on how to sit still and recognize shapes and colors. Today, by age 5, theyre expected to count to 100, know whether shapes are two- or three-dimensional, and read most pronouns, according to state standards. In Tennessee, too many are showing up without those skills, causing alarm for early education officials as the state moves its curriculum forward in leaps. A report released today by the National Institute for Early Education Research says state-funded pre-kindergarten does well at instilling those skills, but only 21 percent of Tennessees 4-year-olds are enrolled. In Florida and Oklahoma, the figure is 9

more than 73 percent. For Tennessee children who can get in, those classes are among the best in the nation, the curriculum hitting nine of 10 nationally accepted benchmarks. The problem is the number of children who dont qualify and dont get the prerequisites in private programs or at home. The institute estimates a third of children nationwide arrive at kindergarten unprepared, although the number can be tough to measure. Its a figure U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan called staggering. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120410/NEWS04/304100017/Report-estimates-one-third-kids-unpreparedkindergarten?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Kriner Cash finalist for school job in Charlotte, N.C. (Memphis Business Journal)
Memphis City Schools Superintendent Kriner Cash is one of three finalists for superintendent of the CharlotteMecklenburg Schools system, according to a report in the Charlotte Observer. Cash, along with a current Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools administrator and the superintendent of Washoe County Schools in Nevada have been identified as finalists, according to the newspaper report. Cash came to MCS in 2008, and his future with the pending unified school system hasnt been addressed, but he has expressed interest in the job. Of the three finalists for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools job, Cash is the highest paid, with a reported salary of $276,500 per year. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system has more than 135,000 students, compared to the 113,000 students in the existing MCS system. When the merger between MCS and Shelby County Schools is completed in August 2013, the student population is expected to grow to more than 150,000. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/04/09/kriner-cash-finalist-for-school-job-in.html

Kriner Cash finalist for Charlotte superintendent job (Commercial Appeal/Kelley)

With board members and those planning the transition to the new unified school system divided over who should lead the district, Memphis City Schools Supt. Kriner Cash may have made the decision easier with his potential move one state to the east. Cash, who is earning $276,500 annually, emerged Monday as one of three finalists out of 89 applicants for the job of superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, a 140,747-student district where the last superintendent earned $150,000 a year plus bonuses. He and two other finalists -- Ann Clark, chief academic officer in Charlotte, and Heath Morrison, superintendent of the W ashoe County School District in Reno, Nev. -- will be interviewed publicly in Charlotte Wednesday and Thursday. Cash did not respond to a request for an interview, but he has made it clear that he's interested in staying in Memphis if he is chosen to head the consolidated school system when it opens its doors in the fall of 2013. He has supporters on the school board and the Transition Planning Commission who give Cash credit for gains listed on the MCS website under Major District Accomplishments 2008-2011. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/09/kriner-cash-finalist-charlotte-superintendent-job/ (SUB)

Cash Finalist for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent (M. Daily News)
Memphis City Schools superintendent Kriner Cash is one of three finalists to be superintendent of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools system. He and the other two will be in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday and Thursday for a series of public and private meetings with parents, school board members and the media. The CMS board expects to pick one of the three some time in May. Cash was recommended by the search firm PROACT along with Ann Clark, the CMS chief academic officer, and Heath Morrison, superintendent of the W ashoe County Schools district in Reno, Nev. The CMS board is searching for a replacement for superintendent Peter Gorman, who left in 2010. Gorman spoke to the Shelby County Schools consolidation transition planning commission earlier this year along with others involved in the CMS system about Gormans aggressive reform agenda as a blueprint for a merged school system covering all of Shelby County is drafted. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/10/cash-finalist-for-charlotte-mecklenburg-schoolssuperintendent/

Leaders Examine School System Options (Memphis Daily News)

The idea that the consolidation of Shelby Countys two school systems will involve a choice between what one of the existing school systems has over what the other has is an oversimplification. But there are some choices to be made by the consolidation planning commission. The commission is weighing the idea of freezing school attendance zone boundaries for several years into the schools merger that starts in August 2013. Such boundary freezes have been attempted before mainly as a reaction to annexation. Two groups will rally their resources to urge the planning commission to keep the Memphis City Schools Teacher Effectiveness Initiative. TEI is the work in teacher evaluation and teacher retention being funded over several years by $90 million from the Bill and 10

Melinda Gates Foundation as well as $20 million in matching local private funding. A group of religious leaders under the banner Clergy United for the Memphis Schools will make its pitch at a Tuesday, April 10, press conference. And on Thursday evening, the Gates Foundation and the Hyde Family Foundations are among the hosts of a gathering to include MCS superintendent Kriner Cash and Shelby County Schools superintendent John Aitken as well as Memphis Mayor A C W harton Jr. and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/apr/10/leaders-examine-school-system-options/

Keeping IB program growing is a challenge to schools (Tennessean/Giordano)

Fewer Williamson County students are receiving International Baccalaureate degrees this school year, causing school officials to worry about the viability of the program. This year 22 students are scheduled to receive the diploma, which is down three students from last year, the highest amount the 11-year-old program offered at Franklin High School has ever produced. Although thats not a dramatic dip, Director of Schools Mike Looney and school board members want to see more bang for their buck in the coming year, and already IB coordinators say they have generated more interest in the world-renowned, academically rigorous program. Im looking for indicators of progress, Looney said. I do know they seem very resolute and committed, and they have my full support. Im very hopeful that we can do that. But the taxpayers deserve a wise use of taxpayers dollars. Were having this same review of other programs. The IB program, created in the late 1960s, provides an advanced curriculum used in schools in more than 100 countries. Its recognized coursework is considered rigorous and focuses on foreign language and civics and requires community service. Students interested in the program take some pre-IB coursework their freshman and sophomore years and prescribed IB courses their junior and senior years and must have a certain score to earn an IB diploma. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120410/W ILLIAMSON04/304100033/Keeping-IB-program-growingchallenge-schools?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

MCS looks to reserves to balance budget (Daily News Journal)

Loss of fed money could cost jobs City Schools officials will have to draw more than $200,000 out of reserves to balance the budget for the 2012-13 school year. The $54.95 million budget calls for $1.425 million more in expenditures, said Gary Anderson, the districts administrative and financial services director. The budget was prepared based on a projected enrollment of 7,185 students. W e grew this year by 200. The building of homes, mostly on the west side of the city, has been strong the last two months, he said. Were expecting 172 more students over the current school year. The district will lose more than $800,000 in revenue due to the expiration of the federal Jobs Bill. As presented, the budget will absorb seven and a half teachers, eight educational assistants, one midday assistant, two social workers and an interpreter. Additionally, one teacher and one EA position will not be funded The $800,000 is a big hit for us, Anderson said. The Board of Education will review the budget at 4:30 this afternoon at the districts central office, 2552 S. Church St. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120410/NEW S07/304100023/MCS-looks-reserves-balance-budget?odyssey=tab| topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

RCS DIRECTOR SEARCH: 'I wanted them to get to know Paula' (Daily News Journal)
Barnes first of 4 finalists for school director Rutherford County Schools next leader should lead by example, including setting expectations and maintaining a positive attitude. Thats the feeling of Paula Barnes, the districts current assistant superintendent of human resources and student services and the first of four finalists to interview with the Board of Education Monday. Chosen from a field of 17 applicants, the top applicants are in the running to succeed outgoing Director Harry Gill Jr. when he retires June 30. Barnes answered 33 questions in the areas of identifying her strengths, communication style, long-range planning and problem solving skills. All finalists were given the same questions in order to formulate responses ahead of time. The next director will oversee a preK-12 district of 4,500 employees, 39,000 students and 45 schools. I wanted to be concise, but get my point across, Barnes said. I didnt just want to talk; I wanted them to get to know Paula. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120410/NEW S07/304100022/RCS-DIRECTOR-SEARCH-wanted-them-get-knowPaula-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE 11

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OPINION Editorial: Education proposals have limited appeal (Jackson Sun)

We have mixed feelings about two pieces of education legislation making their way through the Tennessee General Assembly. Both deal with parental involvement, which most educators agree can be an important component in assuring a child gets a good education. While one seems to make good sense, the other is a case of government intrusion. One bill requires the state Department of Education to develop a model parental involvement contract to be used by school districts. Creating a thoroughly vetted model for local education systems to use as a tool to encourage parent involvement makes sense. Such a model would help school boards save time and avoid possible legal problems if board members become overzealous about the issue. This is especially true if some school board members want to make parent involvement something to be measured and even reported on. Parents come in all shapes, sizes, abilities and work schedules. Some parents work schedules, such as shift workers, run contrary to school and homework schedules. Some parents lack the skills necessary to help students. Still others already have developed the level of parent involvement they believe best for their child. Some lack resources and depend on schools to do all of the educating. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120410/OPINION/304100001/Our-View-Education-proposals-limitedappeal 12

Editorial: TN should do more to protect our mountains (Daily News Journal)

The mountains of Tennessee got the short shrift from state legislators this session, and we think that could have big ramifications for our environment. The Scenic Vistas Protection Act would have prohibited mining in Tennessee that changes the ridge lines more than 2,000 feet above sea level, a practice similar to mountaintop removal. But the House Conservation Subcommittee recently sent the bill to a summer panel, effectively tabling it for the year. Representatives of the coal industry, wearing black shirts that read Legalize Coal, packed the hearing room as the subcommittee considered the bill. And legislators apparently caved under that pressure, voting 6 to 4 to put off consideration of it. Were here to rally for our jobs, said Barry Thacker, president of Knoxville-based Geo Environmental Associates Inc., as he joined others lobbying Capitol Hill in favor of the coal industry. We just dont understand how folks in this type of an environment would want to take our jobs from us. But the method mining companies employ to get at the coal with the least expense involves blasting ridge tops so miners can reach coal seams. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120410/OPINION/304100007/EDITORIAL-TNshould-do-more-protect-our-mountains?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Lowe Finney: Solar tax will hurt job growth (Jackson Sun)
A bill in the state legislature will hurt small businesses, kill jobs and cripple our progress toward energy independence. Interestingly, the Republican sponsors of this legislation are proposing a new tax. Over the past few years, Tennessee has become a leader in clean energy jobs, particularly in the production and manufacturing sectors. A 2009 report by Pew Charitable Trusts highlighted Tennessee as one of three states in the country with a large and fast-growing clean-energy sector. A 2011 report from The Brookings Institute counted 76,031 clean energy-related jobs in Tennessee, making it the fastest growing sector in the state, according to the MTSU Green Jobs Report. But our progress in becoming a national clean energy leader is in jeopardy if Senate Bill 3296 passes. Under the bill, the state would raise a clean energy facilitys property tax from 0.5 percent of its purchase cost to one-third of its installation costs. The result is an effective 6,000 percent tax increase on solar panel installations. Thats right: 6,000 percent! This increase will price out many companies and homeowners considering solar installations, who then sell the solar power back to TVA. Its worth noting this is the only arrangement that TVA offers to solar production facilities. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120410/OPINION/304100003/Finney-column-Solar-tax-will-hurt-job-growth

Editorial: DeBerry a true Tennessee trailblazer for leadership (Tennessean)

Ex-speaker pro tem champions elderly, children The road to success for women in the Tennessee General Assembly has been paved by many women who came before us. They worked hard to break through the glass ceiling and institute change, not only in the status quo but change in how women of power and authority are perceived. One such woman who was instrumental in that change is Lois DeBerry. When she was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 1972, she was the first African-American woman elected to the House of Representatives from Memphis and only the second African-American woman to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly. From day one Rep. DeBerry, now speaker pro tempore emeritus, blazed a trail for women. She served as speaker pro tempore for 12 terms, and in that position was involved in some of the most dramatic and significant pieces of legislation and decision-making in our states history. I was pleased to learn that the Womens Political Collaborative of Tennessee is honoring Speaker Pro Tempore DeBerry during its 12th Annual Spring Revue. I have been a member of the WPC-TN for many years and know they have honored many strong and successful women; Lois deserves to be among those women. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120410/OPINION03/304100009/DeBerry-true-Tennessee-trailblazerleadership?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

David Cook: Keep your laws off my underwear! (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)
It's like we've elected Tommy Hilfiger. The politics of fashion have entered the state House, where Nashville legislators passed with little dissent the "We Don't Want To See Your Underwear" bill, outlawing sagging pants and visible sports bras in schools. The governor -- presumably wearing a coat and tie -- will probably sign the bill in the weeks to come. Sagging -- the odd teenage practice of wearing pants on the latitude somewhere between groin and ankle -- has its history in prison culture, where belts are contraband and thus, prison pants sagged. At some point, the practice hopped the jailhouse walls and entered pop culture, where it largely exists practiced by black male teenagers. Of course it's crude. Parts of the body that belong in the bathroom don't belong in public. That's why we have public indecency laws. Already on the books. That's why schools can craft their own dress codes. Already doing that. So why did legislators -- isn't this Big Government intruding? -- seem so convinced 13

they need to legislate how students -- mainly black males -- can dress? http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/09/cook-keep-your-laws-off-my-underwear/?opinioncolumns

Times Editorial: Fleischmann's competition: Mayfield, Wamp and more (TFP)

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's freshman tenure as Tennessee's 3rd District congressman has been on shaky ground since he squeaked out a victory over Robin Smith in a wildly splintered primary in 2010. Lagging fund raising and a wide perception that House Speaker John Boehner has had him on a voting leash the last 15 months has hurt Fleischmann, as well. So when Weston Wamp, the son of Zach -- Fleischmann's immediate predecessor -- rolled up a slam-dunk $250,000 fund-raiser last December to ignite his campaign for his father's old seat months before he turned 25, the minimum age for a congressman, it was game on. The youthful Wamp's 3rd District record-setting fund-raiser not only netted about $50,000 more than the $200,000 that Speaker Boehner pulled in for Fleischmann in an elite Walden Club fund-raiser two months earlier. It also made clear that Fleischmann could be successfully targeted even after Boehner had come and gone. That might have been the pivotal moment that persuaded Scottie Mayfield, the Athens, Tenn., patriarch of Mayfield Dairy Farms, that there was higher ground for another career. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/10/chuck-fleischmanns-competition-wamp-mayfield/?opiniontimes

Editorial: City pension fix won't produce immediate savings (News-Sentinel)

As Knoxville officials begin sorting through options for dealing with the city's growing pension obligations, residents would be wise to keep two points in mind. First, no matter which option goes before voters, and no matter which way voters turn, the amount of tax money devoted annually to the pension plan will increase from $11 million this year to roughly $30 million by 2019. Any significant savings from changes to the pension plan wouldn't kick in until 2024. Second, two provisions of the pension plan the Drop Plan and the "Rule of 80" must be eliminated because they are fiscally irresponsible. Current city employees and retirees won't see any changes to their pensions, which is the primary reason any savings won't appear for a decade. Any changes, which must be approved by voters, would affect only new hires. Mayor Madeline Rogero's administration has offered five options a modified version of the current pension plan, which pays out a predetermined benefit monthly to retirees; a defined contribution plan similar to a 401(k); and three combination plans. Under all five scenarios, employees contribute 6 percent of their pay toward the retirement plan. The city taxpayers' contribution varies among the scenarios, but all five options are projected to increase the cost to the public to around $30 million per year in 10 years. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/10/editorial-city-pension-fixwont-produce-savings/

Editorial: Charter growth draws concern (Commercial Appeal)

Officials should watch out for applicants who are more interested in making a profit than educating students. Memphis City Schools Supt. Kriner Cash's unease over the number of charter schools that could open in Memphis is understandable. Twenty-five charters already are in operation and 14 to 17 could possibly be approved over the next two to three months. Cash thinks the additional schools will drain talented staff and teachers, along with financial resources, from public schools. That is a real concern and it will be interesting to see how the proliferation of charters plays out in the context of the Transition Planning Commission's efforts to form a unified Memphis and Shelby County school district. Last fall, the unified school board denied applications for 17 new charter schools based on the harm the board said the new schools posed to the financial security of Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools. State Treasurer David Lillard last week said the school board did not prove its case. The applicants must now be allowed to appeal the local school board's denials to the state Board of Education, which will review the charter applications based on how they were rated by the local board. It would have been better if the state had frozen the creation of new charters here so as not to disrupt the difficult process of merging two school systems. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/10/editorial-charter-growth-draws-concern/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Guest columnist: This is no time to back off clean energy (Tennessean)

For Tennesseans, the current debate on continuing the state solar incentives involves deeper questions than just tax policy. Should we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels? Should the government continue supporting the nascent clean-energy industry, as it has done for decades with the traditional energy industries? Do we really even need clean energy in our country? As a military professional with 36 years experience, my answer to all these questions is a resounding yes! Americas national security and economic vitality are threatened by our 14

dependence on fossil fuels. For the military, moving away from traditional energy sources is not about being green, it is about preventing any operational impact due to cost and availability of fossil fuels and the strategic need to secure fuel sources in unstable regions where our economy sends $1 billion a day to pay for oil. The Navy and Air Force have committed to obtaining 50 percent of their energy from alternative sources. They already have planes and ships that run on fuels made from plants and algae and military bases with solar and wind power. The Army is working toward a strategy under which bases will produce all the energy and water they consume as well as replacing gas vehicles with electric ones. Marines at forward operating bases are using portable solar panels to charge communication equipment, high-efficiency LED lighting systems for illumination and equipment that increases troop efficiency while reducing the need for vulnerable fuel convoys. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120410/OPINION03/304100010/This-no-time-back-off-clean-energy? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p ###

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