tuesday, march 20 news summary

8/2/2019 Tuesday, March 20 News Summary

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Hamilton County gets STEM school grant funding (Times Free-Press/Sher)Now that Tennessee has given Hamilton County Schools a $1 million grant to help start a local school focuson science, technology, engineering and math, the "hard work begins," Superintendent Rick Smith said. "Weexcited. We worked really, really hard the last, gosh, eight months to prepare for today," said Smith, who cameNashville on Monday to watch Gov. Bill Haslam announce a total of $4.85 million in grants to fund three STE

schools and three STEM "hubs" in Hamilton, Cookeville and the Tri-Cities area. "Of course," Smith added, "rinow the hard work begins. You know, we've got a lot of preparation ... but now we've got to get busy actuabuilding a school." The school is slated to open for 75 ninth-grade students this fall and will be in the former OMills building that sits next to the main campus of Chattanooga State Community College. The building wpurchased by Chattanooga State in 2010.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/hamilton-county-gets-stem-funding/?local

Haslam grants money for STEM school in Sullivan County, Kingsport (H-C)A new middle school will soon be open for students in Sullivan County and Kingsport focusing on Science aMath. It is part of Tennessee's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program. Governor Haslam announced Monday that our region will receive more than one million dollars to set up the new STEschool, and local educators say it will improve our student's education. "My favorite project in science was w h

we built roller coasters to figure out about kinetic energy," said 11-year-old Abby Nash. Fifth-grader Abby Naloves Science and Math, especially, when she gets to do experiments. "It helps you understand what youdoing because you're actually trying it for yourself instead of just reading about it," said Nash. The John AdaElementary School student in Kingsport hopes to become a doctor one day. "I just really want to help peopsaid Nash.http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/19/governor-haslam-grants-money-stem-school-sullivan--a1778174/

Sullivan, Kingsport win $1.5 million grant for new school (Times-News)Sullivan County and Kingsport have won a two-year $1.5 million grant for a STEM platform school, Gov. Haslam and Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman announced Monday morning. The Northeast STEplatform school, to be a grades 6-8 school in the Brookside Elementary School building, is to receive $1 milliwhile the hub, East Tennessee State University, is to get $500,000. The science, technology, engineering a

math grants also were won by proposals in Hamilton and Putnam counties. The new schools to open this fall be funded through Tennessees Race to the Top grant award and will be part of the education departmenstatewide STEM Innovation Network, designed to increase student participation and interest in those subjec"Bringing together partners from across our comm unities to educate Tennessee students in the fields of scientechnology, engineering and math is so important to the future prosperity of our state," Haslam said.http://www.timesnews.net/article/9043945/sullivan-kingsport-win-15-million-grant-for-ne w-school

Haslam Anti-Crime Bills Unanimously Pass Senate (Associated Press)Two key pieces of legislation in Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's anti-crime package have passed the Senateproposal that would increase penalties for violent crimes committed by groups of three or more people wunanimously approved 30-0 on Monday evening. A m easure that would enhance penalties for gun possessionpeople with previous felony convictions was also unanimously approved 29-0. The com panion to both propos

is waiting to be scheduled for a vote on the House floor. A proposal that would require mandatory jail time people with repeat domestic violence convictions has stalled in the finance committees of both chambbecause of cost concerns to local governments.http://www.newschannel5.com/story/17195755/haslam-anti-crime-bills-unanimously-pass-senate

Haslam Addresses Schools Proposal, Abortion Info. Bill (TN Report)Gov. Bill Haslam spoke to reporters about several issues Monday morning following an event to praise tstates drive to bring more jobs to Tennessee by focusing schools on science, technology, engineering and m aOne item reporters discussed with Haslam was a bill, SB0893, w hich intends to protect teachers from discipfor teaching scientific subjects in an objective manner. The governor also addressed bills on making public names of doctors who perform abortions and culling the horse popu lation. He said his administration would ta
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the long view when considering new spending in light of increased revenues. The event took place at StratfoSTEM Magnet High school. Here are some excerpts: Q: Regarding teachers and evolution being ablecomment on evolution whats your take on that?http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/03/19/haslam-addresses-schools-proposal-abortion -info-bill/

Haslam Calls Domestic Violence Major Issue Following Lawmakers Arre

(WPLN)

Governor Bill Haslam declined to comment today on an East Tennessee lawmaker accused of hitting his wover the weekend. Representative David Hawk pled not guilty after being arrested Sunday m orning. Earlier tyear Governor Haslam made domestic violence a part of his public safety agenda, with a push for higher finand jail time. Haslam says its a major issue in the state. He wouldnt speak directly to the news of Hawks arreIn regards to Representative Hawks case, I obviously dont know enough to have any comment on it. I knwhat you did: I know wha t I read in the paper, and thats really it. So I dont know that its appropriate for mecomment on something that, all I know about is the actual arrest event. The last time a House Committchairman was arrested, in October, Republican Curry Todd resigned from the post, but not his House seTheres no word yet on whether Hawk will continue serving as the chair of the House Conservation aEnvironment Committee.http://wpln.org/?p=352 24

Life Defense Act of 2012 Raises Questions With Governor (WPLN-Rad

Nashville)Governor Bill Haslam says he wants to find out more about a bill that would make pub lic more details concernabortions. The proposal would require the state health department to publish the nam es of doctors who perfoabortions. A Planned Parenthood official says the bill could expose doctors to intimidation or even violenCritics also say it could help identify women who receive abortions in rural areas, because it would releadetails like age, race, education, marital status and how many children they have. Governor Haslam isnt surebuys that argument: I dont know enough about the statistics to know if once you get the demographics ismall town can you go back and do the m ath to figure out who that is, I dont know enough to know if thats a rfear yet. Haslam says he also wants to hear from Health Department officials about w hy they dont currenrelease such information.http://wpln.org/?p=352 43

Haslam undecided on Tenn. horse slaughter bill (Associated Press)Gov. Bill Haslam has yet to take a position on a bill seeking to encourage horse slaughterhouses in TennessThe Republican governor told reporters after a visit to a Nashville high school on Monday that he understanthat proponents believe slaughtering horses within the state is a more humane way to treat unwanted animaBut Haslam said his administration has yet to take a formal position on the bill scheduled for a vote on the Houfloor Monday evening. Opponents of the bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Andy Holt of Dresden argue thawould unfairly discourage legal challenges of horse slaughter or processing plants by requiring plaintiffssubmit a deposit worth 20 percent of the facility's building costs.http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38842291?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Obama issues "major disaster" declaration for Tennessee tornadoes (Nooga)

Two weeks after bands of tornadoes wrecked portions of Tennessee and Hamilton County, President BaraObama has issued a "major disaster" declaration for the state, triggering the release of federal relief funds. Ova three-day span, the storms took three lives and destroyed more than 100 homes, including 82 in Ham ilCounty. Along with Hamilton, the federal government will provide individual assistance to victims in BradlClaiborne, C umberland, DeKalb, Jackson, McMinn, M onroe, O verton and Polk counties. The declaratirequested by Gov. Bill Haslam and supported by numerous elected officials, will offer grants for assistance in forms of temporary housing, home repairs and low-cost loans for victims affected by the storms. Those wexperienced damages can begin applying for assistance from FEMA online or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA.http://www.nooga.com/154369/obama-issues-major-disaster-declaration-for-tennessee-to rnadoes/

State's jobless face new requirements for benefits (Associated Press)Commissioner Karla Davis of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development has warned
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state's 56,000 unemployment claimants that they w ill soon be required to prove they are looking for work. Dasaid that beginning in April, claimants also will be required to meet face-to-face with state job service employeShe said in a news release Monday that the new requirements will make sure claimants are on track to fiemployment and not get caught off-guard when their benefits expire. The new guidelines have been issued the U.S. Department of Labor.http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38845287?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Cost of GED Diploma Going Up (Memphis Daily News)The good news is the General Educational Development test to earn the equivalent of a high school diplomamoving online. The bad news is the cost of taking the test is expected to go up to $125 starting in 2014. testing center in the state can charge more than $65 for the test currently, and the state is prohibited froproviding funding to pay for taking the test. We imagine it will be a significant barrier to a number of individualsaid Karla Davis, Tennessee commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, during a visit to Memphis lweek. Right now even the cost of the test can be difficult for some people to come up with. W ere lookingways to alleviate that strain maybe some alternatives to taking the test in the state of Tennessee. In 201,200 Tennesseans earned their general equivalency diploma by taking the GED test. And Gov. Bill Haslamadministration has continued the emphasis of former Gov. Phil Bredesens administration put on convinccitizens that more than a high school diploma is needed for the manufacturing jobs that have become the statmost visible economic development target.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/20/cost-of-ged-diploma-going-up/

Foster services bill headed to governor (Associated Press)A proposal that w ould extend a program providing services to young adults transitioning out of foster careheaded to the governor for his consideration. The measure was approved 33-0 in the Senate on Mondevening. The companion bill was approved 96-1 in the House last week. The program is set to expire in Jubut Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has included about $890,000 in his spending proposal to keep it going. Counsinger Jimmy Wayne, who sang the national anthem before the Senate session on M onday, is an advocatethe legislation. Last month, he told a state House comm ittee about being a homeless teen until a couple took hwhen he was 16. H e credited his foster parents for making his music career possible by taking him off the streafter he agreed to cut his hair and attend church.http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38843433?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Bill to remove disruptive students passes Senate (Associated Press)A proposal that would allow teachers to remove disruptive students from Tennessee classrooms has passed Senate. The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Dolores Gresham of Somervil le was unanimouapproved 31-0 on Monday evening. The measure would apply to students in grades five through 12. Under proposal, principals must "fully support the authority of every teacher ... to remove a student from the classroomThe companion to the Senate bill is awaiting a vote in the House Finance Subcomm ittee.http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38843621?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

TN science bill protects teachers who allow debate over evolution (Tenn/Sisk)The Tennessee Senate approved a bill Monday that would encourage teachers and students to debate evolutin the classroom, setting aside complaints that the measure would drag the state back onto the battleground ovthe teaching of creationism. Senators voted 24-8 to pass a bill that says schoolteachers cannot be punished helping students to understand, analyze, critique and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths ascientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories taught in public schools. The measure has drawn stroopposition from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Center for ScienEducation and the American Civil Liberties Union, which said it is cover for teachers who want to teacreationism or intelligent design. Supporters said the measure would give teachers more guidance to answstudents questions about science tophttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS0201/303200034/TN-science-bill-protects-teachers-who-allow-debate-over-evolution?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38845287?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/20/cost-of-ged-diploma-going-up/http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/20/cost-of-ged-diploma-going-up/http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/20/cost-of-ged-diploma-going-up/http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38843433?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38843621?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS0201/303200034/TN-science-bill-protects-teachers-who-allow-debate-over-evolution?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS0201/303200034/TN-science-bill-protects-teachers-who-allow-debate-over-evolution?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38845287?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/20/cost-of-ged-diploma-going-up/http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/20/cost-of-ged-diploma-going-up/http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38843433?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38843621?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS0201/303200034/TN-science-bill-protects-teachers-who-allow-debate-over-evolution?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS0201/303200034/TN-science-bill-protects-teachers-who-allow-debate-over-evolution?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE


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Tennessee Senate passes Bo Watson's bill on evolution debate (TFP/Sher)State senators on Monday approved a bill they say protects teachers when discussing the "strengths ascientific weaknesses" of scientific theories such as evolution and climate change. But several lawmakers ascientists said they still have concerns it could be used to introduce religious teachings into public school scienclasses. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, passed on a 24-8 vote. Because of a Watsamendment that seeks to calm a storm of controversy over the bill in scientific circles, the bill now goes back

the House, which passed a different version of the measure last year. It requires discussions between teachand students to take place within the "framework" of the State Board of Education and local school systemscience curriculum, Watson said. The b ill's thrust, he said, is that "students should be encouraged to challencurrent scientific thought and theory. Students should be encouraged to debate, to improve their critical thinkskills and to improve their communications skills."http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/tn-senate-passes-watsons-bill-on-evolution-de bate/?local

Tenn. scientists oppose bill to limit evolution teaching (Times Free-Press/Sher)All eight Tennessee members of the National Academy of Sciences, including a Nobel laureate, are criticizefforts by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, to revive his bill allowing science teachers to discuss with students tweaknesses of theories about evolution, the chemical origins of life and global warming. Watsons bill, whtriggered a storm of criticism last year, passed the Senate Education Committee last week and is up for a Sen

floor vote today. The eight scientists include Vanderbilt University biochemist Dr. Stanley Cohen, who share1986 Nobel Prize in medicine for his landmark research on cellular growth factors. All eight signed a statemopposing the legislation. These bills misdescribe evolution as scientifically controversial, the statement saysAs scientists whose research involves and is based upon evolution, we affirm along with the nations leadscientific organizations ... that evolution is a central, unifying, and accepted area of science. The evidence evolution is overwhelming, the statement continues. There is no scientific evidence for its supposed riv(creation science and intelligent design) and there is no scientific evidence against it.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/19/state-scientists-oppose-bill-limit-evolution-te ach/?local

Anti-Discrimination Protection Sought for Students Religious Speech (WPLN)A West Tennessee lawmakers is pushing a bill he says will give Christian students but also other religiostudents a chance to voice their beliefs at school. Representative Andy Holt, a Dresden Republican, is trying

get school boards to set a new policy. If the school has an event at which a student speaks, the school marrange a limited public forum at which other students could speak. And those students wouldnt be barred frtalking about their religious beliefs. Holt says he believes groups have been given the right to speak in favortheir beliefs, except for one exclusively Christians. Even so, he says his proposal is broad. And this bill donot specifically state that a Christian has the opportunity to speak any more than a Muslim student or a Buddhstudent or any other religion. The bill also says a student may use his religious beliefs in doing his assignmenHolt says that doesnt mean the student can slough off his science homework on the grounds that he doesbelieve in the scientific answer.http://wpln.org/?p=351 60

Tennessee considers bill to allow horse slaughterhouses (CA/Locker, Wolff)The Tennessee legislature is considering a bill that would "encourage" the location of horse slaughterhouses aprocessing plants in Tennessee. The bill would also make it difficult for citizens who live near the propos

slaughterhouse sites to challenge them in court. The bill's House sponsor, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, said sees it as both a jobs bil l and one that's more compassionate because horses sent to slaughter now atransported to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico, where the closest plants are currently located. Butarray of opponents -- including humane associations and real estate executives -- say equine slaughterhoushave a long history of animal cruelty, polluting their communities and hurting property values. Senate Bill 3461scheduled for review today in the Senate Commerce, Labor & Agriculture Committee.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/19/tennessee-considers-bill-allow-horse-slaughterhous/(SUB)

Capitol Hill Conversation-Restrictions on Mining (WPLN-Radio Nashville)Last week, State Senator Eric Stewart brought up a bill that would put heavy restrictions on a coal mining cal
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practice mountaintop removal. It involves blasting the top of a mountain to reach coal that would be hard to geotherwise. But S tewarts bill was changed he says in such a w ay to make it totally ineffective. WPLN s BradGeorge talks with Capitol reporter Joe White.http://wpln.org/?p=351 64

United Way reps advocate for pre-K funds (Daily News Journal)President/CEO Hercules, others taking message to state legislature today United W ays of Tennessee, association of 38 United Ways in the state, will gather today for its Hill Day to support preservation of funding

pre-k classrooms and restoration of funding for family resource centers. Brian Hercules, president and CEMeagan Flippin, senior director of impact, and Carolyn Tumbleson, director of resource development, wrepresent United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, will be among those in Nashville today, along wDon W itherspoon from Murfreesboro, who serves on the board of directors of United Way of Tennessee. We wbe up to visit our local legislators from Rutherford and C annon counties, to continue to ask for support of preprograms and of Fam ily Resource Centers, Hercules told The D NJ Monday afternoon. I think it is good for community to realize that their United Way is advocating on their behalf at the state legislative level.http://www.dnj.com/article/20120320/NEWS01/303200008/United-Way-reps-advocate-pre-K-funds

Rep. McDonald won't seek re-election (Tennessean/Easton)State Rep. Mike McDonald, a Portland Democrat, announced Monday that he would not seek re-election to 44th House District he has served for 18 years. McDonald said in a prepared statement that he made t

decision after thoughtful consideration and conversations with his family. First elected in 1994, the Portlafarmer and former educator has been a popular voice for his district, perhaps known best as a champion conservation and environmental issues. McDonald thanked Sumner voters who elected him to nine terms asaid he looked forward to opportunities in the private sector and spending more time with family. I am foregrateful to each and every voter and supporter and I will always treasure our friendships, he said. McDonwas narrowly re-elected in 2010, winning by fewer than 500 votes in a race with little-known GOP challenMatt Wynne of Cottontown. McDonalds mostly rural district was redrawn earlier this year to include PortlaWestmoreland, and parts of Hendersonville and G allatin. In November he would have faced a tough Republicchallenger in W illiam Lamberth, a Sumner County assistant district attorney from Cottontown.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS0201/303200032/McDonald-won-t-seek-re-election?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Rep. Hawk told to stay away from wife after charge filed (Associated Press)Rep. David Hawk returned to the state legislature on Monday afternoon, just hours after his first coappearance on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence resulted in an order for the Greeneville Republicto have no contact with his wife. Hawk accepted handshakes and well wishes from fellow lawmakers at his debefore stepping out of the chamber to meet with reporters. Yesterday morning my wife had a gun and told that she was going to put a bullet in my head while I was holding my baby, Hawk said. Hawks account of tincident stands in contrast to the criminal complaint obtained by The Greeneville Sun, which describes CrisHawk saying her husband grabbed her by the arm, struck her in the face and knocked her to ground in altercation at their home. Crystal Hawk said she was holding their 11-month-old daughter at the time. She saher husband then took the child and went to a neighbors house.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS0201/303200045/Rep-Hawk-told-stay-away-from-wife-aftecharge-filed?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p

State Rep. David Hawk pleads not guilty to assault (Associated Press)State Rep. David Hawk has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor domestic assault charge. The G reeneville Sreports (http://bit.ly/ws76T2) Hawk's wife told deputies that her husband struck her in the face and knocked to the ground during an altercation on Sunday morning in their home. The criminal complaint states the vic"had bruising and swelling on and around her right eye." The 43-year-old Hawk is free on $500 bond. AMonday hearing, Judge Kenneth Bailey Jr. ordered Hawk to have no contact with his wife. He was allowsupervised visits with their 11-month-old child. Hawk provided a statement to the newspaper that reads, "I ainnocent and did not do what has been alleged against me." A call to Hawk's attorney, Jerry Laughlin, was nimmediately returned.http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38839669?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s
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Hawk: "My wife had gun and told me she was going to put a bullet in m y hea

(HC)As a locksmith changed the locks on the home Crystal Hawk shares with her husband, she reacted to the strepresentative's account of Sunday's alleged crime. "I've heard my husband's statement and that's just simplmisrepresentation of the facts," Crystal Hawk said. "However, at this time for the safety of my daughter requesting privacy for my whole family, including myself and my husband." The Hawks were married

November 2009. After a brief court appearance Monday, Rep. David Hawk (R - District 5) walked out of Greene County jail just before 10:00 am and read a prepared statement. "I am innocent and did not do what walleged against me," Hawk said. "I did not harm my wife...I have faith that the courts will see the truth." Accordto Hawk's arrest warrant, filed by the Greene County Sheriff's Office, Hawk struck his wife's face and knockher to the ground Sunday at their home. According to the court document, Hawk's wife had bruising and swellon and around her right eye, a cut on her lip, and a large bruise on her upper left arm. Hawk's wife was holdthe couple's infant daughter at the time of the assault, the arrest warrant said.http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/19/7/rep-hawk-my-wife-had-gun-and-told-me-she-was-going-ar-1777199/

State Rep. Hawk pleads not guilty to assault, says wife threatened with gun (JCPState Rep. David Hawk pleaded not gu ilty to domestic assault charges placed against him following his Sund

arrest at his Greene County hom e after his wife reported to officials that Hawk grabbed and struck her duringaltercation. Hawk, 43, was arrested by officials with the Greene County Sheriffs Department. According to affidavit of complaint filed in G reene County Sessions Court, the she riffs department was contacted in referento a dom estic assault report. The affidavit states Hawk committed the offense by striking, grabbing and knockto the ground his wife, Crystal Hawk. The victim had bruising and swelling on and around her right eye, abrasion (to) the upper and lower right side of her lip, and a large bruise on her left upper arm, the affidastates. The affidavit also states Crystal Hawk told authorities that she was holding the couples 11-month-daughter at the time of the assault. Crystal Hawk is a Greeneville attorney and president of the Greene CouRepublican Women, according to the Associated Press.http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=99086#ixzz1pec6eMRG

Tennessee Near Top of Nation for Anti-corruption Measures (WPLN-Radio Nash.

A new list puts Tennessee eighth in the nation for government transparency and accountability. But that hranking is despite a score for the state thats hardly stellar. The study w as carried out by Global Integrity, whevaluates governments worldwide, and the investigative reporting agency Center for Public Integrity, or CPlooked at what laws are on the books to prevent corruption and how states actually carry them out. OveraTennessee earned just a C. But the CPIs Nathaniel Heller says that was enough for a top ten ranking becauno state did very well. The top of this list is just sort of a beauty pageant where not everybody is particulapretty to start with, but it does say that somethings working. Tennessee did get high marks for the qualityaudits performed by the Comptrollers Office. The state was also deemed to have the nations best measures making sure leaders dont have a conflict of inte rest.http://wpln.org/?p=351 99

Tennessee ranks low in risk for corruption (Memphis Business Journal)Tennessee gets a solid C grade in a State Integrity Investigation report that analyzes state governmen

accountability and risk for corruption. Even with the average m ark, though, Tennessee ranked N o. 8 in the natin the study conducted by the Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity. Georgia, by comparison, rankdead last in the country based on, among other issues, cutting funding to its ethics commission and governmofficials receiving gifts from vendors. Tennessee was cited for establishing an ethics comm ission six years aThe study pointed out, however that the commission has not issued a single ethics penalty and that complaiare not made available to the public. Other anecdotes from the study included a governor in West Virgi(grade, D+) who took a dealers car on a test drive and kept it four years. During that time, the dealership wmillions in state contracts. In M aine (grade, F), a state senator did not disclose $98 m illion in state contracts an organization where he served as executive director. A loophole in state law did not require the disclosure.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/03/19/tennessee-ranks-low-in-risk-for.html
http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/19/7/rep-hawk-my-wife-had-gun-and-told-me-she-was-going-ar-1777199/http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/19/7/rep-hawk-my-wife-had-gun-and-told-me-she-was-going-ar-1777199/http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=99086#ixzz1pec6eMRGhttp://wpln.org/?p=35199http://wpln.org/?p=35199http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/03/19/tennessee-ranks-low-in-risk-for.htmlhttp://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/19/7/rep-hawk-my-wife-had-gun-and-told-me-she-was-going-ar-1777199/http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/19/7/rep-hawk-my-wife-had-gun-and-told-me-she-was-going-ar-1777199/http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=99086#ixzz1pec6eMRGhttp://wpln.org/?p=35199http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/03/19/tennessee-ranks-low-in-risk-for.html


8/16

Tax hike looms before Memphis City Council (Commercial Appeal/Maki)Final vote on assessment to cover $17M deficit Hard choices are on the agenda today for Memphis City Counmembers and Mayor A C Wharton's administration as they confront a budget deficit: Increase taxes, make decuts to city services and projects, or both. The 13-member council is scheduled to hold a final vote this afternoon a proposed one-time, 18.68-cent property tax assessmen t. Council members and administration officials sMonday that a tax hike was likely, although it will probably be smaller than the one originally sought by Whart"I think a majority of the council will vote to raise taxes but probably to a lesser degree than the mayor want

said budget committee chairman Jim Strickland. "Personally, I think we ought to keep cutting and not rataxes." City Chief Administrative Officer George Little said Monday that the administration wants the entire 18.cent assessment approved. "There becomes a point where you get to how much can you cut?" said Little.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/20/tax-hike-looms-before-council/(SUB)

Occupy Chattanooga protesters d iscuss their next move (T imes Fre

Press/South)Over the 45 minutes it took for county workers to haul protesters' belongings from the Hamilton CouCourthouse lawn to the city sidewalk, m embers of the Occupy Chattanooga movement questioned the sheand video-recorded the removal of their 133-day encampment. "This is out of nowhere; we had no notwhatsoever," said James Parks, 27, an Occupy protester who came to Chattanooga a month ago. Wh

reached by phone late Monday afternoon, Hamilton County Comm ission Chairman Larry Henry said he didsee any reason to give the protesters advance notice. "I think we've been very lenient here in Hamilton CounThey've been on our county property for five months," Henry said. "I don't see that giving them any notice, ththey would have heeded it." Occupy's 14 tents and other belongings were moved onto the Georgia Avensidewalk alongside the courthouse. Sheriff Jim Hammond said the lawn was being closed for beautificatahead of the building's centennial celebration in September.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/chattanooga-occupy-protesters-discuss-next-move/?local

Democratic congressional candidates to debate at UTC (Times Free-Press/CarroChattanooga's first congressional debate of the year will not include the GOP's U.S. Rep. Chuck FleischmaScottie Mayfield or Weston Wamp. Instead, it'll feature the Democrats hoping to stop them. On March Maynardville physician Mary Headrick and Chattanooga businessman Bill Taylor will debate "issues crucialthe 3rd [Congressional] District" at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, according to a news relea

Each candidate will be given time to present a platform before a moderated question-and-answer session wthe audience. UTC students are expected to make up the bulk of the crowd, organizers said, but anyonewelcome. The Hamilton County Young D emocrats group is hosting the two-hour forum. Taylor is campaigninga centrist Democrat. His top job-creation idea involves strengthening high school vocational training prograwith federal block grants. He also recently touted his love for the Second Amendment when he announced March 31 "Candidate Shootout Challenge" fundraiser at Shooter's Depot in Chattanooga. Taylor operaPhysician Practice Resources, a health care managem ent firm in Ooltewah.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/utc-democratic-congressional-candidates-to-debate/?local

Green Party, Constitution Party gain ground in fight for ballot changes (AP/BurkeA federal judge has ruled that the state may not enforce several rules that minor political parties claim aroadblocks to their candidates getting elected. On F riday, U.S. District Judge William Haynes Jr. refused to s

his earlier decision requiring the state to hold a random drawing to determine which candidates name goes fon the November general election ballot. The ruling is part of a lawsuit jointly filed against the state by the GreParty and Constitution Party, which claim that the state has imposed unconstitutional hurdles to third partrunning for election in Tennessee. The candidate with the No. 1 listing has a 5 percent electoral advantabecause people who arent familiar with any of the nam es just pick the top one, said Alan Woodruff, a JohnsCity attorney who is representing the Constitution and Green parties. State law currently says that a Republicwill be listed first because that is the m ajority party in the G eneral Assembly, Woodruff said. The law says thacandidate running as a Democrat will be listed second because it is the party in the minority in the stalegislature, he said.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS02/303200044/Green-Party-Constitution-Party-gain-grounfight-TN-ballot-changes?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/20/tax-hike-looms-before-council/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/chattanooga-occupy-protesters-discuss-next-move/?localhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/utc-democratic-congressional-candidates-to-debate/?localhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS02/303200044/Green-Party-Constitution-Party-gain-ground-fight-TN-ballot-changes?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS02/303200044/Green-Party-Constitution-Party-gain-ground-fight-TN-ballot-changes?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/20/tax-hike-looms-before-council/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/chattanooga-occupy-protesters-discuss-next-move/?localhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/utc-democratic-congressional-candidates-to-debate/?localhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS02/303200044/Green-Party-Constitution-Party-gain-ground-fight-TN-ballot-changes?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS02/303200044/Green-Party-Constitution-Party-gain-ground-fight-TN-ballot-changes?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cs


9/16

Individual Mandate the Talk of Health Care Town (WPLN-Radio Nashville)The upcoming Supreme Court arguments over the 2010 health care overhaul could be a game-changer Nashvilles biggest industry. Many health care companies are depending on the controversial requirement teveryone purchase insurance. Industry executives say requiring everyone to buy insurance is essentialmaking the economics of the Affordable Care Act work for both insurers and medical providers, which make much of Nashvilles health care industry. Lyle Denniston is the dean em eritus of the S upreme Court Press CorThe High Court is considering multiple legal issues, but he says foremost is the so-called individual manda

The industry if its going to abide by this law needs to have the individual mandate because thats the souof a sufficient number of customers for them to be able to afford the expanded coverage without raispremiums. Denniston was part of a panel discussion organized by the Nashville Health Care Council amoderated by attorney Dick Cowart. Its a definitive case when it comes to health reform, whether determined that the mandate is constitutional or unconstitutional will be a significant economic decision to thealth care industry and the entire U.S. economy.http://wpln.org/?p=351 57

Easing Access (Memphis Daily News)Pool owners face new ADA accessibility regulation New federal regulations requiring chair lifts and otrenovations to public swimming pools went into effect Thursday, March 15, but the tangle of new requirementsleaving many pool owners treading water while they wait for clarity on the rules. The update to the Americawith Disabilities Act of 1991 was passed in 2010 and is designed to make public facilities including t

swimming pools in many hotels and health clubs more accessible for the disabled. Its so complicated, apeople are really holding off on making decisions because they keep changing stuff, said June Whitehurst, owner of M id South Pool Builders in Collierville, who said she lately has been taking multiple calls per day frclients asking what they need to do. In general, under the new guidelines, pools and spas that are open to tpublic will require either a sloped entry or m echanical chair lift. Pools larger than 300 linear feet will require tADA-accessible means of entry.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/20/easing-access/

Business playing key role in drive for gay marriage (Stateline)Gay marriage wouldnt have passed in the Washington State Legislature this year without Governor ChGregoires decision to reverse course and push for it. Legislators personal pleas to colleagues, as epitomized

Republican Representative Maureen Walshs passionate floor speech about her desire to throw her daughtewedding someday, also played a major role. The speech went viral on YouTube. But according to the bisponsor, Democratic state Senator Ed Murray, there was nothing m ore crucial to the legalization of gay marriathan support from high-profile businesses such as Nike and Microsoft. "It's how we got moderate Republicaand conservative Democrats to vote for this, he says. Murray and others first harnessed support from business community for gay r ights in 2006 by using an economic development argument to pass an andiscrimination bill that had been in the works for 29 years. Support from Boeing and Microsoft helped turn kvotes. Since that time, gay rights activists have built aggressively from their original base of industry suppSome gay rights groups have hired lobbyists whose sole focus is reaching out to business leaders.http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=63 9957

Report: Tennessee solar industry picks up the pace (Nashville Business JournalIt was a historic year for the United States solar energy industry in 2011. The market for photovoltaic installatiocontinued to boom, as the U.S. installed 1,855 megawatts of PV (photovoltaic) infrastructure, representing 1percent growth over 2010, according to the U.S. Solar Market Insight 2011 Year-In-Review Report. The repalso said that the fourth quarter of 2011 saw 776 megawatts of PV installed, by far the most of any quarterU.S. history. Tennessee jumped up in the rankings of solar installations. Ranked No. 20 in 2010, Tennesseewhich has successfully recruited solar companies like Wacker Chemie AG and Hemlock Semiconductor Groto the state ranked No. 15 in 2011. On top of this list is California, followed by New Jersey, Arizona, NMexico and Colorado, which rounded out the top five.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/03/19/report-tennessee-solar-industry-p icks.html

Nashville area farms' produce may get to market sooner (TN/Williams, Justus)
http://wpln.org/?p=35157http://wpln.org/?p=35157http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/20/easing-access/http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/20/easing-access/http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=639957http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/03/19/report-tennessee-solar-industry-picks.htmlhttp://wpln.org/?p=35157http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/20/easing-access/http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=639957http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/03/19/report-tennessee-solar-industry-picks.html


10/16

Mild winter, early spring weather are boon to area farmers and gardeners The mild winter and early sprweather have farmers and gardeners working feverishly to plant their crops, vegetable gardens and flowers. Twill mean that this years vegetables from area farms probably will get to market sooner, extending the selliseason and bolstering farm revenues, said George Kilgore, director of the Davidson County office of University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. Were about two weeks ahead of schedule in oweather conditions, and a lot of the cool-season crops have gone to the field early, such as broccoli, cabbacauliflower, turnips, potatoes and onions, he said. Weve checked with commercial growers, and they alreahave 30 percent of their crops in the ground, Kilgore said. Thats definitely early. Those crops will be availaearlier, so we wont have to bring in as much produce from Florida and other Southern states, and that meaour growers will get the early-market prices, too. Organic farmer Eric Patrick, of Foggy Hollow Farm in Joeltalready has some of the early crops in the ground. You kind of plant with the calendar and go w ith the flow aadjust, he said. Thats kind of the fun of it.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/LIFE02/303200036/Nashville-area-farms-produce-may-get-marksooner?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAG E

Middle TN housing market may get hit anew with foreclosures (Tennessean/AllynResearch predicts second wave of foreclosures in Middle TN Just as it appears that the worst of MidTennessees foreclosure crisis has passed, new research suggests that 2012 may usher in a second waveforeclosures in the Nashville area. In 2011, about 11 percent of home sales in the Nashville metro area weforeclosure-related, which is a 31 percent drop from 2010, according to a review of records from data fiRealtyTrac. As regulators increased scrutiny of lenders hasty foreclosure procedures in recent years, banhave taken a longer time to repossess properties, according to RealtyTracs Daren Blomquist. This wespecially so in 2011, when Middle Tennessees foreclosure activity was strikingly slower than the previoyears despite the markets glut of distressed properties, according to new data from the Irvine, Calif.-basresearch firm. Blomquist is expecting 2012 to bring in a new slate of foreclosures, which will depress prices asap the market just as Middle Tennessees real estate economy has, in recent months, shown signs of recoveThe $25 billion federal mortgage settlement involving state attorneys general and big mortgage servicers clarifforeclosure processing rules, which will help move more foreclosures along, experts said.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/BUSINESS02/303200035/Middle-TN-housing-market-may-get-hanew-foreclosures?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Proposed $722M schools budget would be a $48M increase (City Paper/GarrisonMetro Director of Schools Jesse Register has proposed a $722.4 million budget for the next fiscal yearsizeable $48.3 million increase over current education spending to account for a com bination of mandatory aproposed new expenditures. Registers budget is the subject of a public hearing Tuesday at 5 p.m. at tdistricts school board m eeting room. From there, it goes before the nine-member school board for a voteApril 10 before budget hearings begin with Mayor Karl D eans administration. If approved, the schools budget fiscal year 2012-13 would amount to one of Metros largest school-spending increases in recent memory, percent over the ongoing fiscal year. The current budget $674 million is $40 million greater than the othat preceded it. I dont know if its the largest [ever], but its a sizeable increase, Chris Henson, the schodistricts financial officer, told The City Paper.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/proposed-722m-schools-budget-would-be-48m -increase

Speak up today on Nashville teacher pay, schools budget (Tennessean/HubbardThe Metro Nashville school board is holding a public hearing at 5 p.m. today on its proposed operating budgetthe coming school year. The hearing gives residents a chance to see the itemized proposed costs the distestimates it will spend and then allow them to weigh in. Its at the school districts main office, 2601 BransfoAve. The proposed budget is $722 million for fiscal year 2012-13, which is a $48 million or 7 percent increafrom the current year. Part of the proposed increase is raising starting teacher pay to $40,000 per year, an add$6 million cost. Adding an Academ y at Opry Mills, a nontraditional high school to help expedite graduation, aanother program for overage middle school students would cost $2 million. About $3 million is for inflatioResidents w ishing to address the board are required to sign up by 4:30 p.m. by [email protected], calling 615-259-8487 or signing in before the hearing. The proposed budget is availaonline atwww.mnps.org/Page89608.aspx.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS04/303200039/Speak-up-today-Nashville-teacher-pay-schools-budget?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

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http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/LIFE02/303200036/Nashville-area-farms-produce-may-get-market-sooner?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/LIFE02/303200036/Nashville-area-farms-produce-may-get-market-sooner?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/BUSINESS02/303200035/Middle-TN-housing-market-may-get-hit-anew-foreclosures?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/BUSINESS02/303200035/Middle-TN-housing-market-may-get-hit-anew-foreclosures?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/proposed-722m-schools-budget-would-be-48m-increasehttp://www.mnps.org/Page89608.aspxhttp://www.mnps.org/Page89608.aspxhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS04/303200039/Speak-up-today-Nashville-teacher-pay-schools-budget?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS04/303200039/Speak-up-today-Nashville-teacher-pay-schools-budget?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/LIFE02/303200036/Nashville-area-farms-produce-may-get-market-sooner?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/LIFE02/303200036/Nashville-area-farms-produce-may-get-market-sooner?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/BUSINESS02/303200035/Middle-TN-housing-market-may-get-hit-anew-foreclosures?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/BUSINESS02/303200035/Middle-TN-housing-market-may-get-hit-anew-foreclosures?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/proposed-722m-schools-budget-would-be-48m-increasehttp://www.mnps.org/Page89608.aspxhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS04/303200039/Speak-up-today-Nashville-teacher-pay-schools-budget?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/NEWS04/303200039/Speak-up-today-Nashville-teacher-pay-schools-budget?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews


11/16

Public to W eigh in on Larger MNPS Budget (WPLN-Radio Nashville)The board of Metro Schools will hear from the public (tomorrow night/tonight) regarding its proposed $722 millbudget. Overall, the proposal represents growth of more than 7 percent close to $50 million. The largeincrease not considered mandatory is a boost in the starting pay for teachers, which will cost the district nea$6 million. In recent years, the Metro Council has given the school district all of the money it asked for. By far, city spends more on education than any other part of government. And this year Mayor Karl Dean is increasin

expected to ask for his first property tax hike to make ends meet. The public hearing starts at 5 p.m. at tBransford Avenue office. Speakers must sign up by 4:30.http://wpln.org/?p=352 41

Brentwood to offer funding to more schools outside its city limits (Tenn./Burch)Schools outside city that serve a lot of the town's students will get piece of action Brentwood the only cityWilliamson County that contributes extra money to the county-run schools in town is about to sw eeten the pSchools that arent in the city limits but have B rentwood students can now get a piece of the annual funding after the City Commission agreed to the change in Brentwoods Educational Contributions Policy. The changeimportant as growth ramps back up in Brentwood and m akes school rezoning a recurring need, and as decisioare made on building a high school in the Nolensville area. In the revised policy, Williamson County Schools wenrollment of 50 percent or more Brentwood students could receive the same annual contributions handed ouother schools by the city. Right now, that would include Sunset Middle and Sunset Elementary schools, wh

are in Nolensville, said Assistant City Manager Kirk Bednar. Other schools outside the city could also prorated contributions if the student body includes 25 to 50 percent Brentwood kids. Schools with less than percent Brentwood students wouldnt get any of the citys money.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/WILLIAMSON01/303200033/Brentwood-offer-funding-more-schools-outside-its-city-limits?odyssey=tab|topnews|text |News

Memphis City Schools eyes job reductions (Commercial Appeal/Kelley)Memphis City and Shelby County schools officials Monday night delivered grim news about their proposbudgets for next year to the unified school board, prompting board m ember Jeff Warren to ask: "Whe re's our $million?" He was referring to the money the courts have ordered the city to pay Memphis City Schools becauof a funding shortfall in 2008, when the City Council tried to shed its traditional supplemental funding education to MCS and the district sued. Most unified board members know members of the City Council, boa

chairman Billy Orgel noted, so perhaps now's the time to "press our case." But the city faces its own budgproblems, and appears in no hurry to pay anything beyond the $68 million it is expected to come up with for schools next year. MCS Supt. Kriner Cash said he tr ied to start a conversation with Memphis Mayor AWharton about the $57 million about two weeks ago, without success. Which leaves Memphis City Schofinishing the 2011-12 year within its budget but proposing to eliminate 96 positions to balance the books nyear on a projected $902 m illion budget.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/20/schools-facing-lean-budgets/(SUBSCRIPTION)

Hurdles for Millington over school plans (Comm ercial Appeal/Silence)Property tax rate may have to double for own district Millington residents remained interested in startingmunicipal school district, even though there weren't answers to many of their questions at a public meetiMonday night. "This is a very, very difficult decision on everyone's part," interim Mayor Linda Carter told a cro

of about 100 residents at the Millington Civic Center. "There is much concern, much distrust, much anger, maquestions and we are all in the middle of it." Carter encouraged them to "pray for divine intervention." To creatmunicipal school district, Millington would have to annex the Lucy community, close one of three elementschools and raise taxes, according to a consultant's feasibility study. Carter told the crowd that the city's propetax rate of $1.23 could potentially have to double to maintain the district. She told them the city hopes to contineducating students who currently attend Millington-area schools and don't live in the city limits, but that's a mawhat-if.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/20/hurdles-for-millington-over-school-plans/(SUBSCRIPTION)

Appeal to open Jackson charter school may move forward (Jackson Sun)

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http://wpln.org/?p=35241http://wpln.org/?p=35241http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/WILLIAMSON01/303200033/Brentwood-offer-funding-more-schools-outside-its-city-limits?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/WILLIAMSON01/303200033/Brentwood-offer-funding-more-schools-outside-its-city-limits?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/20/schools-facing-lean-budgets/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/20/hurdles-for-millington-over-school-plans/http://wpln.org/?p=35241http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/WILLIAMSON01/303200033/Brentwood-offer-funding-more-schools-outside-its-city-limits?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/WILLIAMSON01/303200033/Brentwood-offer-funding-more-schools-outside-its-city-limits?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/20/schools-facing-lean-budgets/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/20/hurdles-for-millington-over-school-plans/


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Officials with proposed charter school Jackson Preparatory Academy could soon m ake their case in a puhearing after a ruling in their favor by the state Treasury Department. State Treasurer David Lillard Jr., wrote innine-page opinion that the creation of Jackson Preparatory Academy would not have a substantial negative fisimpact on Jackson-Madison County Schools. In his opinion, Lillard wrote that while the local public school distprovided information about the loss in revenue it would experience with a transfer of students to the charschool, it did not provide an analysis showing the district could not absorb the loss of 95 to 190 students whthe normal student enrollment fluctuations are about 253 students a year. With the loss of students, the distestimated that it would lose $700,000 in the first year of operation of the charter school and take on the additiocost of providing oversight to the charter school and increased transportation costs because the proposed site the new school between Phillips and Cartmell streets is within two blocks of two existing public schools athus would require student rezoning. Lillard wrote that the district has sufficient flexibility to adjust becaugeneral purpose funding has remained consistent over the past few years despite enrollment fluctuations.http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120320/NEWS01/303200013/Appeal-open-Jackson-charter-school-may-move-forward

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OPINION

Times Editorial: Making laws with abandon (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)There is no shortage of vital issues for Tennessee's Legislature to be considering right now. With state revenue visibly recovering from the Great Recession -- revenues for the past seven straight months hagenerated $238 million more than at this point last year -- lawmakers and Gov. Bill Haslam should be thinkiabout restoring vital funding cut last year from children's services, education and health care. Neglected stinfrastructure needs should also be on the table. But those aren't state government's priorities. Haslam is bupushing a dicey program to incentivize economic development by giving taxpayer dollars -- that is to say, recash -- to companies to induce them to locate or expand in Tennessee. He has not yet offered a cogent reaswhy the state's regular lucrative tax abatements are not enough, nor has he competently explained why tbusiness people who would get taxpayers' cash should not be identified. His majority Republican lawmake

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having slashed teachers' tenure and negotiation rights, now are trying to reduce the state lottery's collescholarship HOPE grants to "m arginally" qualified students from $4,000 to $2,000 a year. O f course, that wocheat students who typically need scholarship aid the most, and it would mainly benefit students whose parenneighborhoods and income generally provide them with best possible high school options.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/0320b-t1-making-laws-with-abandon/?opiniontimes

Editorial: Bill puts doctors, women in danger (Tennessean)

What is Tennessee to do when its lawmakers become lawbreakers? We are not talking about state Rep. CuTodd of Collierville, charged last October with DUI while carrying a loaded handgun; or Rep. David HawkGreeneville, arrested just two days ago on a domestic violence charge. Were talking about a legislature tidentifies abortion doctors to violent fanatics. Rep. Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough, Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Juliet and other sponsors of the ironically named Life D efense Act of 2012 are seeking to do just that, wlegislation to post online the nam es of abortion doctors in Tennessee. The physicians are the most likely targof anti-abortion extremists, as seen in the 2009 murder of Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, Kan.; the 1994 shootdeaths of Dr. John Bayard B ritton and his bodyguard in Pensacola, Fla.; and the 1993 killing of Dr. David Guin Eufala, Ala., to name a few. Hil ls and Beavers legis lation would go the extra step of exposingunintentionally, the women who undergo abortion procedures. Heaven help the wom en who dared keep thpregnancy and decision to have an abortion a secret because of a current or former partner who has threatenthem.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/OPINION01/303200009/Bill-puts-doctors-women-danger?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Free-Press Editorial: Voter ID law enjoys overwhelming popularity in Tenn. (TFP)Opponents of Tennessee's commonsense law requiring that voters present legitimate photo identification at ballot box have tried to portray the law as sharply dividing public opinion and creating needless strife. But nothicould be further from the truth. Amid all the baseless accusations that the photo ID law was designed assneaky way to disenfranchise the elderly or minorities or the poor, Middle Tennessee State U niversity conducan opinion poll that included a question about the law. As reported by Nashville's Tennessean newspaper, tpoll found that 82 percent of state residents believe the law is "a good idea that should be kept in place." contrast, only 11 percent think the law is "a bad idea that should be done away with." The other 7 percent weresure. While there are certainly some individuals who oppose the photo ID law, it seems rather obvious that toverwhelming majority of Tennesseans consider the law a sensible precaution against fraud at the ballot boxand do not buy the claim that it robs some groups of Tennesseans of their legitimate r ight to vote. Thconfidence in the law is justified. The legislation rightly included a number of safeguards meant to keep votinsimple process and not to burden those who are lawfully seeking to exercise their voting rights.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/tennessee-voter-id-a-well-liked-law/?opinio nfreepress

Editorial: Battle over voter ID law could shift to state courts (News-Sentinel)The fight over Tennessee's controversial voter ID law has centered on its compliance with the U .S. Constitutibut the real battlefield might lie closer to home. A judge in Madison, Wisc., recently ruled that W isconsin's voID law violated that state's constitution. While the Wisconsin Supreme Court likely will have the final say upappeal, observers in Tennessee should look closely at the similarities between the two states' constitutions agauge the ramifications of a similar ruling in the Volunteer State. In Wisconsin's constitution, the only classespeople barred from voting are felons and those judged by a court to be incompetent. The Legislature can enlaws to define residency, provide for registration and absentee voting, and extend the right of suffrage to otclasses. Dane County Circuit Judge Richard G. Niess ruled earlier this month that Wisconsin's voter ID lcreated a new class of voters denied the right of suffrage those without photo IDs. Tennessee's constitutbans only felons from exercising the right to vote. Article IV, Section 1 of the constitution establishes tqualifications for voting in Tennessee: age, U.S. citizenship, state residency and registration. The section's fparagraph concludes that "there shall be no other qualification attached to the right of suffrage."http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/20/editorial-battle-over-voter-id-law-co uld-shift/

Sam Stockard: Lt. Gov. may be gloating early on photo ID success (DNJ)Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey sent out an interesting letter last week blaming the liberal m edia for proclaiming tTennessees new voter photo ID law would disenfranchise voters across the state when, in fact, things w

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great and nobody lost their vote. Ramsey, a Blountvil le Republican, said opponents of the law had bescreaming like Chicken Little and pointed toward headlines such as Voter ID gets going w ithout a hitch as prthat it worked. In Rutherford County, though, its hard to tell exactly what happened. The night of the presidenpreference primary, Administrator of Elections Nicole Lester said she knew of only one instance in whichwoman had to fill out a provisional ballot that day because she didnt have her photo ID at the polls. Apparenshe had just gotten out of the hospital and had her pastor driving her from the polls, to home, to the polls afinally to the Election Comm ission Office on the Public Square to show proof, according to Lester. The day afthe Tuesday primary, Lester changed the figure when she said Rutherford County had 23 people who caprovisional ballots and needed to show up before closing time that Thursday to show an acceptable statefederal photo ID.http://www.dnj.com/article/20120320/OPINION02/303200001/Stockard-column-Lt-Gov-may-gloating-early-phoID-success

Clay Bennett Political Cartoon: Mountaintop Mining (Times Free-Press)http://media.timesfreepress.com/img/news/tease/2012/03/19/120320_Mountaintop_Mining_t618.jpg?ba5b5b122dd3d37cc13d83e92a6a0ec0d5bfa32a

Times Editorial: Positive growth in graduation rates (Times Free-Press)In the past, Tennessee was rarely cited in a positive manner in national educational surveys. No more. The st

was named Monday as one of two -- New York is the other -- where notable improvements in high schgraduation rates contributed to the betterment of the national rate. Progress in Hamilton County mirrors tstatewide gains. Gains in the two states helped improve the national rate by 3.5 percent from 2001-2009, tperiod studied by the America's Promise Alliance, sponsor of the Grad N ation summit in the nation's capital. Tput the national rate in 2009 at 75 percent, a number than obviously requires improvement. The alliancechildren's advocacy group, hopes to lift the rate to a more acceptable 90 percent by 2020. That's an admirabtarget but one that will be hard to reach despite recent progress. Currently, only Wisconsin has reached thlevel, though Vermont appears likely to do so soon. Tennessee's rate in 2009 was 77.4 percent, a huge jufrom the 59.6 percent recorded in 2002. In Hamilton County, the graduation rate in 2011 was 81.7 percent, wabove both state and national rates.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/tennessee-positive-growth-in-grad-rates/?op iniontimes

Free-Press Editorial: Tennessee sees astounding improvement in grad. rate (TFPTennessee and New York state share an admirable academic distinction: Both saw double-digit increases fr2002 to 2009 in the percentage of high school students who earn a diploma within four years. During that timperiod, Tennessee's graduation rate climbed from an abysmal 59.6 percent to 77.4 percent. That improvemalso means our state's graduation rate is now above the nationwide average of 75 percent. Those aren't jinteresting statistics. They represent dramatically improved life and career prospects for many young people. average, a high school graduate will earn about $130,000 more throughout his life than a high school dropout earn. Graduates also contribute to the tax base and consume less government spending throughout their livThat is not to say that Tennessee or our country as a whole has reached the "right" percentage of high schograduates. Nationwide, from 2002 to 2010, the number of high schools considered "dropout factories" -- thofrom which 40 percent or more of students fail to graduate on time -- decreased by more than 450. That's gonews. But there are still almost 1,600 "dropout factories" around the country.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/20/tennessee-encouraging-graduation-rate/?opinionfreepress

Editorial: Education progress could boost Tennessee (Jackson Sun)There is welcome news on the education front for the nation, and especially for Tennessee. High schograduation rates are up nationwide. Tennessee leads the nation with an 18 percent increase from 2001 to 20It appears the states education reforms are beg inning to pay off, but there still is a long way to go. Nationwithe high school graduation rate in 2009 stood at 75.5 percent, up from 72.6 percent in 2002. W hile that is gonews, it is far from the goal of 90 percent. O nly Wisconsin, at 90.7 percent, reached the benchmark. Tnationwide increase was led by Tennessee (18 percent) and New York (13 percent). Statewide, in 20Tennessee public high schools graduated 77.4 percent of students in four years. That is up from 59 .6 percen

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2002. While higher than the national average, Tennessee sti ll ranks 26th in this category. Clearly, wTennessee accomplished from 2001 to 2009, was to build momentum in improving education outcomes. On heels of those improvements came the m assive education reform efforts of former Gov. Phil Bredesen, followby continued emphasis on improving public education by Gov. Bill Haslam. Tennessees efforts were recognizwhen it was chosen to be one of the first two states to receive Race to the Top school funding grants. Tennessreceived more than $500 million.http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120320/OPINION/303200002/Our-View-Education-progress-could-boostTennessee

Editorial: The States Get a Poor Report Card (New York Times)State governments have long been accused of backroom dealing, cozy relationships with moneyed lobbyisand disconnection from ordinary citizens. A new study suggests those accusations barely scratch the surfaThe study, issued Monday by a consortium led by the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan watchdog grofound that most states shy away from public scrutiny, fail to enact or enforce ethics laws, and allow corporatioand the wealthy a dominant voice in elections and policy decisions. The study gave virtually every statemediocre to poor grade on a wide range of government conduct, including ethics enforcement, transparenauditing and cam paign finance reform. No state got an A; five received Bs, and the rest grades of C, D or F. all the reform talk by many governors and state lawmakers, very little has really changed in most capitals ovthe decades. Budgeting is still done behind closed doors, and spending decisions are revealed to the publicthe last minute. Ethics panels do not bother to m eet, or never enforce the conflict-of-interest laws that are on books. Lobbyists have free access to elected officials, plying them with gifts or big campaign contributionOpen-records acts are shot through with loopholes.http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/20/opinion/the-states-get-a-poor-report-card.html?_r=1&ref=to dayspaper(SUB)

Guest columnist: Don't let Washington pick your retirement (Tennessean)AARP launches listening tour on Medicare, Social Security issues Dont you think you should be includedconversations about your future especially if they impact your retirement security? AARP does. Thats why launching a listening tour. We want to hear your ideas about protecting and strengthening Medicare and SocSecurity. Medicare is facing financial challenges, especially due to ever-rising costs in the broader health-casystem. The Medicare fund that pays hospital bills will face a shortfall in 2024. Social Security can paypromised benefits until about 2036, but after that, it will be able to pay only 75 percent of benefits. You have pinto these critical programs all your working lives. Many of us still are. We want and deserve to know wchanges are being debated to make them strong for the long haul. But a new survey shows that more than percent of adults believe our representatives in Washington are trying to make too many decisions aboMedicare and Social Security without listening to us. Our new survey finds that nearly all adults no mawhat their age or political persuasion believe that Medicare and Social Security are important to peophealth and financial security in retirement. They believe that folks in Washington should spend more tilistening to ordinary citizens.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/OPINION03/303200007/Don-t-let-Washington-pick-your-retirement?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Guest columnists: National popular vote gains ground (Tennessean)There is a quiet movement that could dramatically change the way our country elects its president. Tmovement doesnt alter our Constitution or give one political party advantage over another. This plan isnonpartisan idea that merits consideration by our e lected officials and affords each vote to carry the same weinationwide. The plan is a compact between states for a national popular vote for president, awarding victorythe candidate who receives the most votes nationally. What a novel idea, since every other m ajor election in ocountry is held in the same manner. So appealing is the plan to Americans, it is halfway to the 270 votes needto put it in place, becoming law in eight states and passing 38 other state legislative chambers. The FoundFathers had so much deliberation over this one issue that there was no consensus on how to proceed to chooelectors. After 30 days of deliberation, the consensus was to let the states decide. Our current system becathe norm by virtue of piecemeal enactment by the states, not by a federally constituted amendment. There habeen attempts in the past to im plement this idea, with the strong nonpartisan support of individuals such as SHoward Baker Jr., President George H.W . Bush, and Sen. Lloyd Bentsen. Supporters of the popular-vote systargue that millions who vote dont count under the current system, in which all of a states electors go to candidate with the most votes in that sta

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tuesday, march 20 news summary

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