wednesday, march 7 news summary

8/2/2019 Wednesday, March 7 News Summary

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2012Haslam wants to know why proposed changes favor home-schoolers (TFP/SherGov. Bill Haslam said he needs to understand why efforts to toughen eligibility requirements for state lottefunded college scholarships appear to favor home-schooled students over pupils attending traditional public aprivate schools. The governor told reporters he only learned of the differences from news accounts this weekwould need to understand what the reason is for the distinction, which I havent heard yet, Haslam said. SenRepublicans say tougher eligiblity requirements are necessary to save the lottery, which is spending some $million to $19 million annually out of its reserve fund to meeting scholarship obligations. The Senate GOP requires traditional students in school settings to have at least a 21 composite score on their ACT and have a grade point average. Currently, they must have one or the other. Home-schooled students have always besubject to just the 21 on the ACT. Grade-point averages have never been a Hope Scholarship qualifying optfor home-schooled students since their parents track and report their childrens grades.http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/06/gov-bill-haslam-wants-know-why-proposed-lottery-sc/?breakingnews

Haslam says 'business is good' at chamber-sponsored event (Nashville Post)Gov. Bill Haslam on Tuesday morning stressed during a Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce event tbusiness is good in Tennessee, a reference to the chambers new marketing campaign. Speaking at Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel Tuesday morning for the chamber-organized Outlook Tennessee, Haslsaid the states economic health is stable. He noted Tennessee saw 28,000 new jobs in 2011 and that the statunemployment rate, after many m onths, is lower than that of the nations average. One of our roles is to set environment for the [states] economy to grow, the governor told the approximately 350 attendees. We dontthings in a vacuum. Haslam said the state is working diligently to attract businesses. He said two focuses alowering the grocery tax and altering the estate tax such that it is applied only on those estates of $5 millionmore. Currently, the state taxes estates of $1 million or more.http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/3/6/haslam_says_business_is_good_at_chamber_sponsored_event

Haslam talks economy, economic development controversy (N. Biz Journal)Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam expressed optimism about the economy today while pushing his legislative agenincluding a now controversial bid to rework economic development incentives. Speaking in Nashville befodozens of business, nonprofit and education leaders, the Republican governor pointed to various signs teconomic conditions are improving. He also pivoted with that message toward his own agenda, which he sacan help create the right business environment while things look up. "I think the economy is definitely movingthe right direction," Haslam said. The governor told the chamber crowd that Tennessee's unemployment rate8.7 percent is encouraging, as it falls below the national average of 8.9 percent. Later, he talked about rissales tax revenue as another boon.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/03/06/haslam-talks-

economy-eco-devo.html

Haslam: Cash Incentives Could Save State Money (WPLN-Radio Nashville)Governor Bill Haslam says the state could save money by giving cash to companies it wants to recruitproposal to make that easier is in a holding pattern in the state legislature. One of the states main tools attracting businesses is tax breaks. But Haslam argues many companies would prefer cash up front, even if for a smaller amount, because they want to spend it right away. Haslam says that could save Tennessee m onIts not just the cash value of money. Usually, if theyre expecting something, they need its a capital questfor them: do they have enough funds to m ake it work? So what weve found is companies put a lot more valuethat dollar now than they do two dollars two years from now. Haslam also defended a proposal to let the st
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see private financial data for businesses its courting, without making that data public. He argues its not to hinformation thats available now, but to let the state review private company info d iscreetly.http://wpln.org/?p=34781

Haslam seeks to shield names of company owners asking for state $$ (CP/WoodGov. Bill Haslam is in danger of suffering a rare setback in the Republican-dominated legislature with proposal to m ake secret the names of the owners of companies asking for m illions of dollars in tax money

build or expand in Tennessee. The governor and his Economic and Community Development Commissioner Hagerty insist confidentiality is necessary to help Tennessee compete with other states seeking new jobs. Tgovernor plans to expand the states Fast Track incentive program for businesses to pay not only for roadutilities and worker training, but also to build and equip industrial plants. In its original form, the administratiobill authorized the state to require businesses applying for tax breaks or outright grants to surrender financstatements, cash-flow reports, corporate structure and ownership. But all the information is sealed from pubview. Proponents say the companies wont surrender the information unless it will be kept confidential.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/haslam-seeks-shield-names-company-owners-asking-s tate-money

Haslam defends cash grants for businesses, secrecy (Commercial Appeal/LockeGov. Bill Haslam offered a broad defense Tuesday of his efforts to shift the state's business-developme

incentives from tax credits toward direct cash grants and to keep secret the owners of companies who wtaxpayer funding. Speaking to the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Haslam acknowledged the two bills he hasked lawmakers to approve have set off a public debate, but said he believes giving businesses cash to m oto or expand in Tennessee will cost taxpayers less and be more "transparent" and more effective over time. also said he and lawmakers are trying to find a balance between the information the state asks of businesseshelp officials make decisions about awarding incentives and the amount of that information disclosed to tpublic. His administration is pushing a bill that would allow the state to obtain more information from businessapplying for public assistance to build or expand, including financial information, trade secrets and ownersprivately held companies, and keep it confidential even after public money is awarded.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/06/tennessee-gov-haslam-defends-his-actions-businesse/

Haslam seeks com promise over guns in parking lots (Tennessean/Marsteller)Businesses' property rights clash with 2nd Amendment rights Gov. Bill Haslam said Tuesday that he has hopfor common ground in the debate over guns in parking lots, but he said recent words by a gun-rights grouleader could make compromise more difficult. Haslam didnt directly mention the controversial bill whaddressing several local business leaders, including some who oppose the measure that would allow employeto bring guns closer to their workplaces. But he told reporters after his appearance that hes still hopelegislators can strike a balance between what he sees as competing rights. This is one area where Republicabelieve in property rights and they believe in Second Amendment rights, he said. Getting the balance rightimportant. A bill drafted by the National Rifle Association would allow any public or private employeeTennessee to store guns in his or her locked vehicle parked in an employers parking lot. Business grouincluding the state Chamber of Comm erce, have criticized the bill as an infringement on their own property righhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/BUSINESS01/303070084/Haslam-seeks-compromise-over-gunsparking-lots?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

TBI arrests woman on 100 counts related to prescription fraud in two counti(CP)The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested a Springfield woman Monday on 100 counts of charges relato illegally obtaining prescription drugs in Davidson and Robertson counties. Ann Margaret Choate, 30, windicted by a Robertson County grand jury Feb. 15 on 31 counts of obtaining prescription drugs by fraud,counts of forgery and 28 counts of identity theft. Choate was arrested on those charges Feb. 23. She windicted in Davidson County last week on one count of obtaining prescription drugs by fraud, 10 counts of identheft and one count of TennCare Fraud for allegedly using the benefits of other persons, which led to pharmaccharging the state on forged prescriptions. She was arrested in Davidson County M arch 5 on those charges. TTennCare Office of the Inspector General also charged Choate with one count of TennCare fraud by a recipifor using her TennCare benefits to fill prescriptions written in her name. According to the TBI, Choate worked aNashville doctors office between December 2010 and May 2011. While working there, authorities belie
http://wpln.org/?p=34781http://wpln.org/?p=34781http://wpln.org/?p=34781http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/haslam-seeks-shield-names-company-owners-asking-state-moneyhttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/haslam-seeks-shield-names-company-owners-asking-state-moneyhttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/06/tennessee-gov-haslam-defends-his-actions-businesse/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/BUSINESS01/303070084/Haslam-seeks-compromise-over-guns-parking-lots?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/BUSINESS01/303070084/Haslam-seeks-compromise-over-guns-parking-lots?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://wpln.org/?p=34781http://wpln.org/?p=34781http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/haslam-seeks-shield-names-company-owners-asking-state-moneyhttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/haslam-seeks-shield-names-company-owners-asking-state-moneyhttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/06/tennessee-gov-haslam-defends-his-actions-businesse/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/BUSINESS01/303070084/Haslam-seeks-compromise-over-guns-parking-lots?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/BUSINESS01/303070084/Haslam-seeks-compromise-over-guns-parking-lots?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cs


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Choate stole prescription pads from the office and wrote herself multiple prescriptions for Lortab.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/tbi-arrests-woman-100-counts-related-prescription-frau d-two-counties

Woman arrested on 100 counts of prescription drug charges (TN/Humbles)A Springfield woman was arrested on 100 counts of charges that relate to obtaining prescription drugs illegallyDavidson and Robertson counties, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Ann Margaret Choa

30, of Cross Plains Road in Springfield, was indicted in Robertson County on Feb. 15, on 31 counts of obtain31 counts of obtaining prescription drugs by fraud, 28 counts of forgery and 28 counts of identity theft. She warrested Feb. 23, and booked into the Robertson County Jail on $20,000 bond. Choate was also indictedDavidson County on March 2, on one count of obtaining drugs by fraud, 10 counts identity theft, and one counTennCare Fraud for using TennCare benefits of others causing the pharmacy that filled her prescription to TennCare for the forged prescriptions. She was arrested and booked into the Davidson County Jail on March2012 on a $25,000 bond. TennCare OIG also charged Choate with one count of TennCare fraud by a recipiefor using her TennCare benefits to fill prescriptions written in her name.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120306/NEWS03/303060071/Springfield-woman-arrested-100-counts-prescription-drug-charges?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|N ews|s

Springfield woman arrested on 100 prescription drug-related charges (L-C)

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Monday arrested a Springfield woman on 100 counts of variocharges related to obtaining prescriptions drugs illegally in Davidson and Robertson counties, after she windicted by grand juries in both jurisdictions within the last month. O n Feb.15, Ann Margaret Choate, 30, of 38Cross Plains Road, was indicted in Robertson County on 31 counts of obtaining prescription drugs by fraud,counts of forgery and 28 counts of identity theft, according to a news release on Tuesday from the TennessBureau of Investigation. She was subsequently arrested on Feb. 23 and booked into the Robertson County Jon $20,000 bond. Choate was also indicted in Davidson County on March 2 on one count of obtaining drugsfraud, 10 counts identity theft, and one count of TennCare Fraud for using TennCare benefits of others causthe pharmacy that filled her prescription to bill TennCare for the forged prescriptions, the release said. She warrested and booked into the Davidson County Jail on March 5 on a $25,000 bond. TennCare OIG also chargChoate with one count of TennCare fraud by a recipient.http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120307/NEWS01/303060064/Springfield-woman-arrested-100-prescription-drug-related-charges

Outdoor burning permits available online (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Simmons)Outdoor burning is a good way to get rid of trash or clear a field, but first, you need a permit. The burning permare free and are required in all parts of Tennessee until May 15, w hen the vegetation greens up and reduces threat of wildfires. Not having a permit when conducting outdoor burning is a Class C misdemeanor punishaby up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $50. This year, the Tennessee Forestry Division is makipermits for small-scale burning available online for the first time. The permits may be obtained by visitihttp://www.burnsafetn.o rg. The website also is a good source of information for safe outdoor burning practicesPermits also may be obtained by calling your local Division of Forestry office, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday throuFriday. Permits generally are good for 24 hours and can be issued for weekend burning. Escaped debris burwere the leading cause of Tennessee wildfires in 2011, accounting for 409 fires that scorched nearly 2,5acres. (Arson was the second-leading cause last year, but accounted for the most damage by burning more th

7,500 acres.)http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/07/outdoor-burning-permits-available-online/

Tennessee lottery has record sales in February (Associated Press)The Tennessee Education Lottery Corp. reports record sales of $130 million in February. Lottery officTuesday said it was an 11.4 percent increase over the previous record of $116.7 million last March. Thattributed the record to strong growth in instant games, a restructured Powerball and new games. The lottery hbeen selling tickets since January 2004.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/06/tennessee-lottery-has-record-sales-in-february/

Bell knocks off Jameson in General Sessions judge race (City Paper/Garrison)In an outcome few Metro observers expected, Rachel Bell handily won the Democratic primary for a Davids
http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/tbi-arrests-woman-100-counts-related-prescription-fraud-two-countieshttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/tbi-arrests-woman-100-counts-related-prescription-fraud-two-countieshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120306/NEWS03/303060071/Springfield-woman-arrested-100-counts-prescription-drug-charges?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120306/NEWS03/303060071/Springfield-woman-arrested-100-counts-prescription-drug-charges?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120307/NEWS01/303060064/Springfield-woman-arrested-100-prescription-drug-related-chargeshttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120307/NEWS01/303060064/Springfield-woman-arrested-100-prescription-drug-related-chargeshttp://www.burnsafetn.org/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/07/outdoor-burning-permits-available-online/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/07/outdoor-burning-permits-available-online/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/06/tennessee-lottery-has-record-sales-in-february/http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/tbi-arrests-woman-100-counts-related-prescription-fraud-two-countieshttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/tbi-arrests-woman-100-counts-related-prescription-fraud-two-countieshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120306/NEWS03/303060071/Springfield-woman-arrested-100-counts-prescription-drug-charges?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120306/NEWS03/303060071/Springfield-woman-arrested-100-counts-prescription-drug-charges?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120307/NEWS01/303060064/Springfield-woman-arrested-100-prescription-drug-related-chargeshttp://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120307/NEWS01/303060064/Springfield-woman-arrested-100-prescription-drug-related-chargeshttp://www.burnsafetn.org/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/07/outdoor-burning-permits-available-online/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/06/tennessee-lottery-has-record-sales-in-february/


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County General Sessions judgeship, knocking off Mike Jameson, who was appointed to the bench in the fBell, a 34-year-old attorney who has practiced law for seven years, beat Jameson, a former two-term Mecouncilman, in a relatively wide vote margin, 8,649 to 6,294 (54 percent to 39 percent). Jack Byrd finisheddistant third, with 1,203 votes (7 percent). When contacted by The City Paper, Bell cited her favorite Bibliexpression. But God, Bell said. Thats all I would like to say. If you just put that in the paper, that will enough for me. But God means any and everything you need, you have faith in him, and you work hard, Gwill give you the vision, she said. With her victory, Bell is the heavy favorite to defeat independent candidaMichael Rowan in the August general election for General Sessions Division 8 judge. If she does, Bell wobecome the second African-American and fourth female of the 11 presiding Davidson County General Sessiojudges.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/bell-knocks-jameson-general-sessions-ju dge-race

Bell stuns Jameson for General Sessions post (Tennessean/Haas)All the name recognition, political connections and support from the legal community didnt help former MeCouncilman Mike Jam eson win the General Sessions judgeship he sought. Instead, attorney Rachel Bell, hopto bring diversity and transparency to Davidson C ountys legal system, won the Democratic primary spot and go on to the general election. Bell, if elected in the August election, would be only the second black female judin Nashville. Nashville attorney Jack Byrd came in a distant third. The Circuit Court judgeship primary provless surprising, with Phillip Robinson sailing to a comfortable victory. General Sessions Court generally handpreliminary matters in criminal cases, m inor crimes and small-claims civil cases. Jameson was widely expec

to win the judgeship Tuesday night based on his political clout and the fact that he had already been appointedthat seat. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEW S02/303070108/Bell-stuns-Jameson-GeneraSessions-post?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Phillip Robinson easily wins Circuit Court judge race (C ity Paper/Garrison)Phillip Robinson, appointed Davidson County Circuit Court judge two weeks ago, rolled to victory in Democratic primary for that position Tuesday, beating attorney Stan Kweller by a near 3-to-1 spread. Robinsa longtime family law attorney, beat Kweller for the Division 3 circuit court Democratic nomination Tuesd11,011 votes to 3,837 votes (74 percent to 26 percent). The election is for the seat formerly held by JudBarbara Haynes, who retired in the fall. Gov. Bill Haslam appointed Robinson to the judgeship on Feb. 2Robinson could face an independent challenger in the general election in August, but he would be the heafavorite to win. This particular circuit court division is likely to be designated to hear cases involving divorce, ch

custody and other domestic issues. Judge Carol Soloman had presided over family law matters, but she recenceased doing so following scrutiny of her court. I dont have a learning curve, Robinson recently told The CPaper.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/phillip-robinson-easily-wins-circuit-court-j udge-race

Binkley wins 3-way vote for Circuit Court post (Tennessean/Adams)Mike Binkley, an attorney who touted celebrity endorsements during his campaign, easily led a three-way contfor a judicial post in Williamson County. Unofficial results showed Binkley with a comfortable lead over opponents, Judy Oxford and Derek Smith. Supporters began gathering to celebrate Binkleys presumed victat Mickey Roos, a barbecue restaurant on Hillsboro Road in Franklin, about an hour after polls closed at 7 pThe crowded room was in good spirits as a band played country tunes on stage. Binkley enjoyed endorsemefrom former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher and racing legend Darrell Waltrip that were touted in direct m

pieces to voters. Im just ready to get started and get to work, Binkley said during a phone call while travelinghis party. Smith, a career prosecutor who was appointed to the judge seat in Decem ber by Gov. Bill Haslam, aOxford, a private attorney, were at the Election Commission, where they hugged each other before Oxford l just before 9 p.m. The judicial race represented the only local draw Tuesday for voters in Williamson CounTwo of the candidates, Binkley and Sm ith, spent heavily in the final weeks of the campaign.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070119/Binkley-wins-3-way-vote-Circuit-Court-posodyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Stanton edges Sidney, will face Rout in race for General Sessions cle

(CA/Moore)Ed Stanton Jr. moved a step closer to making his temporary job as Shelby County General Sessions Court clpermanent, narrowly winning the Democratic primary with 37 percent of the vote over Sidney Chism, w
http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/bell-knocks-jameson-general-sessions-judge-racehttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070108/Bell-stuns-Jameson-General-Sessions-post?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070108/Bell-stuns-Jameson-General-Sessions-post?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/phillip-robinson-easily-wins-circuit-court-judge-racehttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070119/Binkley-wins-3-way-vote-Circuit-Court-post?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070119/Binkley-wins-3-way-vote-Circuit-Court-post?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/bell-knocks-jameson-general-sessions-judge-racehttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070108/Bell-stuns-Jameson-General-Sessions-post?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070108/Bell-stuns-Jameson-General-Sessions-post?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/phillip-robinson-easily-wins-circuit-court-judge-racehttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070119/Binkley-wins-3-way-vote-Circuit-Court-post?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070119/Binkley-wins-3-way-vote-Circuit-Court-post?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cs


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received 36 percent. Stanton will face Republican primary winner Rick Rout on Aug. 2. With all precinreporting, 245 votes separated Stanton, with 8,422 votes ahead of Chism's 8,177 votes. "Being qualified, wexperience and having the integrity and the accountability and a proven record of administering an offefficiently and effectively" resonated with voters, Stanton said. "We ran on a grassroots campaign with family afriends and associates who were sincere and pulled together an effective campaign," he said. Five Democraincluding incumbent Otis Jackson, were on Tuesday's ballot. Jackson, indicted on charges of orderemployees to contr ibute to his re-election campaign, trailed with 15 percent of the votes. Lakelabusinesswoman Karen Woodward got 6 percent and retired educator Marion Brewer received more thanpercent.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/06/democrats-stanton-chism-general-sessions-court/(SUB)

Judge at the center of TBI investigation loses Hawkins Co. primary (Hera

Courier)A local race in Hawkins County Tuesday included a judge who is currently the focus of an investigation.February, Judge James "Jay" Taylor declined to respond to four formal theft charges filed by the TennessCourt of the Judiciary. Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations also executed a search warrantTaylors office last month. In the Hawkins County Republican primary, Taylor finished third in the race General Sessions Judge. The victor, Todd Ross, defeated Taylor and a third nominee, Buddy Baird. Rogarnered 49 percent of the vote. 11 Connects reporter George Jackson spoke with the two men seekingsucceed the embattled judge.

http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/07/2/judge-center-tbi-investigation-loses-hawkins-co-pr-ar -1745885/

Sevier County wins appeal about open m eetings (Associated Press)A lawsuit claiming local officials in Sevier County have violated open meetings laws has been rejected by Tennessee Court of Appeals. According to The Mountain Press (http://bit.ly/zjBR9N ), the legal effort had befiled by a group fronted by former County Commissioner Arlie "Max" Watson. It included a host of claims ineffort to force the negation of a 2008 meeting and the removal of local officials. The three appeals judges, inopinion written by Judge C harles Susano Jr., upheld the ruling of a lower courthttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38739957?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

TN corporate heavy hitters decry NRA gun bills (Nashville Business Journal)Some of Tennessees largest corporate voices headlined a broad blitz against a pair of gun bil ls in

Tennessee General Assembly today. The companies including Nashvilles Bridgestone Americas Inc. FedEx Corp. of Memphis and Volkswagens Chattanooga presence appeared alongside representativof numerous industries before two legislative committees. Their message: Bills that the National Rifle Associatare pushing compromise companies constitutional property rights, jeopardize employment policies and crethe potential for workplace tragedy. Bill Ozier, a Nashville labor and employment attorney and chairman of Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry , said such concerns mean the bills would harm the statotherwise stellar business-friendly reputation. If we start to erode that, its going to cost Tennesseans jobs in tfuture, he said. At issue are two bills. One would prohibit employers from denying employees the right to brfirearms to work if they keep them locked in their vehicles. A companion bil l would prohibit any kinddiscrimination based on gun possession.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/03/06/tennessee-guns-nra-fedex-bridges tone.html

Volkswagen security chief testifies against gun bills (Times Free-Press/Sher)Volkswagen Chattanoogas security chief told state senators Tuesday that the company is very concerned wNational Rifle Association-drafted legislation that would let gun owners store guns in their locked vehicles employers parking lots despite companies wishes. The two bills would take away our right to control oproperty and interfere with our ability to take necessary actions to ensure the safety of all our em ployees, RAlbert, VWs general manager of secur ity, told Senate Commerce Committee members. Albert arepresentatives of some of Tennessees biggest employers, including FedEx, are objecting to two bills dealwith guns on parking lots. Collectively, they said, the companies employ more than 1 million people. The isshas developed into a major confrontation between two of the Republican-controlled General Assemblys kconstituencies on two basic fundamental issues: Businesses argue the bills violate their private property righThe NRA and other advocacy groups say the issue comes down to Second Amendm ent gun rights and weapostored in peoples private, locked vehicles.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/06/democrats-stanton-chism-general-sessions-court/http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/07/2/judge-center-tbi-investigation-loses-hawkins-co-pr-ar-1745885/http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38739957?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/03/06/tennessee-guns-nra-fedex-bridgestone.htmlhttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/06/democrats-stanton-chism-general-sessions-court/http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/07/2/judge-center-tbi-investigation-loses-hawkins-co-pr-ar-1745885/http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38739957?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/03/06/tennessee-guns-nra-fedex-bridgestone.html


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http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/volkswagen-security-chief-testifies-against-gu n-bi/?local

Tennessee gun rights battle heats up in Nashville (Comm ercial Appeal/Locker)An epic po litical battle is under way between two key Republican constituencies as Tennessee's largest businegroups and gun-rights advocates square off over property rights vs. gun rights. At issue is a push by gadvocates for laws enabling gun owners to keep firearms in their locked vehicles on their employers' parking lregardless of company policy. The two bills they're backing have few restrictions on who can carry and wh

they can carry. They're not restricted to handgun-carry permit holders, and public and private college auniversity parking lots, for example, are not exem pted. One bill, SB 2992, would give gun ow ners the right to semployers for requiring them to disclose whether an employee or job applicant possesses, uses or transpoguns, or for banning them from keeping guns in their locked cars. The other bill, SB 3002, prohibits a busineowner or public or private employer from banning the transport or storage of a gun in a locked private vehicle operson legally allowed to own a gun w hen the vehicle is parked in any location it is otherwise permitted to be.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/06/tennessee-gun-rights-battle-heats-nashville/(SUB)

States Largest Employers Blast Away at Guns in Parking Lots (WPLN-Rad

Nash)A dozen representatives of the states largest employers today urged state lawmakers to turn down an attemplet employees carry guns on company property even if the weapons are locked in car trunks. Businerepresentatives opposed to the guns in parking lots bill talked for an hour, but Mark Hogan, security boss

FedEx, stated the general position. We should be able to say what is allowed, and not allowed, on our privproperty. W e believe that a property owners right to provide a safe environment for others on the premistrumps an individuals right to possess a firearm on the premises. Earlier, Governor Bill Haslam told reporteafter speaking to members of the National Federation of Independent Businesses that hes had conversatiowith House Speaker Beth Harwell and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey and favors a proposal similar to a Georlaw because the current measure is a little too broad. Republicans favor property rights and Republicans arefavor of second-amendment rights, so sometimes our job is to try to find the right balance there. The argumwas put off until next week, when the Senate Com merce Committee will have look at that balancing act.http://wpln.org/?p=348 07

Chamber retracts support of controversial state planning bills (CP/Garrison)Following a groundswell of Metro-led opposition, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has retracted

support of controversial state development bills that critics fear would undermine local planning and zoniauthority. Previously lobbying for the Republican-backed legislation, the chamber is now neutral, Marc Hill, Nashville chambers chief policy officer, told The City Paper Tuesday. Were now re-focusing our efforts to soas many of these challenges as we can at the local level over the remainder of the year, Hil l said. Tlegislative environment is a dynamic one, Hill said when asked to explain the new stance. Theres constchanges not only every day but every hour. The important thing is to address the problems that businessface. You can do that in a variety of ways. At issue are three Rep. Jim Gotto-sponsored bills that the Republiclawmaker from the Hermitage area says are designed to remove the layers of bureaucracy that planning azoning regulations place on private business. Theyre all about job creation, he said in a City Paper story tfirst reported the proposed bills.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/nashville-chamber-retracts-support-controversial-state- planningbills

Rep. Frank Niceley: Time to get rid of city-county planning commissio(NS/Donila)State Rep. Frank Niceley wants to get the attention of the Knoxvil le-Knox County Metropolitan PlannCommission. So much, in fact, that he's introduced legislation that would abolish the office and turn all its dutifunctions and responsibilities over to the Knox County Commission a plan its own chairman says he doessupport Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains, said he's upset with the planning panel and thinks it's time for a chang"We want to let them know that the Legislature created them and if they get out of hand, then the Legislature cuncreate them," he said, adding that his proposal stems from conversations he's had with local developers wwere upset about the MPC's support of the Ridgetop and Hillside Protection Plan. The State & LoGovernment Subcommittee m ay talk about the House bill today, although Niceley conceded "that there's much chance of it passing." Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, is sponsoring the state Senate version of the bill.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/volkswagen-security-chief-testifies-against-gun-bi/?localhttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/06/tennessee-gun-rights-battle-heats-nashville/http://wpln.org/?p=34807http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/nashville-chamber-retracts-support-controversial-state-planning-billshttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/nashville-chamber-retracts-support-controversial-state-planning-billshttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/volkswagen-security-chief-testifies-against-gun-bi/?localhttp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/06/tennessee-gun-rights-battle-heats-nashville/http://wpln.org/?p=34807http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/nashville-chamber-retracts-support-controversial-state-planning-billshttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/nashville-chamber-retracts-support-controversial-state-planning-bills


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consented at Niceley's request but said he is not focused on the proposal. "I'm deferring to him. If he can makhappen in the House, then I'll get into it," he said.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/07/rep-niceley-time-to-get-rid-of-city -county/

Voter ID law a non-factor at polls (Daily News Journal)Rutherford County election poll workers went through a thorough voter photo ID checking process in Tuesdapresidential preference primary, in some cases meeting voters at the door to abide by a new state law.

around 6:30 p.m., only one person had cast a provisional ballot because of the failure to show the proper phID, according to Administrator of Elections Nicole Lester. That woman apparently had just gotten out of thospital and didnt take her drivers license with her to the polls, Lester said, adding she came to the ElectCommission office later in the day to show her photo ID. Beginning Jan. 1 this year, all voters were requiredstart showing a state or federal photo ID containing their name, whether on election day or in early voting. Operson also failed to show up with the proper ID here during early voting, Lester said. Between our office athe state election office doing press releases and everything thats been done, its really gotten the word ouLester said. Few problems were evident Tuesday evening at area polls in regard to the new law. People wemore likely to show up without their voter registration card or have the wrong name or address on their election officers said.http://www.dnj.com/article/20120307/NEWS05/303070020/Voter-ID-law-non-factor-polls?odyssey=tab|topnewtext|FRONTPAGE

70s-era Marine Calls Voter Photo ID Unconstitutional, Barred from Voting (WPLNAn East Nashville voter balked at showing a photo ID at his polling place today, then protested the law requirone. The former Marine contends making voters produce IDs doesnt line up with what he tried to do during military service. Tim Thompson is a tall, skinny guy in his m id-50s. He w as wearing a baseball cap with the loof the United States Marine Corps. A couple of hours after he was turned away from his poll ing place McGavock Pike for failing to show a photo ID, Thompson was at Legislative Plaza to vent to lawmakers. Andwas still upset. The thing that sticks in my craw is, I took the oath. I took the oath to prevent these kinds of lfrom being in effect, that discriminate against certain people that theyre supposed to protect. Thompson servas a military policeman in Hawaii in the early 1970s. Today he is the head chef at Belmont Retirement Centserving people he says are targeted by the photo ID law. Because it definitely discriminates against people ware less fortunate. The students, the poor people, the 88-year-old wom an that didntcouldnt vote because scant afford, she couldnt get, a birth certificate.http://wpln.org/?p=348 04

Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield recall group to appeal (Times FrePress/Burger)A group hoping to oust Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield has filed a notice of appeal in the state Court Appeals in Knoxville. Jim Folkner, leader of Citizens to Recall Mayor Littlefield, filed the notice Tuesday throuthe Hamilton County Circuit Court Clerk's office. The group has hopes of holding an August election to replaLittlefield, who has one year remaining in his second term. By law, he cannot run again. "With an expeditappeal, we feel like it could be done in August. We feel like it is worth it to stop the stuff Littlefield is still doiHe's still wasting our money," Folkner said as he stood on the courthouse steps with two others who signed appeal. The group's main criticisms of the mayor have been taxes and spending. However, the mayor is responsible for setting city tax rates. That responsibility falls to City Council members, said Hal North, an attornrepresenting Littlefield. "It's disappointing that Mr. Folkner and the other interveners have seen fit to continueneedlessly waste money and resources in pursuing an attempt to recall a mayor who's legally prohibited from

election," North said.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/littlefield-recall-group-to-appe al/?local

Councilman Banks admits wrongdoing, plans to continue serving (TN/Gonzalez)Metro Nashville Councilman Brady Banks acknowledged Tuesday that his attempt to solicit a prostitute lmonth was a strike against his credibility but vowed to continue serving on the council. I am sorry, very sofor the hurt that Ive caused my family, my friends, my neighbors, but most of all my wife, Banks said. Icaused tremendous damage to the relationships that matter most in my life and Ive made a big mistake and the worst mistake Ive ever made. An agreement reached with prosecutors will send Banks to a class for firtime offenders that will lead to the dismissal of the patronizing prostitution charge against him, his defenattorney said. Banks gave a statement outside the Justice A.A. Birch Building, apologizing for decisions that him inside a MetroCenter hotel room the afternoon of Feb. 16, offering $100 to an undercover female polofficer in exchange for sex, according to his arrest warrant. Banks, 33, was one of three men arrested during
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/07/rep-niceley-time-to-get-rid-of-city-county/http://www.dnj.com/article/20120307/NEWS05/303070020/Voter-ID-law-non-factor-polls?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120307/NEWS05/303070020/Voter-ID-law-non-factor-polls?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://wpln.org/?p=34804http://wpln.org/?p=34804http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/littlefield-recall-group-to-appeal/?localhttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/littlefield-recall-group-to-appeal/?localhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/07/rep-niceley-time-to-get-rid-of-city-county/http://www.dnj.com/article/20120307/NEWS05/303070020/Voter-ID-law-non-factor-polls?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://www.dnj.com/article/20120307/NEWS05/303070020/Voter-ID-law-non-factor-polls?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGEhttp://wpln.org/?p=34804http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/littlefield-recall-group-to-appeal/?local


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sting at a hotel on Athens Way, which followed a police department posting of an escort advertisement on Internet. The day after his arrest, the first-term councilman resigned from his post as outreach director of tGovernors Books from Birth Foundation. A group of District 4 residents has been considering a recall effort.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS03/303070098/Councilman-Brady-Banks-admits-wrongdoing-plans-continue-serving?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Sumner voters say no to wheel tax increase (Tennessean/Mitchell)

Sumner County voters made it clear Tuesday they did not want an additional $25 increase in the annual whtax to create more funding for schools, voting the referendum down. County commissioners voted in Novembto let voters decide if the wheel tax should be raised to $75. The additional $25 per car tag would go to loschools and create $3 million more in funding for the system each year. Comm issioners say the m easure wasresponse to multiple requests from school board members for more money, but added they are disappointed tschool officials did not support the referendum. Im not surprised that it didnt pass there was never asupport from the school board, Commissioner Jerry Stone said. This was a dedicated way for the schoolsreceive additional money every year. I dont want to hear that they need more money when it comes to budgtime. Lori Atchley, administrator of elections, said there are a total of 86,661 active registered voters in SumnCounty. Early and absentee voting in the county brought out 3,762 residents this primary.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070117/Sumner-voters-say-no-wheel-tax-increaseodyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Voters say no to metro (Columbia Daily Herald)A proposal to combine Columbia and Maury Countys governments failed by a wide margin of votes Tuesdending a three-year campaign peppered with negativity. In order to pass, the measure required a majority of vote in both the county and Columbia. Of the 13,393 votes cast, 84 percent of county and 68 percent Columbia residents who made it to the polls said no to adopting a metropolitan form of government, accordingcomplete but unofficial results. Im not disappointed at all, Spring Hill Mayor M ichael Dinwiddie said about final vote at the Maury County Election Commission Tuesday night. Im certainly very happy that the peopleMaury county turned out and voted. Maury County election administrator Todd Baxter said that voter turnwas similar to previous presidential election primaries. The question of metro government was added to tyears presidential primary ballot. I would have thought we would have had a few more people to vote telection with the metro referendum, he said. But it appears we were right on par.http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/sections/news/local/voters-say-no-metro.html

Madeline Rogero: Let's put a pension plan before voters in November (NS/Witt)Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said Tuesday she'll appoint her top two deputies to address solutions for tcity's pension system, which she said is "not sustainable." The city budgeted $11 m illion in its current spendplan to fund a pension shortfall that's expected to grow to up to $23.4 m illion in 2018. And they don't have mutime. A change to the pension plan requires a city charter change, and a charter change must go before votersNovember or wait two more years for another statewide election. Rogero said in a City Council meeting swants to "ultimately place a new plan on the November ballot." Councilman Finbarr Saunders and actuary APennington will help draw the plan w ith Rogero's deputies, Bill Lyons and Eddie Mannis. Their proposal must submitted to the city's pension board by June 21 to begin the bureaucratic process of becoming a referendumprevious task force to review the pension recently reported to City Council what most already knew: the Knoxvemployees pension is under-funded. While the city is required to fulfill its benefit promise to current employe

vested in the plan, the terms could change for future hires.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/07/rogero-lets-put-a-pension-plan-before-voters-in/

Tennessee would lose 179 jobs under Air Force plan (Tennessean/Bewley)The Air National Guard in Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville would lose 160 jobs by October 2013 under a pthe Air Force released Tuesday. The Guard in Nashville would lose 30 jobs, or 27 percent of its staff. The Guain Memphis would shed 86 jobs, or 7 percent, and McGhee-Tyson in Knoxville would cut 44 jobs, or 3 perceArnold Air Force Base would lose 19 jobs, including 18 civilian positions the Air Force announced it would clast fall. The base has said it will manage those losses through attrition. They bring the states total job lossunder the Air Force plan to 179. The cuts, which must be approved by Congress, are part of $487 billionreductions approved last year when Congress agreed to increase the nations debt limit. The agreement arequires about $1 trillion in cuts over the next nine years unless Congress can come up with a plan to reduce
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS03/303070098/Councilman-Brady-Banks-admits-wrongdoing-plans-continue-serving?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS03/303070098/Councilman-Brady-Banks-admits-wrongdoing-plans-continue-serving?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070117/Sumner-voters-say-no-wheel-tax-increase?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070117/Sumner-voters-say-no-wheel-tax-increase?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.columbiadailyherald.com/sections/news/local/voters-say-no-metro.htmlhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/07/rogero-lets-put-a-pension-plan-before-voters-in/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS03/303070098/Councilman-Brady-Banks-admits-wrongdoing-plans-continue-serving?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS03/303070098/Councilman-Brady-Banks-admits-wrongdoing-plans-continue-serving?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070117/Sumner-voters-say-no-wheel-tax-increase?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070117/Sumner-voters-say-no-wheel-tax-increase?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.columbiadailyherald.com/sections/news/local/voters-say-no-metro.htmlhttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/07/rogero-lets-put-a-pension-plan-before-voters-in/


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debt by that amount. Half of those cuts about $500 bill ion would come from the defense budgNationwide, Air Force officials plan to cut about 3,900 active-duty, 5,100 Air National Guard and 900 Air ForReserve members. Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper of Nashville said Tuesday that compared with other statTennessee really dodged a bullet.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS21/303060077/Tennessee-would-lose-179-jobs-under-AirForce-plan?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Appeals court takes up Nashville promotions case (Associated Press)A federal appeals court is set to hear a case brought by three w hite men who say the Nashville Metro PolDepartment discriminated against them when it came time for promotions. Two of the officers sought promotto lieutenant and a third sought a boost to sergeant in 2006. All three were passed over and claimed that department, under then-Chief Ronal Serpas, improperly used a method that allowed minority and femapplicants who scored lower on testing to get the promotions. The city says the police chief has the discretionselect officers for promotions. The city also says that the supervisors of the complaining officers did not feel thwere ready for a promotion. A federal judge in Nashville dismissed the lawsuit in 2010.http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38740035?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Santorum beats Romney in Tennessee GOP primary (Associated Press/SchelzigRick Santorum cruised to a victory in Tennessee's Republican presidential primary on Tuesday with a platform

social and religious issues that resonated with conservative voters. With 95 percent of precincts reporting, former Pennsylvania senator had 37 percent to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's 28 percent. FormHouse Speaker Newt Gingrich, who won his home state of Georgia, was unable to replicate his successneighboring Tennessee despite several visits and a barrage of television ads. He was running third withpercent, followed by U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's 9 percent. Santorum appeared in Chattanooga, Knoxvil le aMemphis in the days before the primary, often in religious settings. Preliminary results from an exit pconducted by Edison Research for The Associated Press show about seven in 10 Tennessee voters identifthemselves as born-again Christians. About three-quarters of them said it mattered at least somewhat thacandidate shared their religious beliefs. Voter Mary Cecil, who is retired and lives in Sevierville, said economy is a major issue, but that religion was the deciding factor that led her to support Santorum.http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38739045?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Santorum wins Tennessee Super Tuesday primary over Romney (CP/Greenberg)Sen. Rick Santorum was the choice of voters in the Tennessee Republican primary on Tuesday. The formPennsylvania senator led Gov. Mitt Romney by roughly 10 percentage points and 39,000 votes with 75 perceof the state reporting at 9:30 p.m. Santorum was leading or won in 86 of Tennessee's 95 counties at 9:30 pHe had 37.3 percent of the vote, followed by Romney with 27.8 percent and Gingrich at 23.9 percent with percent of the state's precincts reporting. Romney won Davidson, Williamson and Loudon Counties by less th5 percent, while Gingrich won Marion County in southeastern Tennessee. Five counties still hadn't reportresults as of 9:30 p.m. Romney beat Santorum 11,547 to 10,798 in Davidson County. Tennessee RepublicParty Chairman Chris Devaney congratulated Santorum less than an hour after 7 p.m. poll close. I wantcongratulate Rick Santorum on his primary win and thank all of the voters who cast a ballot for one of our foRepublican candidates. We have seen a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and excitement statewide for tprimary. Tennesseans spoke loud and clear tonight that they are ready to make President Obama a one-tepresident," he said.

http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/santorum-wins-tennessee-super-tuesday-primary-ov er-romney

Born-again Christians drive Santorum win in Tenn. (Associated Press/Loller)An exit poll of voters in Tennessee's presidential primary revealed Rick Santorum beat Mitt Romney on Tuesdthanks to strong support among born-again Christians about three-quarters of those who went to the polls Tuesday. Santorum also led Romney by m ore than 3-to-1 among those who said it mattered a "great deal" thacandidate shared their religious beliefs. Mary Cecil, a retiree voting in Sevierville, said she was concerned abthe economy, but the deciding factor in casting her vote for Santorum was: "I would like to have a true Christin the White House." With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Santorum had 37 percent of the vote to Romne28. Newt Gingrich received 24 percent and Ron Paul got another 9 percent. Santorum led Romney by percentage points when voters were asked which candidate best understood the problems of averaAmericans, according to an exit poll conducted by Edison Research for The Associated Press. The form
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS21/303060077/Tennessee-would-lose-179-jobs-under-Air-Force-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS21/303060077/Tennessee-would-lose-179-jobs-under-Air-Force-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38740035?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38739045?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/santorum-wins-tennessee-super-tuesday-primary-over-romneyhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS21/303060077/Tennessee-would-lose-179-jobs-under-Air-Force-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS21/303060077/Tennessee-would-lose-179-jobs-under-Air-Force-plan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNewshttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38740035?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38739045?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cshttp://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/santorum-wins-tennessee-super-tuesday-primary-over-romney


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Pennsylvania senator had a more than 2-to-1 lead over Romney am ong voters who considered themselves "vconservative." He also led Romney by 14 percent points among voters who supported the tea party. Romney among voters who considered themselves "mode rate."http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38737501?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Super Split (Tennessean/Cass, Sisk)Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania won Tennessees Republican presidential primary by

decisive margin Tuesday, withstanding a late charge by Mitt Romney and slowing Romneys push for thpartys nomination as the South appeared to resist his appeals. Santorum, who had led polls taken during eavoting by an approximately 2-to-1 margin, was winning with 37 percent of the vote to R omneys 28 pe rcent a97 percent of the states precincts were counted. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was third, with percent, and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul finished fourth, with 9 percent. Turnout appeared to be down from 2008. Inspl it Super Tuesday verdict, Romney registered ear ly wins on the East Coast, in his home state Massachusetts and Vermont and also in Virginia, where neither Santorum nor Gingrich appeared on the balAll three of those states were won by Barack Obama in 2008, while Santorum won in a more geographicadiverse set of states that Republicans captured four years ago Tennessee, Oklahoma and North Dakota. Tstates held Super Tuesday contests, with 419 delegates at stake.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/NEWS02/303070104/Santorum-s-strong-showing-likely-prolong-GOP-contest?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Santorum wins in Tennessee (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Harrison)Rick Santorum may not have the endorsement of politicians like Gov. Bill Haslam or U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexandbut his conservative credentials spoke loudly to average voters in Tennessee, who gave him the win in tpresidential primary Tuesday. W ith 90 percent of precincts reporting, Santorum had 37 percent to formMassachusetts Gov. Mitt Romneys 28 percent, despite endorsements from a number of key state leaders.Hamilton County, with 100 percent of precincts reporting, Santorum took 31 percent of the vote while Romntook 29 percent. Tennessee voters are traditional conservatives who support constitutional, limited governmefiscal conservatism and traditional social values, said Mark W est, head of the Hamilton County Tea Party, wsupported Santorum. We see a conservative candidate in Rick Santorum who has fought for conservat

values without apology for his entire career. Local voters praised Santorum for what they called his valubased conservative consistency. Santorum is the best man of what we have to vote for, said Dakota Johnswho cast her vote at the Concord precinct in the Brainerd area. I like that hes for a strong military and doeswhat to take funds away from it.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/santorum-wins-tennessee/?local

Santorum Carries Shelby and State (Memphis Daily News)Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum carried Shelby County and the state of Tennessee in the TuesdMarch 6, Republican Presidential primary. And incumbent but suspended G eneral Sessions Court Clerk OJackson finished a poor third in a Democratic primary battle for the clerks office that was won by interim clerk Stanton in the closest contest of the night over County Commission chairman Sidney Chism. And RepublicSteve Basar won a close primary race over former comm issioner Marilyn Loeffel for an open seat on the cou

commission. Overall, 72,100 of the countys 611,000 registered voters voted early or on election day for an percent voter turnout. The 48,842 Republican voters reflected the state verdict on the G OP presidential race.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/mar/7/santorum-carries-shelby-and-state---jackson-out-as-cler

Santorum wins in Tennessee; Gingrich musters third place (Times-News)Rick Santorum won Tennessees Republican presidential primary on Tuesday, where his platform of social areligious issues resonated with conservative voters. With 76 percent of precincts reporting, Santorum had percent to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romneys 28 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, wwon his home state of Georgia, was unable to replicate his success in neighboring Tennessee despite sevevisits and a barrage of television ads. He was running third with 24 percent, followed by U.S. R ep. Ron Pau lpercent. Santorum appeared in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Memphis in the days before the primary, oftenreligious settings. Preliminary results from an exit poll conducted by Edison Research for The Associated P re

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show about seven in 10 Tennessee voters identified themselves as born-again Christians, and about threquarters said it mattered at least somewhat that a candidate shared their religious beliefs. Voter Ma ry Cecil, wis retired and lives in Sevierville, said the economy is a major issue, but religion was the deciding factor that her to support San to rum.http://www.timesnews.net/article/9043366/santorum-wins-in-tennessee-gingrich-musters-third-place

Santorum takes Washington, Carter, Unicoi en route to Tennessee victory (JCP)

Just 40 minutes after the polls closed in Tennessee, former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum checked state off his list of victories in a crusade to become the Republican presidential nominee and to hopefully squaoff in November with President Barack Obama. Santorums focus on religious and social issues may have bean advantage in Tennessee. Santorum is very conservative and has a lot of appeal with evangelical Christiaacross the state, John Rambo, Washington County Republican Party chairman, said late Tuesday. I thvoters looked closely at both (former Massachusetts Gov.) M itt Romney and Santorum. Tennessee has nadded 58 delegates to Santorums tally among those w ho will pledge their support for a presidential nomineethe GOP convention in Tampa Bay, Fla., in August. As of about 10 p.m. Tuesday night, Santorum led Republican candidates in Tennessee by a comfortable margin, followed by Romney and a fast-closing formHouse Speaker Newt Gingrich. Texas Congressman Ron Paul rolled in a distant fourth.http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id= 98796

County picks Santorum (Columbia Daily Herald)Maury County voters have selected Rick Santorum as the top candidate for the Republican presidential primTuesday, followed by Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. Of the 13,689 residents who voted in the primaSantorum received 4,152 votes, or 39 percent, and Mitt Romney came in second place with 2, 545 votes, or percent. Newt Gingrich followed closely behind Romney with 2,429 votes, or 23 percent, according to complbut unofficial results. Election official Mike Franks said morning voting was slow but by about 1-2 p.m., votebegan to show up more steadily. Weve had people waiting and we didnt the last election at all fomachine and we are running four machines strong, Franks said. Administer of the Maury County ElectCommission Todd Baxter said he was happy with the showing of about 13,000 voters from Maury County. Fthis turnout we had roughly a 30 percent turnout, which is right in line for what we normally do for a presidenelection primary, Baxter said. In 2008, we had 33 percent, still right in that 30-35 percent neighborhood.http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/sections/news/local/county-picks-santor um.html

Montgomery County voters say Santorum (Leaf Chronicle)Santorum hailed as 'one of us' by M ontgomery County voters Montgomery County voters largely sided with otTennesseans on Super Tuesday, giving Rick Santorum a boost wh ile other states helped Mitt Romney mainta sturdy lead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Herma Hayes, a 71-year-old retired womsaid she voted for Santorum on Tuesday because of his strong ties w ith middle class families. I like his valuesaid Hayes, who voted at Clarksville High School. Hes one of us. The final county numbers came in wSantorum winning 37.24 percent of the vote. Mitt Romney was not far behind with 29.23 percent. Newt Gingrcame in at 21.81 percent of the vote and Ron Paul at 10.18 percent. Super Tuesday sent voters from 10 stato the polls, and for a handful of Montgomery County voters interviewed earlier Tuesday, the race remained sbetween four high-profile candidates. Thirteen voters were interviewed after casting their ballots at ClarksvHigh School around lunch time. They split their support between Rom ney, Santorum, Gingrich and Paul. All fhad impassioned supporters among the voters surveyed.

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120307/NEWS01/303060073/Montgomery-County-voters-say-Santorum

Santorum Wins Tennessee W ith Ease (WPLN-Radio Nashville)Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum picked up an easy win in Tennessee, the state with the third mdelegates at stake for Super Tuesday. The Associated Press called the race less than an hour after polls closeSantorums win could set the tone for other southern states like Alabama and Mississippi, which hold thprimaries next week. The former Pennsylvania senator w asnt heavily organized in Tennessee, but he mamultiple campaign stops around the state, telling voters it was in his wheelhouse for Super Tuesday. B ill Duone of Santorums backers in the state House of Representatives, credits values voters, with whom Santorplays particularly well. You may be for social issues or fiscal issues. He understands that theres a correlat

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between the two that when morals go down, taxes have to go up. So if were not taking care of ourselvsocially, were never going to be able to fix our problems fiscally. Evangelical Christians did help push Santoruto victory in Tennessee. Voters like Ron Falconberry of LaVergne say they like his emphasis on fam ily values.http://wpln.org/?p=348 10

Romney Official Says Campaign Can Put Up a Fight in South (WPLN-Radio NashLast nights Republican primary contest in Tennessee could set the tone for several other southern races lathis month. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum won the state, but officials with Mitt Romnecampaign were quick to point out he didnt go down without a fight. Romney had the backing of the governor aa slew of representatives in Congress and the state legislature, but it wasnt enough to fend off Santorum. StEconomic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty is also a senior adviser for Romnenational campaign. He says Santorum leaped far ahead during early voting, and he credits Romney with doiwhat he could to close the gap and pick up delegates. Tennessee is going to stand as a beacon for the soutthat we will be able to reach beyond, well play very hard in the south. Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana alooking very good for Mitt Romney.http://wpln.org/?p=348 16

Ron Paul Picks Up Votes, No Delegates in Tennessee (WPLN-Radio Nashville)Texas Congressman Ron Paul didnt visit Tennessee prior to Super Tuesday, but he still received nearly percent of the vote. Paul supporters turned out, despite his long-shot odds to win the Republican nominati

Nashville retiree Bob Fajardo sums up the sentiment from many Ron Paul fans. I dont think he has a snowbachance of getting elected. I just get tired of voting for somebody I dont like that much. Paul supporters say hthe GOP candidate who best understands the countrys fiscal trouble. Viki Mam mina, who is a portrait artist, sashe voted for Paul during the last primary and doesnt expect him to do any better this go round. Then Ill do same and vote for Obama. I know that sounds strange, but thats what I did four years ago and Ill probably the same this time. While Paul did receive a healthy number of votes, he will not win any of the states delegates.http://wpln.org/?p=348 14

Voters Said the Economy Was Their Main Issue (New York Times)Regardless of the financial condition of their state, voters in Tuesdays Republican primaries considered teconomy the top issue influencing their choice. And even though the debate in the last few weeks has of

involved other issues like contraception, or wom en in combat, there was very little evidence of a gender gamong the leading candidates in several of the major states in play on Tuesday, and very few voters mentionabortion as a deciding factor. In Ohio, Mitt Romney was favored by better-educated, m ore affluent and olvoters. Very conservative voters and those who strongly support the Tea Party backed Rick Santorum. RomCatholics preferred Mr. Romney and evangelical Christians chose Mr. Santorum, who is Catholic, accordingthe exit poll. In Tennessee, Mr. Santorum secured the support of those with lower incomes, as well as veconservative voters and evangelical Christians, while those in higher income brackets favored Mr. Rom ney.http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/07/us/politics/super-tuesday-exit-polls-show-voters-focused-on-econ omy.htmref=todayspaper(SUBSCRIPTION)

Hamilton County parents protest rezoning proposal at school offices (TFP/HardyA crowd of angry parents came looking for Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith to provi

documents and answers -- anything that could tell them why their children may have be forced to chanschools. But the 40 or so parents who marched into the Hamilton County Department of Education on Tuesdwith protest signs in hand didn't make it past the front desk. After the groups asked for Smith, a receptionist roto her feet and stayed on the phone for several minutes, though no one ever addressed the parents. "I think tdisplays exactly what we've been saying. It's callous behavior," said parent Ryan Ledford, who led the groParents and children from the east side of the county filed into the school system's central office to protesrezoning proposal that could eventually force their children to change schools. The rezoning plan was unveiledparents at a pair of public meetings last week. After reeling from the shock and raw emotion, some parents anow trying to slow down or at least question the rezoning process.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/parents-protest-at-school-offic es/?local

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Florida: Florida Higher Education May Face Big Budget Cuts (New York Times)With three days remaining until the end of the legislative session, Florida lawmakers are moving forward wit$70 billion budget that would create the states 12th university and cut hefty amounts of money from higheducation. The House and the Senate are expected to vote this week on the budget, which also includes a billion increase for prekindergarten through high school, a priority of Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican. Mr. Scoposition on the overall budget bill, with its plan for a new university, is unclear. For weeks the budget has betangled in a disagreement between State Senator JD Alexander, the Republican chairman of the bud

committee, and the University of South Florida. Mr. Alexander, who must leave the Legislature this year becauof term limits, had lobbied vigorously to turn the University of South Floridas Lakeland campus, in his distrinto an independent state polytechnic school. But the University of South Florida opposed the move, and thfound itself fighting off a 58 percent reduction in its budget. Many saw the move as punitive. Students organizprotests, and a flood of e-mails poured into the Legislature asking the House and the Senate to save the campand pare back the cuts.http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/07/education/florida-higher-education-may-face-big-budget-cuts.html ?ref=todayspaper(SUBSCRIPTION)

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OPINION

Free-Press Editorial: Astounding storm dam age, but no loss of life (TFP)The extent of the damage from last Friday's tornadoes, hail and severe storms is still being calculated, but hare some preliminary numbers on the disaster and its toll in our region: At least six tornadoes, stretching frMarion County, Tenn., to Murphy, N.C., were confirmed. The strongest was an EF3 that hit near HarrisonHamilton County and then entered Bradley County. There were an as-yet-undetermined number of serioinjuries. Damage exceeds $19 million in the region. Seventy-seven homes in Harrison and Ooltewah wedestroyed, and 40 homes were destroyed in McMinn County. Damage was also heavy in Bradley CountyHundreds more homes had significant damage, and hundreds of people are homeless. Hail damagthousands of cars. Thousands of homes lost power, though it has mostly been restored. But there is one mstatistic that should not go unmentioned -- a statistic for which we all should give thanks: At least as of t

writing, not one death in our area had been linked to Friday's severe weather. It has been said so often that it ibit of a clich, but it is still true: Things can be replaced, but people can't.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/astounding-storm-damage/?opinionfreepress

Free-Press Editorial: Whirlpool's welcome expansion in Bradley County (TFP)It says something about Whirlpool Corp.'s faith in the workforce of Bradley County that the company hinvested $200 million in a 1 million-square-foot factory to replace its existing appliance-manufacturing facilitiesthe county. The new facility is W hirlpool's biggest plant project ever. It covers an area equal to 28 football fielWhirlpool will add 130 workers to the 1,500 it now has in the county. Work is also under way or planned fo400,000-square-foot distribution center and a 41,000-square-foot research and development center. That's gonews for Bradley County -- and the rest of our region.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/whirlpools-welcome-expansion/?opinionfreepress

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J.R. Lind: Playing our song (City Paper)State tourism slogans have a w ay of infiltrating the zeitgeist, turning into collective earworms so effectively evthe most cloying pop chanteuse would be jealous. Try to think about Massachusetts tourism and now spethe rest of the day trying not to sing The Spirit of M assachusetts. Until last week, Tennessees slogan was TStage Is Set for You, and had been thus since 2004. For some reason and whoever figures out whslogans work and which dont will be taking their vacations in a far more appea ling locale than Bucksnort tparticular slogan didnt quite have the sticking power of Tennessee: Sounds Good to Me or Follow MeTennessee (theres another jingle thatll get stuck in the collective brain for a few hours). So the state is revertto another old favorite: Were Playing Your Song, which was the slogan between 1987 and 1995, thougcertainly seems like it lasted longer. The tourism department insists this wasnt a reactionary choice; in fact, thsay, The Stage Is Set for You did w ell, but sometimes its just time for a change. And in this case, they hearkback. A quick review of the tourism campaigns reveals one thing: The state is perfectly happy w ith music bethe go-to image for the Volunteer State.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/weekly-obse ssion-playing-our-song

Editorial: Protect property owners' right to restrict guns (Tennessean)We support our right to own a gun. But when did the rights of gun-carrying citizens outweigh the rights of otheWhat aspect of the decision by a property owner forbidding the possession of a firearm on their property den

the right to own a gun? What aspect of the decision by a business owner to ask a prospective employee if thcarry or keep a firearm in their vehicle denies the r ight to own a gun? In fact, by pushing legislation thauthorizes punitive damages against businesses and property owners that knowingly and willfully desomeone from having a gun on their property, the gun lobby is saying that my rights as a gun ow ner trump yrights as a property owner. No, they do not. HB 3559 and HB 3560 are bil ls that push well beyond tconstitutional right to bear arms. These bills take rights from p roperty owners, and take away the quite practneed that businesses could have to know whether their employees carry firearms they make even askinquestion about gun ownership illegal. Business owners and property owners should not be prevented frorestricting the possession of firearms on their propehttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/OPINION01/303070085/Protect-property-owners-right-restrict-guns?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Guest columnist: Guns are on ly property Constitution protects (Tennessean)Employee Safe Com mute laws exist in about 17 states. They require balancing of rights. Opponents claim tit impairs property rights. That is a shallow objection. The real issue is how to balance apparently competrights. Historically, there was no right to absolute ownership of real property. Real property rights were absolonly in the government. It is a modern secular belief that citizens have rights to individual ownership and contof real property. Even now, there is no constitutional provision declaring that citizens rights in real property shnot be infringed. Juxtapose rights in real property to the instinctive, fundamental right of self-defense, whexists in all sentient beings. Our Founders viewed the right of arms in two respects. First, as incidental to sedefense. We are not taught to recognize and flee from danger; we know it instinctively and respond withopremeditation. The second and primary context within which the Founders established rights in arms was relato the political right of the citizens to change and displace the institutions of government itself as they had j

done with England. Arms are the only item of personal property expressly protected under the Constitution.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/OPINION03/303070091/Guns-only-property-Constitution-protectodyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Times Editorial: Mountaintop removal looms (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)When coal companies go to blast the tops off Tennessee's mountains and high-line ridges to extract coal ongotten by underground miners, they generally use the coal industry's whitewash euphemisms. They talk"mountain top removal" and clearing a mountain's "overburden," as if a mountain's higher elevations aecosystems can be surgically excised without destroying its life. What they actually do in Appalachian statincluding Tennessee, with the mountain's "overburden" is this: They clear-cut the forest and then use tonsdynamite to blast off the top of the mountain and all its remaining meadows, wildlife, boulders and earth, whtypically slide down into the streams and valleys below, poisoning downstream waters, habitat and extend

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ecosystems. Or, as a Republican bill now due for a vote tomorrow in Tennessee's Legislature would provithey push the raw earth into a corner of the flattened mountain's barren and lifeless stump, and after extractthe coal, push this rubble back across the stump into a shape intended to suggest the "approximate origicontour" of the mountain that has been utterly destroyed.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/07/mountaintop-removal-looms/?opiniontimes

Editorial: Legislation is a half-turn too far (Comm ercial Appeal)

Giving teachers a liability shield is good, but mandating that a principal fully support the teacher goes too farbill moving through the Tennessee legislature that would lessen the liability for teachers and other schopersonnel if they have to forcefully deal with unruly students is a step in the right direction. But it goes a half-ttoo far by requiring principals to fully support teachers in taking action when it is done according to policy. The (SB3116/HB3241) requires local school boards to adopt policies authorizing teachers and others to temporarelocate a student with "reasonable or justifiable force," if required, or for the students to remain in place until laenforcement or resource officers arr ive. The Senate has approved the bil l unanimously and the HousEducation Committee is scheduled to review the proposed legislation March 13. As student proficienrequirements stiffen, and as teachers and principals strive to meet new teacher-evaluation standards, thededicated public servants don't need to be distracted by the possibility of liability when they are dealing wdisruptive students. While classroom violence and disruptive classroom behavior are sometimes exaggeratthey are genuine issues.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/07/editorial-legislation-is-a-half-tur n-too-far/

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Gail Kerr: TN results underscore GOP divide (Tennessean)Tennessees Republican party is a divided mess. There was a chance for the Super Tuesday primary to puvoters to recover the heart and soul of the party, but it didnt happen. Gov. Bill Haslam endorsed M itt Romney,did heavy hitters in the states GOP elite, such as House Speaker Beth Harwell. U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander she voted for Romney, but stopped short of labeling it an endorsement faint praise, that. But instead of firmyanking the party back to its traditional roots, which attracts cross-over and independent voters, the winner bhefty margin was far-right conservative Rick Santorum. Haslam and company were barely able to narrow the gon Super Tuesday a teeny bit from the rout predicted in polls a week ago. It underscores the gap betweworking-class, blue-collar conservatives and establishment, monied conservatives, said Mike Kopp, a politianalyst and owner of MMA Creative. The monied conservatives were all lined up behind Romney. But Santor

had more of a message that resonated with voters. The monied, establishment Republicans dont know howdeal with that.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/COLUMNIST0101/303070103/Gail-Kerr-TN-resultsunderscore-GOP-divide?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Frank Munger: Changes in warhead rehab could impact Y-12 (News-Sentinel)The 10-Year Site Plan for the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge makes a number of assumptionsprojecting the plant's workload over the next decade. The first assumption on the list is: "Life Extension Progrproduction will be at or above the current level." That's of interest because it appears there are changes in tworks for the LEP for the W76 (Trident warhead), which is a major m ission at the Oak Ridge plant. For the pseveral years, Y-12 was either in preparation or production mode for the program that refurbishes warhecomponents for the W76, a mainstay of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The W76 along with the W78 warhead athe B61 bomb was projected to be in production for at least 10 more years. The Obama administration

reportedly planning to slow the production rate on the W76 warheads. Todd Jacobson of Washington-basNuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor has been doing a lot of reporting in this area, and he recently noted ththe administration's FY 2013 request for W76 refurbishment is $174.9 m illion. That's about $80 million less thwhat was being projected a year ago, he said. Jacobson quoted Don Cook, the defense program chief for tNational Nuclear Security Administration, as saying the shifting of priorities (and funding) would create mflexibility w ithin the life extension work on nuclear weapons systems.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/07/frank-munger-changes-in-warhead-rehab-could-y-12/

Editorial: Do Electronic Medical Records Save Money? (New York Times)Experts have long argued that computerized patient records will save the health system money by helpdoctors reduce the number of redundant or inappropriate tests they order. A new study published in HeaAffairs, disputes that, suggesting that office-based physicians who have access to electronic records of pati

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wednesday, march 7 news summary

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