SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2012 Tenn.

spared fatalities, digging out after storms (Associated Press/Brumback)

When Janet Elliott saw a severe weather warning scroll across her television screen Friday morning she cou hear fierce winds outside, and her two cats and two dogs seated on the bed with her seemed agitated. "They we nervous. The dogs got real low to the floor and the cats were being clingy," she said. "Then I could feel t pressure in my ears and head, and I knew I should get to the basement." She ran across the hall to the baseme door and called the pets but they wouldn't come. She tried with all her might to pull the door shut, but then heard ripping sound as the ceiling peeled off above her head and the doorknob was wrenched from her hand by the win "I looked up and I could see the sky," she said through tears. "I realized if I had stayed on the bed two secon longer, I would have been sucked out or crushed." Once the initial terror was over, a new wave of fear wash over her. Her husband had left for the store shortly before the storm hit, her 33-year-old handicapped son w likely on a bus headed home from his school and she couldn't find one of her cats. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38717551?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

TN tornado survivors survey damage (Tennessean/Allyn)

50 homes mangled, hundreds lack power in Cookeville area Residents in the rural community of Dodson Bran near Cookeville on Saturday were stunned as they surveyed their ravaged homes, the result of a tornado that w part of a massive system that swept across Middle Tennessee late Friday afternoon. More than 50 homes we severely damaged, hundreds had lost power, and toppled trees covered the streets. As emergency respon teams fanned out across the state Saturday, the National Weather Service confirmed that two tornadoes touch down in Tennessee: one in Jackson County and the other in Cheatham County. The high winds from t accompanying storms knocked out power for more than 8,600 people in eastern and central Tennessee. At lea 45 people were injured. The tornado that touched down in Jackson County and made its way to Putnam Coun reached wind speeds as high as 135 mph, making it an EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, according to t weather service. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120304/NEWS01/303040050/TN-tornado-survivors-survey-damage? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Cleveland group coordinates volunteer cleanup efforts (Times Free-Press/Higgins)

People on Tacoma Drive woke up Saturday morning, and like many others across the Chattanooga region went work. Volunteer crews assembled at the Bradley Baptist Association office to get directions on where their cha saws, backhoes and muscles were needed most. It didn't take long for the calls for help to begin rolling in. "W already have over 30 locations," said Phil Taylor, director of missions for the association. It was 8:30 a.m., minutes after the office opened for phone calls. One of the volunteers was Steve Johnson. He had nev volunteered before. But in September 2011, while everyone else was recovering from floods, his house was with high winds. "They [volunteers] spent two days clearing stuff away. They even had diesel equipment to cu tree off my house. They saved my life," Johnson said as he waited for an assignment. "I said then, if we ever ha another storm, the least I can do is come help," he said. The toll in Bradley County included six homes destroye 13 with major damage and 20 more with moderate damage, emergency management officials said at midd Saturday.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/04/cleveland-group-coordinates-volunteer-cleanup/?loca

Picking up the pieces across Southeast Tenn. after the storm (TFP/Martin, Trevizo)

For most of his 71 years, David Dill lived in the Short Tail Springs area, sometimes called Dilltown. But he nev saw the force of a storm like the one that drove a pine branch through his living room ceiling and half-buried crowbar in his front yard. I saw it coming over the hill and I closed the door against the wind. Then I called o God, is this it? Dill said Saturday morning as he sat hunched in a chair his front yard, watching friends and fam

work to clear dozens of trees splintered around his home and down his long, gravel driveway. Ive seen storm before but nothing like what hit yesterday, he added. The storms and tornadoes that pummeled the Chattanoo area on Friday injuring at least 33 people and damaging hundreds of homes was the second -large outbreak in the last 25 years, according to local experts. There were no reported fatalities. Across the country, least 38 people were killed in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio in wave after wave of mass thunderstorms and possible tornadoes, according to The Associated Press. Most of the deaths occurred in India and Kentucky. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/04/picking-up-the-pieces-across-southeast-tennessee/?local

East Tennessee cleaning up after violent weather (N-S/Coleman, Wilson)

One reason Daniel Lucero and his wife, Susan Jones, bought the modest home in the center of Tellico Plain Tenn., was the massive oak tree in the front yard. The tree was still mostly in the yard Saturday, but it was lying its side where violent winds had placed it Friday afternoon. The National W eather Service has not yet classifi what went through the town as a tornado, but that is little solace to Lucero. "I had wanted to see it leaf out," Luce said Saturday as he surveyed the damage. Lucero said he moved into the home in December, having migrat from New Mexico. Mother Nature gave a lot of the old downtown area of Tellico Plains and other area towns unsolicited face-lift, with dozens of commercial buildings and residences damaged or destroyed by the winds. T bad weather stretched across East Tennessee, with McMinn and Claiborne counties among the other hardareas. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/03/tellico-plains-picking-up-pieces/

NWS sending teams to survey East Tenn., Southwest Virginia storm damage (T-N)

An official with the National Weather Service in Morristown said Saturday morning that survey teams were in rou to several locations in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia to examine damage caused by possible tornadoe Preliminary storm reports issued by the NWS Saturday had processed 46 individual incidents brought on by stro storm cells that stretched from Chattanooga to Russell County, Virginia, including an unconfirmed tornado in t town of Ewing in western Lee County. Lee County Emergency Management Service Director Jason Crabtree to the Times-News Friday evening that their central dispatch unit had received a report after 9 p.m. that a residen at 248 Castene Rd. in the Frog Level area had been leveled by a possible tornado. All people living in and arou that home had been accounted for, Crabtree said. Other reports compiled by the NWS included sightings of ha straight line winds, and numerous downed trees and power lines. http://www.timesnews.net/article/9043223/nws-sending-teams-to-survey-east-tennessee-southwest-virginia-storm damage

Storms leave little damage in Bedford County (State Gazette)

Severe storms which passed through Bedford County late Friday afternoon left little damage but caused conce for many people. "We had almost 600 people seek refuge in our 13 church storm shelters," Scott Johnson, direc of Bedford County Emergency Management Agency, said. "Because of the duration of the series of storms passi through Bedford County, the shelters were open from 1 p.m. until 7:30 p.m." One caller to the T-G, who express concern about a husband with health issues in the event of storm damage, asked if shelters would be open night. "The shelters are normally open for about two hours," Johnson said. Slight damage Hail to the size of g balls was reported in the Pleasant Grove and Richmond areas of southwestern Bedford County, Johnson said, a pea-to-marble sized hail fell in downtown Shelbyville about 7 p.m. "The roof of a business on Madison Street m have been damaged as well as a shed-roof on Potts Road outside of Wartrace," Johnson said. No damage w visible Saturday morning at the Madison Street business. http://www.t-g.com/story/1822188.html

Governor Bill Haslam's legislative agenda hits snags (Times Free-Press/Sher)

Gov. Bill Haslam likes to compare 2011, his first year in office, to a football game his team was in the lock room trying on shoulder pads while the other team, the General Assembly, was on the field awaiting kickoff. Wh the legislature convened its 2012 session in January, Haslam and his team of commissioners were suited up a ready to run with a full-blown legislative agenda. Haslams more-aggressive agenda includes proposals education and civil service reform, a crime package and reworking rules for economic incentive grants. The ne rules would allow private companies getting taxpayer assistance to locate in Tennessee to keep their ownersh secret from the public. Its a good thing theyre wearing shoulder pads and helmets. Because even though hes Republican and the state House and Senate are GOP-controlled, Haslam and his team are running into their f share of blocks, tackles and head-butts as they try to move bills. Take Haslams plan to do away with sta mandates on average class size. The bill kept caps on individual class sizes but let school systems choose 2

increase average class sizes for individual grades. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/04/governor-bill-haslams-legislative-agenda-hits-snag/?local

TN trails other states in money to lure filmmakers (Tennessean/Allyn)

If freelance production designer Bart Mangrum had more work in Tennessee, he wouldnt have to skip to oth states to maintain his livelihood. For Mangrum, chasing jobs outside of Tennessee is a tiresome but famil situation. In fact, hell travel at the end of the month to work on a film set in Baton Rouge, La., followed by one Ocean City, Md. Theres a lot of films that should be shot in Tennessee that are going elsewhere, said Mangru 35, a Nashville native. If I was able to, Id never go, but I have to follow the work. Even as states like Louisian Georgia and North Carolina sweeten the pot for filmmakers, Tennessees film fund, along with proposed legislati to expand incentives, is not gathering steam under Gov. Bill Haslams administration. After a film fund was set in 2006 and given $20 million through the end of the following year, it went largely untouched. Whereas oth states cover up to 30 percent of an in-state films production, sometimes without spending limits, Tennessee offe filmmakers a 17 percent production discount. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120304/BUSINESS01/303040066/TN-trails-other-states-money-lurefilmmakers?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Anti-child abuse program could lose its funding (Tennessean/DeVille)

Lawmakers look for money to preserve Healthy Start A state program that provides home visits to first-time paren could be eliminated June 30 if legislators cant find funds to save it. Healthy Start, as the voluntary program called, aims to reduce or prevent child abuse and neglect in enrolled families. The program is meeting objectives, officials say, as last year 97 percent of enrolled children were up to date on immunizations at age and 99 percent were free of child abuse and neglect. Last year the program served more than 1,110 familie Healthy Start was supported with recurring funds until three years ago, when the program was cut from then-Go Phil Bredesens budget, said Molly Sudderth, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Childrens Service Legislators reinstated the program the same year, and it has since been financed through nonrecurring funds. Re Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, is working to get the funding restored and has been in communication with t governors staff to try to figure out a solution. Its too early to know really whats going to happen, he sa W ithout these programs, these children might be at risk or under DCS care. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120304/NEWS0201/303040047/Anti-child-abuse-program-could-lose-itsfunding?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News \

Dr. Seuss stumps Tennessee lawmakers in classroom (Tennessean/Sisk)

State lawmakers took time at the start of a House Education Committee meeting Tuesday to read to a group kindergarten and second grade students from Nashvilles Shayne Elementary School, demonstrating that its n just politics that can leave them tongue-tied. Wearing oversized red-and-white hats, lawmakers took turns readi Dr. Seuss Fox in Socks. They quickly learned that, to the unpracticed, seemingly simple rhymes can be nightmare to read aloud. Rep. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, was the first to stumble. He butchered, Clocks on f tick/Clocks on Knox tock/Six sick bricks tick/Six sick clocks tock. I got the hardest page here, he complaine Lawmakers eventually got smart and started passing the book to their reading companions. Taking it one word a time, the kids from Shayne Elementary adroitly handled rhymes such as, Ben bends Bims broom/Bim ben Bens broom/Bims bends/Bens bends/Bens bent broom breaks/Bims bent broom breaks. Easy for you to sa isnt it? quipped Rep. Dennis Powers, R-Jacksboro. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120304/NEWS02/303040075/Political-Notebook-Tennessee-Democratstake-early-aim-Mitt-Romney?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Tennessee legislators push for repeal of limits on PAC money (N-S/Humphrey)

With Tennessee political action committees growing in numbers and pouring millions of dollars into legislati campaigns, Republican lawmakers are proposing to repeal the limits in current law on how much PAC money th can accept. Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Bo Watson, R-Hixson, says SB3654 is a logical follow through legislation enacted last year that authorized direct corporate contributions to state candidates and trea corporations as if they were PACs insofar as disclosing donations goes. Last year's law also raised the limits how much PACs and individuals can donate to Tennessee candidates and provides those limits can be rais annually as inflation increases, a so-called "indexing" provision. But the 2010 law, pushed by Republicans ov objections from some Democrats, left intact the "aggregate limit" on how much PACs can give to candidates. It d raise the aggregate limit for legislative candidates from $75,000 per election to $107,200 the latter figure bei 3

subject to annual increases through indexing. "With indexing, you reach a point where that limit (on overall PA donations) is, for lack of a better term, too limiting," said W atson in an interview. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/04/tennessee-legislators-push-for-repeal-of-limits

Election battle could signal future of TN GOP (Tennessean/Sisk)

Republicans break down into two camps, Glen Hughes said from his perch near the stage at a rally last week Rick Santorum. Its either Romney or anybody-but-Romney at this point, he said. Former Massachusetts Go Mitt Romney may have the support of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and most of t states Republican leaders. But he hasnt won over conservative voters like Hughes, which could point to a s between the states Republican leaders and its rank-and-file. Just as moderates and conservatives have differed recent years over issues such as gun rights and discussing homosexuality in schools, they appear to be casti their ballots for decidedly different candidates Romney, the by-the-book businessman turned Northeaste governor, and Santorum, the firebrand social conservative and former Rust Belt senator. With Republicans firmly control of Tennessee, the outcome of the battle between Romney and Santorum could signal the direction in whi the Tennessee GOP, and possibly the entire state, will march for years to come. Tennessee, its moved pa center right and more to the right in the last few years, said Hughes, 47, a Bellevue accountant and the preside of a group called the Tennessee Republican Assembly the right-wing side of the Republican Party, as he p it. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120304/NEWS02/303040058/Election-battle-could-signal-future-TN-GOP? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Tennessee voters feel confused on acceptable ID (Times Free-Press/Sher)

Most Tennesseans think the state's new law requiring government-issued photo ID in order to vote is a "go idea," but many remain confused about exactly what forms of identification are acceptable, according to a p released this week by Middle Tennessee State University's College of Mass Communication. Eighty-two percent the 646 adults surveyed consider the new law "a good idea that should be kept in place." Eleven percent consid the law "a bad idea that should be done away with." The remainder aren't sure. However, while 93 percent know current Tennessee driver's license is acceptable and 81 percent know a valid military ID will do, only 21 perce know that an expired Tennessee driver's license also will be accepted. Only 46 percent know that "a va employee ID issued by a major automaker to a worker at one of its Tennessee plants" doesn't qualify for voti purposes. And just 29 percent know that a valid University of Tennessee student identification card would unacceptable. The Republican bill specifically excluded IDs issued by private employers, public and priva colleges and city and county governments. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/04/tennessee-voters-feel-confused-on-acceptable-id/?local

Davis sought reimbursement for same charges (CA/Jones, Perrusquia)

The booze flowed when Southaven Mayor Greg Davis took local business leaders to the Mesquite Chophouse a night out in 2010. The tab topped $700, swimming in Crown Royal, Absolut Vodka, wine and beer and a $2 tip. Last year, Davis gave auditors that receipt, and many others, as he defended more than $150,000 reimbursements from the City of Southaven for expenses to promote business and tourism. Auditors have order Davis to repay much of that money but the mayor may now have another problem. An investigation by T Commercial Appeal found the mayor provided that same bill a $711.77 charge at Mesquite on Aug. 17, 2010 seeking reimbursement from the Southaven Chamber of Commerce. The charge is one of at least 26 duplica charges $5,131 to the city and $5,131 to the chamber Davis submitted over a three-month period in 201 the newspaper found. Records suggest the duplications might be much higher but internal controls and reco keeping were so poor that any double charges beyond those initial 26 are difficult to confirm. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/04/double-trouble-t/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Local GOP members rally at dinner; Corker speaks about upcoming primary (JS)

Republicans from Madison County and across West Tennessee gathered Saturday night at Union University rally before Tuesdays primary election. U.S. Sen. Bob Corker was the keynote speaker at the Madison Coun Reagan Day Dinner in the Carl Grant Events Center on Unions campus. Jay Bush, chairman of the Madis County Republican Party, which organizes the dinner around this time each year, said the dinner offe Republicans an opportunity to come together and celebrate their values, no matter which candidate they a supporting for the primary election. This is a time when active Republicans can get together and get excited abo the upcoming elections, he said. The Madison County Republican Party does not endorse a candidate in t primary election but raises money to support local Republican candidates. When Corker took the stage, 4

commended local Republican Party members and said he was thankful they chose him to represent them Washington. He spoke about the upcoming primary election, what he believed Republicans should do and what thought they should not do. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120304/NEWS01/303040011/Local-GOP-members-rally-dinner-Corkerspeaks-about-upcoming-primary

10 states to cast ballots in Republican presidential primary (TFP/Carroll, Haman)

Tennessee and Georgia voters head to the polls Tuesday with a real chance to make a difference in choosing Republican nominee for president. Eleven states already have hosted presidential primaries, and form Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leads the GOP pack. At the Republican National Convention, it takes 1,1 delegate votes to land the GOP nomination. Thats why Tennessee, Georgia and eight other states matter Super Tuesday. The states hosting caucuses and primaries Tuesday have 437 delegates, the biggest single-d delegate jackpot of the entire campaign. Tennessee has 58 delegates in play, while Georgias 76 are the most any Super Tuesday contest. Both states award their delegates on a proportional basis, not winner-take-all. We happy we have a big voice in this primary we like that were not just leaving it up to Iowa and New Hampshire decide the nominee, Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney said. All the campaigns are worki here, and theyre taking Tennessee seriously. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/04/10-states-cast-ballots/?local

Tennessee, nine other states heading to polls (Johnson City Press)

Tennessee is one of 10 states that will choose its favorite Republican presidential candidate on Super Tuesda adding delegates to a growing tally from states pledged to support its pick at the GOP convention in Tampa Ba Fla., in August. The state this year has a total of 58 delegates from a combination of at-large and district delegate plus bonus delegates consisting of the governor and U.S. Senate and House members. A total of 1,144 delega votes are needed to nominate a candidate. As of Friday, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney led the pa with 167 delegates, followed by former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (87), former House Speaker Ne Gingrich (32) and Texas and Congressman Ron Paul (19). Both parties operate with two types of delegate pledged and unpledged. The group of unpledged delegates, also known as super-delegates, generally comprisi current and former elected officeholders and party leaders, are free to vote for any candidate they wish at t convention. The group of pledged delegates, comprising delegates representing the party committee of each sta are expected to vote in accordance with the rules of their state party. During Tuesdays Presidential Preferen Primary, voters can choose a Democratic ballot which will only bear the name of one candidate Barack Obam Likewise, voters can choose a Republican ballot and help select the Republican nominee to face Preside Obama.http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=98730#ixzz1o9QrPsTS

Rick Santorum leads Tennessee polls, dead last in fundraising (N-S/Collins)

Rick Santorum may have a 2-to-1 lead in Tennessee polls heading into the GOP presidential election on Tuesda but in the race for campaign dollars, he remains dead last. The former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania h collected just $2,700 in campaign donations from East Tennessee, according to the most recent fundraisi reports on file with the Federal Election Commission. Santorum's cash yield is a fraction of the haul taken in by t most prodigious fundraiser in the race, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Romney has collected $263,0 in contributions from East Tennessee, putting him far ahead of any of the other candidates. That Romney winning the money race and that Santorum is holding at the bottom is no surprise. Romney started early, p in place what political analysts say remains the most organized fundraising machine in the state, and tapped tw prominent, experienced fundraisers James A. Haslam II of Knoxville and Bill W elch of Nashville to lead t effort. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/04/rick-santorum-leads-tennessee-polls-dead-last-in/

Super Tuesday Switch (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Humphrey)

The co-chairman of Newt Gingrich's Tennessee campaign changed his allegiance Saturday to Rick Santoru saying he hopes to set an example that leads to conservatives aligning behind a single candidate again "establishment Republican" Mitt Romney. State Sen. Stacey Campfield's surprise move comes with Santoru leading in Tennessee polls though under attack within the state from both pro-Romney forces and Gingrich in frenetic finale of candidate competition for votes in Tuesday's presidential preference primary. The president campaign had been somewhat sedate in Tennessee until last week, when the three leading Republican candidat ramped up their efforts with television and radio ads, phone call banks, direct mail, a swarm of surroga campaigners Gov. Bill Haslam leading the way for Romney plus some personal campaigning. Romney vis 5

Knoxville today while Gingrich plans a campaign trip through East Tennessee on Monday. Santorum, a former U senator from Pennsylvania, traveled through Tennessee last week, including a stop in Nashville where he had Wednesday evening meeting with about 20 Republican legislators, according to state Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxvil who arranged the gathering as the only state legislator publicly backing Santorum at the time. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/04/super-tuesday-switch-gingrich-co-chairman-backs/

Cain pushing for Gingrich in Knoxville (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Vines)

Former presidential aspirant Herman Cain said he's still on a mission to defeat President Barack Obama and urg conservatives on Saturday to support former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich in Tennessee's Republic presidential primary on Tuesday. For those who still wish the Georgia businessman was in the race, he said to vo for his fellow Georgian instead. "Don't protest on Tuesday," he said. Cain was the main speaker at the Tenness Conservative Union's annual Reagan Day dinner at the Crowne Plaza hotel and made his comments during reception for table sponsors before the event. The news media was allowed in and able to ask questions as well mingle with the group. Cain said Gingrich will "do better" than people in Tennessee think, although he was care to say he was not predicting Gingrich would win the state. Asked how he would do in nine other states that are p of the Super Tuesday contests, Cain said assuredly: "He will win Georgia. I've done a lot of work in Georgia." http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/03/cain-pushing-for-gingrich-in-knoxville/

Gingrich supporters rally in Collierville (Commercial Appeal/Carroll)

As Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses loomed in Tennessee and nine other states, representatives of Ne Gingrich rallied support for the Republican presidential candidate in Collierville Saturday, with former U representative J.C. W atts, R-Okla., invoking Gingrich's conservative record as House Speaker. "I would encoura people in Shelby County to look at what the candidates did -- every one of them -- what they did when they had vote and they had a chance to influence public policy," he said. "Newt Gingrich was balancing our budget, payi down our public debt, and creating tax relief." About two dozen people attended the rally at the town squa Several said they had no preference in the GOP primary but were open to the message of the Gingrich camp. "I open to whoever can beat (President) Obama," said Collierville native Jack Gentry. Saturday, that message w focused less on Obama than it was on former Massachusetts governor. Mitt Romney, who Watts said has yet validate his status as frontrunner in the GOP presidential race. "I think what this has told us about the perceiv frontrunner is, we have to see him as a very weak frontrunner, because he's had the organization, he's had t money, but he hasn't been able to close the deal," he said. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/03/gingrich-supporters-rally-collierville/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Tennessee Democrats take early aim at Mitt Romney (Tennessean/Cass)

It seemed more like the kind of thing youd do to hammer a candidate youre already competing with one on on But the Tennessee Democratic Party went ahead last week and held a conference call to attack Republic presidential candidate Mitt Romney, five days before his party holds its primary in Tennessee. State Democra Party Chairman Chip Forrester, state Rep. Mike Turner and Mike Herron, chairman of the United Auto Worke Local 1853 in Spring Hill, spoke to reporters about Romneys job-creation record as Massachusetts governor dreadful, Forrester said and his proposed economic policies if elected in November. Turner said Romn wants to bring back the trickle-down economics of the late President Ronald Reagan. That dog dont hunt here Tennessee, Turner said. Asked why they were taking aim at Romney when former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum Pennsylvania is leading by large margins in Tennessee and hanging with Romney nationally, Turner said its only matter of time before Romney pulls away. The race is virtually over, he said. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120304/NEWS02/303040075/Political-Notebook-Tennessee-Democratstake-early-aim-Mitt-Romney?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Romney campaign slams crossover voting, then hedges (Tennessean/Sisk)

Mitt Romneys campaign slammed crossover voting in Michigan last week. They told just about every reporter w would listen that Rick Santorum had undermined the process in that state by making an appeal to Democrats vote for him in its open primary. Last night, we saw that Rick Santorum cheated, but he couldnt cheat enough win, U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, said in a conference call with reporters on W ednesday. It seemed like strange tactic for a candidate whose main selling point might be his crossover appeal. Earlier that same da Middle Tennessee State University released polling data that showed Romney leading among Democratic vote and tied with Santorum among independents. He was losing to Santorum by a 21-point margin among Tenness Republicans. So was the Romney campaign saying they didnt want Democrats and independents to vote in t 6

Republican primary in Tennessee? The campaign didnt seem to have a ready answer. When asked, they fell sile for a good five seconds before former U.S. Treasurer Bay Buchanan finally said crossover voters might be O after all. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120304/NEWS02/303040075/Political-Notebook-Tennessee Democrats-take-early-aim-Mitt-Romney?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Gingrich gets last word on hecklers at Nashville rally (Tennessean/Sisk)

Newt Gingrichs best moment during last weeks campaign swing through Nashville may have been his handling six Occupy Nashville protesters who disrupted his Monday afternoon rally at the state Capitol by waving a r banner and shouting slogans. Gingrich did not ask security to have the protesters removed. Instead, he quie waited them out from the podium, giving them an icy glare while occasionally waving to his supporters to keep th cool. Once things had started to quiet down, Gingrich delivered his retort: I just want to make one observation. terms of being out of touch with reality, he said, gesturing toward the protesters, somebody who 21 years af the collapse of the Soviet empire still has a red flag, is a sign of a commitment to fantasy over reality that breathtaking. Video of the exchange is available at Tennessean.com. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120304/NEWS02/303040075/Political-Notebook-Tennessee-Democratstake-early-aim-Mitt-Romney?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Bredesen urges reform in Medicaid waiver process (Tennessean/Bewley)

The federal government must act more quickly and efficiently in exempting states from certain Medica requirements, former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen said last week. Bredesen, a Democrat and former heal care executive, joined four other former governors from both parties at a Bipartisan Policy Center roundtable urge reforms in the Medicaid waiver process. Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for the poor implemented as TennCare in Tennessee accounts for 16 percent of state spending, second only to educatio States can apply for waivers from some Medicaid rules in an effort to cut costs and try new approaches. TennCa considered a pilot program by the federal government, operates under a waiver. Bredesen and the other governo said Thursday that it takes too long to get waivers approved, which means states cant quickly enact cost-savi ideas. So, as they try to balance their budgets they must cut benefits or take funds from other programs to fu Medicaid. Bredesen is one of six former governors on the Bipartisan Policy Centers Governors Council, whi takes up issues related to the federal-state relationship. One of the former governors didnt participate Thursdays forum. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120304/NEWS02/303010138/Bredesen-urges-reform-Medicaid-waiverprocess?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

TN to soon publicize teachers' ratings, but is it worth it? (Tennessean/Hubbard)

Starting this summer, Tennessee parents will be able to see at a glance where teachers rank on a scale of 1 to 5 rating mostly based on learning gains their classes made and spot-checks recorded by principals. Anyone el who wants to know how a particular teacher performed can find out too, an issue that has split parent and educa advocacy groups in other states. They debate whether the benefits of public access outweigh the potential stre to teachers and distraction from learning. The point of Tennessees new evaluation system, effective this year, w to improve teachers, not prompt an exodus from classrooms with low-scoring teachers, some say. Los Angel Unified Schools got the first test of broad access to teacher performance in 2010, when the Los Angeles Tim released six years of data on learning gains made by individual teachers classes. New York City followed suit tw weeks ago, with media there suing the district and ultimately receiving teachers names, schools and five years student learning gains on math and English tests. For Maricruz Flores of Nashville, that sort of information cou have been useful. Her three kids had always drawn great teachers, she said, until her son got one last year w seemed to discipline him unfairly. The teacher disappeared mysteriously midyear. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120304/NEWS04/303040051/TN-soon-publicize-teachers-ratings-worth-? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Online textbooks getting more popular (Associated Press)

The popularity of online textbooks seems to be growing among college students. Some in the Chattanooga ar even seem to be embracing the use of e-textbooks, saying they cost less and are easier to use. Lee Univers student Amanda Cawley told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that she bought an iPad last year and spent $1 to rent e-books for all her classes (http://bit.ly/wKY3Nt). She says that's about three times less than what she wou have paid for physical textbooks. "I love it," she said. "If I'm looking for specific information, I don't have to f 7

through the chapters, I can just type the word in the search field and it takes me there." University of Tennessee Chattanooga student Will Conway said he had been spending about $250 a semester on textbooks but decided rent a couple of books online this semester for $150. He says he likes it much better. "It's much better th carrying around heavy textbooks all the time. I can just carry my iPad and use all of them," he said. His instruct however, wasn't convinced. Will Stern said he decided to try the online book, which costs $60, for his ba personal health class instead of the $115 paper version. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38715519?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Irate parents want out-of-zone students policed (Times Free-Press/Hardy)

Before their students are rezoned for other schools, many East Hamilton Middle/High parents want the scho system to make sure that out-of-zone students aren't attending the school illegally. Parents brought up the iss several times during a pair of public meetings last week on rezoning proposals. Many said they believe th students who live outside the zone, and in some cases in Georgia, are attending East Hamilton and exacerbati its overcrowding problems. And one school official said he agrees that a crackdown on such cases is neede Whether the action is for academics or athletics, reports of out-of-area students changing or falsifying address so that they're within a preferred school's attendance boundaries have been commonplace across the county. B the proposed redrawing of attendance boundaries for East Hamilton and several area elementary schools broug new attention to the issue as hundreds of parents -- some stunned, some angry -- looked for anything that mig help keep their kids where they are. School leaders say they have safeguards in place and usually can dete when families are shopping for school enrollment, but they acknowledge that parents find ways to cheat t system. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/04/irate-parents-want-out-of-zone-students-policed/?local

OPINION Times Editorial: State's growth threatened (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

The hard-earned wisdom of local municipal governments, here and elsewhere across Tennessee and other state is that sensible zoning and development standards typically improve property values, quality of life and gene prosperity of all residents. And they do so without infringing on traditional and long respected property rights. Ala some reactionary right-wing diehards in the Legislature are seeking to block the authority of local governments the governments closest to their constituents-- to keep such standards in place. Acting apparently in league w the bottom rung of developers who care little about the long-term consequences of haphazard developme they've introduced a stack of bills in the Legislature aimed at destroying both the most common zoning standard and the most popular means of improving growth, construction and land-use regulations. Tennessee's countie cities and towns can't continue to properly grow and evolve if these errant lawmakers get their way. Zoni targeted The legislators pushing these varied bills -- there are more than half a dozen -- claim to be protecti individual property rights. That's a gross distortion. They would effectively undo more than 70 years of settled la in Tennessee on ordinary zoning rules. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/04/0304f-t1-states-growth-threatened/?opiniontimes

Editorial: Legal deal a good step, but TBI records need to be open (News-Sentinel)

A deal struck between Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols and defense attorney Gregory Isaacs could offer a blueprint on how to deal with the fallout from Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartne 8

drug abuse at a reduced cost while making public a state probe into the matter. The solution isn't a perfect one, b Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood should seize this opportunity to save taxpayers money, expedite leg challenges to Baumgartner's rulings and unseal the full Tennessee Bureau of Investigation file into the ex-judg misdeeds. Unsealing the TBI file won't address the underlying problem with such dossiers that they are exem from Tennessee's Public Records Act but could resolve questions nagging the minds of many affected by t scandal. Baumgartner last year pleaded guilty to one count of felony misconduct based on the TBI investigati into allegations he was buying prescription drugs from defendants in his court. He conducted an affair with one the criminals and sometimes acted erratically on the bench. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/04/editorial-legal-deal-a-good-step-but-tbi-records/

Gail Kerr: It's callous for Republicans to block door to college (Tennessean)

Its suddenly cool for politicians to erect barriers for kids who want to go to college. The GOP president candidate who is leading in Tennessee polls is doing it. Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly a doing it. Are they out of their minds? This weird trend comes at the same time that Mayor Karl Dean has vowed double the number of Metro high school graduates who go to college. It definitely concerns me, especially t affordability piece, said Jenny Mills, a professional mentor of 100 students from three Metro public high schoo who are participating in the Oasis College Connection program. It helps students who think they cant go to colle find a way. This issue gets under my skin. I was the first person in my family to attend college, through the grace a ton of scholarships, financial aid, numerous part-time jobs, and my mothers hard work and frugal savings. Goi to college should not be a political football. Republican presidential nominee Rick Santorum said that Preside Barack Obama is a snob for encouraging more students to go to college. Santorum, who has three college a university degrees, labeled such institutions indoctrination mills. Ironically, his one Nashville public appearan was at Belmont University. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120304/COLUMNIST0101/303040077/Gail-Kerr-s-callous-Republicansblock-door-college?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Otis L. Sanford: 'New' Ninth District will still love Cohen (Commercial Appeal)

Here's a two-part prediction that seems pretty safe. Part one: George Flinn, not Charlotte Bergmann, will emer five months from now as the Republican nominee for the Ninth Congressional District seat. Part two: Flinn, desp having millions to spend on the campaign, will go down in defeat in November to U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, a thre term Democrat. End of story. I know, it seems weird to be discussing a possible matchup that far down the ro when Memphis voters should be focused on the election that's two days from now. Only problem is, not ma voters around here care about Tuesday's GOP presidential and Shelby County primaries. Turnout may reach percent, if we're lucky. So why not look beyond this ho-hummer, particularly now that Flinn has jumped into t race to unseat Cohen? Flinn, a former Shelby County commissioner, made the announcement official last we during an appearance on WREG-TV's "Live @ 9" program http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/04/new-ninth-district-will-still-love-cohen/ (SUB)

Columnist: If Washington can do vouchers right, Nashville can, too (TFP)

Rule No. 1: No matter how academically effective, anything viewed as a threat to the usual way of doing things public schools is subject to slander, obstruction, de-funding or summary decapitation. Rule No. 2: To understa some of the causes of low achievement in schools, see Rule No. 1. It was not the failure but the success Washington, D.C.s, educational voucher program that made it a target of the Obama administration a Democrats in Congress. Established in 2004, the government-funded program allowed low-income students fro the districts failing public schools to attend private schools with vouchers for far less than the district spends p student in its public schools. It worked, swimmingly. Parents were more satisfied with the education their childr were getting and found the schools safer. Graduation rates were higher for voucher students than for th counterparts in traditional D.C. public schools, too. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/04/barrett-if-washington-can-do-vouchers-right-nashvi/? opinioncolumns

Chris Peck: ER isn't place to fight meth war (Commercial Appeal)

For many people, the question probably boiled down to this: Why not let Chris Burns just die of his own stupidit Burns, you recall, blew himself up in 2009 while he was sitting in his Chevy Cavalier at a stop sign in Faye County, cooking up a batch of methamphetamine. He managed to escape the burning vehicle, but the third-degr burns he received over 16 percent of his body required two weeks of treatment in the Regional Medical Center 9

Memphis. There, Burns, who had no medical insurance, incurred $160,000 in medical bills as the expert bu doctors battled to keep him alive. He was back at home, still in bandages, when a Fayette County grand ju indicted him in July 2009. Burns pleaded guilty to initiation of process to manufacture methamphetamine a served 90 days in jail. He remains on probation. Because Burns was charged after The Med treated him rath than before, The Med -- not the taxpayers of Fayette County -- will ultimately foot whatever portion of his hosp bill Burns is unable to pay. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/04/inside-the-newsroom-er-isnt-place-to-fight-meth/ (SUB) ###

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