WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012 Haslam extends foster care to 21 to help transition to adulthood (NS/Coleman)

Gov. Bill Haslam said Tuesday the money it costs to permit Tennessee young people to stay in foster care until age 21 is money well spent. "This is a wise investment in terms of cutting costs to the state, but also doing the right thing," he said. "We want to help wherever we can. I really think thousands of kids over the next years will have a different life because of this (legislation)." The governor traveled to the Blount County campus of Pellissippi State Community College to sign a bill that allows the Department of Children's Services to continue "Tennessee's Transitional Youth Empowerment Act of 2010" and removes the program's June 30 termination date. Haslam said the added annual cost to the state is $1.7 million. About $900,000 is the state's share and about $800,000 are federal dollars. Of the more than 8,000 children in state custody or foster care this year, about 60 percent are teens. In 2011, 813 aged out when they reached 18, he said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/haslam-extends-foster-care-to-21-to-help-teens/

Haslam holds signing in Blount for foster care bill (Daily Times)
Gov. Bill Haslam came to Blount County Tuesday to hold a ceremonial signing of the Tennessees Transitional Youth Empowerment Act of 2010. Speaking in the auditorium of the Pellissippi State Community Colleges Blount County campus, Haslam praised the recently enacted law, which allows foster children to continue participating in the state system until their 21st birthday. This is a wise investment in not only cutting costs to the state but in doing what is right, Haslam said. The law will allow young people in state custody to remain with their foster families during a critical time when they might otherwise be cut loose. A lot of families would love to keep helping, but they dont have the means to do so, Haslam said. http://www.thedailytimes.com/Local_News/story/Haslam-holds-signing-in-Blount-for-foster-care-bill-id-024875

Greenway Grant Awarded for Connecting Sevierville, Pigeon Forge (TN Report)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer announced today a grant for the final link in a pedestrian and bicycle route between downtown Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. The $423,833 transportation enhancement grant to the city of Sevierville is for Phase II of the Hospital to East Gate Greenway Project, which includes a 10 foot paved multi-use trail for pedestrians and bicyclists to be constructed parallel to Middle Creek. The project also includes ornamental lighting, shade trees and other decorative features designed to enhance the scenic character of the citys transportation system. Communities across the state are creating networks of greenways, trails and walkways that offer Tennesseans additional ways to commute or exercise as well as offering visitors a new way to see our state, Haslam said. This project will provide an essential link in Seviervilles alternative transportation network while also promoting healthy living and pedestrian travel. http://missouri-news.org/midwest-news/tennessee/greenway-grantawarded-for-connecting-sevierville-pigeon-forge/17904

Sevierville gets state greenway grant (Mountain Press)

The city is on the path to finishing its system of greenway walking trails thanks to a big contribution from the folks in Nashville. The ceremony announcing a $423,833 grant from the state for the final phase of the effort was as high-profile as it gets, with Gov. Bill Haslam flanked by state lawmakers as he passed on an oversized check. The money will be used to complete Phase II of the network, which will connect the Eastgate area to LeConte Medical Center via a 10-foot-wide paved trail for pedestrians and bicyclists. That construction will be the last link in the greenway system, which covers several miles of multi-use trails intended to connect downtown Sevierville with Pigeon Forge. It includes paths on Veterans Boulevard, along the Little Pigeon River and through City Park.

http://themountainpress.com/view/full_story/19040725/article--Sevierville-gets-state-greenway-grant-? instance=main_article_top_stories

State joins group to help high schoolers with jobs (Associated Press)
The Tennessee Department of Education is joining a new network focused on career preparation for high school students. The Pathways to Prosperity Network is a multi-state, multi-year initiative promoting school partnerships with public and private sector leaders in Tennessee, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri and North Carolina. The network aims to address unemployment among students without high school or college diplomas by combining academics with technical education needed in the labor market. The network was created in collaboration with national education nonprofit Jobs for the Future and Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. The new partnership builds on existing career preparation programs such as the Highlands of Tennessee in the upper Cumberland area and another one that works with Volkswagen in Chattanooga. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/19/state-joins-group-to-help-high-schoolers-with/

TN Participates in Pathways to Prosperity Network (TN Report)

The Tennessee Department of Education announces the states involvement in a pioneering new network focused on career preparation for high school students, created in collaboration with national education nonprofit Jobs for the Future and Harvard Universitys Graduate School of Education. The Pathways to Prosperity Network is a multi-state, multi-year initiative promoting school partnerships with public and private sector leaders in six states: Tennessee, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri and North Carolina. The network aims to address unemployment among students without high school or college diplomas by combining rigorous academics with strong technical education to equip more young people with the skills to succeed in todays increasingly challenging labor market. http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/19/tn-participates-in-pathways-to-prosperity-network/

States fail to prepare students for workforce, report finds (Tennessean/Kohli)

Public higher education is earning more Fs than As when it comes to preparing students for the workforce, according to a report released Tuesday. The report, from the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, grades each state on how well its public colleges and institutions prepare students for postgraduate careers. Tennessees grades ranged from an A in policy environment to an F in innovation: openness to providers. The institute, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, called the results of its study sobering. Were too used to resting on our laurels, said Margaret Spellings, president of the institute and secretary of education during the George W. Bush administration. Theres very little of looking below the reputational issues to, Well, how are we doing? Students and businesses would benefit if states found more efficient ways to measure the quality and quantity of degrees over the long term and rewarded institutions accordingly, Spellings said. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120620/NEWS04/306200097/States-fail-prepare-students-workforcereport-finds?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

UT Board to make tuition projections (Associated Press)

Students in the University of Tennessee system will find out this week how much their tuition will be in the fall. The finance committee of the UT Board of Trustees is scheduled to make the tuition projections on Wednesday and the full board will vote on them Thursday. The university system has an enrollment of about 50,000 students at campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Martin; the Health Science Center in Memphis; state Institutes of Agriculture and Public Service; and the Space Institute in Tullahoma. According to documents posted on the UT website, proposed tuition hikes are: 8 percent at the Knoxville campus, 6 percent at Chattanooga and Martin, and 4 percent at the Health Science Center. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/ut-board-to-make-tuition-projections/

Many Friends, Many Enemies (TN Report)

Rep. Debra Maggart insists shes a shoo-in to win her GOP primary against retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Courtney Rogers. But thats not stopping the House Republican Caucus chairwoman from asking party bigwigs like Gov. Bill Haslam and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey to take the time to campaign locally on her behalf. While Haslam has indicated hed probably be inclined to support any GOP incumbent this election season, Maggart in particular was critical to the administrations legislative efforts this year really helpful, the governor told reporters recently. As a caucus leader, sometimes when youre the leader, you take a little added heat and pressure from 2

folks. And we wanted to support her, and it worked out well, Haslam said. Over the past two years Maggart has deeply angered two influential constituencies that, while they may not typically be aligned politically, do share a recognized ability to get sympathetic Tennesseans to the polls on issues they hold dear. http://tnreport.com/blog/2012/06/19/many-friends-many-enemies-for-maggart/

Reps.

Armstrong,

Dunn

may

get

Green

Party

opponents

(News-

Sentinel/Humphrey)
Knoxville's state Reps. Joe Armstrong and Bill Dunn drew no opponents to their re-election this year when the normal qualifying deadline passed for legislative candidates in April, but both could now wind up with challengers from the Green Party. The Green Party of Tennessee last month nominated candidates for several offices in accordance with a federal judge's decision in February including Calvin Cassady of Knoxville as an opponent to Democrat Armstrong in the 15th House District and Bryan Moneyhun as an opponent to Republican Dunn in 16th House District. U.S. District Court Judge William Joseph Haynes ruled that several aspects of state law dealing with third party candidates are unconstitutional, including provisions that have generally kept party names other than Republican and Democrat from being printed with candidate names on the ballot. Part of the ruling allowed the Green Party and the Constitution Party, which filed the legal challenge, to nominate candidates later than the regular qualifying deadline April 5 this year and have their names appear on the ballot with the party label. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/reps-armstrong-dunn-may-get-green-party/

Dog video bites TN legislator (Associated Press/Schelzig)

A state lawmaker hit back Tuesday at critics of a YouTube video she posted of her dog Pepper being held outside a moving car for what she called an air swim. Freshman Rep. Julia Hurley said in her legislative office that her Chinese crested named Pepper enjoys being held out into the wind. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that Hurleys short video titled Pepper Air Swims was pulled two days after being posted on YouTube. Hurley, a Republican, said she removed the video because she didnt want to deal with criticism she calls politically motivated. I think its a liberal ploy to take the attention off the bills and the legislation Ive passed and the positive things Ive done, to make me look like a bad person, the Lenoir City Republican said. Hurley said people who complained about the video should explain why they dont have a similar reaction about other unrestrained dogs in the beds of pickup trucks or leaning out windows. My dog obviously enjoys it, Hurley said. Shes very happy. http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120620/NEWS21/306200095/Dog-video-bites-TN-legislator? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s (SUBSCRIPTION)

Council approves 53-cent property tax hike, budget by wide margin (CP/Garrison)
Mayor Karl Deans two-month sales pitch for continued government investment ended in victory Tuesday as the Metro Council voted by a commanding 4-to-1 margin to approve Davidson Countys first property tax hike in seven years. The council voted 32-8 to approve a Councilman Sean McGuire-sponsored $1.71 billion substitute budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year that includes the primary pieces the mayor laid out in his original budget in May, including a 53-cent increase on the citys $4.13 property tax rate. The council also signed off on a bond resolution authorizing a robust $297.7 million capital-spending plan, one of Metros largest in years. Dean has framed the 13 percent property tax increase as a necessary move to stave off draconian cuts, while also ensuring investments: addressing long-neglected infrastructure, raising teacher pay and giving Metro employees a salary bump. On Tuesday, the council agreed with Deans case by a sizeable margin despite many calling it one of their most difficult votes. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/council-approves-53-cent-property-tax-hike-budget-wide-margin

Council votes to raise taxes, put money in rainy day fund (Tennessean/Cass)
The Metro Council voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to raise property taxes for the first time in seven years to fund a $1.71 billion operating budget, despite significant opposition from Nashville residents. The council voted 32-8 for a substitute budget that largely mirrored the plan Mayor Karl Dean first presented during his State of Metro address on May 1. The margin of victory, coming as the nation remains mired in an unstable economy, even surprised Councilman Sean McGuire, who chaired the Budget and Finance Committee and authored the substitute legislation. Its really bittersweet, McGuire said after the vote. Its bitter from the standpoint that you 3

never want to increase taxes. We know that this is going to have effects on peoples personal lives. But its sweet in the sense that I think the council made the right decision in moving the city forward. It keeps us on the path of progress. Dean issued a statement immediately after the vote, saying the final budget supports our priorities of schools and public safety and looks to Nashvilles future by strengthening the citys debt service reserves. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120620/NEWS0202/306200110/Metro-Council-votes-raise-taxes-putmoney-rainy-day-fund?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Metro Finance Committee Votes for Substitute Budget (W PLN-Radio Nashville)

As Metro Council holds a final vote on a county budget tonight, the councils finance committee has voted in favor of an alternative. The substitute passed yesterday on a unanimous voice vote. Finance committee chair Sean McGuires budget raises Davidson Countys property tax by 53 centsthe same amount as the Mayors proposed budget. However, McGuires spending plan makes cuts in funding to Metro Schools by about 3 and a half million dollars. Municipal Auditorium, the Farmers Market, and transit would also see reductions. In addition, about eight million dollars would go into a rainy day fund. McGuire says putting that money away could help Nashville in the long run Several council members tried to tack on amendments that wouldve made deeper cuts. All were defeated. Metro Schools spokeswoman Meredith Libbey tells the Nashville City Paper that the reduction in school funding would lead to job cuts, though unclear how many people would be affected. Mayor Dean has said hes not opposed to Councilman McGuires budget, saying that it would allow Nashville to keep moving forward. http://wpln.org/?p=38383

Chattanooga City Council OKs budget, still mulling salaries (TFP/Hightower)

The Chattanooga City Council is still torn on what to do about $3 million of a $209 million budget. The Chattanooga City Council approved 7-2 Tuesday night the 2012-13 fiscal year budget, but did so with reservations. The council has yet to decide on how to divvy up $3 million in city employee salary increases and will have a week to decide when the budget ordinance comes up again for its second and final reading. "This in no way shows we approved a pay plan," Councilwoman Carol Berz, chairwoman of the Budget and Finance Committee, said after the vote. The council has discussed the budget since Mayor Ron Littlefield released it at the beginning of May. The budget calls for no property tax increase, but sewer rates and water quality fees are expected to be hiked. The mayor also proposed a salary increase for non-sworn employees that would be 3 percent across the board and also would include a $75 per year longevity payment for any employee who has served the city five or more years. The cost of the civilian employee pay raises would be $1.3 million. The city also proposed to put $1.3 million into the police career ladder, which rewards officers who do training above and beyond their normal training. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/20/council-oks-budget-still-mulling-salaries/?local

1-cent tax on gasoline approved by Memphis City Council committee (CA/Maki)

The Memphis City Council on Tuesday ushered along two tax-related referendums that could have large implications for property taxes and city services. A proposed referendum asking voters to levy a 1-cent tax on every gallon of gasoline purchased in Memphis was approved by a council committee. The full council also approved on the first of three readings a proposed referendum ordinance asking voters to increase the local sales tax rate by half a cent. Councilman Edmund Ford Jr. said the gasoline tax, if approved by voters, could bring in $3 million to $6 million a year for the Memphis Area Transit Authority. A final vote on the proposal is scheduled for Aug. 7. "The taxpayers don't have to worry about the money going somewhere else; it's going to public transportation," said Ford. For years the city has subsidized cash-strapped MATA with funds from its operating and capital improvement program budgets, and MATA officials have repeatedly asked city officials for a "dedicated funding source." http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/19/1-cent-tax-gasoline-approved-memphis-city-council/ (SUB)

Sen. Corker backs EPA clean air rules but not three-year deadline (Tenn/Gang)
Senator says he still backs EPA rule Sen. Bob Corker said this week that he supports the underlying policy 4

behind a new Obama administration clean-air rule that would curb the amount of pollutants spewed from coalfired power plants. But Corker said the Environmental Protection Agency is not giving utilities enough time to meet the new standards and he is co-sponsoring legislation aimed at extending the time period from three years to five. Were not for in any way lessening the standards, Corker told The Tennesseans editorial board on Monday. We would just like to do this in a little bit more pragmatic way. Corkers position is similar to one taken by his Republican colleague, Sen. Lamar Alexander, who has come under fierce criticism from some GOP and conservative groups for his support of the new clean-air rule. Alexander has fought for years to enact tougher clean-air rules and prevent pollutants from blowing into Tennessee from other states. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120620/NEWS02/306200098/Sen-Corker-backs-EPA-clean-air-rules-notthree-year-deadline?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews&nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Jeanna Richelson pushes cancer awareness (Times Free-Press/Hardy)

After spending the past two days being honored for founding a support group for people living with oral, head and neck cancer, Jeanna Richelson meets today with Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker to discuss the rare forms of cancer. "I just want to tell about my journey with oral cancer and that there's not enough awareness," she said. Richelson said there's still a lot of mystery behind the disease. Even people like her who don't smoke can be diagnosed with oral cancer. She also said she'll emphasize that it takes doctors only three minutes to check for the disease. And she'll urge the senator to encourage free screenings for the cancer or to push doctors to include a screening in routine check-ups. Richelson was invited to the capital as the Chattanooga-area Jefferson Award winner, an honor bestowed on unsung but committed community volunteers. She and the other 125 or so local winners from across the country competed for five Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Awards for service. She did not win, but Richelson said she didn't really expect to after hearing others' inspiring stories. "Some of these people have been doing volunteer work for 30 years and giving back to their communities," she said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/20/richelson-pushes-cancer-awareness/?local

Senate hopeful Thomas K. Owens faces sex charge (Associated Press)

A Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate who is charged with solicitation of a minor had a severe mental disease at the time of his alleged crime, according to a mental evaluation. Authorities say a 7-year-old girl riding her bike in front of the Johnson City apartment of Thomas K. Owens one day in May 2011 was invited inside. According to authorities, the 36-year-old then allegedly hugged the girl, unzipped his pants and asked her to perform a sex act. The girl ran home and told her mother, who notified police, authorities added. Owens is one of seven long-shot Democratic candidates running in the Aug. 2 primary for the chance to challenge Republican incumbent Sen. Bob Corker, according to the Tennessee Secretary of State website. Owens told investigators the girl had been in his apartment. As for the allegation, he stated: I have a problem with that, but did not elaborate. The Johnson City Press reported that while the case was in General Sessions Court last year, Owens was sent to Lakeshore Mental Health Institute for an evaluation to determine whether he was competent to stand trial. http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20120620/NEWS02/306200096/Senate-hopeful-Thomas-K-Owens-facessex-charge?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News (SUBSCRIPTION)

Grant to aid displaced Goodyear workers (Memphis Business Journal)

The U.S. Department of Labor has released an additional $2.1 million National Emergency Grant to aid in the retraining of 960 workers that were affected by the shutdown of the Union City (Tenn.) Goodyear plant last summer. Goodyear had operated the plant since 1968. Last November, the Department of Labor announced the grant, which totaled $3.4 million, releasing $1.3 million initially. When a large employer closes its doors, it impacts not just employees but the entire community, Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor, said in a statement. The additional federal funds announced today will help Union City continue to recover from the closure of the Goodyear facility by providing job training and placement services so these dislocated workers can obtain new jobs in growing local industries. The plant was acquired late last year by Quincy, Ill-based Titan Tire, which manufactures wheels, tires and other parts for off-road equipment used in agricultural, construction and 5

recreational vehicles. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/06/19/grant-to-aid-displaced-goodyear-workers.html

Federal government makes $14.9 million grant for Harahan Bridge project (MBJ)
The city of Memphis has received a $14.9 million federal grant which will go toward making the Harahan Bridge project a reality. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohens office announced the city won a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) IV Discretionary Grant for the Main Street to Main Street Multi-Modal Connector Project. In March, the Downtown Memphis Commission approved $2 million in grant matching funds for the $30 million project that would repair portions of Main Street in Downtown Memphis, add pedestrian access to the Harahan Bridge (or the old bridge) and connect that to West Memphis improved Broadway Avenue. The project includes streetscape, utility, sidewalk, roadway, and drainage improvements along Main Street. These new federal funds will help improve livability in Downtown Memphis, will increase tourism, will drive economic development and create jobs, make our city more attractive to young people, and enable people to bike over the historic, scenic Mississippi River, Cohen, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said in a statement. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/memphis-in-motion/2012/06/feds-grant-millions-for-harahanbridge.html

Memphis gets grant to help build pathway across Harahan Bridge (CA/Charlier)
Memphians could be bicycling and strolling across a specially designed boardwalk over the Mississippi River within about two years, now that federal officials have approved a critical piece of funding for the project. The city has been awarded a $14.94 million Transportation Improvement Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen announced Tuesday. The money from the federal Department of Transportation will cover roughly half the cost of a $29.8 million public-private initiative called the Main Street to Main Street MultiModal Connector Project. The centerpiece of the plan is a pathway or boardwalk to be built along one of the cantilevered former carriageways on the 96-year-old Harahan Bridge, which is still used by trains. The project also includes extensive improvements and repairs to the Main Street corridor in Memphis and trail connections linking the Harahan to downtown W est Memphis. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/19/memphis-gets-grant-build-pathway-across-harahan-br/ (SUB)

IRS urges Tennessee tax preparers to take exam (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

The Internal Revenue Service announced Tuesday that 7,000 Tennessee tax preparers must take an IRS competency examination by Dec. 31, 2013 or they will not be able to prepare tax returns for compensation. So far, 54 tax preparers in Tennessee have passed the competency exam and, as a result, have been given the new credential of Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP), according to a news release. Enrolled Agents, CPAs and attorneys are not required to take the exam because they already have testing requirements. Preparers who are required to take the IRS competency exam have about 18 months left to study and pass it, said IRS spokesman Dan Boone. The IRS urges them to take the exam soon in case they have to retake it and to avoid a potential flood of last-minute exam takers. Three years ago, the IRS began a program to register paid preparers and require certain ones to pass a competency test. In addition, paid preparers are expected to take continuing education courses and meet ethics standards. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/19/irs-urges-tennessee-tax-preparers-take-exam/

Lawmakers Try to Save Stalled Transportation Bill (Associated Press/Lowy)

House and Senate leaders are making a last-ditch effort to revive stalled legislation to overhaul federal transportation programs Congress' best bet for passage of a major jobs bill this year but prospects for passage before the November election are dimming. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, as well as two key committee chairmen, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., are scheduled to meet Tuesday to try to reach an agreement on how to handle a collection of 6

sensitive policy and financing matters still in dispute. A 47-member House-Senate committee has been holding negotiations on the bill for over a month, but they have been unable to reach agreement on a host of difficult issues, lawmakers involved in the process and their staffs said. Time is running extremely short. Authority to spend money from the Highway Trust Fund the main source of federal transportation aid to states expires June 30. As a practical matter, congressional leaders need to make a decision by about Wednesday on whether to continue to try to pass a comprehensive bill, or whether seek a temporary extension of transportation programs. There are only about a half dozen days left in the month in which Congress is scheduled to be in session, and it takes time to prepare an extension bill and pass it. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/20/lawmakers-try-to-save-stalled-transportation-bill/

Public W orkers Face Continued Layoffs, Hurting the Recovery (New York Times)
Companies have been slowly adding workers for more than two years. But pink slips are still going out in a crucial area: government. In California, the governor is threatening to eliminate 15,000 state jobs. When school begins in Cleveland this fall, more than 500 teachers probably will be out of work. And in Trenton which has already cut a third of its police force, hundreds of school district employees and at least 150 other public workers the only way the city will forestall the loss of 60 more firefighters is if a federal grant comes through. Government payrolls grew in the early part of the recovery, largely because of federal stimulus measures. But since its postrecession peak in April 2009 (not counting temporary Census hiring), the public sector has shrunk by 657,000 jobs. The losses appeared to be tapering off earlier this year, but have accelerated for the last three months, creating the single biggest drag on the recovery in many areas. W ith the economy expanding, albeit slowly, state tax revenues have started to recover and are estimated to exceed prerecession levels next year. Yet governors and legislatures are keeping a tight rein on spending, whether to refill depleted rainy-day funds or because of political inclination. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/20/business/public-workers-face-continued-layoffs-and-recovery-is-hurt.html? _r=1&ref=todayspaper (SUBSCRIPTION)

State, local spending at lowest point since '80s (USA Today)

State and local governments are keeping the tightest lid on spending in three decades, even though tax revenue is rising again and powerful interest groups are asking for more money. The tight budget controls represent a sharp reversal from several years ago when states struggled to control spending, despite a drop in tax collections, and got a $250 billion bailout from the federal government. Today, both Republicans and Democrats are rejecting spending requests even from traditional allies police, businesses, teachers, doctors and others and keeping budgets balanced as federal aid recedes. We're seeing some incredibly significant examples of groups not getting what they want," says Scott Pattison, head of the National Association of State Budget Officers. "There doesn't appear to be that much pushback. Maybe there's an acceptance that cuts have to occur." State and local spending is down 0.8% this year a 2.7% drop when adjusted for inflation to an annual rate of $2.4 trillion, a USA TODAY analysis of Bureau of Economic Analysis data found. New budgets, which take effect July 1 most places, show elected officials continuing to restrict both spending and tax hikes. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-19/state-spending/55695302/1

DOE offers $17.57 M plan to offset loss of historic K-25 (News-Sentinel/Munger)

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a "final" Memorandum of Agreement to historic preservation groups, detailing a plan for meeting legal obligations and historical interests at the K-25 uranium-enrichment plant one of the iconic structures of the World War II Manhattan Project. DOE is hoping that signatories of a 2005 agreement, in which the federal agency promised to save a part of the original K-25 building for future generations to visit and better understand the work on the first atomic bombs, will agree to sign the new pact. The new MOA would allow DOE contractors complete the demolition of the old, mile-long, U-shaped building in its entirety. In order to do that, DOE has vowed to take a number of actions to preserve and display equipment, commemorate the historical significance of the site, and do other things to help make up for the loss of K-25's original structure. The cost of the DOE plan is $17.57 million, according to the document. DOE is asking the parties to sign the agreement by July 13, although it's not yet clear if everybody is ready to approve. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/doe-offers-1757-m-plan-to-offset-loss-of-k-25/

Unified school board votes to not renew contract of Cash (CA/Kelley, Roberts)
Divided members vote against nonrenewal for Supt. Aitken The Memphis and Shelby County unified school 7

board was anything but unified Tuesday night as it voted to not renew the contract of Memphis City Schools Supt. Kriner Cash. The touchy topic of whos going to lead the district when it opens its doors in September 2013 created a pitched battle between Cash supporters and members who favor Shelby County Schools Supt. John Aitken. Stress showed on the faces of board members in front of an overflow crowd at the MCS Teaching and Learning Academy, where a crowd that included placard-carrying supporters of Aitken and opponents of secret meetings packed the hall. The vote means that Cashs contract will be allowed to expire just as the districts merge. He can spend the next year working on the merger or seek a buyout and leave the district. Board members voting to not renew were David Reaves, Butch Carruthers, Chris Caldwell, Kevin W oods, Jeff Warren, Billy Orgel, David Pickler, Betty Mallott, Raphael McInnis, Joe Clayton, Michael Wissman, Reginald Porter, Ernest Chism and Sara Lewis. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/19/unified-school-board-consider-search-process-new-s/ (SUB)

School Board Postpones Supierintendent Hire but Votes to Jettison Cash (M. Flyer)
As the Unified School Board of Shelby County prepared late Tuesday afternoon for what was billed as a showdown meeting on the selection of a superintendent for a new era,sides were being chosen both inside and outsidethe Teaching and Learning Academy building on Union Ave. Chanting and carrying placards on the front grounds of the building, a large was supportive of the candidacy of Shelby County Schools superintendent John Aitken, who, just before the Unified rwas formed last year, was gifted by his carry-over SCS board with a contract extension until 2005 two full years into the planned merger of Memphis City Schools with Shelby County Schools in August 2013. The Aitken boosters were opposed by a smaller group, led by the Rev. Isaac Richmond, who are attempting to prevent the Board from hiring the current Shelby County Schools superintendent (whom they identified on pass-out materials last week as Robert Aitken, a gaffe that prompted John Aitken to jest that his cousin Robert was indeed, as the handouts proclaimed, unfit to head the School Board. http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2012/06/19/school-board-members-gather-for-showdownover-supreintendent

School Board Votes Not To Renew Cash's Contract (Memphis Daily News)
The countywide school board voted Tuesday, June 19, not to renew the contract of Memphis City Schools superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash past August 2013 when it is scheduled to run out. The 14-8 vote came during two back-to-back school board meetings covering five hours in which the board also agreed to talk more about a process for selecting the superintendent of the consolidated school system to come at a meeting next week. The board also voted down a similar contract non-renewal motion involving Shelby County Schools superintendent John Aitken whose contract runs through August of 2015. I dont know what they did, Cash said initially as he left the meeting. I really dont. He also said he would be talking with his attorney. Cashs attorney has been talking with the boards legal counsel in contract buyout talks that began last December and have paused at least twice since then including when Cash applied to be superintendent of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/jun/20/school-board-votes-not-to-renew-cashs-contract/

Charter Schools Fall Short on Disabled (Wall Street Journal)

A new government report shows that charter schools are not enrolling as high a portion of special-education students as traditional public schools, despite federal laws mandating that publicly financed schools run by private entities take almost every disabled student seeking to enroll. The report, published Tuesday by the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, is the first comprehensive study focused on charter schools' enrollment of special-needs students, which has been a central issue in debates over those schools' rapid growth in the U.S. The report showed that special-education studentsthose with diagnosed disabilities from Down Syndrome to attention-deficit disordermade up 8.2% of charter school students during the 2009-2010 school year. While that was up from 7.7% the year before, it was below the average at traditional public schools of 11.2% in 2009-2010, and 11.3% the previous year. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303379204577477003893836734.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION) 8

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OPINION Editorial: AG's opinion shows continuing focus on state's sunshine law (N-S)
Five years have passed since "Black Wednesday" entered the Knox County political lexicon, and awareness of the importance of the Tennessee Open Meetings Act continues to expand. An opinion issued June 6 by state Attorney General Robert E. Cooper Jr. is one of the latest clarifications of the law. Though nonbinding, the AG's opinion is a common-sense application of the law to routinely encountered situations, with a caution about where officials can cross the line. State Rep. Tony Shipley, R-Kingsport, asked Cooper for the opinion at the request of officials in Sullivan County. "My county commissioners were concerned they couldn't even go to lunch together, and I told them I don't think that's the intent," Shipley told The Association Press. Cooper agreed, saying that two or more members of an elected body can meet over lunch or anywhere else as long as they don't deliberate toward a decision on any matter coming before the panel. Deliberations, in this context, consist of discussions aimed at weighing the pros and cons of an issue to arrive at a decision. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/editorial-ags-opinion-shows-continuing-focus-on/ 9

Gail Kerr: Open budget talks are refreshing change of pace (Tennessean)
The lights stayed on, the doors were open and unlocked, and everyone who wanted to follow what was going on could. Congratulations, Metro Council. A proposed property tax was handled legally, with no secret, unannounced meetings. The public has a right to see the publics business conducted. Whether you agree with the tax increase that passed last night or not, no one can say the 40-member council did anything but conduct its business in a methodical, clear way. There was no violation of the states open meetings law this time around. Its refreshing. Over the years, this has been a rare experience. From day one, when Mayor Karl Dean announced a 53-cent property tax hike to fund the city budget, council members conducted themselves with class and open dialogue. When a handful of council members met in Councilman Steve Glovers office over a weekend to comb through the mayors budget plan and search for cuts, Glover announced what they were doing. The media knew and covered the story. Taxpayers knew and came out. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120620/COLUMNIST0101/306200087/Gail-Kerr-Open-budget-talksrefreshing-change-pace?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cs&nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

David Cook: Do not execute Jesse Mathews (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

If convicted of killing Chattanooga police Sgt. Tim Chapin, then Jesse Mathews deserves to die. The pain and black-hole suffering weighing down on the Chapin family should fall on no one's shoulders in this lifetime. No one, not once.On Tuesday in Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman's courtroom, as pretrial motion hearings ended, Chapin's father had to be helped up out of the second-row pew, barely able to walk on his own, as if the family's grief was made manifest in his body. So it bears repeating: If found guilty, then Jesse Ray Mathews, 27, deserves to die. But Hamilton County District Attorney Bill Cox should not seek the death penalty. And Tennessee should not execute him. Because doing so will put the Chapin family on a long and difficult road that may get even worse before it gets better. If it ever gets better. "If [Mathews] gets a death penalty, it's going to come back and come back and come back. It really is a burden on the family. It goes on for years,'' said Don Dawson, Tennessee's post conviction defender, whose office serves death-row prisoners in the appeals process after their initial conviction. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/20/do-not-execute-jesse-mathews/?opinioncolumns

Editorial: Alexander won't wilt under Clean Air Act vote (Daily News Journal)
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander should be commended for standing firm to keep EPA regulations requiring coal-fired power plants to reduce poisonous emissions such as mercury. Alexanders position may run counter to his Republican Party, but his willingness to stick with an issue he believes is important to the future of Tennessee and the nation is refreshing and honorable. Too often, elected leaders on both sides of the aisle simply go with the party vote, which is one reason Washington remains in constant gridlock. By opting to vote today to uphold the federal clean air rule, Alexander will demonstrate foresight and courage rarely seen in politics. Tennessees former governor has a solid understanding of the states economy through his many years in leadership here, and that gives him the background for making a sound argument to attack pollution. W hile his opponents and the coal industry argue that the measure is a job killer, Alexander notes that more Tennessee jobs are actually tied to production of scrubbers that will be used to make coal-powered plants cleaner than to coal mining in the state. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120620/OPINION01/306200015/EDITORIAL-Alexander-won-t-wilt-under-Clean-AirAct-vote?nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Charlie Daniel Political Cartoon: Moo-Lah (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

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Frank Munger: Feds beat the rush, combine oversight for Y-12 and Pantex (NS)
Earth's axis didn't shift or anything like that, but there was a change in the federal order of things this week involving the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. The National Nuclear Security Administration officially launched its combined (yet geographically dispersed) federal oversight office for the Y-12 and Pantex 10

nuclear weapons facilities. Those plants, about 1,000 miles apart, will come under the same management contract after the NNSA selects a winner later this year. Teams competing for that newly combined contract submitted their bids in March, but the procurement process is a long one and the NNSA (a part of the U.S. Department of Energy) has acknowledged that it will announce a winning contractor "no sooner than September," and many folks think it won't come until after the elections in November. Meanwhile, the federal agency decided to go ahead and put into play its federal oversight team, which will include NNSA officials at both Y-12 and Pantex (near Amarillo, Texas) working together for the combined operations of the two sites. A third site could be involved later if the government chooses to include the tritium operations at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina as part of the contract. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/20/frank-munger-feds-beat-the-rush-combine-for-y-12/

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