This is a compilation of Tennessee news and political stories assembled daily by staffers in Gov. Bill Haslam’s office.
Haslam announces health and wellness initiative (Associated Press)
Gov. Bill Haslam has announced a new statewide health and wellness initiative. Haslam visited the Church Health Center Memphis on Tuesday to launch the “Healthier Tennessee” program. Haslam said the initiative will encourage residents to be more physically active and eat nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables. The program also asks people to stop using tobacco, or never start. Haslam noted Tennessee is one of the least healthy states, with high rates of high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and heart disease.
Haslam Launches Statewide “Healthier Tennessee” Initiative (Clarksville Online)
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today announced the launch of “Healthier Tennessee,” an initiative to encourage Tennesseans to be more physically active, to eat nutritious foods in healthy portions, and not to use tobacco products. “Tennessee is one of the best places there is to live, work and raise a family, but we also are one of the least healthy states in the nation,” Haslam said. “Our citizens have high rates of behavior-related diseases such as hypertension and stroke, Type II diabetes, heart disease, and several types of cancer.”
New Haslam Initiative Aims to Get Tennesseans in Shape (TN Report)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam says it’s about time for the state to hop on the treadmill, eat better and make healthier choices. Speaking in the gymnasium of a new health center in Jackson Tuesday, Haslam announced his plan to start a new state foundation tasked with promoting healthy living in Tennessee communities. “I love Tennessee, I think it’s the best state but we all know that we can do a better job taking care of ourselves,” Haslam told reporters following the event. “If we’ll exercise more, consume a better diet and either quit or don’t start using tobacco, we can make significant strides,” he said.
Haslam announces plans to make Tennessee a healthier state (CA/Bryson)
Gov. Bill Haslam, stopping in Memphis as part of a statewide tour, announced Tuesday the launch of “Healthier Tennessee,” an initiative urging residents of one of the most unhealthy states to eat more nutritious foods, get more exercise and stay away from tobacco. Appearing alongside Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Haslam said the push toward greater health and happiness in Tennessee would be a collaborative one, combining state resources with local infrastructure.
Haslam launches Healthier Tennessee (Jackson Sun)
Gov. Bill Haslam was at the Lift Health and Wellness Center on Tuesday to launch the Healthier Tennessee initiative. Haslam said he launched the initiative in Jackson for a reason. “We chose Jackson, Madison County to do that because of the commitment that you see here in the Lift Center … from the city and from Madison County,” he said. “We need a lot of local involvement and we see that exhibited here.” Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist welcomed Haslam on his first stop in the state to launch the Healthier Tennessee initiative.
Governor Pushes For A Healthier Tennessee (WREG-TV Memphis)
The governor of Tennessee says he’s trying to whip the state into shape. Bill Haslam announced the creation of a health and wellness foundation. Its goal is to make Tennessee not just one of the best places to live, but the healthiest. Congressman Steve Cohen has a similar mission on a national level. Cohen is trying to bring fresh healthy foods to low-income areas, while the governor is trying to get all people in Tennessee to take action and eat healthy. “One of our faults as a state is that we are not a very healthy state,” said Haslam.
Tennessee one of three states to see increase in childhood obesity (A. Press)
A new government report is the first evidence of a national decline in childhood obesity, health officials said Tuesday. In 18 states, there were at least slight declines in obesity for low-income preschoolers. Previous national statistics show obesity rates have been rising for decades and recently were essentially flat, although some places have reported improvements, like Philadelphia and New York City and the state of Mississippi. But the report from the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention shows signs of a wider-ranging improvement.
TN tots packing on pounds, risking an unhealthy future (Tennessean/Hall)
Tennessee’s juice-swilling, fries-chomping preschoolers of today promise to be the state’s diabetes and hypertension patients of tomorrow, and a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows the state is making no headway in addressing the dangerous trend. Tennessee was one of only three states with statistically significant gains in its percentage of obese children ages 2-4 in low-income families, increasing from 13.5 percent in 2008 to 14.2 percent in 2011.
Poor Children Show a Decline in Obesity Rate (New York Times)
After years of growing concern about obesity among children, federal researchers have found the clearest evidence yet that the epidemic may be turning a corner in young children from low-income families. The obesity rate among preschool-age children from poor families fell in 19 states and United States territories between 2008 and 2011, federal health officials said Tuesday — the first time a major government report has shown a consistent pattern of decline for low-income children after decades of rising rates.
Childhood Obesity Declines in Some States (Wall Street Journal)
The problem of childhood obesity, long among the country’s most intractable and vexing health issues, is at last showing signs of turning the corner. The obesity rate for low-income preschool-age children declined between 2008 and 2011 in 19 of 43 states and territories measured, federal data showed on Tuesday This followed a leveling off of childhood obesity rates in recent years, a generation after they began a climb to levels that alarmed pediatricians and public-health experts and prompted national campaigns to bring the rate down.
Haslam Appoints Rambo as 1st Judicial District Chancellor (TN Report)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed John C. Rambo as chancellor in the 1st Judicial District, replacing Chancellor G. Richard Johnson, who resigned effective June 30. The 1st Judicial District serves Washington, Unicoi, Carter and Johnson counties. “John’s depth of experience and diverse background will help him do an excellent job on the bench,” Haslam said. “I am pleased to make this appointment, and the people in the district will benefit from his service.” Rambo, 43, has served as Washington County attorney since 1999 and as municipal judge in Jonesborough since 2003.
John Rambo appointed to 1st Judicial District (Associated Press)
Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed John C. Rambo as chancellor of the 1st Judicial District that serves Washington, Unicoi, Carter and Johnson counties. Rambo replaces Chancellor G. Richard Johnson, who resigned in June. Rambo has served as Washington County attorney since 1999 and as municipal judge in Jonesborough since 2003. He worked as a solo practitioner from 2008-2012.
GM to invest $167M more at Tennessee factory (Associated Press/Schelzig)
General Motors plans to spend another $167 million at its Tennessee factory so it can build two new midsize vehicles. The investment disclosed Tuesday is on top of a previously announced $183 million investment. The spending is expected to create or keep 1,800 jobs, but GM wouldn’t say how many new people would be hired. The company also wouldn’t identify the new vehicles. They could be new versions of the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossover SUVs. The assembly plant in Spring Hill, about 30 miles south of Nashville, now makes the Equinox along with a factory in Canada.
GM Pledges To Make Good On Vehicle Lines At Spring Hill, 1,800 Jobs (WPLN)
General Motors will build a second vehicle at its plant in Spring Hill, adding as many as 1,800 jobs. The company is also investing an additional $167 million into the factory that began as home to the Saturn brand. The announcement draws “upon the plant’s unique heritage,” says GM North America president Mark Reuss in a statement. GM Spring Hill once employed 6,000 people when it was building Saturns. But it was idled in 2009 during the automaker’s restructuring. Since last year, the plant has been operating well below capacity building four-cylinder engines as well as the Chevrolet Equinox, a small SUV that’s also assembled at a Canadian factory.
GM doubles down in Spring Hill (Nashville Post)
General Motors is increasing its investment at the former Saturn site in Spring Hill and is adding the production of two more models, making good on a promise made to the union nearly two years ago. The new investment brings the automaker’s total commitment to the Maury County site to $350 million and will add two more cars — both midsize — to the existing commitment to manufacture the Chevrolet Equinox. All told, GM expects to create or retain 1,800 jobs. The first 1,000 and $40 million were added to a previously announced $183 million investment that brought the manufacture of a mid-sized model back from Mexico.
GM to invest $167 million in Spring Hill plant (Nashville Business Journal)
General Motors announced it plans to invest an additional $167 million in its Spring Hill Assembly Plant. The investment will “create or retain” 1,800 jobs, according a GM press release. About $40 million of the new investment will go to supporting a future mid-size vehicle program, expected to create or retain approximately 1,000 jobs. A second mid-size vehicle program with an investment of $127 million is expected to create or retain about 800 jobs. GM is not releasing timing or details regarding production of the mid-size vehicles.
GM revs up Spring Hill Tenn., facility (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Pare)
Volkswagen isn’t the only car company in Tennessee eyeing production of a new sport utility vehicle. General Motors on Tuesday unveiled a new $167 million infusion into its Spring Hill, Tenn., assembly plant, which coupled with an earlier plan to invest $187 million could lead to a pair of new SUVs. GM also said the investment will create or retain 1,800 jobs at the Middle Tennessee factory that now employs about 2,000 people. The timing and product will be unveiled closer to production startup, according to the Detroit automaker. While GM wouldn’t identify the vehicles, those could be new versions of the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossover SUVs, according to The Associated Press.
GM bringing two models to Spring Hill assembly plant (Commercial Appeal/Locker)
General Motors announced Tuesday it is increasing to $350 million its planned spending to upgrade its assembly plant in Spring Hill, Tenn., to produce two new mid-size vehicles there. The announcement adds $167 million to a previously announced $183 million expansion plan. The automaker’s investment is expected to “create or retain” about 1,800 jobs, the company said in a news release The new money is for two projects: an additional $40 million added to the previously announced $183 million to support a mid-size vehicle program, which is expected to create or retain about 1,000 jobs, and a new investment of $127 million for a second mid-size vehicle line that will create or retain about 800 jobs.
GM Invests $167M, Adds 1,800 Jobs To Spring Hill For New Vehicle (WTVF-TV)
General Motors announced Tuesday that they will invest an additional $167 million and add 1,800 jobs to their plant in Spring Hill. The new investment is for two projects. One includes an additional $40 million to an earlier announced $183 million to support a future mid-size vehicle program, bringing the new total investment to $223 million. It is expected to create or retain approximately 1,000 jobs. They will also bring a second mid-size vehicle program with an investment of $127 million that will create or retain approximately 800 jobs.
GM to spend $167 million, add 1,800 jobs at Spring Hill plant (WSMV-TV Nashville)
General Motors announced Tuesday morning it will invest $167 million to a previously announced $183 million pledge and create or retain about 1,800 jobs at the Spring Hill assembly plant. According to the release, the new investment is for two projects: An additional $40 million added to the earlier announced $183 million investment to support a future mid-size vehicle program, bringing the new total investment to $223 million. This program is expected to create or retain approximately 1,000 jobs.
State names 5 exemplary school districts (Associated Press)
Five Tennessee school districts have been labeled exemplary for improving student performance while narrowing achievement gaps. The Tennessee Department of Education’s exemplary school districts are Bells City Schools, Bradford Special School District, Elizabethton City Schools, Perry County Schools and Stewart County Schools. According to the department, these districts raised proficiency levels on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program tests. They also made substantial progress in closing gaps between groups of students.
State ranks MNPS in top third of school districts (City Paper/Zelinski)
Metro Nashville schools join those in the middle of the pack statewide for meeting goals set for reaching academic targets and closing achievement gaps, according to state education officials. The district ranked among the top 30 percent of the state’s school districts, scoring an “intermediate” grade in meeting specific state-set objectives in the 2012-13 school year. The ranking is the same distinction earned last year. “I’m satisfied that we are making progress. I am not satisfied with where our children are until they all exceed performance standards,” said Jesse Register, director of Metro Nashville Public Schools.
In Tennessee, top school rating proves elusive (Tennessean/Fingeroot)
No Nashville-area school district made the state’s newest list of “exemplary” systems, as educators struggled with how to help students with disabilities succeed on the same standardized tests taken by other children. Ratings plummeted in Tennessee’s second year of measuring progress under the state’s waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Just five districts statewide got the top ranking — down from 21 last year — and almost half were told they need to improve the performance of students with disabilities.
Tennessee schools need to work harder to close achievement gaps (TFP/Hardy)
About half of Tennessee school districts — including Hamilton County — need to improve the academic performance for students with disabilities, according to the latest data released by the Tennessee Department of Education. On Tuesday, the department released its accountability classifications — basically the grades the state gives school districts based on their performance on state assessments. The new accountability model, which in 2012 replaced the No Child Left Behind and Adequate Yearly Progress models, judges districts on their overall student achievement, as well as their closing achievement gaps, like the historical gap in performance between white students and racial minorities or poor and nonpoor students.
South Pittsburg, Tenn., gets state flood recovery grant (Times Free-Press/Green)
Nearly a month after floodwaters devastated parts of South Pittsburg, Tenn., the Tennessee Housing Development Agency announced Tuesday that a $300,000 nonmatching grant is going to the town for residential recovery. The Rebuild and Recover grant provides “assistance options includ[ing] loans for home repairs and rental assistance,” a THDA news release states. The Rebuild and Recover grant program provides financial assistance for areas affected by natural disasters that are not eligible for federal aid, according to the release. South Pittsburg was notified days after the July 12 flooding that it did not qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency or TEMA assistance.
Emergency bridge repairs close 2 lanes of I-40 (WKRN-TV Nashville)
Emergency bridge repair work has shut down two lanes of the Interstate 40 West near downtown Nashville Tuesday afternoon. The Tennessee Department of Transportation also closed two lanes of Charlotte Avenue underneath I-40. Charlotte Avenue has since reopened. The unexpected closures stem from a blown out section of the bridge deck. Crews were called to the scene to immediately begin repairs around 2:30 p.m. The closures are expected to continue through at least 6 p.m. One lane of I-40 West and one lane of Charlotte Avenue will remain open although drivers are urged to avoid the area if possible during the busy evening commute.
Emergency Closure On I-40 Westbound Downtown (WTVF-TV Nashville)
A portion of the Interstate 40 westbound bridge over Charlotte Avenue has been shutdown due to an emergency bridge deck repair. Officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation said a section of the bridge deck has blown out and needs to be repaired immediately. Two lanes of Charlotte Avenue in the affected area were reopened after being closed for about an hour. Officials estimated the closure to last until 11 p.m. as crews work to repair the bridge. TDOT’s Traffic Management Center and HELP trucks will be onsite assisting with traffic.
WB I-40, Charlotte Ave. lanes closed for emergency bridge repair (WSMV-TV Nash)
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has closed two lanes of westbound Interstate 40 over Charlotte Avenue near downtown due to an emergency bridge repair. Two lanes of westbound Charlotte Avenue beneath the overpass are also closed. A section of the bridge deck has blown out and needs to be repaired immediately, TDOT said; however, a department representative said the bridge is not structurally compromised and is still safe to drive across. The repair work is at the point where I-40 crosses above Charlotte nearest to the Capitol, between 12th and 14th avenues.
Feds preview enrollment in TN’s health insurance marketplace … sort of (NBJ)
Tennessee’s federally run health insurance marketplace won’t open for business until Oct. 1, but Tennesseans — both individuals and small business owners — interested in buying overage on the exchanges can begin the process today. The federal government has opened a portal, available at healthcare.gov, that allows individuals in the 34 states where it is operating exchanges to begin registering for enrollment. The questionnaire asks basics, including estimated annual income, household demographics and your coverage needs, and spits out a response on whether you may be eligible for cheaper coverage on the marketplace.
Counselor who bilked TennCare out of $600,000 gets prison sentence (CA/Warren)
A Collierville mental health professional who admitted to charging TennCare as much as $600,000 for counseling she never performed for wayward youths and others was sentenced to three years in a federal prison Tuesday. Mechell Debronett Toles, 44, whose clients consisted mainly of referrals from Shelby County Juvenile Court, pleaded guilty in March to federal health-care fraud, a felony, but asked for probation. Her husband, a Memphis police officer, sat in court during the hearing but didn’t speak.
UT plans auditorium at Oak Ridge arboretum (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Boehnke)
The University of Tennessee announced plans Tuesday to build an auditorium with a large gathering room, double-sided fireplace and catering kitchen on the site of its Oak Ridge arboretum and research forest. Officials hope to break ground on the $700,000, 2,300-square-foot facility in the next six to 12 months, said Bill Brown, the Institute of Agriculture’s dean for research, during a breakfast announcement. “It will just really open up the community involvement here,” Brown said.
Clerk’s office to install new tracking system (Associated Press)
The Tennessee appellate court clerk’s office is installing a new system to track appeals and provide online access. Officials say the new digital tracking system, called C-Track, should be completely installed later this month and will allow greater access to information for lawyers, litigants and the general public. The system will provide online and mobile access to digital copies of motions, orders, opinions, and judgments. The PDF files will be available free of charge anytime at http://TNCourts.gov . Currently, only basic case history information is available online.
Powerball Fever Intensifies As Jackpot Hits $425 Million (WPTY-TV Memphis)
Jackpot fever just rose a notch higher with the announcement that the estimated jackpot for Wednesday’s Powerball drawing has risen from $400 million to $425 million, the third largest jackpot in the game’s history. With a jackpot this size, ticket sales quickly accelerate and the Tennessee Education Lottery is encouraging those who want a chance to win to avoid the late rush by not waiting until the last minute to purchase a ticket. Tickets for the big drawing must be purchased by 8:59 p.m. on Wednesday.
TN grocers give shoppers convenient way to push for wine sales (Tenn/Hearn)
Tennesseans can tell their legislators they want wine in grocery stores through the Red White and Food campaign, a coalition established by Kroger and the Tennessee Grocers Association that’s setting up postcard stands in stores all over the state. “The legislators say that they hear from their constituents on this issue consistently,” said Emily Ogden of Red White and Food. “There’s broad support for this.” During the 2013 legislative session, Sen. Bill Ketron and Rep. John Lundberg called for a referendum that would allow Tennesseans to vote on the issue. The bill did not pass, but Red White and Food pushed the legislation further.
Kyle Meets With Historians To Discuss Nineteenth Century Club (WPTY-TV)
State Sen. Jim Kyle has met with state historians over the proposed demolition of the Nineteenth Century Club in Midtown Memphis. “I trust the judgment of the people who devote their lives to studying the history of Memphis and Tennessee,” state Sen. Jim Kyle said. “What they are saying is that this is one of the most historically significant residential buildings in the state, and I want to be sure the Tennessee Historical Commission stays abreast of developments in Memphis.” Sen. Kyle met with the director of the Tennessee Historical Commission after fielding numerous phone calls from constituents concerned about the property.
State rep. congratulates Knoxville kids for national awards (WATE-TV Knoxville)
Knoxville kids are number one, nationally, in eight different contests with the Technology Student Association, better known as TSA. State Representative Gloria Johnson congratulated them this morning. TSA is an after-school program that takes STEM standards out of the classroom. STEM includes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. “In the school, there’s a lot of after-school programs for sports and athletics,” said eighth grader Drew Freshour. “But I didn’t really think there was anything for science and technology. And those are the things that I really love. So when I found TSA, it’s been such an amazing experience.”
Sunshine laws may apply to Knox County, Schools joint committee (N-S/Witt)
Some members on Knox County’s Joint Education Committee say that open meetings rules may ruin the committee mission: to improve communication between the school board and county commissioners. The issue, Knox County Commissioner Amy Broyles and others said, is that the committee may be subject to open meetings rules, which keeps committee members from discussion among themselves outside of the committee meetings. The group isn’t a voting body, according to Broyles, and shouldn’t fall under the same open meetings rules as Commission or the school board. “We don’t carry any legislative weight,” she said.
Memphis City Council approves sales-tax referendum (Commercial Appeal/Sells)
Memphis voters will consider this fall a sales-tax increase designed to fund a pre-kindergarten program and lower the property-tax rate. The Memphis City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday for a referendum in October or early November asking voters to raise the city sales-tax rate half a percentage point from 2.25 percent to 2.75 percent. If approved, the total sales-tax rate in Memphis would be 9.75 percent, the highest allowed in Tennessee. The new tax is expected to generate $47 million in new funds annually. A commission appointed by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and approved by the City Council would oversee the proposed pre-K program, which would serve only Memphis children.
Council Approves October Sales Tax Hike Referendum (Memphis Daily News)
Memphis City Council members won’t be holding a referendum on a half percent hike in the city sales tax rate in November when suburban voters are electing school boards. The council instead approved on third and final reading Tuesday, Aug. 6, a referendum on a special election ballot some time in October. The change in dates is to prevent the Shelby County Commission from pre-empting the sales tax referendum by calling its own referendum on a countywide sales tax hike in November.
Council Approves Half-Cent Tax Increase For Pre-K Funding (WREG-TV Memphis)
Memphis residents will get to vote on whether to raise sales taxes to fund pre-k education in the city. The council voted unanimously late Tuesday afternoon to put the half-cent tax increase on a referendum. Councilman Jim Strickland claims raising the sales tax will lower property tax rates. The tax increase would raise $27 million for pre-k and $22 million to bring property taxes down. The issue will be on the ballot in October.
Lebanon passes property tax increase (Tennessean/Humbles)
The Lebanon City Council approved a property tax increase as part of its 2013-14 budget Tuesday on the third and final reading to conclude a drawn-out process. Mayor Philip Craighead cast the deciding vote in favor of the budget, which includes a 26.19-cent property tax increase for $100 of assessed value. Lebanon hasn’t had a significant increase in more than 20 years, according to Craighead, who said the increase will address a projected $2.1 million deficit this fiscal year. Lebanon’s property tax rate has been 34.56 cents per $100.
Council bill pushes workforce development, diversity program (City Paper/Hale)
The Metro Council gave initial approval Tuesday night to legislation establishing a workforce development and diversity program that would apply to private construction projects that receive economic incentives from the city. The ordinance, sponsored by Councilmen Jerry Maynard and Lonnell Matthews, and supported by Mayor Karl Dean, passed without discussion on the first of three readings. “I believe this is historic,” Maynard said of the proposal, in an interview earlier this week.
Former state official Sara Kyle considering Democratic run for gov. (TN/Garrison)
Sara Kyle, who resigned from the Tennessee Regulatory Authority in March after a 19-year stint as a director, confirmed Tuesday she’s weighing a run for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2014. Kyle, wife of Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, told The Tennessean she’s “seriously considering any position that I can be of service and help the Democrats move forward.” “I want what’s best for that party,” she said, adding that she didn’t have a timeframe on deciding whether or not to run for governor. “I’m listening, sitting down with different groups and hearing what folks have to say.”
Memphis Democrat Sara Kyle mulling race for Tennessee governor (CA/Locker)
Former Tennessee Regulatory Authority director Sara Kyle of Memphis said Tuesday she’s considering running for governor next year after a Facebook page and a new website went up to encourage her to run. “I am seriously considering helping the Democrats, whatever that entails. I sat down and met with them … I’m not saying I will or I won’t, but I want to be available to do anything I can for the Democratic Party. You just never know what positive developments can come from sitting down and discussing issues with people,” Kyle said.
Tenn Democrats, Your Gubernatorial Candidate May Be Named Kyle! (M. Flyer)
The Democratic Party of Tennessee, which has been desperately looking for someone to carry the party standard in next year’s governor’s race against GOP incumbent Bill Haslam, may have found their man …er, their candidate. According to the Tennessean of Nashville, Sara Kyle, “who resigned from the Tennessee Regulatory Authority in March after a 19-year stint as a director, confirmed Tuesday she’s weighing a run for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2014.”
Sen. Bob Corker touts plan to end Fannie, Freddie (Tennessean/Sisk)
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker launched an effort Tuesday to get Middle Tennesseans behind his plan to shut down mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in a speaking tour of the region that began on the same day President Barack Obama touted a similar idea. The Republican senator said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the quasi-governmental companies that buy many home loans, have suffered from “mission creep” and outlived their usefulness. In remarks to the Murfreesboro Rotary Club that he plans to repeat over the course of three days this week, Corker said Fannie and Freddie both should be unwound over the course of five years and replaced with a new enterprise that would insure mortgages, but not hold them.
Corker pleased President Barack Obama backs mortgage plan (TFP/Sher)
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker is welcoming President Barack Obama’s announcement that he is backing a bipartisan Senate effort the Tennessee Republican helped craft seeks to strengthen America’s housing finance system and shield taxpayers from bearing the brunt of future economic meltdowns. It “gives me hope that we actually deal with Fannie and Freddie before the political season begins this January and makes it very difficult for anything to occur,” Corker told Times Free Press editors and reporters Tuesday.
President Adopts Corker/Warner Plan To Wind Down Fannie And Freddie (WPLN)
Sen. Bob Corker’s plan to wind down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac picked up a presidential endorsement Tuesday. The Tennessee Republican has been working for more than a year with a Democrat Mark Warner of Virginia on a way to end the mortgage giants. A bi-partisan group on the Senate Banking Committee has agreed to end Fannie and Freddie in five years and require the private sector to shoulder more of the risk when making home loans. It makes sense that the White House would sign on to a plan that already has Republican and Democratic support, Corker says. But he suggests the President is unlikely to adopt his bill unchanged.
Obama Outlines Plans for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (New York Times)
President Obama hailed both this city’s and the country’s comeback from the housing bust on Tuesday, and said it was now time to reduce the federal role and risk in the mortgage market “to make sure the kind of crisis we went through never happens again.” He proposed to “wind down” Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, for the first time outlining his approach to overhauling the two giant mortgage-finance companies that were taken over by the government when they failed nearly five years ago. The companies, which Mr. Obama described in an appearance here as “not really government, but not really private sector,” recently began to repay taxpayers.
Corker criticizes effort to defund health care law (Associated Press)
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker says an effort by fellow Republicans to threaten a government shutdown over President Barack Obama’s health care law is losing steam and that most of his Senate colleagues who signed on to the measure now regret they did. Corker said at a Rotary Club meeting in Murfreesboro on Tuesday that the idea is “self-defeating” because a government shutdown would not halt spending for most of the health care program, while it would at the same time have negative consequences like halting military pay.
Corker: US must deal with fiscal problems (Daily News Journal)
Inability of the United States to deal with fiscal problems such as funding Medicare threatens the country’s economy, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker told an audience here. “That still is our greatest challenge,” the Republican senator from Chattanooga told the packed Murfreesboro Noon Rotary Club meal at the Stones River Country Club. “This issue to me is the greatest threat to our nation.” He noted that the average American family will pay $119,000 into funding Medicare, yet will end up receiving $357,000 in Medicare benefits.
Corker Takes Veiled Jab At Tea Party Senators (WPLN-Radio Nashville)
Republican Senator Bob Corker says Tennesseans should be leery of some of his colleagues considering runs for president. The second-term senator is in the state this week during the congressional recess. At a meeting of the Murfreesboro Rotary Club, Corker was asked about the need for term limits. He responded by saying he sees value in the institutional knowledge that comes from serving several terms. He then warned about newcomers, vaguely alluding to recently elected senators aligned with the Tea Party.
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn pushes cuts in spending, ACA repeal (Tenn/Fort)
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn promoted reduced government spending and the repeal of the Affordable Care Act at the Economic Club of Nashville weekly meeting on Tuesday. Blackburn, a Republican representing the state’s 7th Congressional District, opened her remarks by highlighting statistics regarding federal spending and the U.S. national debt. “When we look at the emails and phone calls that come into our office, we’re seeing that people talk most often about the debt,” Blackburn said. She also outlined the major foreign holders of U.S. debt and the average amount of debt per citizen, calling that amount a “birth tax” for brand-new U.S. citizens.
Blackburn Says Its Worth Debating A Shutdown To Stop Obamacare (WPLN-Radio)
Tennessee Congressman Marsha Blackburn says she welcomes the idea to shutdown the federal government if the Affordable Care Act is not repealed. But she stopped short of saying she supports such a move. Texas Senator Ted Cruz wants to hold up funding of all federal agencies, in effect shutting the government down, in order to force a repeal. Congressman Blackburn says she hopes a shutdown isn’t necessary, but it’s an option that should be debated. “Everything we can do-whether it’s defunding, delaying, repealing, replacing-all of our energy needs to be in every one of these efforts,” she said today after speaking to the Economic Club of Nashville.
DesJarlais touts his record in seeking re-election (Daily News Journal)
U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais will tout his conservative record as a Republican as he launches his re-election campaign today a year before the 2014 state Republican primary. “I’m an advocate of smaller government, and I’m an advocate of free enterprise,” DesJarlais told members of The Daily News Journal’s editorial board Tuesday while visiting the newspaper’s office near the Public Square in Murfreesboro. DesJarlais will formally declare he’s seeking a third two-year term to represent the 4th Congressional District at 1 p.m. today at the Franklin County Courthouse in Winchester.
Defense Department reducing unpaid furlough days (Nashville Business Journal)
Good news for Department of Defense employees and the communities where they live — the unpaid days off known as furloughs will end after next week. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today the department will reduce the number of furlough days from 11 to only six. The furloughs — one unpaid day off a week for civilian employees — went into effect in early July as part of $37 billion in defense spending cuts mandated by sequestration. Hagel said the Pentagon has found other cuts to replace some of the savings from furloughs, and Congress allowed it to move funds from procurement programs into day-to-day operating accounts.
Rising Tax Revenue Eases Pressure for Budget Cuts (Memphis Daily News)
Rising tax receipts are shrinking the federal deficit, and that will shape the budget debate when Congress returns from vacation next month. The big question for lawmakers: Should they renew, end or modify the tens of billions of dollars in “sequester” cuts in government spending that took effect earlier this year? Tax revenue through June was up 14 percent from a year earlier, and that trend is expected to continue. New figures for July are due out next week, and for August on Sept. 12.
States Train Teachers on Common Core (Stateline)
Hardly a week goes by without controversy about Common Core, the academic standards for English and math that nearly all states have adopted. The standards for each grade level are intended to prepare every high school graduate for college or a career. In just the last week: The Michigan state legislature held a second debate on the standards. Georgia officials learned the state could lose about $10 million in federal funding for its decision to delay tying teachers’ pay to student performance. Indiana announced it was dropping out of one of two groups developing standardized tests aligned to the Common Core.
N. Knoxvillians decry hospital move as ‘shame,’ ‘waste’ (News-Sentinel/Harrington)
With a garden hoe in hand, Lauren Rider swings with determination as she works the weeds out of the ground at the Old North Knoxville Park on Monday evening. Rider, along with a handful of other neighbors armed with black buckets and shovels used to mulch flower beds, say those who choose to live in the historic district are committed to improving their homes and the tight-knit community. So it doesn’t make sense to them why anyone would want to close a hospital that has been the heart of their neighborhood for 83 years.
Big Group Bookings Are Down, And Gaylord Hotels Is Left Wondering Why (WPLN)\
The owner of Gaylord Hotels is looking for big groups — groups willing to book more than 1,000 rooms at a time. Ryman Hospitality says that segment of the market is soft right now, and is one of the reasons the company saw revenue and profits decrease in the second quarter, compared to a year ago. Ryman Hospitality CEO Colin Reed says the sequester is causing government reservations to go down, but much more seems afoot. Conventioneers are arriving later and leaving earlier. And meeting planners are struggling to accurately estimate attendance.
Ryman, Marriott look to move past transition stumbles (Nashville Post)
Ryman Hospitality Properties saw operating profits fall 9 percent to $28.9 million from a year ago. Revenues for the quarter fell 3 percent to $245 million. The company said hiccups related to the transition of its hotels and convention centers to Marriott International have hurt its results, as has general weakness in the group meeting sector. Year over year, Q2 occupancy at the company’s hospitality properties fell to 73.9 percent from 76.8 percent while total revenue per available room dropped 4.4 percent to about $302.
School Board Vacancy Collides With Redistricting (Memphis Daily News)
Shelby County Commissioners have scrapped a plan to fill a vacancy on the countywide school board for now because it comes close to the Sept. 1 conversion of the 23-member school board to a smaller group. The uncertainty and complexity is that the board is set to slim down to a seven-member board on Sept. 1 under terms of the 2011 consent agreement among all sides in the schools merger lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. But the same settlement in the multi-part legal case allows for the possibility of the Shelby County Commission expanding the board to 13 members instead of seven.
OPINION
Editorial: TN needs willpower to end kids’ obesity (Tennessean)
Once again, Tennessee is trending in the wrong direction on the health of its residents, and it involves some of our most vulnerable population. New figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signal good news for the nation as a whole on childhood obesity. Nineteen states saw a decline in obesity for low-income preschoolers between the years 2008 and 2011. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia showed no significant difference, and nine states were not measured. Only three states showed significant increases in obesity among young kids. And yes, Tennessee was one of them.
Guest columnist: PE should not be punishment (Tennessean)
With a new academic school year approaching, we need to address a problem associated with America’s obesity epidemic: the inappropriate use of exercise as a form of punishment in our schools and sports leagues. Sadly, many children who enjoyed playing, competing in sports, and being physically active became sedentary adults who have developed negative attitudes toward exercise. Something happened to us over the years that turned our childhood exuberance of exercise into a disdain for physical activity. What has happened to us culturally, and what have we done to our children to turn them into couch potatoes?
Guest columnist: Students must stay to better workforce (Tennessean)
Nashville is becoming known as much for its entrepreneurial and innovation endeavors as for its music. Catch the creative vibe from a quick tour of the downtown space that’s home to the Nashville Entrepreneur Center or the news that Mayor Karl Dean now has two chief innovation officers. But how do we go from the visionary stage to becoming a city that’s a natural fit for high-tech companies with a highly qualified workforce? The places throughout the country with abundant high-tech talent all have close ties with local world-class universities.
Clay Bennett Political Cartoon: “SOS” (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)
Editorial: The new Shelby Co. Schools district is in good administrative hands (CA)
The new era of public education in Memphis and Shelby County began Monday with the same first-day-of-classes glitches that affected Memphis City and Shelby County schools before the historic merger of the two school systems became effective July 1. And just like every year, most of those missteps will be resolved by week’s end. The combined city and county administrators and the unified Shelby County school board have done a yeoman’s job of pulling this together. A lack of adequate funding resulted in painful staff-reduction decisions, teachers not receiving their step-pay raises and the new district not having all the originally planned bells and whistles.
Columnist: Tennessee teachers see trends in conflict (Daily News Journal)
With the beginning of another school year, battles over education are in full swing. During the past few weeks, a review of research about education policies and practices has raised some interesting questions about the current status of teachers in U.S. education and in Tennessee, in particular. One of the current trends in education is the development of “professional learning communities.” Essentially, these PLCs are committees of teachers in specific subject areas at middle or high schools or at grade level in lower grades. Among the tasks of the committees is to develop curricula that are in line with state standards and that would be consistent from class to class in the school.
Editorial: Shutdown would hurt Republican Party as well as country (NS)
Cooler, more experienced and almost certainly wiser heads of the Republican Party — the GOP governors — are warning their hot-blooded younger members of Congress not to force a government shutdown in an ill-advised attempt to kill President Barack Obama’s health care plan. In what has been billed as an intraparty fight between the “purists” and the “pragmatists,” Republican governors, with the notable exception of Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, fall squarely in the pragmatist camp. They have responsibilities. The sophomore and freshman classes of Republican House members, who are driving the idea of a shutdown, do not.
Editorial: Senior GOP officials warn against government shutdown (C. Appeal)
Cooler, more experienced and almost certainly wiser heads of the Republican Party — the GOP governors — are warning their hot-blooded younger members of Congress not to force a government shutdown in an ill-advised attempt to kill President Barack Obama’s health care plan. In what has been billed as an intraparty fight between the “purists” and the “pragmatists,” Republican governors, with the notable exception of Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, fall squarely in the pragmatist camp. They have responsibilities. The sophomore and freshman classes of Republican House members, who are driving the idea of a shutdown, do not.
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