This is a compilation of Tennessee news and political stories assembled daily by staffers in Gov. Bill Haslam’s office.
Editorial: Time to end online sales tax loophole (Commercial Appeal)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam is doing right by his state — and the Republican Party — by now supporting the federal government’s effort to establish national guidelines for collecting sales tax on online purchases and sending those tax revenues back to the states where buyers placed their online orders. It’s a good move for Tennessee because, according to Haslam, the state is missing out on $400 million a year in sales tax revenues that aren’t being collected on purchases made online by Tennessee residents, or made by residents in other states who do business with online retailers in Tennessee.
Gov. Bill Haslam names blue-chip panel to hear judicial selection appeal (Tennessean/Sisk)
Gov. Bill Haslam appointed a special Supreme Court to sort through a long-running court battle over how judges are chosen in Tennessee. Haslam named three former judges and two other attorneys to handle an appeal filed by former Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Nashville lawyer John Jay Hooker that challenges the makeup of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Hooker says the court violates the state constitution because members are initially appointed by the governor.
Haslam appoints panel to hear judge lawsuit (AP)
Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed a special panel to hear a lawsuit concerning the state’s system for selecting appeals court judges after all the current Tennessee Supreme Court justices recused themselves from the case. The governor’s office said in a news release Friday that the panel will decide any appeal of the case brought by John Jay Hooker, a 2-time Democratic Party nominee for governor. The appointees are former Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice William M. Barker, Nashville attorney Andree Sophia Blumstein, former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice George H. Brown Jr., former U.S. District Court Chief Judge Robert L. Echols and Knoxville attorney W. Morris Kizer.
Memphis hosts Chinese delegation as Tennessee woos new investment (Commercial Appeal)
Chinese businesses are on track to pump a record $8 billion into American investments this year by one estimate, and Memphis and Tennessee want a piece of the pie. A visit Friday by a 31-member government and business delegation from China had the potential to lift exports of Tennessee products and accelerate the flow of Chinese dollars into the Volunteer State, economic development officials said. The China Investment Promotion Agency, an arm of the People’s Republic’s Ministry of Commerce, organized a U.S. tour for government officials and Chinese entrepreneurs.
Haslam: Fed Gov’t ‘Enabling’ Evasion of Taxes Due to State (TN Report)
Gov. Bill Haslam insists a federal plan requiring online merchants to collect sales taxes is the way to go, despite it meaning online shoppers would be forced to cough up more money for government to spend. Fresh from testifying before Congress in favor of such a plan, Haslam told reporters Wednesday the current system is “enabling people to get around the law.” “The tax is already due. There’s no question,” he told reporters in Dickson. “I think the basic thing is an issue of fairness.
Momentum builds in Congress for Internet sales taxes (Phoenix Business Journal)
Traditional retailers heard some magic words at a House hearing July 24: “Tax-free sales on the Internet may be coming to an end,” said Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. At issue is whether Congress should pass legislation, such as the Marketplace Equity Act, that would allow states to start collecting sales taxes on online purchases. Under current law, online retailers have to collect sales taxes only if they have a physical presence in the state where the customer resides.
Johnson City Schools makes top five districts for TCAP scores (WCYB)
As we looked over numbers we noticed a few very surprising things, Johnson City Schools only had a small increase for their scores in TCAP this year compared to last. But as we looked more closely News 5 discovered that there was more to it than we thought. “With the elementary and middle grades three through eight, we were second in the state this year with math proficiency and advanced,” said Supervisor of Instruction Communication, Debra Bentley.
Murfreesboro City Schools sees gains in TCAP scores (Murfreesboro Post)
TCAP Achievement Level Results for Grades 3-8 show MCS teachers and students alike can celebrate their success. With growth in all key areas, MCS claims another year of student growth ranking in the top 10 school systems for growth in reading and language arts. MCS also ranked in the top 20 school systems for overall scores in math. Both reading and math scores show a 6.1 percent increase in growth, well above the state’s objectives. Science saw an amazing 7.5 percent increase in growth while social studies experienced a 1.2 percent increase.
Montgomery County TCAP scores increase (Leaf Chronicle)
Montgomery County’s 2012 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program results are in, and they show our district had an overall improvement of 4 percent over last year in the tested areas. Better yet, the local school system scored consistently higher than the state in the number of students proficient or advanced. For grades 3-8, the largest growth area in Montgomery County over last year’s test was in math, with an 8.4 percentage point increase in proficiency, according to the results.
State tells Metro to approve Great Hearts charter school (WKRN/Bundgaard)
In what has become a test of a new state law opening up charter school enrollment, the State Board of Education Friday morning voted unanimously to send a controversial charter application from Arizona-based Great Hearts Academies back to the Metro Nashville School Board for quick approval provided certain stipulations are met. The Great Hearts application for one school in the affluent Hillwood area of Nashville and eventually four others throughout Metro has been denied twice in narrow margins by the school board, but the charter school appealed to the state in a rare move to circumvent the local decision.
On State Appeal, Great Hearts Allowed Into Metro (WPLN/Potter)
A Phoenix-based charter-school operator will be able to expand into Nashville, even though it was rejected by Metro last month. Great Hearts Academies appealed to the state school board, which today effectively overturned Metro’s decision, ushering in a new kind of charter school. Charters are privately run but publicly funded. What made Great Hearts unique is it’s the first in Tennessee to take advantage of a legal change letting charters serve students who aren’t necessarily poor or zoned for failing schools.
State board overturns Metro, authorizes Great Hearts’ charter plan (City Paper)
The Tennessee State Board of Education authorized the controversial charter proposal of Great Hearts Academies Friday morning, overturning Metro’s previous denial and opening the door for Davidson County’s first charter designed explicitly to capitalize on the state’s new open enrollment law. After 18 minutes of discussion, the nine-member state board settled a debate on racial diversity and school choice that has raged in Nashville for months.
State overturns Metro decision, approves Great Hearts charter school (WSMV)
A charter school first denied by Metro will get its chance to open after the Tennessee Board of Education overturned the district’s decision on Great Hearts Academy. The state board of education voted unanimously. Great Hearts Academy will open in Nashville, but the state board put in place several conditions, trying to appease the concerns of Nashville’s board of education. It was little consolation for those who see a bigger issue at play.
TN says yes to Great Hearts charter school (Tennessean)
The state Board of Education may not have deliberately warned local districts that politics shouldn’t be involved in charter school decisions, but a Friday vote made the point, board Chairman Fielding Rolston said. The state ordered the Metro school board to reconsider and approve an application from Arizona-based Great Hearts Academies to open a charter school on Nashville’s tony west side at the board’s very next meeting.
State denies Knoxville Charter Academy appeal (News Sentinel)
The Tennessee State Board of Education ruled Friday in favor of the Knox County school board in an appeal sought by officials with the proposed Knoxville Charter Academy. Charter school supporters asked the state board to intervene after they were twice denied a bid for more time to find an acceptable site by the Knox County board. Gary Nixon, the state board’s executive director, recommending affirming Knox County’s denial. The state board voted based on Nixon’s recommendations.
Parents forced to buy school supplies ahead of tax free weekend (WKRN)
Tennessee’s Tax Free Weekend is scheduled to begin on August 3, however for many parents, the savings comes too late. Metro students are set to return to class on Wednesday. Due to the earlier start date, many parents said they will have to purchase supplies such as uniforms and backpacks before the tax-free weekend.
Area educators are finalists for Tennessee’s 2012-13 Principal of the Year, Supervisor of the Year (Times Free Press)
Four area schools officials have been named regional finalists for Tennessee’s 2012-13 Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year, according to state Department of Education officials. Tyner Academy Principal Carol Goss in Hamilton County is the Southeast region finalist for her post’s annual honor, and Broadview Elementary School Principal Sandy Schultz in Franklin County is the finalist for the South Central region. Hamilton County director of high schools Marvin Lott said Goss is “very deserving of that honor.”
Tennesseans’ input sought on health benefits decisions (News Sentinel)\
What would you consider “essential” for your health insurance to cover? Tuesday is your chance to let the state know. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance will have a meeting 4-6 p.m. Tuesday to get public input on what health conditions and treatments should be covered on all insurance plans offered in Tennessee after Jan. 1, 2014. The meeting, at the University of Tennessee Conference Center on Henley Street, is one of six; among the others are those at 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at the Kingsport Renaissance Center, 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday at the Lee University Dixon Center in Cleveland, and Friday in Memphis and Jackson.
I-24 Bridge Repair Project Nearly Complete (NewsChannel5)
Nashville drivers and East Nashville business owners will so breath a sign of relief as the weekend construction project on Interstate 24 near downtown comes to an end. The I-24 bridge construction began in April to repair the Silliman Evans Bridge on Interstate 24, with a total of 13 weekend closures over the spring and summer of 2012. The project will be completed by August 31.
Audit asked for in Shelby County ballot snafu (Commercial Appeal/Locker)
Saying that errors at the Shelby County Election Commission date back at least a decade, “are unacceptable” and have “eroded public confidence,” Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett asked the state comptroller’s office Friday to conduct a performance audit of the commission and urged voters to inspect their ballots. “I think to say it’s unacceptable is probably not a strong enough statement, frankly,” said Hargett, a former state representative from Bartlett whose office includes the state Division of Elections.
Some voters get wrong early ballot in Tenn. county (AP)
Tennessee election officials called Friday for closer scrutiny of a contest in the state’s largest county after reports that more than 5 percent of voters have gotten the wrong ballot during early voting. Tennessee Election Coordinator Mark Goins said he has asked the state comptroller’s office to do a performance audit of the vote in Shelby County. Goins described the situation as “a mess,” and a letter from Goins and Secretary of State Tre Hargett noted that the current issues are part of a string of troubling election problems dating back years.
Imperfect Storm (Memphis Flyer/Baker)
Anyone wishing to measure the extremes of human emotion could do worse than to have examined the contrasting states of mind of, say, Collierville mayor Stan Joyner and acting Shelby County general sessions clerk Ed Stanton Jr. last Thursday afternoon. Or, to be exact, at that moment, late in the afternoon when U.S. district judge Hardy Mays delivered his ruling on a county commission request that he enjoin the scheduled referenda of municipal school districts in six incorporated county suburbs.
Hargett: Shelby Election Problems Erode Public Confidence (Memphis Daily News)
The election driven by ballot questions and one-time-only races looks to become an election that goes into overtime as well. Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett formally asked State Comptroller Justin Wilson Friday, July 27, to audit the administration of the Shelby County Election Commission and investigate election procedures and returns. State Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville and Tennessee Democratic Party chairman Chip Forrester of Nashville called separately Thursday for a state review of election results in Shelby County.
Tractor Supply Co. picks site for new HQ (Nashville Business Journal)
Retail power player Tractor Supply Co. (Nasdaq: TSCO) plans to break ground on a new headquarters campus in Brentwood by the end of the year. One of the nation’s fastest-growing retail chains, Tractor Supply plans to build an approximately 250,000-square-foot building at the corner of Virginia Way and Granny White Pike less than half a mile from the company’s current headquarters, according to multiple sources. The project is estimated to cost $50 million and represents a renewed commitment from one of Nashville’s largest publicly traded companies.
Steelers fan in talks to buy Browns (AP)
Browns owner Randy Lerner has begun talks with truck-stop magnate Jimmy Haslam on giving up controlling interest while committing to keep the team in Cleveland, the club president said Friday. And get this: Haslam is a self-described “1,000 percent” Pittsburgh Steelers fan. “(Lerner) is giving up controlling interest in the team,” president Mike Holmgren said at the team’s suburban Berea training camp. Holmgren said he and Lerner have discussed the matter throughout the summer.
Jimmy Haslam in talks to buy Cleveland Browns (News Sentinel)
Knoxville businessman Jimmy Haslam grew up rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and in 2009 he bought a minority interest in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now he’s negotiating to buy a controlling interest in the Cleveland Browns. Haslam, president and CEO of travel center operator Pilot Flying J, could not be reached for comment Friday, but current Browns owner Randy Lerner confirmed he is in negotiations with Haslam. A spokesman for Haslam said he was not available for an interview and referred questions to the Browns.
TN gun sales remain average amidst spike in sales throughout U.S. (WKRN)
Recent national reports have shown a spike in background checks for gun sales throughout the country following the Colorado movie theater shooting, though sales in the Volunteer State remain average. According to the Denver Post, background checks for people wanting to buy guns in Colorado jumped more than 41 percent after the shooting at the Aurora movie theater. One store in Charlotte, North Carolina saw at least a 30 percent increase in sales since the shooting.
Shelby County Forms Veterans Court (WPTY)
They leave to fight for our freedom, but many come home only to lose it. There are more veterans committing crimes than many care to admit. Trauma experienced during service leads some down that path. Shelby County has taken notice and created a program to get veterans the help they need. Veterans who qualify are enrolled in a treatment program for problems like substance abuse or post traumatic stress disorder. Volunteer mentors play a key role in getting veterans on the straight and narrow.
Tennessee solar group wants campaign promises (Memphis Business Journal)
After staving off a potential tax increase during the last session of the Tennessee General Assembly, a Tennessee solar trade group is asking candidates to sign a pledge to “stop dramatic and burdensome tax increases on the solar industry,” Nashville Business Journal reports. The Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association (TenneSEIA) announced the pledge Thursday. Earlier this year, the Comptroller of the Treasury’s Office sought to increase taxes on solar installations.
Average Memphis airfare soars to $520, second-highest in U.S. (Memphis Business Journal)
If you’re flying out of Memphis International Airport, you might have to check your wallet at the gate. Memphis International has the second-highest average airfare in the country and those prices have been rising at a faster rate than most markets, according to a Bureau of Transportation Statistics report for first quarter 2012, the most recent data available. The airport had average domestic fares of $519.97, just below Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which had the nation’s highest average domestic fares at $526.25.
International Paper speaks out about Delta’s Memphis prices (WMC-TV)
International Paper is sounding off about Delta Airlines’ reduction in flights and ticket prices. In a statement to Action News Five, International Paper spokesperson Thomas Ryan said, “High priced airfare and limited routes both domestically and internationally impact our bottom line. It is a factor for our business. We have hundreds of our Memphis based employees flying out of MEM monthly.” “We’re always trying to keep up our efforts to recruit businesses and so you take two steps forward and one step back and so it’s kind of frustrating,” said Councilman Harris.
Delta Air Lines Pulls Plug on Comair (Memphis Daily News)
Delta Air Lines confirmed months of rumors on Friday, July 27, by announcing it is discontinuing operations of its Comair Inc. subsidiary effective Sept. 29. In a memo to employees, Ryan Gumm, Comair president, termed the development a “difficult decision.” “It is an unfortunate necessity due to the economic limitations of our aging aircraft, cost structure, the long-term outlook for 50-seat aircraft and our challenging industry and economy,” he said in the memo.
Political notebook: Early voting up statewide, not in Knox (News Sentinel/Humphrey)
While the early voting turnout statewide has already broken the record for similar years, Knox County’s turnout has been far below normal as early voting ends today. The reason is fairly obvious, says Knox County Election Administrator Clifford Rodgers. “I think, in large measure, it’s got to do with there are just a lot of candidates who are unopposed on the ballot,” he said. In the Knox County local general election, Rodgers noted the “big three” races — property assessor, Criminal Court judge and law director — are all uncontested.
Record early voting turnout reported in Madison County (Jackson Sun)
Madison County early voting before the Aug. 2 election shattered the record for highest early voter turnout in a comparable election. Through Friday, 6,306 people had voted early, setting the record for early voter turnout in August elections during presidential election years. The previous record was 4,376 voters in 2004. The last similar election in 2008 had 2,821 people voting early.
3rd district race heats up with TV attack ads (WBIR)
With less than a week until the state primary, one of the most visible races is the third congressional seat, and attack ads hitting the air in recent weeks are setting a sharper tone. Seven candidates, including incumbent Chuck Fleischmann, are hoping to win the chance to represent thousands of East Tennesseans in Congress. Most of them spoke at a forum for Campbell County veterans Friday afternoon.
Aide charges anti-Mayfield ad got illegal aid (Times Free Press)
Scottie Mayfield’s congressional campaign says a top aide to U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann illegally provided the brainpower behind a television ad that claims Mayfield is “good at ice cream, not so good on the issues.” The Fleischmann campaign vigorously denied involvement in the ad, which was paid for by a South Carolina group. But Mayfield consultant Tommy Hopper stood by his allegations, implicitly accusing the congressman’s chief of staff of violating federal law.
Zelenik, Black intensify attacks as election day nears (WSMV/Kumari)
Middle Tennessee’s nastiest primary race is a repeat from two years ago. Diane Black and Lou Ann Zelenik are facing off for the 6th Congressional District, after Black narrowly defeated Zelenik in 2010 in a race that featured a slew of negative ads and even a lawsuit. Fast forward two years, and it didn’t take long for the race to get ugly again. Zelenik moved to Mount Juliet for the rematch. Then, Black’s campaign accused Zelenik of violating campaign finance laws and not really living in the district.
Zelenik: “15% Of Islam Is A Religion, 85% Political.” (NewsChannel5)
The question of religion is playing a major role in one of the most heated congressional primary races in the country. Republican Lou Ann Zelenik is challenging incumbent republican Diane Black in the sixth congressional district. When asked if she believed if Islam was a real religion, Zelenick said she believed it to be mostly political. “I consider 15 percent of Islam a religion, 85 percent political. It’s a total way of life. The only ones who do not call Islam a religion are the Muslims because it’s not a religion,” said Zelenik.
Candidate calls for apology after home number emailed out by opponent (WSMV)
State House District 45 candidate Lt. Col. Courtney Rogers claimed she got a scary call after opponent Rep. Debra Maggart sent out her personal home phone number in a campaign email. “I’m a little amazed that someone who wants to run for office and wants to work for the people would have a problem with the people being able to get in contact with her,” Maggart said. It all started when Maggart sent out an email titled, “Why is Courtney Rogers lying to you,” defending her stance on gun rights and ending with a phone number for Rogers. Rogers claimed the number in the email was an unlisted home number.
House candidate calls police after ‘strange’ phone call (Tennessean)
State House of Representatives candidate Courtney Rogers called Goodlettsville police on Thursday after receiving what her campaign described as a threatening voicemail on her unlisted home telephone number. Rogers campaign blamed the campaign of incumbent state Rep. Debra Maggart for giving out her family’s home phone number. Goodlettsville Police Chief Richard Pope confirmed that Rogers reported receiving a voicemail in which a man said “the devil was going to get her for running a dirty campaign.”
Memphis City Schools superintendent Kriner Cash circulating resume (Commercial Appeal)
Memphis City Schools Supt. Kriner Cash, on administrative leave this week, has a series of job prospects on the horizon, including possibilities in the U.S. Department of Education if President Barack Obama is re-elected. Cash informed school board members this week that he is also considering a half-dozen superintendent positions around the nation, including Duval County, Fla., where he is one of 30 applicants, and a smaller number of college presidency openings.
I-Team investigation leads to criminal charges, discovery of runaways (WSMV)
What began as a Channel 4 I-team investigation into a man accused of squatting in a foreclosed house has resulted in an arrest and the discovery of two runaway girls. Ashley King, 50, of Nashville, was arrested and charged with two counts of harboring a runaway child. Now, Metro sex crimes detectives are also investigating. King has been the subject of an ongoing Channel 4 I-Team investigation that showed how after the owner of 1909 28th Avenue North died, the home went into foreclosure and King had moved in.
TN man found in foreclosed home with teenage runaways (WMC-TV)
A Tennessee man was found in a foreclosed home with runaways. Now, the Action News 5 Investigators are tracking a possible Memphis connection. The man is behind bars in Nashville. Ashley King is charged with two counts of harboring runaway teens. This is 50-year-old Ashley King in Nashville at a home that is in foreclosure. And this is a 17-year-old runaway Nashville police say was living with him along with 15-year-old runaway Khloe Bryant.
OPINION
EDITORIAL: Tennessee needs to find better ways to help our kids count (Johnson City Press)
The latest KIDS COUNT report for Tennessee contains both good news and bad news. The good news is fewer teenagers in Washington County are dropping out of high school. The bad news, however, is more children in our area are living in poverty. As Press staff writer Nick Shepherd reported in Wednesday’s newspaper, the KIDS COUNT compiles child well-being data from all 95 counties in Tennessee and forms a composite ranking that is compared to other states. Tennessee is ranked 36th this year.
GUEST COLUMN: Elderly can’t wait for better home care (Tennessean)
I am one of the millions of small-business owners who is waiting to see how the Affordable Care Act will impact my company. The guidance that I have received from my accountant and attorney at this point is, “We have to wait and see.” “Wait and see” is an uncomfortable place to be for a small-business owner. However, our discomfort and uncertainty does not compare to the daily experience of millions of elderly Americans and their families.
GUEST COLUMN: HEALTH CARE ACT ALREADY SHOWING BENEFITS (CA))
Americans all benefit from the Affordable Care Act — or we will, that is, unless the Republican leaders in the U.S. Congress manage to subvert the democratic process by repealing it. In a recent guest column in this newspaper, U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee, R-Miss., wrote that the more Americans learn about “Obamacare,” as he calls it, the more they do not like it, and said that he disagrees with the Supreme Court decision that declared the legislation constitutional. But he failed to detail his plan to replace it.