A One-Size-Fits-All Approach Won’t Achieve Health Care Reform
Last week, Governor Haslam announced that the state of Tennessee would not expand Medicaid as envisioned by President Obama under the Affordable Care Act. The federal government’s insistence on a one-size-fits-all approach under Medicaid is a poor solution for solving our health insurance access problems, especially given the access problems so many of our citizens […]
Treasury Announces $8.9 Billion Increase In Small Business Lending By Participants In The Small Business Lending Fund
The U.S. Department of the Treasury today released a new report showing that participants receiving capital through the Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) boosted lending for the seventh straight quarter. In total, SBLF participants have increased small business lending by about $8.9 billion since the depths of the recession in 2009. This increased lending represents […]
Weekly Livestock Comments, April 5, 2013
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle sold mainly steady to $1 higher compared to last week. Prices on a live basis were primarily $128 to $129 while dressed prices were $203 to $204. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $128.29 live, up $0.53 from last week and $204.47 dressed, up $1.09 from a week ago. […]
Weekly Crop Comments, April 5, 2013
Price Change US Dollar 82.63 -0.55 Crude 92.95 -4.54 Dow 14,565 -14 Wheat prices are up while corn, cotton, and soybean prices are down for the week. A disappointing jobs report released Friday reflected weaker than expected jobs growth for March. This has led today’s decline in the Dow. Toward the end of the week […]
Mega Collapse – Plug Pulled on East TN Regional Megasite Proposal
The Jefferson County Economic Oversight Committee announced today that it will no longer pursue the proposed Megasite that was to be located in Jefferson County. Presented to the public in early January, the Megasite garnered serious opposition from property owners in the footprint of the project. Initially, the project was touted as having financial support […]
House of Representatives Working Hard To Conclude 2013 Legislative Business
The Tennessee House of Representatives is working at full steam this week as business for the 2013 legislative session in Nashville begins to wind down and important bills make their way to the House floor for final action. As progress continues to be made over the next several weeks, the legislature will begin debate on […]
Tennessee Electronic Library Adds Online Language Learning Program
Learning a new language just got a little easier, thanks to a new service that’s being offered by the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL). Powerspeak Languages, an interactive online experience, allows everyone in Tennessee to learn new languages on their own schedules. This program is ideal for students, business professionals, leisure travelers, or anyone who simply […]
Secretary Hargett Warns Businesses of Statewide Corporate Scam
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office has received inquiries about an official-looking notice from Corporate Records Service. It appears that these notices began arriving in mailboxes around January 22, 2013 and Tennesseans are continuing to receive them. Corporate Records Service is not registered, affiliated, or associated with the Tennessee Secretary of State. The mailer […]
Nominating Committee Meeting Falls Short of Quorum
Five members of the Jefferson County Nominating Committee were present for a Called Meeting on April 2, 2013, that was the result of a request by seven Nominating Committee Members following the March 18, 2013 County Commission meeting. Actions surrounding the meeting call and alleged Open Meeting Act violation were the subject of a recent […]
Legislation Providing Hall Income Tax Relief for Senior Citizens Passes Finance Subcommittee
More senior citizens will qualify for Hall income tax relief under Republican-sponsored legislation approved by the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee this week. House Bill 192 is part of Governor Bill Haslam’s legislative package to provide tax relief to citizens across the state. The package also includes House Bill 193 to reduce the state […]
JCHS to host parent information sessions Thursday evening in conjunction with parent/teacher conferences
Jefferson County High School will host three separate parent meetings on April 4. Parents of 9th grade students will meet at 5:30 p.m. The session for parents of 10th grade students will begin at 6:30 p.m. The informational meeting for parents of 11th grade students will be held at 7:30 p.m. Topics to be covered […]
Farm Service Agency Offers Producers a Free Online News Service
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, CEO James L Giffin announced that farmers and ranchers in Jefferson, Cocke and Sevier Counties now have a more efficient, timely option for receiving important FSA program eligibility requirements, deadlines and related information. “FSA is now offering free online communications through our GovDelivery electronic news service,” saidCEO Giffin. […]
Governor Bill Haslam Announces Tennessee Will Not Expand Medicaid Rolls
Governor Bill Haslam announced this week to a Joint Session of the Tennessee General Assembly that he will not expand the state’s Medicaid rolls pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as ObamaCare. Instead, Haslam plans to independently pursue a “Tennessee Plan” for expanding healthcare coverage to those truly in […]
Weekly Livestock Comments, April 1, 2013
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle sold mainly $2 to $3 higher on a live basis and $5 higher on a dressed basis compared to last week. Prices on a live basis were primarily $127 to $129 while dressed prices were $203 to $204. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $127.76 live, up $2.99 from […]
Weekly Crop Comments, April 1, 2013
Price Change US Dollar 83.18 +0.65 Crude 97.23 +3.52 Dow 14,579 +67 Cotton prices are up while corn, soybean, and wheat prices are down for the shortened trading week. Grain markets responded negatively March 28 to the bearish grain stocks reports led mainly by surprisingly bearish corn stocks. Follow through electronic trading April 1 indicates […]
More Open Meeting Act Violation Complaints
The Jefferson County Commission may have cause for concern regarding an alleged Open Meeting Act violation following their March 18, 2013 meeting. In a letter addressed to Jefferson County Commission Chairman Mills and Nominating Committee Chairman Tucker, Open Records Counsel for the State of Tennessee, Elisha Hodge, addressed a complaint that had been filed regarding […]
