Governor and Commissioner Release Transportation Improvement Plan for 2013-2016
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer this week released the three-year transportation program, featuring approximately $1.5 billion in infrastructure investments for 80 individual project phases in 47 counties, as well as 15 statewide programs. Tennessee is one of only five states that do not borrow money to fund […]
State Treasurers Overwhelmingly Support Maintaining Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal Bonds
Forty-two of the nation’s state treasurers are appealing to members of Congress to maintain the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds, an issue that has long-term ramifications for state budgets and the nation’s public infrastructure projects. The state treasurers individually signed onto a letter to members of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee urging them […]
Young Historians Descend on Downtown Nashville for Tennessee History Day
With state employees and other downtown office workers home for the weekend, a special group of students will be converging on downtown Nashville Saturday to compete in Tennessee History Day. About 400 sixth- through 12-graders will be participating, with the winners advancing to the National History Day finals in College Park, Maryland June 9-13. History […]
Moles? Voles? What’s That Hole in My Yard?
The past couple of weeks have been fairly pleasant. Granted we have had some rain this year…a lot of rain, but I will take it. With the warmer temperatures many of us have been outside more and have been getting our yards and landscapes ready for the upcoming growing season. While in the yard several […]
Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations
Last week, the House passed legislation I introduced to address the ongoing legal chaos that surrounds the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). On January 4, 2012, President Obama made three so-called recess appointments to the NLRB while the Senate was regularly meeting in pro forma session. These appointments were unprecedented—no other president has bypassed the […]
Do Research before Giving to Groups Claiming to Provide Relief for Bombing Victims
While many Tennesseans want to provide financial assistance to victims of this week’s bombing at the Boston Marathon, Secretary of State Tre Hargett warns would-be donors to be wary of bogus charities that may try to take advantage of the tragedy. “It is an unfortunate reality that when tragic events like this occur, there are […]
Budget Committee Action Precedes County Commission Meeting, April 15, 2013
The Jefferson County Budget Committee met on Monday, April 15, 2013 at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The Meeting was Called to Order by Committee Chairman Griffith. Absent from Roll Call was Committee Member Baxley. Upon a Motion from Committee Member Akard and 2nd from Committee Member Carmichael the Minutes were Approved. Committee Member Maples […]
County Commission Rescinds Megasite Funding With Unanimous Vote
The Jefferson County Commission held their Regular Quarterly Meeting on Monday, April 15, 2013 at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The meeting was Called to Order by Commission Chairman Mills. Absent from Roll Call was Commissioner Baxley. Upon a Motion from Commissioner Solomon and 2nd from Commissioner Griffith the Minutes were Approved. Three citizens addressed […]
Jefferson County Proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month
In recognition of April being Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month, Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center officially launched their local One with Courage campaign for Jefferson County. The One with Courage campaign is an effort to rally the citizens across the 4th judicial district which Safe Harbor serves to combat the secrecy that enables child sexual […]
TDOT Reminds Motorists: We’re All in This Together
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has proclaimed April 15-19, 2013 Work Zone Awareness Week in Tennessee, joining states across the nation in highlighting the complexities of work zones and reminding motorists to drive safely in construction areas. TDOT will spread that message across the state this week in an effort to improve safety in Tennessee’s interstate and […]
Legislation Providing Hall Income Tax Relief for Senior Citizens Heads For Governor’s Signature
More senior citizens will qualify for Hall income tax relief under legislation approved by the Tennessee House of Representatives this week. House Bill 192 is part of Governor Bill Haslam’s legislative package to provide tax relief to citizens across the state. The Hall tax is imposed on income derived from interest on bonds, notes, and […]
Pension Reform Plan Passes House and Senate, Awaits Governor’s Signature
A set of reforms designed to improve the long-term stability of the state’s pension plan was approved by the state House of Representatives Thursday. The bill will not affect the retirement benefits for current state employees, higher education employees, or teachers or those who are already retired. The proposed changes will only apply to state […]
Douglas & Cherokee Dams Identified As Problematic For TVA
More than a month after Tennessee Valley Authority began core testing at sites visible on Douglas Lake, the testing continues. Cherokee and Douglas Dams have been identified as problematic for TVA in their quest for licensing with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to bring Watts Bar Unit 2 Nuclear Reactor on line. In a conference call […]
Bipartisan Group of Senators Urges Financial Regulators to Prioritize Rules and Regulations that Help End “Too Big To Fail”
U.S. Senators Bob Corker, R-Tenn., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., David Vitter, R-La., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, this week wrote to Federal Reserve Governor Daniel K. Tarullo, Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry, and Chairman of the FDIC Martin Gruenberg, urging them to “proceed deliberately and expeditiously” to finalize rules regarding capital requirements for large financial […]
TWRA Announces Availability of 2013-14 Grant Dollars To Assist With Stream Clean-up
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) announces the availability of grant dollars to assist cities, schools, community organizations, civic groups, watershed organizations, and conservation groups, etc., with stream clean-up projects and planting projects during the 2013-14 fiscal year. Five grants, at $1,000 each, are available for each of TWRA’s four regional Aquatic Habitat Protection projects […]
Weekly Livestock Comments, April 12, 2013
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle on a live basis sold mainly $1 lower compared to last week. Prices on a live basis were primarily $127 to $128 while dressed prices were $198 to $201. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $127.23 live, down $1.06 from last week and $200.36 dressed, down $4.11 from a […]
