Possible FBI Investigation? June 26, 2008

      That is what Glenn English, the CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is claiming about Congressman Jim Cooper (D-Nashville).  English was testifying at a congressional oversight committee hearing about some of the practices of a Texas co-op.  Rep. Cooper asked him about some information that was on the associations password protected website.  [...]

Kicked Out June 24, 2008

     In an earlier post, I mentioned that I was going to attend one of the seminars for state employees today.  I wanted to go to get some answers that I could report to those who might not be able to get to one of the meetings.  Well, apparently, we (the media) weren’t invited.  When I got [...]

Land of Confusion? June 24, 2008

      First of all, I want to thank all of you who emailed me or posted to this blog to tell me about your buyout experiences.   All of your input really helps, and I can tell you I have followed up on a couple of things that have been mentioned. 
      Today, state employees will be able [...]

Emotions Are Running High June 19, 2008

    I went to TSEA’s employee buyout forum for a very specific reason, I wanted to put some faces with the buyout packages.  We’ve talked about the buyouts for a month and I think it’s important for everyone to see the lives that affected by all of this talk.  The workers at this meeting were [...]

Who Got a Letter? June 18, 2008

     Many state employees probably already know whether or not they got a buyout offer.  Now, they can find out what job classifications have been targeted for elimination by the state.  I warn you, the agency justifications are a tedious read, because each agency goes through a rather lengthy rationale process for each position.  I [...]

12,000 Packets Are in the Mail June 16, 2008

       The buyout packages are in the mail.  If you get one, you’ll get an individualized cover letter, the documents, a green application form and a waiver and up to 42 pages of other people (by age breakdown, job classification and region) who are getting the buyouts, and also a list of people who are [...]

It’s Buyout Week June 16, 2008

   According to the timetable given to us by the state, individualized buyout offers are supposed to go out to almost 12,000 state employees today.  I expect to have more information about the buyouts later this morning, when we get briefed on the buyouts.  Check back, because as always, I will bring you the information [...]

Tuition Hikes or Budget Cuts? June 10, 2008

…Or both?  The Business and Finance Committee of the Tennessee Board of Regents is meeting to set a recommendation for tuition hikes for the Regents institutions (MTSU, TSU, Austin Peay, to name a few).  You may remember the University of Tennessee system already approved a 6 percent hike, and will cut more than 20 million [...]

May Revenues June 9, 2008

   May’s revenue totals were just sent out…and it’s not so great news again.
    Sales tax revenues were $5.4 million below the estimate for May.  However, corporate taxes posted a slight increase.  Tobacco tax collections were $1 million below estimates.
    Here’s the interesting thing…collections from the gasoline and motor fuel tax increased by 6.38 percent.  [...]

Paper Ballots and Cable Bills June 5, 2008

      While I didn’t go, I just checked the tape we shot of the governor’s ceremonial bill signings today.  The bills that got the most attention were the signing of the cable competition bill and the voter confidence act. 
      The cable competition bill is, of course, the bill to let AT&T enter the cable game [...]