Back to Blog: The Governor’s Race June 7, 2010

     Now that the General Assembly is winding dow, I will start turning all of my focus to the upcoming gubernatorial primaries and other big races.  Part of keeping you informed will be updating my blog, since I can’t fit all of the comments from the candidates in the stories you see on air.  Today, [...]

“Race to the Top”…The Real Signing January 26, 2010

   Today, there was pomp and circumstance surrounding the signing of the higher education bill and the “Race to the Top” bill.  However, the governor admitted, because of the “Race to the Top” deadline, he actually signed that bill in a movie theater parking lot.  Here’s what he said:      “The actual signing I have an [...]

Special Session Call January 8, 2010

    The governor just sent out his call for a special session.  The worker’s comp issue is in the call, along with all of the education issues we’ve been talking about for a while.  I’ve attached the proclamation.     Proclamation

John Wilder Passes January 1, 2010

Former Lt. Gov. John Wilder passed away this morning after suffering a stroke earlier in the week.  He was 88.  I am working on a full story for the newscasts, but will post reaction as I get it. Here is the statement from Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh: “Governor Wilder was one of the most honest [...]

Budget Hearings:Corrections November 16, 2009

The Department of Correction is going to have to cut $52 million.  It said it is now left with only two options to get that savings: Either close a prison or early-release 3,300 convicted felons from local jails.  The state pays for felons that are currently in local jails.  We’re talking about those who have [...]

Budget Hearings: Education November 16, 2009

I know I’ve been absent from blogging for awhile, but there’s no better time to start it up again then at the start of budget hearings.  The governor started out saying that there were going to be some very harsh cuts coming up in this budget.  K-12 Education is the first department up.  The governor [...]

Stimulus in Tennessee October 12, 2009

   According to a release, the state has created or saved 7,710 jobs through the federal stimulus plan.  Here’s the release: NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee has successfully met its first federal reporting requirements for funds that have flowed to or through the state under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Recovery Act is [...]

I’m Back! September 29, 2009

     I know, I’ve been bad.  I have no excuses as to why I stopped blogging for so long.  There has certainly been plenty going on in the wide world of state government.  Several people have approached me over the past few weeks and told me they missed my blogs.   So, I’m back!        Today [...]

Stanley, Morrison and Everything Else I’ve Neglected to Write About for Two Weeks August 3, 2009

Normally, I would have been updating this blog routinely with the news that Sen. Paul Stanley (R-Germantown) had been having an affair with his legislative intern, the ensuing alleged extortion plot, etc. Please know, the reason I haven’t updated the blog is because I have spent every second of my time working to get information [...]

Governor Vetoes Menu Labeling Ban July 1, 2009

The governor has vetoed the second bill of the session…it’s the one that would prohibit unelected boards from enacting menu labeling provisions (like the Metro Health Board did earlier this year).  Remember, the administration had wanted to institute statewide menu labeling for restaurants with at least 15 nationwide locations. Here’s the veto letter to Lt. [...]