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 providing [...]

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 the [...]

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. Governor [...]

New “Guns in Bars” Development June 30, 2009

    Tomorrow, Randy Rayburn and 10 Nashville citizens will file a lawsuit in Davidson County Chancery Court  asking for a temporary restraining order and injunction against “guns in bars” legislation, according to a media release.
    “The plaintiffs will allege that the bill is illegal on eight counts.  Among them being, that the law is an [...]

Budget Quotes June 18, 2009

 Both sides are claiming victory in the budget battle.  House and Senate Democrats held a joint news conference this morning.  Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey met with the media about an hour later.  Here is what both sides had to say:
“We’re not going to quit educating our kids, or putting people to work because we are [...]

Budget is Done June 18, 2009

85-12 in the House.  32-1 in the Senate.  Both sides came to a compromise after days of negotiating.  Will update more tomorrow…or I should say later today.

Email Day 2 June 17, 2009

   I realize I’m a little late posting, but reporting on the budget progress (or lack thereof) kept me busy all day.  I did want to put Sherri Goforth’s statement regarding the email on the blog, because based on the number of blog hits today, there is a lot of interest in this story.  Here’s [...]