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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011Haslam boosts TN's education profile (Tennessean/Sisk, Hubbard)No Child, tenure issues highlight effort Gov. Bill Haslam has thrust Tennessee’s efforts to reform its educatsystem into the national spotlight with a pair of high-profile appearances, drawing attention while also tying image to the state’s performance. Stressing state-by-state flexibility and higher standards for students ateachers, Haslam has stood with President Barack Obama in recent days to support waivers from the federal Child Left Behind law and taken part in a televised two-day summit on education reform organized by NBNews. The appearances follow testimony in July by Tennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman befoCongress; an August visit to the state by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan; and recent decisions education reformers Chris Barbic, a Houston charter school operator, and Michelle Rhee, the formWashington, D.C., schools chief and Huffman’s ex-wife, to relocate to Tennessee at least part time.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111001/NEWS/310010047/Haslam-boosts-TN-s-education-profile?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

State agency outlines school district strategies (Associated Press)The Tennessee Education Department on Friday released several strategies to help school districts reach goset by the state, which U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has singled out as a leader in education reforEducation Comm issioner Kevin Huffman said the s tate will seek to expand students' access to effective teachand leaders; improve access to good schools; expand educators' access to resources and best practices; aprovide better access to information and data. "Everything we do in this department should be focused making sure Tennessee kids learn m ore every day, and Tennessee educators are supported in the importwork that they do," Huffman said. "The goals we set out in Race to the Top are our department's goals, and will work diligently to become the fastest-improving state in the nation." Recent changes in state law -- includtoughening the curriculum and teacher evaluations -- allowed Tennessee to win $500 million in the national Ra

to the Top education grant competition.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/01/state-agency-outlines-school-district-strateg ies/?local

State education head releases four-priorities strategic plan (City Paper)The Tennessee Department E ducation on Friday released Commissioner Kevin Huffman’s strategic ploutlining the department’s four strategic priorities for supporting districts in reaching their academic goals. Thinclude expanding students’ access to effective teachers and leaders, expanding families’ access to goschools, expanding educators’ access to resources and best practices and expanding public accessinformation and data. In the release, Huffman said undergirding each of the priorities is the commitmentstructure an effective state agency that serves as a support system to school districts, rather than a regulatwhile allowing for policies that remove bureaucracy and foster innovation. In every priority, the department wfocus on improvement in rural schools and reducing racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps. “Everything do in this department should be focused on making sure Tennessee kids learn more every day, and Tennesseducators are supported in the important work that they do,” Huffman said.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/state-education-head-releases-four-priorities-stra tegic-plan

How to Pick Judges? Issue Remains Politically Unsettled in TN (TN Report)Gov. Bill Haslam knows he doesn’t want Tennessee Sup reme Court and appeals court judges to be selectedvoters. But he’s unwilling to say if he believes an unbiased reading of the Tennessee Constitution backs him on that. “Two or three times the Supreme Court has said it is. Others have different opinions. I don’t know tI’m the legal authority on that. Again, I can tell you what I think is the best way to do it,” Haslam told reporteafter giving the keynote address at the Jobs4TN conference in Nashville last week. The governor may want

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dodge the question of constitutionality that continues nagging at the “Tennessee Plan,” but it is of central concein a debate that could unfold in the General Assembly in 2012. The G OP is to some degree split on the issuewhether it’s wise to put Tennessee voters back in charge of electing high-level judges, but there’s a consensamong Republican lawmakers that the state’s guiding document, under its current wording, mandates t judicial selection occur in just that fashion.http://www.tnreport.com/2011/09/how-to-pick-judges-issue-remains-politically-unsett led-in-tn/ 

Lori Nunnery appointed to tourism task force (Jackson Sun)Lori Nunnery, of the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been appointed to Gov. Bill Haslam's touritask force. She will join 12 tourism leaders from across the state to strategize and identify goals to increaTennessee tourism spending and job creation. Haslam created the task force shortly after his inauguration, wa goal of putting Tennessee into the top 10 states in terms of out-of-state travel spending. Currently Tennessis ranked 18th in the nation. Tourism continues to be a leading industry in Tennessee and specifically in MadisCounty, generating $148.66 million in direct tourist spending and creating more than 1,600 jobs. "First of awould like to thank Governor Haslam for the opportunity to serve on the task force," N unnery said in a nerelease. "Appointment to this committee will give Jackson and West Tennessee a voice in the continued growand development of Tennessee's tourism product." "Jackson is well positioned between M emphis and Nashvand it's crucial for us to share our distinctive region's rural attributes to compliment the state's larger attractioand destinations," she added.http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20111001/NEWS01/110010314

Commissioner: State needs to set right tone, support existing businesses (DNJ)Not all business is good business. "If we get the right tone in Tennessee, we could have all kinds of investmehere. The right people need to be inspired to invest," Mark Emkes, who is the state's commissioner of Finanand Adm inistration, said Friday. Emkes, who retired as CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Inc. in 20was the keynote speaker at MTSU's Economic Outlook Conference Friday at Embassy Suites Hotel aConference in Murfreesboro. In addition to courting the right businesses, Emkes said trained employees needbe available to fill new jobs. "We are behind in the number of (people with) college degrees in TennesseEmkes said. "Most jobs require computer skills. State government and Bridgestone have MTSU graduates ware making an impact." Emkes said, when it make sense, the state will continue to pursue business outside state of Tennessee. "But we must support business that is already here," he said, receiving applause from businessmen and women in the audience. Em kes said the state is setting an example by running itself likbusiness. "Gov. (Bill) H aslam has challenged us to improve our processes," he said. "State government h

seven people to approve an out-of-state travel authorization. We've now got that down to two people."http://www.dnj.com/article/20111001/NEWS01/110010312/Commissioner-State-needs-set-right-tone-support-existing-businesses

Funeral arrangements set for Madisonville Marine slain in Afghanistan (N-S)The Marine who hoped one day to guard the president will come home to be buried this weekend. Family afriends will gather Sunday to say goodbye to Lance Cpl. Frankie Watson, the Monroe County Marine killed lweekend in Afghanistan. Watson, 21, died Sept. 24 when his patrol came under fire in Afghanistan's Helmaprovince. He'd served there since July with Knoxville's Delta Company of the 4th Combat Engineer BattalioGov.Bill Haslamissued a proclamation declaring Monday a day of mourning for Watson. Flags across the statwill fly at half-staff. Watson graduated from Sequoyah High School in 2008 and had worked as a part-time depfor the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and as an officer for the Madisonville Police Department. He told frien

he hoped to one day guard the president. Plans call for Watson's body to arrive 10 a.m. today at McGhee TysAir National Guard Base off Alcoa Highway. Friends plan to line the route that the vehicle carrying his body take on U.S. H ighway 411 into Madisonville with flags.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/01/funeral-arrangements-set-for-madisonville-marine/ 

State lauds Mt. Pleasant educator (Columbia Daily Herald)Mt. Pleasant Elementary principal Larry Brown was honored by the Tennessee Department of EducationMiddle Tennessee’s Principal of the Year during an award ceremony earlier this week. Brown said he receivthe honor because his school scored higher average math and language skills over the past three years than aother school in Middle Tennessee. “I think if we continue to work hard as we have in the past and focus on ochildren, which is what we should be doing, we’ll continue to make those gains,” Brown said Thursday. He sthat although he was named principal of the year, the school’s achievements would not have been possi

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without the hard work of the teachers and administrators on the M t. Pleasant Elementary staff. “This is a prodof a lot of efforts on a lot of people’s parts. Everybody at the school should be recognized in this. I’m just lucenough to have my name on the plaque,” he said. B.J. Worthington, chief academic officer for ClarksvilMontgomery County Schools was named Supervisor of the Year for the state of Tennessee and Rita WhiteRiverwood Elementary in Memphis City Schools was announced Tennessee’s Principal of the Year.http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/articles/2011/09/30/top_stories/04prin cipal.txt

Fritts Accused of 'Doctor Shopping' for Hydrocodone (WTVC-TV Chattanooga)A McMinn County man is charged with TennCare fraud for the crime of “doctor shopping” for controlsubstances. The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with assistance from McMinn County Sheriff’s and Athepolice officers today announced the arrest of Johnny L. Fritts, 26, of Athens. He ’s been charged with two couof fraudulently using TennCare to obtain controlled substances by “doctor shopping.” According to indictment, Fritts saw several doctors over a 30-day period and received prescriptions for the painkiHydrocodone with the physician office visits being paid for by TennCare. “We are grateful for the assistance receive from local police as well as pharmacies and providers who all want to bring an end to the abuseTennCare, especially in the area of prescription drugs,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “We w ill kepursuing people who commit these crimes as many times as it takes until they understand we will not tolerthis type of abuse of the TennCare program.” TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping is a Class E felocarrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison. District Attorney General Steven Bebbprosecuting.

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/crime-1005288-shopping-doctor.html

New Mississippi River tourism trail announced (Associated Press/Sainz)Tourism officials on Friday launched the new Great River Road Trail, a self-guided driving tour covering 2miles through six counties and several small towns in West Tennessee. The trail is made up of existing touattractions along the Mississippi River, including museums, parks, historic homes, nature trails and Civil Wsites. About 60 markers will line the trail, suggesting that visitors exit their cars and spend money at tmuseums, restaurants and shops in Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale, Dyer, Obion and Lake counties. The traiconnected to the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, a 10-state route starting in M innesota and endingthe Gulf of M exico. "The new byway encompasses virtually everything that's touched the Mississippi River," sRegena Bearden, vice president of marketing at the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Memphis visitowill be able to discover even more of our cultural gems for a truly authentic experience." Officials hope the trail

the eighth of 16 self-guided driving tours in Tennessee — will add to the roughly $13 billion economic impacttourism on the state.http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37583551.story

Rising costs slow Motlow State expansion (Tennessean/Stockard)Motlow State Community College unveiled plans this week for a 35,000-square-foot building on its Smycampus, but rising costs are forcing college officials to raise nearly $1 million more for space needs, with additional $400,000 still untapped. Motlow State received $9.4 million from the state, community and Smyrnathe classroom/laboratory building, which will enable the college to offer a complete registered nursing prograBut that amount will fund only about 75 percent of the building based on recent architect estimates, accordingMotlow President MaryLou App le. Believing it is vital to move ahead with all of the square footage, the presidsaid last week that she asked M otlow’s architect to “shell” the entire 35,000 square feet and finish75 percent

the building. Even that is expected to cost another $990,000, and Apple requested approval from the stBuilding Commission in early September to increase the project’s cost. It has not been advertised for bids. “If under roof, you have a clear chance of completing it,” Apple said. “If it’s not in the footprint, it’s just a dream.” TMurfreesboro-based Christy-Houston Foundation, which was formed from the sale of old Rutherford Hospiprovided a $600,000 grant to match the amount Motlow raised locally. Smyrna previously gave $1.1 millionland.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111001/NEWS/310010044/Rising-costs-slow-Motlow-State-expansion?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

University of Memphis sets $250 million goal in fundraising (C. Appeal/Moore)Centennial Campaign already at 74 percent W ith a goal of endowing scholarships, attracting faculty aconstructing new buildings, the University of M emphis announced on Friday the most ambitious fundraising eff

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in the school's 100-year history. The goal of the Centennial Campaign is to raise $250 million by June 30, 20Already more than $185 million has been raised during its "quiet" phase, said Charles Burkett, who with his wJudy, is heading up the effort. "To me that's phenomenal," said Burkett, chairman of the university's boardvisitors. The rule of thumb for fundraising during a quiet period is 60 percent of the goal, said Burkett, who wpresident of banking at First Tennessee Bank and will retire at the end o f the year. "We're right at 74 percent sfeel very good about the support we've received," he said. The campaign's success is important to the universsaid Shirley Raines, U of M president. "In addition to Charles and Judy Burkett, more than 120 individuals acouples are involved in this campaign through their leadership," Raines said. "Their endorsements aenthusiasm for the role of a major metropolitan university are encouraging to our almost 2,500 employees a23,000 students. These community leaders realize that when the University of Memphis succeeds, the cityMemphis benefits, and so do the state and the region."http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/01/u-of-m-sets-250m-goal-in-fundraising/ 

Programs Work To Keep Talent In Memphis (Memphis Daily News)Students interested in obtaining a degree in chemical, civil, electrical, computer and mechanical engineerhave several local options thanks to programs offered at Christian Brothers University, Rhodes College and University of M emphis. In addition to preparing the local workforce for high-paying jobs, the schools also workkeep that knowledge base here in Memphis. CBU offers undergraduate engineering programs in chemical, celectrical and mechanical engineering. This semester there are approximately 240 students participating in engineering programs, and the school boasts a low student-faculty ration of 12 to 1. Dr. Eric B. Welch, dean

CBU’s School of Engineering, said he believes the university works hard to educate its students while abenefiting the local economy. CBU features an internship program in which roughly 80 percent of its studeobtain some local industry experience by the time they graduate. “We work during the students’ junior and senyears to place them with a variety of companies here in Memphis like Federal Express, Smith & Nephew aCummings Diesel,” said Welch, who has been head of CBU’s School of Engineering for seven yea“Engineering is a highly mobile profession. The starting salary for engineers is basically twice what it is for thowith a general liberal arts degree.”http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/oct/3/programs-work-to-keep-talent-in-memphis/ 

MTSU receives designation as 'military friendly school' (Daily News Journal)MTSU has for the second consecutive year m ade the list of "Military Friendly Schools," an annual rating by GJobs, which is published by veteran-owned Victory Media. The publication surveyed more than 7,000 scho

nationwide, and 1,231 we re selected for the designation. Schools that receive the recognition are those thatthe extra mile to recruit and retain veterans, provide financial assistance and offer special on-campus prograand opportunities. Some schools provide credit for military service and offer military spouse programs. "MTSUmilitary-friendly in part due to the support of administrators and faculty who comprise the Military Task Force awork together to provide services for our veteran population," said C athy Kirchner, registrar in MTSU's O fficeRecords and Scheduling. Kirchner's office guides veterans through the maze of requirements and documentatthat they need in order for them to receive their GI Bill benefits from the Veterans Administration. Currently, tfulltime employees and four student workers support a fall 2011 population of 1035 veterans at MTSU. "The sspent countless hours calling and emailing veterans to assist them in the enrollment and the fee-paymconfirmation process for fall 2011," Kirchner noted in a press release.http://www.dnj.com/article/20111001/NEWS01/110010311/MTSU-receives-designation-military-friendly-school

Funds awarded in insurance conflict (Columbia Daily Herald)Tennessee officials say they’ll distribute $300,000 to about 172 consumers nationwide who complained aboucompany accused of selling phony health insurance. Meanwhile, a federal judge in Nashville has agreed to bUnited States Benefits LLC owner and officers Tim Thomas and his wife Keenan Dozier-Thomas from selhealth benefits and health insurance. The company was shut down and its assets frozen a year ago, accordto The Tennessean newspaper. T he action was part of a nationwide crackdown on sellers of bogus discohealth plans disguised as major medical insurance. Defense attorney David Raybin declined commWednesday, according to the newspaper. Court-appointed receiver Bob Waldschmidt delivered the $300,000state officials Wednesday.http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/articles/2011/09/30/top_stories/06insru ance.txt

State sponsoring document shredding Saturday (Associated Press)

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http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/01/injury-consumer-case-laws-change/ 

Lawmakers Refereeing ‘Turf Battle’ Over Pain-Management Care (TN Report)The question of w ho exactly should be legally authorized to shoot powerful medications into easily injured areof the body, like a patient’s spine, dominated talk on Capitol Hill Thursday. Lawmakers heard testimony from medical community about rules governing the tricky job of pain management. Members of a House Health aHuman Resources subcommittee are studying the implications of HB1896, a bil l that l imits when nupractitioners and other caregivers with advanced training can administer “interventional” pain medications, whare injected within a half-inch of the spinal cord. Under the proposal, which won committee approval in tSenate but stalled in the House, these nurses would only be able to perform the procedures under supervision of specialists. Lawmakers walked away from their four-hour discussion generally in agreementadd government mandates for better training of nurse practitioners, assistants and physicians alike as they trydefuse a war among the competing health care occupations.http://www.tnreport.com/2011/09/lawmakers-refereeing-turf-battle-over-pain-managem ent-care/ 

Juvenile Court office joins digital age (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Ham an)Hamilton County Juvenile Court finally is going digital. Juvenile Court Clerk Gary Behler and his staff afinishing up a year of drilling, wiring, upgrading computers and archiving thousands of paper files in an effordigitize much of the court's content. He oversees two offices -- one at Juvenile Court on Third Street and t

Child Support Division on East Main Street. Both offices are way behind the technological times. The chsupport office didn't have email before this year, and at Juvenile Court, the upgrades have been like "jumpfrom horse and buggy to space shuttle," he said. "This was kind of like an island out here," Behler saidJuvenile Court. "It was not connected in any fashion." In August, both Juvenile Court clerk offices introducdigital recording of court and child support proceedings, replacing the old cassette-tape model. Digital recordsaves workers more than 15 minutes per request, said Kristie McGowan, technology and proceducoordinator. The old process took about 20 minutes as workers located the correct tape, searched for tnecessary hearing, located the requested testimony and set up the m achine that copied it for lawyers, clients acourt reporters.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/01/juvenile-court-office-joins-digital-a ge/?local

Lawsuit alleges disability pensions wrongly taxed (Knox. News-Sentinel/Balloch

Some retired Knoxville firefighters and police officers have paid income taxes they did not have to becauseerroneous information sent to them by the Knoxville Pension Board, a lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit involvfirefighters and police officers on disability pensions related to line-of-duty injuries. The errors date back as far 1988 and affect enough retirees to justify a class-action lawsuit, retired Knoxville Fire D epartment Capt. DerFrye states in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Knox County Chancery Court. "IRS tax forms were improperly issuindicating that their benefits were taxable," when they were in fact not taxable, the lawsuit states. The lawsseeks "damages resulting from the payment of federal income taxes on benefits that were exempt from sutaxation," plus interest. No dollar amount is stated. Frye is the only plaintiff so far but argues that the numbeaffected people, when beneficiaries and estates of deceased recipients are included, could be between 350 a500, thus the claim for a class-action case. Defendants include the city of Knoxville, the Knoxville Pension B oand the City Employees' Pension Fund.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/sep/30/lawsuit-alleges-disability-pensions-wrongly/ 

Report: Financial control ran amok at Shelby Co. Chancery Court (CA/PerrusquiaInternal investigation of lax safeguards finds conditions that fostered theft, m anipulation F inancial controls wso weak at Shelby County Chancery Court that receipts and disbursements went unrecorded in ledgers, clehad unbridled power to write huge checks and bank reconciliation was late and at times wasn't done at all. Theare among the findings in a Shelby County internal control study released late Thursday. The study, conductedresponse to a three-year, $1 million theft of surplus funds owed Shelby Countians who lost homes in tax salfound an abundance of inadequate controls and blatant, often illegal, actions, including: Forged judicial orddummied up to tap funds from nonexistent tax sales Tax sale deposits co-mingled with other funds held by tcourt Confusing, antiquated manual ledgers and receipt books that fail to log transactions in numerical ordInterim Chancery Clerk John Robertson, appointed this week to help clean up the mess, said he and his staff already working to correct problems.

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http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/01/report-chancery-control-ran-amok/ 

Lamar Alexander Makes a Pitch for Coalition Government (Memphis Flyer)Lamar Alexander is revisiting his past at the same time he is redesigning his future. The state’s senior USenator, who recently announced he is stepping down from his leadership post as GOP caucus chairman in Senate, treated students at the University of Memphis Law School to a vision of his political beginnings Thursday. Speaking on “The Rule of Law,” Alexander outlined the scenario whereby he had become governo

few days early in 1979 in order to prevent his corrupt predecessor, Ray Blanton, from freeing an indeterminanumber of state prisoners via commutations or pardons. As Alexander told the story, which was illustrated bvintage videoclip of his emergency sign-in ceremony from Nashville’s Channel 5, one of those prisoners wrumored to be James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King. A key point of the story was bipartisan agreement to break precedent , involving such Democratic officials as the two then Speakers of tHouse and Senate — Ned McWherter and John Wilder, respectively. Besides illustrating the pre-eminence“the rule of law,” the saga clearly suggested the ecumenical nature of Alexander’s new professional course. Alexander told the UM law students. “This liberates me to do the things I care about the most” — e.g., fashion“a coalition of good Republicans and good Democrats” regarding matters like the safe disposal of nuclear wasreform of No Child Left Behind, and the looming national debt.http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2011/09/30/lamar-alexander-makes-a-pitch-for-coalitiongovernment

Sen. Alexander Recalls Early Days of Governorship (Memphis Daily News)U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said he tends to favor the trio of governors in the still forming fieldthe Republican presidential nomination. “I like the governors,” Alexander, a former governor of Tennessee, tmore than 100 students last week at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphries School of Law. “I thPresident Obama has many adm irable qualities and some policies I agree with. But I think what’s not as strong(his) executive leadership.” “I think they all have strengths and weaknesses,” the Republican senator said of RPerry, Mitt Romney and Jon Hunstman – all former or current governors. “Perry has said funny things. But on other hand, I saw him talk about immigration the other day in a debate and he stuck to his guns on his opinionwhich was unpopular with the audience. I think that’s what you need in a president, someone who has a sensewhere they want to go. You don’t have to agree with him.” Alexander’s lunch hour stop Thursday, Sept. 29, at tlaw school was to talk about the accelerated start of his tenure as governor in 1979. A lexander took the oathoffice several days early that January in a move to prevent outgoing Gov. Ray Blanton from making more la

minute pardons and paroles of state prisoners who were suspected of paying Blanton for the early releases.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/oct/3/sen-alexander-recalls-early-days-of-governorship/ 

Congressman Phil Roe sits down with the BHC, 11Connects (Bristol Hera

Courier)Northeast Tennessee’s congressman claims there are plenty of programs in the federal budget that could be so the Federal Emergency Management Agency has the money to keep its disaster assistance prograrunning without driving the country deeper into debt. “It’s about accountability and using the government’s monwisely,” U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-1st, said in a Friday interview w ith the Bristol Herald Courier’s editorial board. important, he added, for the federal government to take a look at cutting the money given to programs it does need to pay for the ones it does. After being hit with a series of disasters like the tornadoes that crisscrossed tSoutheast in April and Hurricane Irene, FEMA announced it had all but exhausted the money set aside

disaster relief programs in its current budget. A House emergency spending bill was drafted that would hagiven the agency an additional $3.7 bill ion to keep its programs running through the rest of the fedegovernment’s budget cycle. But this proposal came with a catch; Citing concerns about the country’s growfederal debt, a majority of House Republicans demanded that this extra money come from spending cuts to otfederal programs like a government loan program that would help car companies build fuel-efficient vehicles.http://www2.tricities.com/news/2011/sep/30/congressman-phil-roe-editorial-board-meeting-ar -1349935/ 

Tennessee in Compliance With Adam Walsh Act (Associated Press)The U.S. Department of Justice says Tennessee is in compliance with the federal Adam W alsh Child ProtectAct after reviewing its state law, policies and procedures. The department announced Thursday that Tennessis one of 15 states in compliance with the act, named for a Florida boy abducted and murdered in 1981.

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father, John Walsh, hosts the TV series "America's Most Wanted." The designation means the Byrne Grafunding to the state won't be reduced by 10 percent, the penalty for non-compliance. The Adam Walsh Aestablished a national sex offender registry. Tennessee's sex offender registry has been in existence since 19and has information on close to 18,000 sex offenders.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/oct/3/tennessee-in-compliance-with-adam-walsh-act/ 

Economist Tells Club Stimulus Too Small (Memphis Daily News)

As economist and author Bruce Bartlett sees it, the $787 billion stimulus bill President Barack Obama proddCongress to pass shortly after his inauguration in 2009 didn’t bring the econom y back to life like it was intendBut the failure is not because the package was a bad idea. It just wasn’t big enough, said Bartlett, a longtiRepublican who once worked for presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush and who addressed tEconomic Club of Memphis late last week. “The economic situation has been utterly misdiagnosed,” Bartlett saarguing that consumers have fled for the exits all at once as they hunker down and pay off debts, forcbusiness owners to readjust to the slump. In the latest market commentary they sent out to clients a few dabefore Bartlett’s presentation in Memphis, Marty Kelman and Ron Lazarov – principals of local weamanagement firm Kelman-Lazarov – agreed that lack of demand is a problem. “Americans have been tightentheir belts and paying down their debt,” they wrote. “Purchases of big ticket items like automobiles and houshave stayed low throughout this recovery. It’s a problem with demand. Lower interest rates can stimuldemand, but only so much. At this point, individuals aren’t waiting for mortgage rates to go down another 0percent – they are just wai ting.http://www.mem phisdailynews.com/news/2011/oct/3/economist-tells-club-

stimulus-too-small/ 

A Push to Improve Teachers' Colleges (Wall Street Journal)The Obama administration announced a new $185 million competition Friday that would reward colleges producing teachers whose students perform well on standardized tests. The competition would require statesprovide data linking collegiate teaching programs inside their borders to the test scores of their graduatstudents. Under the proposal, to be eligible for the money, states would have to ratchet up teacher-licensexams and close persistently low-performing teacher-training programs. The competition is part of administration's planned broad overhaul of teachers' colleges of education, which have come under attarecently for failing to properly train teachers. In a news conference Friday, Secretary of Education Arne Duncnoted that that nearly two-thirds of new teachers report feeling unprepared to run classes. "What if 62% of onew doctors felt unprepared to practice medicine?" said Mr. Duncan, adding that "the status quo

unacceptable." In a sign of consensus among often warring camps in education, the administration's proporeceived vocal support from the National Education Association, the nation's largest teachers union, as well from Teach For America, a Peace Co rps-like nonprofit that inspires many of the nation's top college graduatescommit to inner-city teaching stints. "NEA has long championed approaches that support rigorous entry into profession of teaching," NEA President Dennis Van Roekel said in a statement said.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204138204576602992880869786.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Bellefonte Nuclear Plant gains permit extension (Times Free-Press/Sohn)TVA's planned completion of Bellefonte Nuclear Plant in Alabama got another green light from federal nucleregulators Friday, the eve of the plant's original 37-year-old construction permit expiration. The NuclRegulatory Commission extended the permit, first issued in 1974, and it is now valid until Oct. 1, 2020. "It's rea

a paperwork kind of thing," NRC spokesman Roger Hannah said Friday, noting the permit is classified"deferred status." "They still will have to provide more data and do a num ber of things to get the permit upgradto active status," he said. "And, at this point, they cannot begin construction until the permit is put at actistatus." TVA spokesman Ray Golden said the deferred status means TVA cannot physically do any constructwork toward completion of Bellefonte, but workers can use the time to complete design and procurement wothere, and they can continue to refine the licensing for the plant. "We have to give the NRC four months notibefore construction begins," he said, adding that in August the TVA board specifically asked -- and TPresident and CEO Tom Kilgore has said -- that Bellefonte construction not begin until fuel is loaded at WaBar.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/01/bellefonte-gains-permit-extensi on/?local

Businesses urge new unemployment rules (Tennessean/Sisk)

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Too easy for jobless to claim benefits in Tenn., owners say A few years ago, only two or three files sat on tshelf where Peter Demos kept information on unemployment claims. Now the files fill an entire filing cabidrawer. “Sometimes they’l l work two days. Then on the third day they won’t show up, and we’ll get thunemployment notice,” said Demos, co-owner of five restaurants with his family’s name in Tennessee aAlabama. “They knew in advance they were not going to show up, so they applied before they’d even beterminated. “They’ll say they were laid off or there was a lack of work. How can that be when we’re tryinghire?” The state’s unemployment system could be up for renegotiation next year, as many businesses acomplaining that Tennessee’s rules make it too easy for the jobless to claim benefits and are putting a drag the state’s economy. Business owners and their representatives have been telling lawmakers that the long-teunemployed should be cut off — or at least forced to jump through more hoops — to encourage them to go bato work. They also complain that fraud is rampant and that nearly one in five dollars is paid out improperlyclaim that state officials dispute. The frequency of the complaints suggests the issue may be a key part of tlegislative agenda when state lawmakers reconvene in Januahttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20111001/BUSINESS/310020045/Businesses-urge-new-unemployment-rules?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|N ews

Williamson County Bucking The Trend With New Jobs (WTVF-TV Nashville)When it com es to job creation, Williamson County is de finitely bucking the national trend. Since July compan

have announced 1,000 new jobs are coming to the area in the next few years. "It means significant opportunitfor people either without jobs, or under-employed, or unemployed," said Matt Largen, director of WilliamsCounty's economic development office. Verizon Wireless, Parallon Business Solutions, Windsor Health Pland MedSolutions all recently announced they will add employees to their Williamson County locations. Recenreleased numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show how Williamson County's job growth stacks against the rest of the nation. From March 2010 through March 2011, employment in the county increased 4.1%. That is the eighth largest increase nationally. It is a number Largen's office works daily to maintain agrow. "Just because you've been successful in the past, is not a guarantee you'll be successful in the future. we have to do all the same things we do now to continue to keep that growth rate up," Largen explained. Evwith the nation's economic uncertainty, even more new job announcements could be in Williamson Countfuture.http://www.newschannel5.com/story/15592091/williamson-county-bucking-the-trend-with-new-jobs

Middle TN jobs gloom eases (Tennessean/Marsteller)Economist: Tennessee has improved but is still in danger Ivy Petty sees the signs of economic recovery at office: Her employer, ServPro of Coffee/Franklin/Warren Counties, recently hired three technicians and anotmarketing representative. So, when she heard an econom ist say Friday that Middle Tennessee is showing sobrighter signs of economic life, she nodded in agreement. “It m akes it very real when you see it in black awhite,” she said. “Things are getting a little better.” That sentiment is supported by higher sales-tax collectiogrowth in construction employment and other economic indicators that have ticked a bit higher in the past yeaMiddle Tennessee State University economist said at the university’s annual economic outlook conference. “Imuch better than it was a year ago,” David Penn, director of MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Centtold more than 150 people gathered in a hotel meeting room. He predicted the regional economy will maintmodest improvement in the coming year, but he warned that was contingent on how the U.S. economy farOther less encouraging signs emerged Friday casting fresh doubt on the national economy’s fragile hea

Americans earned less in August, the first decline in three years, but had to spend more because of higher pricfor food and gas. And a well-known forecasting firm is predicting that another recession is at hand.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111001/BUSINESS/310010045/Middle-TN-jobs-gloom-eases?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

“Nation has outperformed Memphis,” Burgundy Book reports (M. Biz Journal)The emp loyment picture in Memphis gene rally has been worse than the national experience, along with sizacontraction in year-over-year building permits, according to the Burgundy Book report released Thursday by Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis . At the end of July the annual growth rate for building permits showeddecline of 37.4 percent, a 6.1 percent decline for housing prices and 0.6 percent growth for employment. Thslight bump in employment notwithstanding, the Memphis area’s overall jobs creation picture remains we

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according to the report, noting M emphis’ rate of 10.3 percent versus a national rate of 9.1 percent. Mempexperienced a contraction in jobs at an average rate of 0.1 percent versus the national expansion of 0.1 percethe report noted. “According to all six indicators considered, the nation has outperformed Memphis,” the reporstated. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2011/09/30/nation-has-outperformed-memphis.html

USEC may cut 190 Oak Ridge jobs (Knoxville News-Sentinel)USEC Inc. on Friday notified 190 Oak Ridge employees that they might be laid off a month from now

uncertainty about funding means it has to stop most activity on a uranium enrichment project. The total of USnotices coming out of Oak Ridge would reach 203, if it includes some employees reporting to the Oak Ridoffice but working in Ohio, Maryland and Virginia, USEC Vice President Paul Jacobson said. Notices were seto a total of 450 employees across USEC's operations. The Bethesda, Md.-based company has had troubsecuring a $2 billion federal loan guarantee it says is needed for construction to move forward on the AmericCentrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio, about 65 miles south of Columbus, and it's taking the first steps towapossibly demobilizing the project. U SEC's said its board of directors had voted to continue investment in centrifuge plant for October, but at a reduced rate. "As for what activities will take place in October to achieve tspending reductions, we are curtailing some test operations, reducing travel, and sending back some ORCRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement) personnel," Jacobson said. "On manufacturing side, we will continue to assemble centrifuges made from parts and materials currently on habut we're suspending much of the work at our suppliers."http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/01/usec-may-cut-190-oak-ridge-jobs/ 

Schools Get Fresh Start With New Board (Memphis Daily News)The separate Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools boards are no more when the endSeptember rolls over into October. And the 23 members of the countywide Shelby County Schools board tathe oath of office Monday, Oct. 3 at the MCS auditorium. The two separate school systems, each with its osuperintendent, continue to operate until the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year when they too will merBut starting Monday, both superintendents, John Aitken and Kriner Cash, report to a single school board. Tschool board is a combination of the nine mem bers of the MCS board, the seven members of the SCS board aseven other citizens appointed by the Shelby County Commission. The board members are: Chris Caldwfinancial consultant and Morgan Keegan vice president; Snowden Carruthers, retired county school principErnest Chism, retired county school principal and current member of Germantown Board of Mayor aAldermen; Joseph Clayton, retired city, county and private school principal; Stephanie Gatewood, independ

management consultant; Diane George, Realtor; Tomeka Hart, Memphis Urban League president and CEMartavius Jones, president Jones Wealth Management Group; Teresa Jones, attorney; Vanecia Kimbroattorney and founder of Community Equity & Title Inc.; Sara Lewis, former MCS principal and assistant Msuperintendent;http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/oct/3/schools-get-fresh-start-with-new-board/ 

'Kumbaya' or 'See Ya?': Is Greater Shelby School District Wishful Thinking? (MF)Let’s get down to cases here. My colleague John Branston has presented som e well-distilled arguments for laschool districts. If memory serves right, the consolidated Memphis City Schools-Shelby County Schools districtaken at full (i.e., with no dropouts) would be the 18th largest in the United States. That’s the figure that wincessantly cited early in the year by state Senator Mark Norris (he of Norris-Todd), and while it doesn’t quite pa Greater Shelby County School District in the Top Ten, Number 18 is large enough — though, when Norris,

the course of pitching his bill, thought to be pejorative by projecting such a district as on a par with the GreaDallas school district, I confess I was baffled. What was wrong, exactly, in being reckoned on the same scawith a recognized (and presumably prosperous) monolith elsewhere in the Southland? How many of us wotrade the whole of the Liberty Bowl (scattered football crowds and all) for Jerry Jones’ mammoth nJumbatron? Even so, we could surely construct lists of pros and cons for a large district and argue the pointhis patented succinct manner, John makes the case for large, while erstwhile Shelby County Schools boacandidate (and recent applicant for the big board) Ken Hoover demurs in a series of comments.http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2011/09/30/kumbaya-or-see-ya-is-the-greater-shelby-school-district-wishful-thinking

Tempers boil over at Memphis City Schools job fair (Comm ercial Appeal/RobertsPolice were called to calm a disturbance at a Memphis City Schools job fair Friday when about 70 experienc

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teachers were told there were no openings. "When I heard that, I turned around and told all the teachers in tauditorium that we need to file a class-action suit," said Dennis Paden, 54, an 18-year classroom veteran witmaster's degree. "Most of the teachers, if not all, were over 50. Several were in wheelchairs. It's a classic caseage discrimination," said Paden, who was told to leave the fair at American Way Middle because he w as causa disturbance and being belligerent. District spokesman Quintin Taylor said officers asked W illiams to lower voice after he had earlier refused. No one was arrested. Teachers said the flare-up reflects anger over changthat allow the district to hire new teachers over senior staff to help meet "curriculum needs." Be fore the job fairecord 154 city school teachers were on the extra or "surplus" list, including 76 added this week based on droin enrollment.Eighty-one found jobs at the fair that MCS holds several times a year to match displaced teachwith principals looking to hire. The 73 still standing will be assigned other jobs in the district at their current puntil permanent placements are found.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/01/tempers-boil-over-at-schools-job-fair/?partner=yahoo_feeds

Application for ASD charter school in Hamilton County rejected (Nooga)Hamilton County w ill have to wait until next year for another shot at the potential addition of a new charter schbacked by the Tennessee Achievement School Distr ict. Last month, ASD Superintendent Chris Barannounced plans to begin accepting proposals from organizations interested in opening charter schools in Aattendance zones. The distr ict, composed of Tennessee's f ive lowest performing schools, includChattanooga's Howard Academy of Academics and Technology. But out of nine total applications received

the ASD, only one was geared towards opening a school in Hamilton County—and it came from a grooutlawed from operating charter schools in Tennessee. Tennessee law prohibits for profit entities from runncharter schools, even if they have nonprofit boards. That meant the application of Mosaica Education, Inc."global leader in education reform," was immediately rejected—despite the com pany's operation of more thancharter schools serving 15,000 students across the country. "It's often a state by state decision," Margo Rowcharter school portfolio director for the ASD, said. "For example, in Louisiana, especially in New Orleans, thare multiple for profit charter schools. In Tennessee, there is no loophole. There's a chance that legislation cochange that one day, but right now, it's just the rule."http://www.nooga.com/18342_application-for-asd-charter-school-in-hamilton-county-reject ed/ 

McIntyre recommends name for new Knox Co. STEM academy (WBIR-T

Knoxville)After weeks of hearing suggestions and opinions, the superintendent of Knox County Schools is ready to mahis recommendation as to the name of the new STEM academy. In a memo to the school board, Dr. JMcIntyre suggests the new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Magnet High School, locatedthe historic L&N Depot in downtown Knoxvi lle, be named the L&N STEM Academy. McIntyre said recommendation comes after "an extensive process of public comm ent that included students, teachers, pareand mem bers of the greater Knox County com munity." The public was invited to make suggestions, starting wthe 2011 spring open houses. They were also asked to send their ideas directly to Dr. McIntyre via email. Tmemo said more than 100 distinct suggestions were submitted that covered a broad range of possibilities. At end of the public comment period, a committee of four parents, four students, four teachers, and the schooadministrators met to review the suggestions. They agreed to three criteria to follow in assessing suggesnames. It determined that any name should: relate to the school's mission, be historically significant, and regionally relevant.

http://www.wbir.com/news/article/186146/2/McIntyre-recommends-name-for-new-Knox-Co-STEM-academy

No decision yet on Union County School budget (WATE-TV Knoxville)The Union County Schools' budget battle will continue after the county commission voted to further postpomaking a decision. The previous deadline to balance the schools' budget was the October 1st, or the couwould lose state funding. Thursday night, the school board passed a measure for m ajor cuts, wanting to make12-month contracts into 11-month contracts which would save an estimated $700,000. Many were concernabout the legality of that plan, but Director of Schools Wayne Goforth looked into the issue and says it is legThe county commission plans on taking the issue up again on October 10th.http://www.wate.com/story/15592368/no-decision-yet-on-union-county-school-budget

Alabama: Many Immigrants Pull Children From Schools (Associated Press)

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Hispanic students are vanishing from public schools in the wake of a court ruling on Wednesday that upheld state’s tough new law cracking down on illegal immigration. Education officials say scores of immigrant familhave withdrawn their children or kept them home this week, afraid that sending them to school would draattention from the authorities. There are no precise statewide numbers. But several districts with large immigrenrollments reported a sudden exodus of children of Hispanic parents, some of whom told officials that thwould leave the state to avoid trouble with the law, which requires schools to check students’ immigration statIn one of the state’s largest cities, Huntsville, the superintendent went on a Spanish-language television showThursday to try to calm worries. “Our students do not have anything to fear,” the superintendent, CasWardynski, said in halting Spanish. He said the state was only trying to compile statistics. The police, he insistewere not getting involved in schools. In Montgomery County, more than 200 Hispanic students were absent Thursday. In Albertville, 35 students withdrew in one day. And about 20 students in Shelby County, in suburbBirmingham, withdrew or told teachers that they were leaving. Local and state officials are pleading wimmigrant families to keep their children enrolled. The law does not bar anyone from school, they say, aneither students nor parents w ill be arrested for trying to get an education. The Obama administration filed codocuments on Friday announcing its plans to appeal the ruling that upheld the law.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/us/alabama-many-immigrants-pull-children-from-schools.html?ref=todayspaper

California: California Pulls Out of Foreclosure Talks (Wall Street Journal)

Move Is Serious Blow to Federal and State Effort to Reach $25 Billion Deal With Banks Over QuestionabPractices California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris pulled out of settlement negotiations with the natiobiggest banks over alleged foreclosure abuses, call ing the proposed deal "inadequate for Califorhomeowners." The decision by Ms. Harris delivers a serious blow to efforts by the Obama administration andstate attorneys general to forge a $25 billion settlement with the nation's largest banks over "robo-signing" aother questionable foreclosure practices. Her actions follow the withdrawal of New York from the talks. Withothe participation of California and New York in the negotiations, banks will be far less likely to agree to multibillion dollar settlement that federal and state officials have spent months pursuing. California remainecritical constituent for any deal because it has more borrowers who are underwater, or owe more than thhomes are w orth, than any other state. California also has more borrowers that are behind on their mortgagesin foreclosure than any other state but Florida. The m ove by M s. Harris, who took office in January, comes af11 months of often-frustrating negotiations between big banks such as Bank of America Corp., J.P. MorgChase & Co. and Citigroup Inc. Representatives for the three banks declined to comment. A spokeswoman

Ally Financial Inc., the fifth-largest m ortgage servicer and parent of GMAC Mortgage, called the decis"disappointing for borrowers in California" who are in financial distress.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204226204576603282938462192.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Florida: Florida Move Shakes Up E lection Calendar (Wall Street Journal)Florida officials scrambled the 2012 presidential nominating calendar Friday by setting Jan. 31 as the date of tstate's primary. O ther states immediately signaled their intent to vote earlier than F lorida, setting up the prospof Republicans starting the process of picking their presidential nominee during the winter holidays, possiblyDecember. Iowa had been expected to start the nominating process by holding caucuses on Feb. 6. NHampshire's first-in-the-nation primary was expected to take place on Feb. 14. But Florida's move into Janumeans that both states, as well as South C arolina and Nevada, will pick a date earlier in the calendar to prese

their status as the first to vote. Their early positions in the process had been granted by the Republican NatioCommittee. New Hampshire Secretary of State William Gardner, who sets the state's primary date, said he conot rule out an election before the end of 2011. He also set Oct. 28 as the deadline for candidates to file to bethe ballot in New Hampshire. That presents a firm deadline for potential candidates, such as New Jersey GChris Christie and former Alaska G ov. Sarah Palin, to make up their minds on w hether they'll run.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204138204576602813973827034.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Florida: Judge Stops Florida’s Plan to Privatize 29 State Prisons (New York TimeA state judge ruled on Friday that it was unconstitutional for the Florida Legislature to attach a far-reachiproposal — one that would privatize 29 prisons in South Florida — to “the hidden recesses” of an appropriatiobill. The ruling by the judge, Jackie L. Fulford, stops the state’s plan to privatize the prisons, which was expec

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to begin early next year. Nearly 4,000 correction workers were expected to lose their jobs or be transferred. TFlorida Police Benevolent Association, which represents the workers, sued the state to block the plans. TLegislature, Judge Fulford said, c ircumvented the law by failing to fully and separately consider the privatizatbill, which had drawn opposition. The Florida Constitution says m ajor policy changes cannot be enacted throubudget bills. The state plans to appeal the ruling. Matt Puckett, the executive director of the Florida PolBenevolent Association, said the Legislature’s move “was incredibly sneaky.” “The Legislature has roughshod over its citizens for a long time,” he said. “They seem to use the budget process to do whatever thwant.” Mr. Puckett said that the Police Benevolent Association had hoped for a full debate on the plan, one of largest prison privatization proposals in the country, during the legislative session, which ended in May.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/us/florida-prison-privatization-plan-hits-roadblock.html? _r=1&ref=todayspap er

West Virginia: West Virginia Race Tightens (Wall Street Journal)National groups are pouring money into the governor's race in West Virginia, an election widely viewed as tmost compe titive of the four statewide contests this fall. Although state issues, such as local job creation and health of the West Virginia economy, are dominating the campaign, the Oct. 4 special election could be indicator of voter sentiment in 2012, with Republican challenger Bill Maloney, a Morgantown businessmaseeking to link Democratic acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to the policies of the W hite House. A poll released thweeks ago showed Mr. Maloney closing the gap to six percentage points behind Mr. Tomblin, president of

state Senate, who has been acting governor since last fall. He succeeded popular Democrat Sen. Joe Manchwho resigned after winning the seat held for decades held by the late Sen. Robert C . Byrd. Political experts sthe race in the heavily Democratic but socially conservative state was tough to call, in part because turnout wexpected to be low. The winner will face re-election next year for a four-year term. The contest has drafunding from national groups representing both parties, with Republicans outspending Democrats by 14%. TRepublican G overnors Association spent $2.8 million on ads opposing Mr. Tomblin, while the DemocrGovernors Association laid out $2.4 million on ads against Mr. Maloney, according to disclosures filed with tWest Virginia secretary of state.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203405504576601152675626020.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1(SUBSCRIPTION)

OPINION

Guest columnist: How we pick judges is good for business (Tennessean)Earlier this year, Tennesseans spoke out. Under the leadership of Gov. Bill Haslam, they made it clear that tstate needs civil justice reform as an important way to grow jobs. Both houses of the Tennessee GeneAssembly agreed, and the Tennessee Civil Justice Act today becomes the law of the land. However, now is the time to relax in our quest to make Tennessee the No. 1 state in job growth. Our new tort reform law is likto improve our No. 19 status in the next U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey. That is critical. Working annuawith its Institute for Legal Reform, the chamber surveys corporate leaders to assess the lawsuit climate in eastate. The survey is considered most influential among businesses making decisions about where to locatelooks at a state’s laws governing tort and contract litigation, class-action suits, damages, discovery and judgimpartiality and competence. But with more than 30 states passing tort-reform laws this year, how do continue to m ake Tennessee stand out to business leaders as they decide w here to locate? The answer: Wneed to keep the key features of the present system Tennessee employs to select appellate judges.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111001/OPINION/310010010/How-we-pick-judges-good-business?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Free-Press Editorial: Tennessee's punishing tax (Chattanooga Times Free-PressThe nonpartisan Tax Foundation's report confirms that Tennesseans continue to pay the highest average sataxes in the nation -- an average of 9.43 cents on every dollar 's worth of purchases. This is no surprisTennessee has ranked for some time as having the highest rate of this regressive tax. This dismal rankihowever, is absolutely shameful. Operating without a state income tax on the more affluent to achieve tax equTennessee has become the worst state for tax inequity. Our high sales taxes (7 percent for the state and up2.75 percent in local option sales taxes) forces citizens with middle-to-low incomes to pay a far higpercentage of their income in combined sales taxes than upper-income and wealthy Tennesseans pay. Indeethe less they earn, the higher their effective rate of tax payment; and vice versa. This punishing inequity spea

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volumes about our lawmakers' disdain for fairness and tax equity for ordinary Tennesseans. The m edian inco(half are higher, and half or lower) for Tennessee households is just $41,725, according to 2010 Censinformation. Other Census figures show that the average household income for a family of four is arou$57,000, and that figure often represents two incomes.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/01/tennessees-punishing-tax/?opinionfreepress

Editorial: A new role for Alexander (Comm ercial Appeal)

Leaving the GOP leadership ranks, Lamar Alexander says, will help him return education to the statTennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander says he can be more effective outside Republican leadership circles. Targument defies conventional wisdom, but if it helps him start a bipartisan conversation in Congress abofederal education law, the move could benefit public school kids. The 2002 No Child Left Behind Act has loneeded adjustments to correct unreasonable mandates, but Congress has been slow to act. With 82 percentU.S. schools destined to be labeled as failures under NCLB provisions, Education Secretary Arne Duncan wforced to carry out administratively what Congress has failed to do -- by issuing waivers to states that agreeadopt the administration's education improvement agenda. Characterizing that agenda as the establishment o"national school board," Alexander, a former U.S. secretary of education, told the editorial board of TCommercial Appeal this week that a rewrite of NCLB by him and other members of the Senate HeaEducation, Labor and Pensions Committee is a better way to approach school improvement. Alexander doesdeny that it is the fault of Congress that the NCLB law has not been "fixed," but that's precisely what he wantsdo.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/01/editorials-a-new-role-for-al exander/ 

Times Editorial: Project Access' notable service (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)For all the troubles with the nation's health care system in terms of affordability and the rising numberuninsured, there have always been physicians and other health-care givers who are willing to provide free cto those who are in need but unable to pay. The Project Access Community Health Partnership reflects suphysicians' compassion. Indeed, it has raised the level of their service in Hamilton County to a highly coordinatart and mission. Project Access was established under the auspices of the Medical Foundation of Chattanooand the leadership of Dr. Joe Cofer in 2004. Since then, its network of participating physicians, hospitaancillary service providers and other partners -- and thus its scope and delivery of services -- has grodramatically. In a report issued Thursday, Project Access leaders outlined the progress the volunteer allianhas achieved since its inception. Its participants now include 620 volunteer physicians and 11 health centers

including the county's three largest hospitals, two rehabilitation centers, the county health department and fpublic clinics -- plus a range of other partners. Together, the participants have now donated more than $million in free physician and hospital care to 5,284 residents of the county, with 1,079 individuals given care2010. The average number of people who receive care has risen to 350 a m onth.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/01/project-access-notable-service/?opi niontimes

Editorial: The Supreme Court and Health Care Reform (New York Times)If the Supreme Court decides to take up the constitutionality of health care reform in its current term, whbegins on Monday, a ruling could come by the end of June, well before the November elections. Pundits aalready speculating over which party would gain the m ost traction from a decision that goes one way or anothThe court m ust not let po litics influence its decision. We are certain that reform is in the country’s interest. It wprovide affordable coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and begin to reshape our dysfunctio

health care system. And we believe that the mandate and all other provisions in the multifaceted reform law constitutional and should be upheld. Three appellate courts have split sharply on whether a requirement tmost individuals obtain health insurance in 2014 or pay a penalty lies within the powers of Congress to regulinterstate commerce. One court found the mandate constitutional, another ruled it unconstitutional and a th judged the case not ripe for a decision. Two of the decisions have already been appealed to the Supreme Coand the other may follow. If the justices take up the issue, it is not clear whether they would focus on one caconsolidate cases, or defer judgment until after the mandate takes effect and penalties are imposed.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/opinion/the-supreme-court-and-health-care-reform.html?ref=to dayspaper

Editorial: Improving No Child Left Behind (New York Times)The 2002 No Child Left Behind Act focused the country’s attention on school reform as never before, but the is far from perfect. The Obama administration is wise to address its flaws, since Congress is four years overd

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in updating the law. The Department of Education’s plan gives states that agree to several reforms — includstringent teacher evaluation systems and new programs for overhauling the worst schools — an exemption frmany of the law’s requirements. It would permit the states to change the way they evaluate most schools for purpose of compliance, allowing indicators other than just reading and math scores to be considered. Anwould lift the law’s provision that all students be proficient in math and reading by 2014, which was never goto happen anyway because there were so many loopholes. The administration, however, must not allow the nwaiver system to become a way for states to elude the purpose of the act, which is to raise student achievemacross the board. The waiver plan will cure several obvious shortcomings of the original law. It would allschools to be rated partly on achievement-growth measures — how much students improve on reading and m — instead of just on the percentage of students who reach “proficiency” on those tests. The current approahas led many schools to ignore both high-achieving and low-achieving children to focus on pushing up studewho fall just short of the proficiency mark.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/opinion/improving-no-child-left-behind.html?ref=tod ayspaper

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