Daily Dose for February 22, 2006

Daily Dose

Sorry, for the technical difficulties with today's dose. The full dose is now available...

Newton Will Serve One Year in Prison -- Former Rep. Chris Newton, who pleaded guilty to the charges against him in Operation Tennessee Waltz, will have to spend one year in a federal prison and pay a fine of $10,000 for his role in accepting bribes in the FBI's public corruption sting. Newton released a statement saying, "I must begin the process of rebuilding relationships that I have damaged or lost. I have let down my family, my close friends, as well as my former constituents and colleagues. But, most importantly, I have disappointed myself. My involvement in this investigation has truly forced me to start over, and from here forward, I am going to focus upon what is really important in life."

Governor Jenkins? -- I can't believe I missed this story yesterday, but here it is -- some in the State Legislature have drafted a letter encouraging retiring Congressman Bill Jenkins to run for Governor. Rep. Frank Niceley drafted the bill to which Senate Republican Leader Ron Ramsey signed on. Jenkins is not expected to accept the invitation to enter the Governor's race, although a staffer said nothing was impossible.

TSEA Not Happy with Pay Raises -- Members of the Tennessee State Employees Association say they are not happy with just a 1% pay increase as proposed by Governor Bredesen's budget this year. The group hopes the Legislature goes above and beyond that number when it approves a budget for the coming fiscal year. The TSEA has been in the middle of some controversy after longtime lobbyists Linda McCarty was fired last October. McCarty has since filed a lawsuit alledging sexual discrimination and breach of contract.

Tobacco Vote Delayed -- Rep. Paul Stanley who sponsored a bill to prohibit smoking in public restaurants has moved the item down the calendar to work in an exemption for bars. Two bills are before the Legislature that would affect smoking in Nashville's public restaurants, as reported yesterday.

Chattanooga Neighborhood Files Lawsuit Against Anti-Bush Sign --The Hamilton Mill Homeowners Association has filed a $30,000 lawsuit against a resident who put a sign in his front lawn criticizing President Bush. According to the lawsuit filed in Hamilton County Chancery Court, the sign has created a "private nuisance" in the subdivision that has discouraged prospective home buyers and violates the association's rules on signs. According to the owner Paul and Linda Gearinger, however, the sign is just an expression of free speech and the association is blaming them instead of the vandal who trashed their yard for warding off potential homebuyers. The ACLU has been successful in a number of cases in other states removing home owner association restrictions on political signage under the banner of free speech.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |