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Daily Dose for December 04, 2006
Daily Dose
Cooley Resigns -- The big news over the weekend was that Deputy Governor Dave Cooley, largely considered the Karl Rove of Governor Phil Bredesen's administration, has resigned. Cooley will be replaced by someone who according to the Governor will be in charge of political operations for the administration.
Smoking Bans Have Better Shot -- Bans on smoking in all government buildings have a better shot in the coming legislative session, according to advocacy groups pushing the ban. The ban previously had been held up by the House Agriculture Committee and Chairman Eugene Davidson. Davidson retired this past year and thus will have to be replaced as Chairman. Sen-elect Paul Stanley plans to introduce the same smoking bill he proposed last session as a Representative.
Sales Tax Deductions Could Lapse -- Tennesseans could all have higher federal income taxes this year if the bill that allows Tennesseans and residents of other states with sales taxes to deduct that amount from the federal income tax lapses. The Knoxville News-Sentinel and the Memphis Commercial Appeal both have stories on the issue. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, one of the architects of the bill, said she is confident the issue will move through the Senate this week because the deduction affects the home states of both Majority Leader Bill Frist and Minority leader Harry Reid.
Meet the New Dem Leader -- The Memphis paper has a bio piece on incoming House Majority Leader Gary Odom. Odom is a Nashville Representative who has had previous policy disagreements with House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and Governor Bredesen, both standard-bearers for his party in the coming session. Odom has said in the article that he will defer his own legislative agenda to the desires of the Dem Caucus.
Metro Councilman to Run Briley's Campaign -- Metro Councilman Mike Jameson will take a leave of absence from his law firm, North Pursell Ramos & Jameson, to be chairman of fellow Councilman David Briley's bid to be Mayor of Nashville. Krissa Barclay, a Nashville political consultant, will be the campaign coordinator. National political consultant Fred Yang will advise the race and several other Democratic luminaries will be involved.
TBI Clears Sumner Co. Commissioners -- Sumner County commissioners who negotiate with medical boards they also serve on are not guilty of violating state ethics laws, a probe by the TBI has concluded. Steve Botts and Paul D. Freels, both hospital board members, were cleared of a conflict of interest after the Sumner Co. Mayor filed for a TBI investigation into the situation.
