Daily Dose for December 15, 2006

Daily Dose

Appropriations Helps Alexander Decide to Run Again -- Lamar Alexander, down-trodden after his defeat for the Senate's number two position on the Republican side, said a conversation with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave him a renewed reason to run for reelection in 2008. After McConnell asked what he could do to convince Lamar to give it another go, McConnell appointed him to the powerful Appropriations Committee. Alexander: "[The appointment] gives me a real reason to want to serve another term in the Senate ... I’m not ready to announce that, but it gives me plenty of reason to do it.”

Judge: Judicial Panel Erred in Selected Same Nominee Twice -- A Davidson County chancellor Thursday ruled in favor of Gov. Phil Bredesen and against the Judicial Selection Committee's selection of one renominated nominee for the state Supreme Court's final spot. The court's ruling says state law is clear — the second panel must have three candidates, each of them different from the first panel. Touching the charge that the nominees were rejected because of race, the judge ruled: "Tennessee plan does not invest the commission as the sole medium for addressing diversity concerns in the selection of appellate judges." Meaning the Governor can reject white nominees in the interest of racial diversity on the state's high court. More here.

Pruitt Fine Dismissed -- State Rep. Mary Pruitt won’t have to pay a $10,000 fine after an election board dismissed the levy this week, citing a lack of evidence that she had inappropriately used campaign funds. The fine was leved after a NewsChannel5 report that Pruitt reimbursed herself for the use of a campaign office that had no electricity and boarded windows. The Registry dismissed the fine after being presented with evidence and sworn affidavits that convinced them the East Nashville home was in fact being used as a campaign office. The Registry also dismissed another fine against State Sen. Bill Ketron.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |