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Daily Dose for June 12, 2007
Budget Round-up
Budget Round-up -- The General Assembly has passed a budget, which now goes to Governor Bredesen. The bill puts $250M into the state's "rainy day" revenue reserve fund and lowers the state's sales tax on groceries that would lower the tax from 6 percent to 5.5 percent. The bill also funds part of the BEP changes at $524M. However, the bill also includes $20M for community enhancement grants which will be doled out by the Secretary of State and $82M to purchase or preserve 124,000 acres of land on the northern Cumberland Plateau, despite John Wilder's attempts to remove this provision. The big debate now is whether nor not money put in the reserve fund counts as money towards breaking the Copeland Cap, a constitutional cap on state spending. Most say it should not, but the Legislature decided to count it this year anyway - bringing the total over the cap to $57M. More here, here, here and here.
Cooper's Political Future -- Bloviating abounds on whether or not State Sen. Jerry Cooper will be able to salvage his political career, even after being found not guilty in a federal land fraud case. The Chattanooga Times Free Press points out that other politicans have overcome charges of wrong-doing, but Vandy Poli Sci Professor Dr. John Geer says few politicans recover from the damage caused by allegations of illegal activity. Cooper's attorney points out Cooper wasn't the only politican hurt. Also "slandered" were former Lt. Gov. John Wilder and Bill Baxter, who was a former Cabinet member under Gov. Don Sundquist.
Another THP Lawsuit -- The Tennessee Highway Patrol is still filled with political favoritism and a decision-making process that rewards political connections, a longtime trooper alleges in a federal lawsuit filed yesterday. Sgt. Robert Eckerman, the officer behind the suit claims that he was demoted to janitorial and secretarial duties because he is a Republican. According to the lawsuit, Safety Commissioner Gerald Nicely, whom Gov. Bredesen had assigned to de-politicize the Highway Patrol in late 2005, told Eckerman "in a meeting that his 'problem' was the direct result of being (an) 'R' in a 'D' administration."
Gill Summarizes the Fred Factor -- Radio host Steve Gill was in Chattanooga yesterday promoting his new book 'The Fred Factor' about - you guessed it - Fred Thompson. Among some of Gill's more interesting observations is that Fred Thompson is the only GOP candidate with a celebrity factor, something he says is required to win elections these days. Gill also speculated on who Hillary Clinton might pick as her running mate if she wins the Democratic nomination. Gill's conclusion - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who Gill says will help shore up the Hispanic vote for Democrats.
Toll Roads and Cig Taxes -- Looks like Tennessee now has the green light for two toll road pilot program and one of them will probably connect Hendersonville to Briley Parkway by crossing the Cumberland River three times. Drivers would start out paying $1.50 each way, though the toll would increase with the cost of living. State Sen. Diane Black who is from Hendersonville seems enthusiastic about the idea. More reaction in the Tennessean. Also in the increased taxes department, some smokers in Knoxville say they may try to quit now that cigarette taxes have gone up to 62c a pack. Tennessee now has the 35th highest tobacco tax in the nation, beating out all its surrounding states. The News-Sentinel has the graphic.
