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Daily Dose for February 18, 2008
Campfield Gets Primary Challenge
Campfield Gets Primary Challenge -- State Rep. Stacey Campfield will receive a primary challenge from UT Associate General Counsel Ron Leadbetter. Campfield says he will seek reelection but has not picked up his petition yet. The deadline in April 3. Two Democrats have also filed to run against Campfield's Knoxville colleague State Rep. Bill Dunn. Barbara Nicodemus and Charlotte Meyer have picked up petitions to run against Dunn. In Roane Co, Former Roane Co. Mayor Ken Yager has kicked off his campaign to replace Sen. Tommy Kilby, who is retiring. Democrat Morgan County Mayor Becky Ruppe has also filed for the seat, which could be a GOP-pick-up. Meanwhile, the Tennessean profiles the rest of the races in the State Senate, where Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey expects only two GOP members to face serious challenges - State Sen. Diane Black and Jim Tracy.
Switchgrass Initiative Moves Forward -- The first round of acceptance letters went out Friday to farmers who applied for incentives to grow switchgrass for the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative. The TBI is a five-year commitment of $70M by the state for bioenergy research and a demonstration program that includes construction of a pilot biofuels refinery that will be built in Vonore. Legislators approved $40.7 million this fiscal year for construction of the biorefinery, which is expected to take about 18 months to build. UT aims for 2010 as the date when the refinery will begin producing its brand of cellulosic ethanol. UT hopes to also build a business model that other switchgrass refineries can use to make TN a leader in biofuel production and refinement.
Water Management in Legislative Agenda -- State Rep. Mike McDonald has sponsored legislation that would require cities, counties and water utility districts would be required to plan for future water needs and develop ways to assist unserved areas. McDonald says the legislation is aimed at coming up with ways to plan for the well-publicized water shortage in the South. Gov. Phil Bredesen, whose budget provides $2 million for water management planning, possibly is preparing his own water-planning legislation. Water management is a big issue this year and could result in a border fight between Georgia and Tennessee.
Knox Co. Commission Closer to Appointments -- The Knox Co. Commission is closer to appointing temporary officeholders for 12 seats currently vacant because of the controversal appointment process that oustered their earlier appointments. The appointees, which are expected on Wednesday, will serve until September, when the winners of the August general election take office. Commissioners admit that whether or not the candidate won their primary will play into the decision making process, but it is not likely to be the only factor.
Memphis Presidential Visits Retrospective -- The Commercial Appeal has a remarkable list of Presidential visits to TN's largest city - a total which includes visits from 29 Presidents spanning from Andrew Jackson to George W. Bush, plus visits from one of the next likely Presidents - Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain all have campaign stops planned.
