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Daily Dose for February 08, 2008
Georgia Boundary 'War' Heats Up
Georgia Boundary 'War' Heats Up -- Tennessee would lose parts of East Ridge, Chattanooga and other areas if Georgia lawmakers, angling for Tennessee River access, are successful in moving a border set in 1826. The State of Georgia has filed legislation in their state assembly to official move its border with Tennessee approximately a mile to the north - to line up with the 35th degree of latitude (the border as set by Congress in 1796 when TN was declared a state - but later shifted in 1826). The motivation for GA officials is to have access to Nickajack Dam - allowing Georgia to set up water pumps to solve Atlanta's water access problems. But it would also mean communities like East Ridge, East Brainerd, all of St. Elmo, a big part of Lookout Mountain and East Lake would be in Georgia instead of TN. TN would also lose some territory to North Carolina in the East. Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, who is the Senate speaker, and House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh all stated their opposition to revising the border. The border dispute could go to the US Supreme Court - which has original jurisdiction in disputes among states. More here, here and here.
Bredesen Asks Bush for Fed Assistance -- President Bush will tour the tornado disaster in TN today along with Gov. Phil Bredesen. Bredesen will ask for federal assistance in the disaster clean-up covering 21 counties. Those counties include: Benton, Fayette, Fentress, Gibson, Hardin, Haywood, Henry, Hickman, Houston, Lewis, Macon, Madison, McNairy, Montgomery, Perry, Shelby, Sumner, Tipton, Trousdale, Wayne and Williamson. More here.
Kurita's Bill Creates 3-Way Ticket -- State Sen. Rosalind Kurita has a proposed a constitutional amendment which would allow for the direct election of the State's Governor, Lt. Gov. and Secretary of State on one ticket. Intially, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey opposed to changed approach, hoping to go for electing all three spots individually, but Kurita conviced him the ticket approach would give less rich people the opportunity to serve. Democrats, other than Kurita, generally oppose the plan for any other elected official, but some have been open to electing the Lt. Gov. after Ron Ramsey, a Republican, changed TN history and won the spot. Ramsey says he opposes only the Lt. Gov. being elected, but has always supported making both the Lt. Gov. and Sec. of State elected positions.
Knox Co. Sees the Light at the End of the Tunnel -- Those "Aegean Stables" as I called them are finally started to be cleaned in Knox Co. Following this week's elections, the Knox Co. Commission is prepared to make temporary appointments to several county slots after getting public input. 14 have applied for spots, including some winners of the primary elections. Commissioner Mike Hammond has also asked for an investigation that some county employees may have violated the county's policies by campaigning on county time. A citizens council charged with now reviewing grant applications - has now been briefed on the State's Open Meetings laws.
Memphis Votes on Term Limits -- Memphis City officials have adopted a measure that would allow voters to vote on term limits. The provision would limit the mayor and all 13 council members to two four-year terms, like officials in Shelby Co. government. Critics charge the provision was adopted solely as a way to ouster Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton, but others countered that the public had asked for the measure in every public meeting of the Charter Commission for two years. The matter, along with other charter revisions, could be placed before voters in August or December.
