Daily Dose for March 31, 2008

Bredesen Pushes Superdelegate Idea at Dem Govs Convention

Bredesen Pushes Superdelegate Idea at Dem Govs Convention -- Gov. Phil Bredesen isn't giving up on laying the political pressure on the DNC to back his idea of a superdelegate primary well before the party's convention in August. Bredesen believes that the Dems need to have a clear nominee well before November to have a fighting chance against John McCain in the November election. Bredesen pushed his idea again at the Democratic Governors Association Meeting in Montana this weekend.

Still 900 Disclosures Short -- The state has yet to receive about 900 financial disclosure reports from local elected officials, and the executive director of the Tennessee Ethics Commission says the delinquent officials could face penalties. Elected officials, candidates for public office and some political appointees must publicly disclose their source of income, outstanding loans and investments. The reports are intended to expose any conflicts of interest the officials might have.

Faulk's Announcement -- Blogger David Oatney has the announcement address of Mike Faulk before the Hawkins Co. Lincoln Day Dinner. Paying homage to his heritage and "Mountain 'Publican" persona, Faulk announces his intentions to run formally for the State Senate. Faulk: "From the hay fields of the Caney Hawkins farm where I grew up, to the Dykes clan tobacco barn, from bagging groceries at Harper & Ladd Super Market to playing on the Church Hill High School basketball team, from college to graduate school to law school, and here in courtroom battles in Hawkins County and all over East Tennessee, I’ve tried to apply dad’s advise: 'There will always be somebody smarter, just make darn sure they don’t’ out work you.'"

Knoxville in Good Budget Shape -- Even with a declining US economy, the city of Knoxville is in decent budget shape, according to Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. And to that end, the city is reaping rewards for a commitment to savings that has more than doubled the city's fund balance since Haslam took office in 2004 - from $18 million to an expected $42.2 million at the end of the current fiscal year. Last week, bond rating agency Standard & Poor's upgraded the city's credit rating from AA to AA+ - the highest in the city's history. Employee pay raises could still put a hamper on the budget, however - but the news should increase speculation of Haslam as a viable statewide GOP candidate.

The Underbelly of the Herenton Resignation -- Blake Fontenay speculates on what Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton's supposed resignation could mean for the Mayor's own interests. Fontenay speculates Herenton may be resigning from the Mayor's office in order to move the school system under the control of the City Mayor - as move that Herenton has long advocated but so far been unable to achieve. Herenton's resignation, contingent upon him being selected as Schools Superintendent would leave the Mayor's office filled by one of Herenton's political wingmen - Keith McGee. With both the Mayor's office and the Schools Superintendent now open to the idea of consolidated power, obstacles would be removed for it happening.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |