Daily Dose for April 30, 2008

Chief Justice Set to Retire

Chief Justice Set to Retire -- State Supreme Court Chief Justice William Barker announced his retirement this September to Gov. Bredesen. The Chattanooga native has been on the state's highest court for 10 years, following stints on the Court of Criminal Appeals and as a circuit judge in Chattanooga. In his retirement letter to Bredesen, Barker communicated that the state of the judiciary was excellent. The retirement opens up what is sure to be an increasingly partisan fight over Barker's replacement - with the GOP-controlled State Senate hoping to gain more oversight through its approval function in the selection of Court Justices.

Bill Revoking Health Benefits for Some Lawmakers Killed -- A House panel has killed a bill that would have stripped former lawmakers convicted of a felony involving their office of health benefits. The Senate had unanimously passed the bill. The bill was timely with the arrival of former State Sen. John Ford, who was convicted on federal felon charges in TN Waltz, although the bill would have not been retroactive. Rep. Charles Curtiss reacting to the demise of the bill led by Rep. Larry Miller: "They just look at health care benefits as a right that we’ve earned serving in this Legislature ... But I think you forego all rights when you’ve been convicted of a felony. We should be held to a higher standard, but there’s obviously some people down here who don’t think we should be held to a higher standard.”

Lt. Gov To Participate in Gas Price Protest -- Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey says he will be on hand for a gas price protest organized in Bristol by Earl Humphreys, a small business owner who says his lawn care business is suffering from the high gas prices. Representatives of more than a dozen other lawn care companies have agreed to join with Humphreys on May 5 along with 20 trucking companies that plan to park their vehicles in protest. Humphreys: "We want this to be a protest where people cannot only explain their frustrations, but also be able to provide some solutions to problems that I think are getting ready to turn into something that most Americans don’t want." Humphreys blames the US government for the oil price crunch saying the US oil reserves should be opened. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey says he has cleared his schedule to attend the protest.

Elder Beer Bill Went Through -- Tennessee’s first-in-the-nation law requiring universal carding for beer purchases, which took effect last July, now states that clerks must ask every customer for photo identification when the person tries to buy beer at a supermarket or convenience store - but that will change with a bill sent to Gov. Bredesen yesterday. Facing pressure for senior drinkers who resent being carded, under the new standard, penalties for clerks who don’t card a customer who “reasonably appears to be over the age of 50 and who failed to present an acceptable form of identification" are removed.

Knox Petition Ready -- Knox Petition is ready to go after the Knox Co. Commission rejected adding its seven suggested amendments to improve the Knox Co. Charter to the upcoming ballot. The proposed changes included a nepotism policy, conflict-of-interest rules, establishment of an inspector general, reducing the Knox County Commission from 19 to 11 members and allowing the mayor to appoint some countywide officers with approval from County Commission. The group will have to gather approximately 40,000 signatures to get the issues on the ballot. To accompolish that feat, the petition drive will develop TV spots, direct mail and other media in addition to having grassroots volunteers at frequented locations collecting signatures. The group has hired political consultant Gary Drinnen to coordinate the effort.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |