Daily Dose for April 14, 2008

CP Plays Up Frist for Governor

CP Plays Up Frist for Governor -- Former Sen. Bill Frist is clearly making moves to run for Governor in 2010 - something we've noted for sometime and the City Paper notes today. Frist has attended five fundraisers for either GOP incumbents or challengers for legislative seats within the past few months. Last weekend, Frist was grand marshal at the Mule Day Parade in Columbia, a key event for Tennessee politicians. Frist spokesman Matt Lehigh: “He’s confirmed that he’s considering the possibility of running for governor, but that he won’t arrive until a decision until early next year.” Frist entrance could clear the field of other GOP challengers interested in the race, including Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, Congressmen Marsha Blackburn and Zach Wamp and State Rep. Beth Harwell.

Tax Exemptions Growing -- The state could lose around $2.7B in tax revenue if lawmakers get their way with proposed tax exemptions to state sales and use taxes. Fuel exemptions alone will cost the state about $1.1B next year, according to the state Revenue Department. The other $1.6B includes lost revenue from exemptions for gym fees, taxidermy, utility poles and admission fees to beauty pageants and rodeos. In 1979, about 65 percent of Tennessee's economy was taxable. Today it's about 48 percent, said University of Tennessee economics professor Bill Fox, who advises the state on financial matters.

Keeping Officers Elected in Shelby Fails -- A move by a citizens group's move to keep keep Shelby County's five constitutional officers as elected officials, with the same duties they have today, failed to get enough signatures to get on the ballot. The Shelby Co. Commission is proposing a similar amendment for the ballot that would keep the constitutional offices elected, but would limit the number of terms they could serve and take away the ability those five officers now have to appeal their budget requests to the courts if they're dissatisfied with the amount of money commissioners decide to give them.

'Nooga Closes Passage -- Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield says the signature part of Chattanooga's 21st Century Riverfront development, a Native American-themed attraction where water spills down stairs into a basin, was never meant to be played in. He said The Passage, is it is termed, was meant to be a "reverent and reflective place." The Passage faces structural and electrical problems and is currently closed to the public - and could stay that way if Littlefield's comments are any indication.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |