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Daily Dose for April 29, 2008
House Passes AT&T Bill
House Passes AT&T Bill -- The House passed a bill that would grant interested cable companies the right to request a state-wide cable franchise instead of negotiating with local governments. The bill was requested by telecommunications giant AT&T, who hopes to get in the cable delivery business in TN without having to negotiate with local governments for markets across the state. The legislation requires AT&T to provide television programming to 30 percent of its telephone footprint within three-and-a-half years of it inking a state-issued franchise, or roughly 600,000 households. Of those 30 percent, 25 percent must be low-income. If AT&T or another telecommunications company with a state-issued franchise is found guilty of “cherry picking” customers, the violator can be fined up to $5,000 for each household. More here.
McMillan Now Opposes Income Tax -- Former State Rep. Kim McMillan says she voted for a state income tax previously because her constituents wanted one in the hope it would reduce the state sales tax on food. McMillan is the first candidate to run for statewide office after arguing for a state income tax, which generated huge protests in 2002 - so her candidacy for Governor in 2010 will be the first test to see if animus still remains over a state income tax. McMillan says now we don't need a state income tax, because Gov. Bredesen has proven that the state's finances can be adequately managed without one.
John Ford in Jail -- Former State Sen. John Ford reported Monday to a federal prison camp in Louisiana to begin a 5 1/2-year sentence for taking $55,000 in bribes during the FBI's statewide corruption sting called Tennessee Waltz. The 65-year-old Ford will be among 135 other prisoners at the minimum-security facility. More here and here.
Pre-K Funding Likely Cut -- With the state facing an enormous budget crunch, increased Pre-K funding is likely out the window. Gov. Bredesen still wants the increased funding, but admits the plan will be unlikely to pass this year. Opponents of increased Pre-K funding call it 'publicly paid baby-sitting.' Proponents of the program, however argue that it levels the playing field for poverty striken children who are not likely to learn the vital skills necessary to begin public school in a home or daycare setting.
Knox Co. Commission Votes Down Charter Amendments -- The Knox Co. Commission has voted down all the proposed charter amendments a citizens group had come up with to make the government more responsive to the people and strengthen ethics legislation. Commissioners voted down even of the amendments to the Knox County Charter that included a nepotism policy, conflict of interest policy, redistricting County Commission and establishing an office of inspector general. Now, in order to get the amendments on the ballot the citizen petition drive will have to gather voter signatures. Commissioners did vote for only one amendment - to make it easier for a petition drive to change the charter, but that provision won't help the current petition drive, because it would have to be approved by voters in either August or November - after the required signatures for the other amendments need to be submitted.
