Daily Dose for May 09, 2008

First HOPE Students Get Diplomas

First HOPE Students Get Diplomas -- The first students to see the benefits of the state's HOPE scholarship received their diplomas this week. Since 2003, applications to UT have risen 45 percent. This year, the university got about 14,000 applications for the 4,200 places in the freshmen class for the fall. The lottery scholarship has also increased student retention. According to THEC, 65 percent of fall 2004 first-time freshmen who received the scholarship stayed for four years, compared to 52 percent of all students.

Hamilton Co. Commission Still Undecided on Tax Freeze -- Hamilton Co. Commissioners are still undecided about whether or not to implement the optional property tax freeze for seniors, allowed by the state in 2006. Calling the tax freeze "income redistribution," Commissioner Richard Casavant opposed the plan, while Commissioner Fred Skillern said such a program might lead some families to have younger members transfer their homes to seniors. While some opposition stems from ideological grounds, the majority of the objection seems to be to installing a new computer system to calculate the tax freeze and the ramifications it will have on future budget processes. More here.

Knox Co. Commission Pushes for Subpoena Power -- The Knox Co. Commission is again pushing to more tightly define its subpoena power in the interest of subpoening several former members of County Mayor Mike Ragsdale's administration to ask them about P-card purchases. The rules will govern allowing the commission to put witnesses under oath, requiring the production of documents and initiating contempt-of-court proceedings if a witness refuses to show. County Law Director John Owings has said the power is included in the county charter but that there was no process explaining how to use it.

Push Polling the Bible Park -- In an effort to gain supporters in an onslought of negative publicity it looks like someone closely linked to the controversal Bible-themed theme park being considered in Murfreesboro, is push polling. Murfreesboro residents are first asked if they support or oppose the park. If they indicate they support the park, they are encouraged to speak out to the County Commission in favor of it, while those oppose would receive no additional message.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |