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Daily Dose for May 14, 2008
Kingsport Band Member Gets Jenna Bush Wedding Gig
Kingsport Band Member Gets Jenna Bush Wedding Gig -- The Kingsport Times News profiles bassist Victor Simon, a member of the Tyrone Smith Revue - the band that played at Jenna Bush's wedding reception. The band played R&B and classic funk for more than 3 hours at the wedding reception, which Simon described as "absolutely gorgeous." The band had previous dealings with the Bushes after Jenna noticed the band at a fraternity party. In 2003, they provided the soundtrack to a private Christmas party at the White House. In 2005 they entertained at Bush's inauguration ball. Simon also got noticed from the father of the bride. Simon: "When the president first looked over he gave me a little wave, then he gave me a salute ... Regardless of the politics or anything -- and at something like this it didn't matter -- George W. Bush treated us first class, and he always does."
Michelle Obama in Nashville Thur -- Michelle Obama, wife of Dem. Presidential front-runner Barack Obama, will be in Nashville tomorrow for a fundraiser benefitting her husband. The event will be at the West Nashville home of Cyndee and Jerry Martin. It is a tiered fundraiser as a “host” of the event must contribute or raise $2,500 for the host reception. The suggested contribution is $1,000 for general attendees.
Judicial Selection on the Ropes -- State Sen. John Wilder's plan for retention elections on state judges is on the ropes in the State Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee killed a bill that would have extended the so-called TN Plan for selecting judges. If the bill doesn’t pass this year, the judicial commission will go into a one-year wind down starting July 1 before expiring next year. If the Judicial Selection Commission expires next year (the Legislature could extend it in 2009), the state could return to contested judicial elections in 2010. Some GOP senators argue that contested judicial elections are constitutional while the current retention elections aren’t. Meanwhile, the House under the leadership of Jimmy Naifeh, has passed an extension of the plan.
Niceley Attaches Elected Superintendent Provision -- State Rep. Frank Nicely attached a provision to a routine bill that would allow for the direct election of the school board superintendent in Knox and Jefferson Counties, the two counties Nicely represents. Under his proposal, a county commission would have to approve a resolution calling for the election of superintendents by a two-thirds majority. A referendum would then be put on the ballot for voters. Fellow Knox Co. Rep. Joe Armstrong moved to quash the amendment, but that moved failed - then State Rep. Gary Odom who was the sponsor of the overall bill put off debate on the measure until today.
John Ford Legacy Still Lingers -- Three years after he left the General Assembly and landed in prison, former state senator John Ford and his legendary political influence continue to serve up new criminal cases. The latest came Tuesday when a federal grand jury charged a Shelby County psychologist with two counts of lying to the FBI for allegedly trying to pay Ford for his influence. Dr. Roger D. Morgan is accused in the indictment of offering Ford money for a legal defense fund at the time "when (Morgan) was lobbying to get legislative support for a prescription drug bill to benefit psychologists.'' Morgan likely approached Ford in 2005 to offer money for his legal defense in return for Ford's support of the prescription drug bill.
College Students Have it Rough -- With cuts in state government funding, likely tuition hikes, and a credit crunch that is making students loans harder to obtain, students have it rough this year. Since August 2007 the student-loan industry has laid off more than 3,512 workers, and 66 education lenders either have left or suspended participation in all or part of the Federal Family Education Loan Program. Jeff Gerkin, financial aid director at UT in Knoxville, however, says students should not worry about obtaining loans. UT plans to continue with the Federal Family Education Loan Program because there is less liability and overhead than with Direct Loan.
