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Daily Dose for May 02, 2008
Two Cities Look at Higher Payrolls
Two Cities Look at Higher Payrolls -- Despite looming budget concerns across the state, at least two cities are looking at increasing their payroll. Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam has proposed spending an extra $3.8 million in "human infrastructure" over the next three years to boost city workers' lagging salaries. Haslam says the raises take the conservative approach and avoid raising property taxes. In Memphis, City Council officials are quizzing Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton's administration on how the number of employees increased from 5,162 in 2006 to a request for 6,573 employees for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Unlike Haslam, Herenton has proposed a property tax increase to offset declining revenue.
AT&T Targets Nashville With New Statewide Franchise -- With a new statewide franchise likely in hand, State Sen. Bill Ketron says AT&T will target Nashville and the collar counties for introducing its TV programming package. Yesterday, the State Senate passed the House bill, which is expected to be signed by Gov. Bredesen, which allows AT&T and other companies to establish a statewide cable franchise if they adhere to certain regulations prohibiting red-lining. More on the bill here.
Naifeh: Dems Not Hurt By Killing Benefits for Criminals -- House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh says the Democratic Party's image wasn't hurt by a Dem-led effort to kill a bill that would have stripped health benefits from state lawmakers convicted of felonies. Earlier this week, the House Calendar and Rules Committee effectively killed legislation that would revoke state health insurance benefits for lawmakers convicted of felonies involving their office. Naifeh said he didn't know the bill was killed on the day that former State Sen. John Ford was shipped off to federal prision for his role in FBI sting TN Waltz. Naifeh: "I quit reading the paper and watching TV."
Burchett In and Out of Hospital -- State Sen. Tim Burchett was discharged from Baptist Hospital yesterday after undergoing treatment for pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart. Burchett says the doctors recommended he rest after the treatment, although Burchett said he would return to the Legislative Session next week. More here.
