Daily Dose for June 30, 2008

TN Dems Lead Cash on Hand

TN Dems Lead Cash on Hand -- According to an analysis by Clint Brewer, the state Democrats lead cash on hand for this election cycle, although state Republicans have outpaced them in fundraising. GOP fundraising, according to Brewer, is at $3.3M since the beginning of 2007, compared to $2.4M for the Democrats. However, Democrats appear to actually have spent less and are entering the summer campaign season with significantly more cash on hand than the GOP. The combined Democrat accounts have about $1.1M while the GOP is sitting on only $539,000. The other wildcard in the money race is the campaign account of Gov. Bredesen, which could be used to benefit state Democrats. Bredesen still has a $1.6M war chest.

Laws Taking Effect -- Several key laws passed during the last General Assembly session officially take effect July 1. Those include a measure to offer Tennessee's elderly more home-based care options and another that seeks to create statewide TV cable franchising. Other bills taking effect - legalization of mixed martial arts in TN, new charges for reckless drivers who avoid flood warnings, restrictions on credit card soliciations on college campuses and authorization for the state Department of Education to develop a curriculum for an academic study of the Bible.

Colleges Required to Report Underage Drinking -- Gov. Bredesen has signed a law that would require public universities to notify parents if a student under the age of 21 is found with drugs or alcohol. The law is the first of its kind in the country and takes advantage of a 1998 amendment to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. FERPA prohibits the university from releasing student information, but there is an exception for involvement with drugs and alcohol. State Universities originally had concerns about the legislation, but did not actively oppose it, even though it takes away the university's discretion not to notify parents in some situations.

Campfield / Niceley Among Most Ineffective -- Two state lawmakers from Knox Co., Stacey Campfield and Frank Niceley, were among the most ineffective lawmakers in getting their bills passed, according to an analysis by the Knoxville News-Sentinel. Two other lawmakers passed no bills - State Rep. Parkey Strader, who was absent much of the session with health problems and State Sen. Beverly Marrero, who passed no bills as a House member, but did pass some when moving to the Senate. Campfield blames his lack of legislative success on the partisan environment in the State House and questions whether an effective lawmaker should be measured by the bills he passes. Meanwhile, another Knox Co. lawmaker State Sen. Tim Burchett was among the most effective at getting his laws passed.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |