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.

Churches Get Exemption to No Smoking Posting Law -- Rep. Mike Bell has passed a bill that would create an exemption for churches in a law requiring places prohibiting smoking to have posted no smoking signs. A law in effect since October 1, 2007, required all churches to post a No Smoking sign on their doors, a provision that the State Dept. of Health and Human Services didn't enforce. Now the non-enforcement is law, if Gov. Bredesen signs the bill. Churches argued that posting a No Smoking sign would ruin the aesthetic appeal of many church doors and would be undue government influence.

Toll Road Goes on Despite Commission Rejection -- TDOT says it still plans to proceed with an initiative to investigate installing a toll road along the so-called Orange Route in Knoxville, despite the Knox Co. Commission voting not to recommend toll roads in the county. TDOT had previously gone on record saying if they don't have local support, it won't go forward. However, Cole now says TDOT will hear out the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization, a group that previously opted to authorize the study of a toll road along the Orange Route.

Crack Tax Back? -- The State Supreme Court is considering on appeal the case that previously ruled the State's so-called "crack tax" unconstitutional. The tax called Unauthorized Substance Tax Act, requires tax stamps to be purchased on illegal drugs and fines to be collected on any seized drugs not bearing the stamps. The tax raised $4M in revenue before it was struck down on the grounds that the tax was levied before a person was convicted of a crime and it was punishing the same crime twice. Justices on Wednesday quizzed Dept of Revenue officials on the tax's true purpose. "It's to punish, isn't it?" Chief Justice William M. Barker asked. Response: "This is a tax designed to raise revenue."

GOP Lottery Plan Passes Senate Committees -- A GOP-backed bill that would allocate the lottery surplus money to an endowment passed the House Education and Finance Committees and now heads to the Senate floor. The endowment combined with annual lottery revenues would fund awards for need-based students, lower the GPA required to keep a HOPE scholarship from a 3.0 to 2.75 for one additional year and provide grants for groups such as non-traditional students. The most controversal part of the bill is a $100M reserve fund for either capital construction or for an initiative for energy efficient heating and cooling equipment at K-12 schools. Democrats in the State House oppose any plan that includes provisions for capital construction, saying it is an unwise investment, but Republicans argue that capital projects are included in the constitutional amendment authorizing the lottery and with budget shortages in local governments across the state, now is the time to act.

Ramsey Wants More Say in Judicial Selection -- Six State Senators abstained en masse Tuesday from a committee vote on a bill that allows about 60 state departments, boards and commissions to stay in existence past June 30. Included are the state's Safety, Revenue and Health departments. The routine bill authorizing the continued existance of several state agencies is being used as leverage for an overhaul of the state Judicial Selection Commission. The makeup of the Judicial Selection Commission itself is under scrutiny. Under the current system, various organizations present lists of commission candidates to the House and Senate speakers, who then choose the new commissioners from those lists. Under Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey's proposed changes to the system, the Speakers wouldn't have to approve someone on the submitted list, terms for commissioners would be shorter, and the commission would choose four possible candidates for the governor to select.

Nooga Considers Audit Procedure Revisions -- After reviewing the City's internal auditing procedures, Chattanooga found out that the position of City Auditor defined by the City Code has never been filled since the city's incorporation in 1990. A move is afoot in that town to change the auiting procedures to allow for an independent auditor to report to both the Mayor and City Council, ensuring that neither the Council nor the Mayor can fire an auditor independently.

Herenton Pushes for School Reform -- Since it is now clear that Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton won't be taking the job of Memphis Schools Superintendent, Herenton is using the Mayor's office as a bully pulpit for reform to Memphis City Schools. Herenton unveiled a broad plan Tuesday afternoon for Memphis City Schools, calling for decentralization, a sharp reduction in administrators and the closing of underused schools, a reintroduction of corporal punishment in grades K to 8, and the construction of technology-focused middle schools Downtown and at the Mid-South Fairgrounds. Herenton also called on council members to work with the Shelby County Commission on making changes to the way schools are funded, which he said has been a main reason the county's debt has soared. Changes in funding, Herenton said, will require unprecedented cooperation among the school board, council and commission, and the mayor is optimistic it could happen.

Budget Announcement As Early as Today -- The Tennessean reports that Gov. Bredesen may unveil his budget proposals as early as today - including how many state employees will face layoffs. He has asked to address a joint assembly of the legislature the week of May 12 to lay out details of the proposal, but the plan will probably be unveiled to the media sometime this week.

Tuke Hits Lamar on Flat Tax Flip-Flop -- Dem. Senate candidate Bob Tuke is playing like he's the Democratic nominee to face Sen. Lamar Alexander in a long-shot. Tuke released a video showing Alexander critical of a plan to implement a "flat tax" in 1996. Alexander called the plan by then Presidential candidate Steve Forbes "nutty." Alexander says he now supports a flat tax as a method of simplifying the tax code. [Corrected - thanks Nation]

Homeschool Diploma Bill Passes -- The House Education Committee passed a bill that would require the state to recognize high school diplomas from religious-affiliated schools and homeschools for those applying for state jobs requiring a high school diploma. The committee was see a showdown between homeschoolers and the State Department of Education, which opposed the bill and recommended changing it to require the state to approve religious-affiliated and homeschool curriculum. There have been several cases recently where those in state jobs requiring a high school diploma, such as policemen and daycare workers, were rejected because their degree came from a religious or homeschool.

Lottery Surplus Down Too -- In addition to projected declines in state revenues, the lottery surplus projections have also decreased since the beginning of the Legislative session. That's put a new spin on what Republicans and Democrats plan to do with the extra money. Democrats still hope to lower the state GPA retention requirement, which they say will allow more students to keep the lottery scholarship, but that's a plan Republican oppose on the grounds that it is unclear now if the surplus can cover that much in new expenditures. House Democrats, on the other hand, are united against a Republican-backed plan that would have distributed some of the lottery surplus to capital projects for local school boards. More here.

Voter Fatigue Sets in Early -- The Chattanooga Times Free Press examines an early-set-in case of voter fatigue for the residents of Hamilton Co. That county has a special election for Sheriff in August and federal and state elections in November, but voters are already fed up with hearing about politics. Despite the rising negative reaction to the candidates and the political process, more donations are flowing in to the major candidates and more voters showed up to the polls for the Presidential primary this time than any other in recent history.

Charter Changes in Memphis a Stalemate -- Commissioners are trying to update the charter to clarify the duties of the sheriff, trustee, property assessor, county clerk and register after the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled in January 2007 that Knox County's charter, which is similar to the Shelby charter, didn't specifically create those five offices. So commissioners were planning to put a proposed charter amendment on the Aug. 7 ballot that, if approved by the voters, would correct the problem, but that proposal has been at a political stalemate. The proposal failed by one vote when eight commissioners voted for it, one voted against, two abstained and two were absent on second reading. The rules now require that the lone Commissioner voting no must present a motion to reconsider for the vote to be retaken, unless a motion to suspend the rules is approved. The lone no-vote Commissioner Deidre Malone says she disapproves of the amendment, because it would keep all the positions elected.

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.

Alexander Furious Over Graves Hold-up -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has been holding up two nominations to the TVA board and TN's Senior Senator is not too happy about it. Lamar Alexander ripped into Reid in a letter saying the nomination of Bishop William H. Graves to the TVA Board, pending since last July, be taken up, along with the nomination of Susan Williams of Knoxville. Graves was the first African American to serve on the TVA board since 1933 and was renominated. Reid informed Alexander in a letter April 14 that he did not support proceeding with the nominations, citing the number of Republicans approved for the board, even though Graves is a registered Democrat. Alexander in his letter to Reid: "Your actions insult the Mid-South's largest city, Memphis. Until Bishop Graves' appointment in 2006, a Memphian had never served on the TVA board. Your actions are an affront to more than one and a half million African-Americans in the seven-state TVA region. Until the appointment of Bishop Graves -- the presiding bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church -- an African-American had never served on the TVA board."

Tim for County Mayor -- The Knoxville-based MetroPulse reports on an earlier rumor that State Sen. Tim Burchett may be gearing up for a run for Knox Co. Mayor in 2010 - a move that will open up a coveted State Senate seat in East TN. The candidate mentioned to replace Burchett? None other than blogging state Rep. Stacey Campfield. Establishment Republicans are hoping to recruit another sometimes wacky conservative to split the vote and ensure another candidate gets in. Their recruit? Knox Co. Commissioner Greg "Lumpy" Lambert, whose Commission room antics revial the worst blog postings.

Technical Corrections Allows Sommet to Pay off Debt -- A clause in the state's annual omnibus “technical corrections bill,” which affects tax policy and targets loopholes, will allow sales taxes collected for non-hockey events at the Sommet Center to go toward paying the debt on the facility. Currently, only sales taxes collected at Predators’ games goes toward the debt service under state law, but Bredesen added the provision to the bill at the behest of Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. The change in state law was part of the deal struck between Mayor Karl Dean and the Predators local ownership group.

Bill Revoking Health Benefits for Some Lawmakers Killed -- A House panel has killed a bill that would have stripped former lawmakers convicted of a felony involving their office of health benefits. The Senate had unanimously passed the bill. The bill was timely with the arrival of former State Sen. John Ford, who was convicted on federal felon charges in TN Waltz, although the bill would have not been retroactive. Rep. Charles Curtiss reacting to the demise of the bill led by Rep. Larry Miller: "They just look at health care benefits as a right that we’ve earned serving in this Legislature ... But I think you forego all rights when you’ve been convicted of a felony. We should be held to a higher standard, but there’s obviously some people down here who don’t think we should be held to a higher standard.”

Lt. Gov To Participate in Gas Price Protest -- Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey says he will be on hand for a gas price protest organized in Bristol by Earl Humphreys, a small business owner who says his lawn care business is suffering from the high gas prices. Representatives of more than a dozen other lawn care companies have agreed to join with Humphreys on May 5 along with 20 trucking companies that plan to park their vehicles in protest. Humphreys: "We want this to be a protest where people cannot only explain their frustrations, but also be able to provide some solutions to problems that I think are getting ready to turn into something that most Americans don’t want." Humphreys blames the US government for the oil price crunch saying the US oil reserves should be opened. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey says he has cleared his schedule to attend the protest.

Elder Beer Bill Went Through -- Tennessee’s first-in-the-nation law requiring universal carding for beer purchases, which took effect last July, now states that clerks must ask every customer for photo identification when the person tries to buy beer at a supermarket or convenience store - but that will change with a bill sent to Gov. Bredesen yesterday. Facing pressure for senior drinkers who resent being carded, under the new standard, penalties for clerks who don’t card a customer who “reasonably appears to be over the age of 50 and who failed to present an acceptable form of identification" are removed.

Knox Petition Ready -- Knox Petition is ready to go after the Knox Co. Commission rejected adding its seven suggested amendments to improve the Knox Co. Charter to the upcoming ballot. The proposed changes included a nepotism policy, conflict-of-interest rules, establishment of an inspector general, reducing the Knox County Commission from 19 to 11 members and allowing the mayor to appoint some countywide officers with approval from County Commission. The group will have to gather approximately 40,000 signatures to get the issues on the ballot. To accompolish that feat, the petition drive will develop TV spots, direct mail and other media in addition to having grassroots volunteers at frequented locations collecting signatures. The group has hired political consultant Gary Drinnen to coordinate the effort.

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.

Cities Fight Over First Toll Bridge -- Hamilton County, which is hoping for a bridge over Lake Chickamauga to connect the long-separated north areas of the county, has competition from Nashville and Memphis for the state's first toll-bridge. Memphis wants a new bridge across the Mississippi River. Nashville is pushing for a bridge that would add a north-south route between Davidson and Sumner counties over the Cumberland River at Hadley Bend. TDOT is issuing a request for proposals for consultants to study the various routes and to make a recommendation on which should be chosen.

Quick Hits -- Here's some news from around the state:

• Ancedotal evidence that Democrats in TN are not so committed to their primary favorite not to vote for the other guy (or girl).
• Tennessee Center for Policy Research continues to be labeled a partisan organization, because of its failure to criticize pork from Republicans.
• Partisanship on the rise at the State Capitol according to the Tennessean.

Medical Malpractice Bill Hits Bredesen's Desk -- A bill that would limit medical malpractice lawsuits is on Gov. Bredesen's desk. The bill tries to limit potentially frivolous lawsuits being filed by requiring plaintiff’s attorneys to have a medical expert sign a “certificate of good faith” that medical malpractice occurred. The compromise legislation does not, however, place caps on non-economic damages that a judge or jury could award to a patient enduring pain and suffering from a malpractice action, a provision the Tennessee Medical Association supports, but Tennessee Association for Justice opposes. More here.

Sunshine Violation in Blount -- County Commissioners from Blount Co. who participated in a trip to Nashville to speak with the state comptroller may have violated the State's Open Meeting laws by discussing county business without other Commissioners in attendance. Three commissioners joined a citizen activist in Nashville to present a presentation accusing the Blount Co. Sheriff's office of irregular accounting. The glitches have been rectified, according to county Finance Director David Bennett. Commissioners who attended the meeting say there was no violation, because nothing was discussed that could come up for a vote. Blount County Mayor Jerry Cunningham joined in the criticism of the group.

Protests Among K-ville Dems -- Some Knoxville Democrats are upset with local party chair Don Daugherty for picking James Carville to headline the Knox Co. Dem's annual fundraiser. Local Barack Obama supporters see Carville as a Clinton acolyte, especially after Carville called New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson "Judas" recently for endorsing Obama after serving in the Clinton administration. Obama supporters say they may bring signs protesting Carville to the event.

Budget Shortfall Could be $500M -- Gov. Bredesen upped the ante on how high the state's projected budget shortfall could go to $500M. Bredesen says he may have to cut a half-billion dollars out of the upcoming state spending plan to balance the budget. One potential candidates for cuts is the Bredesen's pre-K program, which he requested to expand by $25M. More here.

Smokes Bills Fail -- Two bills which would seek to place more restrictions on where smoking is allowed in TN recently failed. One bill would make it a crime to smoke a car when a child was present. That bill failed to gain approval of the House Agriculture Committee. Another bill would have banned smoking within 75 feet of a hospital. That bill passed the subcomittee, but failed in the full committee. Rep. John Litz argued against the hopsital bill in committee, saying the government should not interfere in how the business assigns appropriate smoking areas.

Shelby Seniors Pushing for Tax Freeze -- Seniors in Shelby Co. - the TN county with the highest property taxes - are pushing to take advantage of a new state provision that allows the county to implement a tax freeze for those over retirement age. The freeze would protect low-income residents 65 years and older, earning less than $31,500, from paying increases in their property taxes. About 59 percent of the county's 65-and-older households would qualify. County officials seem hesitant to agree to the freeze, because the county faces a budget shortfall this year.

Poll Worker Who Voted Twice Can Vote Again -- Vancey Voorhies, who was indicted on charges of voting twice in the Metro Nashville general election last August, did not have her voting rights suspended after striking a deal with District Attorney General Torry Johnson's office. Voorhies was placed on pre-trial diversion and will be able to get her criminal record expunged if she "refrains from any further criminal conduct" through mid-July. She'll be able to vote in the next Metro election in August. The Metro Election Commission expressed its disappointment at the ruling.

Wamp, Alexander Praise Expansion of Parks -- Sen. Lamar Alexander and Congressman Zach Wamp were on hand to praise a 382-acre expansion of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. The 382 acres was the backdrop for important Civil War action. On Nov. 24, 1863, during the fabled “Battle Above the Clouds,” Union troops forced Confederate soldiers to give up Lookout Mountain. The tract of land extends to the Georgia border and the park has the authority to acquire more land within a mile of the existing boundary. Wamp and Alexander said they will continue to support further expansion and preservation.

Empty Holsters Show Up on Campus -- Students across UT-system of schools are showing up to class with an empty holster in silent protest against their inability to carry a gun on campus. State law forbids private citizens to carry firearms on university campuses in Tennessee and other states, even if they have a carry permit. That's a policy UT students Nathan Robinson and Nick Bishop want changed. Bishop says there's nothing to stop someone from bringing a gun onto campus and shooting people, but if gunmen knew others could be armed, they might think twice about their plan.

RIP, Bill Snodgrass -- William R. Snodgrass, who was state comptroller for 44 years, has died at the age of 85. He served as comptroller from 1955 until he retired in 1999. Snodgrass is the namesake of the huge state administration building in Nashville and much loved political figure. Sen. Bob Corker commenting: "Snodgrass was a true public servant who cared very deeply about the integrity of our state and the way it operated."

Open Container Law Hopes For More Road Funds -- A state open-container law has two state agencies fighting each other. The bill, which would make it a crime for even a passenger to have an open container in the car would bring the state of TN in compliance with federal legislation that requires the provision for federal road funds. Because the state is out of compliance, $12 in federal highway funds has instead been earmarked to the Governor's Highway Safety Office, which uses the money for public education campaigns on drunk driving. That office opposes the new bill that would bring the state into compliance because it would then lose out on the money. The state highway department has made the bill it's top legislative priority.

Rove to Headline Statesmen's -- White House advisor Karl Rove will headline the TN GOP's annual high-dollar fundraiser - the Statemen's Dinner - as the keynote speaker. Rove is widely credited with establishing the microtargeting strategy that ultimately won President Bush two terms in office, despite an increasingly even split electorate. Earlier, Rove criticized the TN GOP's use of Obama's middle name in a press release earlier this year.

Alexander Pushes for Early Retiremnet Benefits for Reserves -- Sen. Lamar Alexander told a group of Army reservists that he is one in a bipartisan group that has introduced legislation that would expand retirement benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserve who have served in the nation's war against terrorism. Sen. Alexander said the National Guard and Reserve Retired Pay Equity Act of 2008 would allow veteran reservists and guardsmen who have served on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, to receive retirement pay three months earlier for every 90 days they spent on active duty. Alexander said currently, National Guard and Reserve members are the only military retirees who must wait until age 60 to collect retirement pay.

Post's New Blog for ACK -- A.C. Kleinheider, the popular blogger behind Volunteer Voters, now has a new home at the Nashville Post. The Post set up a new blog for A.C. called Post Politics.

TN Congressional Delegation Unites -- The entire Tennessee Congressional delegation today called for action to ensure that Tennessee students and parents have access to loans to help pay for college in the coming year. Every single member of the TN Congressional District joined a letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke asking them to take action to help restore stability in the federal student loan marketplace and ensure continued access to student loans.

Hill Trys Fast One -- House Democrats are upset that State Rep. Matthew Hill attempted to amend a bill about sewage systems with language which would have made it possible for employees to mandate English as the only spoken language at their place of business. State Rep. Brenda Gilmore said she was unaware that Hill would try to add the English requirement to her sewage bill. House Majority Leader Gary Odom criticized Hill for failing to discuss the amendment filed shortly before the floor session with Gilmore before offering it, but House Minority Leader Jason Mumpower said lawmakers need to "make decisions sometimes on the fly, if that's what's necessary."

Herenton Update -- While he's proposing a 17% property tax increase, Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton finally paid over $5,000 in overdue property taxes for his own home. Meanwhile, Herenton said he will not apply for the post of Memphis City Schools administrator afterall. Last month, Herenton said he would step down as Mayor of Memphis if he could have the administrator post.