Paper ballots

passed.

Shot of the day

As we were arguing the judicial selection Jimmy Naifeh kept trying to say some people were trying to make this a partisan issue. Stop making this partisan issue. Why do we want this to be a partisan issue ect.

Mike Bell stood up and said "Mister speaker I don't feel supporting the constitution is a partisan issue."

Judicial selection

"The judges of the state supreme court shall be elected by the qualified voters of Tennessee." I think it is pretty clear in the constitution. The senate has put it in wind down. We are fighting for it in the house. The current argument now is that if we allow the judges to be elected it will hurt the children. It passed in the house 64 to 34.

First dead bill in 4 years

The first bill that I can remember in 4 years has been killed on the house floor. HJR1008 A resolution that urges congress to set up the US Department of Peace and make it a cabinet position.

I asked if the sponsor had any idea what it would cost to do that.

"No"

I asked if she thought the Department of defence was doing a good job?

"Not sure but we could do better"

Glen Casada Then went after it followed by Eric Swafford.

It was killed 47 for, 29 against, 18 present not voting, 5 not voting.

non essential employees

Well the word has come out that we are going to offer buy out packages to 2,011 "non essential employees" of the state. The package is most likely going to include one years pay and free college education for new hires and one year pay for retirees. Those who were going to retire are now holding out for the extra payday. Most of the expense would come from reserves held in the department (Another area that needs to be looked at are these reserves that are held by departments year after year and are not counted as part of the budget or their budget. It is like a inter government slush fund).

The things that kills me are; if they are "non essential employees" then why did we hire them in the first place? How many more of these "Non essential employees" are we currently paying?, how long have we been paying them? and why don't we stop paying them? It they are "non essential" I think that about says it all.

It looks like someone has been using the government as a jobs program.

The kicker is they are getting working businesses and working people to pay for it through taxes. Thus limiting the business growth/employment capabilities. It turns into a vicious cycle. More government jobs kill off private business jobs witch makes some want to give more government jobs with a tax increase to pay for it.

Now as election year starts to loom closer and closer the governors "Technical corrections tax increase" is starting to face some headwind. Thank god for political opponents. Most people on my side of the isle say the only reason Gary Odum is suddenly against the 27 million dollar tax increase bill he has been carrying all year is because he got a political opponent.

Gary was just rated as the least business friendly legislator in the state by a Tennessee business magazine.

Ouch. The lead on a big tax increase and least friendly to business? That would be 2 good political bullets.

Suddenly, he is mister no more tax increases. Good to see the change of heart here at 11:59.

If the technical corrections tax increase bill fails that could be another 27 mill out of the budget. Who knows, maybe we could get rid of some more "Non essential employees" with some non budget money.

Comment of the month

Some comments are so good they deserve their own post. This comment came from my post on California's potential use of the porn tax similar to the one I introduced last year. The comment came from someone named Cere



"Of course your bill didn't pass because what you are saying about strippers and porn stars is 110% incorrect. Many of these women ARE college educated (or are getting their college degree). Many even have a Master's Degree. Others are sole supporters of their families and are responsible, voting members of society. To put a tax a women's right to dance is a whole additional ball of wax. Let's face it, California needs strip clubs and adult entertainment. If you tax an additional 25%, the industry is gone and California loses out entirely.
But the bigger picture here, is your ignorance in the matter. The state ought to put a tax on your mouth, as it seems to be more crass than anything the sex industry stands for."

Payoffs for Bredesen hires

Andy Sher has the details on what was originally though to be layoffs is now more like buyouts on new Bredesen hires.

From the article...

NASHVILLE — Gov. Phil Bredesen’s proposal to eliminate 2,011 state workers represents about 42 percent of the positions created in state government during his administration.

Full-time positions funded by general fund revenues grew by 5,020, or 11.9 percent, since fiscal year 2002-03, an analysis of state budget records shows. There are about 47,079 state government positions in this year’s budget.


Article: State to offer some early retirement incentives to cut budget
Gov. Bredesen hopes the work force cutbacks will produce $64 million of the $468 million in reductions he needs to balance his proposed 2008-09 budget.

The governor, who attributed the weakening national economy for devastating state tax collections, today plans to outline specific steps to rein in spending before a joint session of the House and Senate.

“It’s pretty clear you can’t get from here to there without having some personnel reductions in state government,” Gov. Bredesen said. “What I’m proposing will be a voluntary plan.”.....


......Growth of jobs

WORK FORCES

The number of Tennessee employees:

FY 2004-05 - 44,194

FY 2005-06 - 45,795

FY 2006-07 - 45,871

FY 2007-08 - 47,079 (estimated)

FY 2008-09 - 47,186 (recommended prior to expected cuts)

* Source: Tennessee budgets
Since Gov. Bredesen took office in early 2003, administration budget figures show major growth occurred from fiscal year 2003-04 to fiscal year 2004-05 when the number of state positions rose 4 percent, or 1,717 workers, to 44,194.

From July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2008, figures from Tennessee budgets show the number of state jobs increased by 1,284 slots, or 2.8 percent, to 47,079......

.....Human services

Some Tennessee departments experienced large growth in employees, according to a review of reports filed by departments and agencies with the Senate Finance Committee.

From fiscal year 2004 to fiscal year 2008, positions in the Department of Human Services grew from 4,469 to 5,595 — 1,126 positions, or 25 percent, departmental submissions to the committee show.

Human Services Department spokeswoman Michelle Mowery Johnson estimated about 100 employees involved in program monitoring transferred from Finance to Human Services.

Another 225 people were added to manage eligibility and benefit appeals related to TennCare, welfare and food stamps decisions. The services previously were performed under contract by the secretary of state.

The department hired about 350 workers for four family assistance service call centers where eligibility counselors field questions about Families First, food stamps, Medicaid and TennCare cases, she said.

Tennessee State Employees Association Executive Director Jim Tucker, whose group represents workers, said growth in areas such as the Department of Children’s Services is attributable to federal lawsuits.

The department has grown by 877 employees, or 20.4 percent, since fiscal year 2005, figures show.......

.......PORK VS. JOBS

Drew Johnson, executive director of the conservative Tennessee Center for Policy Research, said the governor’s plans show a “prioritization problem with the budget because there are so many opportunities to cut waste through (eliminating) pork projects rather than firing people.”

The group’s recently released 2008 Tennessee Pork Report found up to $260 million in wasteful spending by state and local governments.

Mr. Johnson said, “Firing people isn’t necessarily a bad thing if they’ve proven unproductive. And despite a 12 percent increase in jobs, I don’t think that children are smarter or Tennesseans are safer or TennCare recipients get any better treatment.”

Joke of the week (the lion)

A biker is riding by the zoo when he sees a little girl
leaning into the lion's cage. Suddenly, the lion grabs
her by the cuff of her jacket and tries to pull
her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her
screaming parents. The biker jumps off his bike, runs
to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a
powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion
jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings
her to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly.

A NYT reporter has seen the whole scene, and
addressing the biker, says, ' Sir, this was the most
gallant and brave thing I saw a man do in my whole life.'

'Why, it was nothing, really, the lion was behind
bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I
felt right.' 'Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed.
I'm a journalist from the New York Times, you know, and
tomorrow's paper will have this on the first page. What
motorcycle do you ride and what political affiliation do you
have?'

'A Harley Davidson and I am a Republican.'

The journalist leaves, mumbling.

The following morning the biker buys The New York Times
to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on
the first page:

'BIKER GANG MEMBER ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND
STEALS HIS LUNCH.'

One last shot

I went to the UT Knoxville graduation today. It was pleasant until it started and the guest speaker (Lorin Crabtree) began to speak. After a few quick jokes the political spew started. From the "Fact" of global warming to the war to a government that refuses to invest in education (I am sure Phil was appreciative of that) on and on it went.

He closed with "I am not going to tell you what party to vote for but I do have a favorite."

Really? Gee I couldn't tell. It about made me want to walk out.

When you go to blogs, watch the news, go to a political event, you expect political speech. At a commencement it is not about politics, it is not about left or right. It is about the kids, their hard work their parents friends and family who have sacrificed for the kids to get ahead. Save your brain washing for another event. You have had them for four years (at least). Can't you give it a break for the kids and their families for one day?

To make it a political platform was selfish on Crabtrees part. Although I do not know Crabtree, I had heard mixed reviews from some friends I have on campus. Some people liked him some not at all, then he was fired and some people were glad. I can now understand why.

NC moves to ban illegals in higher ed

NC is moving toward ending its history of allowing illegals to go to higher ed. Stopping the movement to give them in state tuition.

What? people dont want toll roads?

It seems to be spreading. People in Nashville don't seem to want toll roads either. Where was Pinion at this meeting?

California to copy porn tax

California Democrats lead by their state leader are looking to copy the porn tax I started last year. Unfortunately they are using it as a straight tax increase instead of as a tool to decrease other taxes. From the LA Times article.

Calderon said the resistance to his bill did not surprise him. But he is perplexed that he hasn't been able to get more traction for another proposal: a 25% tax on sex toys, strip shows, pornographic magazines and videos and anything else sold in an "adult entertainment venue."

"This is a major industry that is putting a disproportionate burden on state services," he said. "Drugs are heavily used. The actors have a short life span. Some leave the industry drug-addicted with no skills. They wind up availing themselves of Medi-Cal and other state programs."

A coalition of porn stars, strippers and others in adult entertainment roamed the halls of the Capitol recently to lobby against the Calderon bill (AB 2914).

I thought it was just Memphis

I have always wondered, now I know.



Hat tip:E.H.

Smokin in the boys room

Hey now now teacher don't ya fill me up with no rules. Every body knows that smokin aint allowed in school.

"We shall prevail!"

No she is not talking about the great civil rights battle but a bigger more important issue to her. The battle for the first lady to get her giant underground party room at the mansion. The scene has the details.

I can only imagine her speech if the legislature grew some stones and stopped her big plans.

Que the Scooby do dream sequence music.........

Phil: Andria, I have some disastrous news. The man is holding us down. The greedy legislature is stopping the expansion of the mansion party room.

Andria: (Completely distraught, on the verge of tears) How long. How long must my people be bound down! When shall my people be allowed to break free from the chains of this oppressive government!

Phil: I don't know. Possibly in a year or two when the economy gets better?

Andria: What could they possibly want the money for?

Phil: Something about DUI offenders and children services.

Andria: The children? let them eat cake! the DUI offenders? Freedom! I want freedom for my people!!

Phil: I told them! I begged, I pleaded, but they beat me! They whipped me! I was treated like less then a human being like we didn't deserve to sit at the table and eat Bree with hundreds of our richest friends!

Andria: Oh, the humanity. the humanity!

Phil: Don't worry Andria, I have been to the mountain top. I have seen the other side. I may not get there with you but I have seen it. Rich people and rich people sitting together at a unity table for my run for higher office!

Andria: But what about now! Tell the legislature to "Let my people go!" or threaten a plague of cuts for their district roads.

Phil: I have, I even threatened toll roads but they wont listen.

Andria: I will fix it. (shaking her fist in the air) As God is my witness, as God is my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry for truffles and steak tar tar again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again!

900,000 DUI arrests in Tennessee last year?

The Gov is killing the drunk driver licence revocation bill. He is saying he can not afford the 75 employees needed to process the information. I started to wonder. 75 people to type in a revocation of someones licence at the DMV? How many drunk drivers does the state catch in one year?

I did some simple math, lets just say it takes all of ten minutes to type one in. That is 6 per hour x 8 hours in a day x 5 days a week x 50 weeks a year x 75 employees that totaled 900,000 DUI arrests in one year. I did not realize that almost 1/6 of the states total population of 6 million (That includes every man, women, child and elderly person of the state. some who I doubt drive at all) get arrested every year for a DUI! Look out, our roads are more dangerous then I thought.

Hello? Is this thing on?

This is turning into a running joke. We keep hearing that TDOT will listen to the people on toll roads. At the first meeting the public spoke up. If I recall correctly 18 people spoke out against toll roads 2 spoke in favor. The commission voted in favor of doing an expensive study for toll roads. Now this, The Knox County commission voted 18 to 1 against Knoxville toll roads. What do you think their response is? Well read on loyal reader.

From the KNS article...


Ed Cole (of the Tennessee Department of Transportation) has gone on record saying if they don't have local support, it won't go forward," said Fairstein, a member of Citizens Against the Orange Route.

Cole, TDOT's assistant commissioner for environment and planning, said after the commission's vote that the state indeed will pay close attention to local legislators and residents when considering toll roads.

"We are not going to pursue a tolling project where there is strong opposition, and the County Commission represents the people of Knox County," Cole said. "The county would make a big impact on our thinking."


O.K. sounds good. I think you have your answer. So what does TDOT do? Change what they are listening to.

But he said TDOT will pay the most attention to the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization, a federally mandated group of officials from Knoxville, Knox County and surrounding cities and counties formed to provide coordinated planning.

They are still planning on doing an expensive study.

How deaf do they have to be?

Knoxville does not want toll roads!

What do the people have to do? Send up a flair? Rolling billboards? Honking horns? I think it is clear the people have spoken. Who is making all the money doing these studies for things the people clearly do not want? I thought we are supposedly in tight financial times?

Looking forward, looking back.

A lot of going on in the national democrat party race for the nomination. The numbers look down for Clinton. I could think of a one big boost for her campaign.

John Edwards. His 19 delegates could go her way if John was given reason to do so. A reason such as a VP slot would be tempting. It would not be enough to put her over the top but it sure would help. It could also have an effect on some of the pledge delegates in S.C. that are probably leaning Obamas way (Since he did win the state) they could flop over for a Clinton/Edwards ticket.

Think it cant happen, that the race is too far gone? I has happened, worse, by far (and to a candidate from Tennessee!)

In the 1952 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Estes Kefauver of Tennessee won all but three state primaries. He received 3.1 million votes, Democratic presidential nominee, Illinois governor Adlai Stevenson, received only 78,000 votes and won the nomination at the convention.

More like the one they want to shut up

I have been voted #1 in a poll over at Matthew Hurtts place as the favorite outspoken Republican legislator. I would like to thank all the little people..........

2.75 GPA dies?

Lowering the standard to keep the lottery scholarship to 2.75 has been taken off notice. This usually means it is dead for the year but nothing is guaranteed.

Home schools fight for recognition

The Department of education has decided to stop considering home school degrees as valid degrees. Mike Bell is fighting to get them recognised again but the votes are close.

2011 lay offs

2011 people will be "laid off" by the state. That does not include DCS, their may be more when those are included. Most if not all will be offered buy outs with one time money.

Elected school superintendent

The option to allow people to vote on the elected school superintendent was killed Rep. Frank Nicley drafted the amendment so it had to be passed by the county commission by two thirds vote and then by a vote of the people ( and they could even have education qualifiers).

It was killed 46-44 a of lot legislators did not vote.

MMA bill passes the house

The mixed martial arts bill has passed the house 95 to 2. The senate is yet to go. I suspect that it can pass but I hear some members want to add an amendment that would put excess funds raised by the commission to go into college wrestling.

Flip, Flop, Farr

It is all starting to come out now. Farr illegally collected the Ipod tax before he found out he couldn't collect the tax but he still collected the tax until he can pass a bill allowing him to collect the tax. More good work by Farr.

Camper carry

Some hikers and campers are carrying for protection on the Appalachian trail.

Why? Just read on...

In January a 24-year-old woman, Meredith Emerson, was found bludgeoned to death on a North Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail, and the killer has been linked to other park slayings.

Since 1973, 10 killings and 10 rapes have been reported on or around the 2,176-mile-long Appalachian Trail, which comprises 40 percent national park land, 40 percent national forest land and 20 percent state land, said Brian King, spokesman for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

“People say, ‘I am going out into the woods. This couldn’t happen here,’ but yes, yes, it could,” Mr. King said. “It is not isolated from the society we live in.”

"Education last" comes to fruition

Before the tax increase on tobacco last year, Republicans warned "The money is not tied to education at all. It goes into the general fund." Republicans wanted the money to be tied to education. To have education funded first. Not last from the budget. We warned it would be "education last" any other way once the tax increase passed. But the governor went on a rampage of "We need the tax money for education!!"

Sure enough, another year later and what do we get? This news from the KNS


School funding: While Bredesen has pledged to cover the annual growth in the state's school funding formula, he hasn't said whether he will still dedicate an additional $87 million in cigarette tax money to schools. The Legislature last year approved a 42-cent tax increase on every pack of cigarettes, mostly to boost funding for schools. But the tax money isn't legally bound to education programs, so it might be one area where Bredesen could find extra dollars.

For this he is praised for his business like approach.

"I didn't think people would find out"

Does any one remember this story from last Tuesday. It was talking about the wonders of pre K and the need for all 4 year olds to be in forced pre K. One parent went on in detail in the article...

But siblings not eligible for the preschool program are at a disadvantage, they said. "My 4-year-old is not going to be ready (for kindergarten)," parent Lisa Waraksa said.

"Children at risk need to be at the front of the line, but all 4-year-olds need to be in pre-K."

Now for the rest of the story............

Lisa Waraksa is actually an elementary school teacher. I guess she does not have any faith in her teaching ability since feels she can not even teach her own children. Of course if the state is paying her to teach twenty children at a time, then she thinks she can get the job done for all of them.

I wonder if the governor called the TEA directly to have the plants ready for questioning by the press.

SJR127 a "silly amendment"?

Thursday, Bill Dunn, I think, tried a masterful move of political strategery. He tried to put SJR127 on a needed motion to adjourn resolution, as an amendment. That move only requires a majority of members approval for adoption. Not two thirds of the vote of members as has been tried unsuccessfully in the past.

Some "Republican" members feel bringing SJR127 to the floor as an amendment in hopes of passage was political grandstanding for a "silly amendment" and that we should trust the committee system that has worked so well for us in years past.

what say you? Are the lives of babies so important we should try to pass it in any legal way possible? or is it a "silly amendment" and we should wait until it is popular with two thirds of the house?



Hat tip: A.C.

Early sermon

Terry Frank got an early release of Jeremiah Wrongs sermon for this weekend.

It was killed

We got the amendment on but they killed the resolution all together. The senate could possibly send a new resolution back over with SJR127 already added but word is they wont do it.

IT IS ON!!!!!!!!!

Bill Dunn pulled a fast one! The house suspended the rules to pass a resolution the Democrats have to have. Bill jumped in and offered an amendment to the resolution to add in SJR127. They went crazy. We only need majority to add that Not two thirds.

It is in deliberations!!!!

Layoffs or no?

There will be layoffs and talks of impending layoffs.

Words is there will be big layoffs Many of the state employees feel this is a red haring used to make state employees feel good about not getting raises but keeping their jobs when new numbers come in. We will see.

Session to stretch

We will be here a little longer then expected. The Gov. is holding out for more info so we will be here past next week.

Guns in parks rules to relax?

This could be interesting.

"Dont you know its all about me"

In what has to be one of the more callus lines I have read this week Phil Bredesen wants to cut the tax holidays because they don't help HIM.

It was good for you and your family, but it didn't do anything for the state which is facing hard times......

........I'm not going to be able to do much for anything as I want,"

Photo Voter upheld

The photo ID previous to voting has been upheld by the US supreme court. This has always seemed like a no brainer to me. It takes a photo ID to get a library card, to get on an airplane or to drive a car but none to vote.

In Tennessee, in an attempt to pass voter ID, Rep. Deborah Maggart offered free photo ID for those who could not afford one. Her bill even allowed people to vote on a provisional ballot if they did not have an ID (But they were required to provide proof before their vote was counted). She even provided proof that requiring a photo ID to vote does not disenfranchise legal voters. It was still killed in the house.

Session ending

Word is session should end some time next week. We will probably have to run into the weekend next week to finish.

Education shakeout

Here are some of the things rumored to be happening regarding state education funding for this year.

No BEP growth.

No Pre K expansion.

No teacher raises.

House bill 9 (money for school improvements based on the number of kids in the school)looks good for passage as does the energy efficiency loan/match program.

The governors plan to take lottery money and put it into an interest bearing account to pay for income based lottery scholarships is on the go list.

Lower GPA standards to 2.75 to keep a scholarship looks to pass.

Budget shakeout

Here are some of the rumors as to what is going to happen on the budget. From what I here most of this is close to in stone but not totally there yet.

No pre K expansion at all.

No new land purchase.

End to the bowl wevil eradication fund.

No pay raise for state employees.

BEP 2.0 stays funded where it is.

No new roads projects (but projects already underway would keep going).

End to 4H funding and related programs.

The party bunker STAYS funded.

Cuts to special needs remains. (That was mentioned as an area the governor was going to fight to make sure stayed cut).

Short list

Word From VERY reliable sources is, Phil is telling insiders he is now on the short list as a possible VP for Obama.

The free drinks roll on

I ran my amendment to ban free alcohol for legislators at receptions. It said they would have to pay fair market value for their alcoholic drinks. It failed 63 against, 23 for, 10 present or present not voting.

Democrats look to increase tax on food

Tom Humphreys digs out the dirt on the omnibus corrections bill and finds what may be up to $20,000,000.00 or more in new taxes. Included in the new taxes are increases in the tax on some food, increases in taxes on small farmers (Dave Oatney should love this one), increases in Taxes on small business and many others.

One of the quotes is priceless. From Reagan Farr...."It never ceases to amaze me the hoops people will go through to try to avoid taxes," said Farr.

Well Regan it never ceases to amaze me the hoops government will jump through to increase taxes on people (especially when times are tough). At least Farr is finally admitting it is a tax increase and not "Closing a loophole" as he has tried to pass it off as for years.

I guess it is a philosophy difference, Liberals believe increasing taxes and increasing government helps employ people in government jobs (or gives government employees raises). I guess when they look at government as the big employer that is what they see. Conservatives believe less taxes and less government help employers and the people. I guess when we look at private business as the best employer that is what we see.

Another thing that jumped out at me is the one tax incentive listed in the article.

"Making it easier for companies that invest in "economically distressed" counties to claim tax credits. Currently, the credit goes to those investing at least $500,000 and creating at least 25 jobs within one year. The provision would allow firms to qualify even if it takes up to five years to create the 25 new jobs"

While I generally support lowering taxes, this seems like it could be ripe for abuse. I wonder how "economically distressed" is defined. Why should some counties get an unfair advantage over other counties? This does not seem like a bill that benefits the entire state or has state wide applications. Shouldn't the county set up the tax break if that is what their constituents want? It is like if the federal government said "We are giving tax credits if you start a small business in Georgia." All well and good for Georgia but is that fair for Tennessee? Why is one employer more special than another? If they employ some one who needs a job no matter where they live don't they deserve credit?

Also what is done if they never reach 25 employees. What if they only employ 5 people? or 2? Will they have to give back some of the money? What if they only employ 25 people for one day in the fifth year or What if they hire and fire 25 people to do the same job in one year? Would they get the tax credit for all 5 years? What about the person whose company has been struggling to employ that many people for the previous five years? Don't they deserve some credit as well instead of giving a potential competitor a special break for 5 years?

Tax relief should be broad and equal to be fair for all.

A few more

I have been getting some links from a few right leaning bloggers. You might want to check them out. Here is one and here is another.

I have a new rule about getting on my blogroll (not really that new since I have had it for a few months) I only add blogs to the blogroll after they have been up and running a 6 months, They have to post somewhat regularly on state legislature issues and it helps (but is not mandatory) if they are conservative leaning. Suggestions that meet that criteria are welcome at any time.

Joke of the week (tickets)

I have a friend that has 4 extra tickets for the Robbie Knievel event at Braves Stadium the weekend after next if anybody wants them. He's going to try to jump 1500 Democrats with a bull dozer.

Phil Valentine on the baby daddy bill

Phil Valentine did an article on the death of the baby daddy bill.

Don't forget

This weekend is the sales tax holiday. Pay no sales tax on clothes, shoes, school and art supplies up to $100.00 per item and up to $1,500.00 per computer.

Quick! Rearrange the deck chairs!

Their are new plans on how judges should be "Elected" to the supreme court. Now, we can argue the merits of one system over another and while the Ron Ramsey plan (supported by the Governor) is better then the old way (supported by Naifeh and the trial lawyers) I still wonder how people can support any thing but sending it back to the people to pick who they want from an open field of candidates.

In my mind, the yes/no retention vote is an abomination.

It may have been judged "legal" but I doubt that that system is any thing close to what out states founding fathers had in mind when they said “The judges of the Supreme Court shall be elected by the qualified voters of the state,”

I saw nothing in there about how candidates must get approval first from the trial lawyers union, then the speakers of the house and senate, then the governor picks one of three offered to him on the first approved ballot or one of three from another slate, then the people can say yes or no.

The constitution was written by normal people for normal people. That part looks pretty cut and dry. I think most normal people could pretty easily figure it out if they chose to read it. Why do people constantly try to read thing into the constitution that are not there.

SC to close up gun records

South Carolina last week became the latest in a growing number of states to make the names of people who have a license to carry a concealed weapon a private record.

Last week we voted to keep state employees private addresses and information a secret. It sailed through. It is a safety issue for police, prison guards ect.. Many gun owners feel that their information should be kept secret also. Some feel they could become victims of people who rob houses and look to steal guns. A safety issue for them as well.

Why not Tennessee?

Mark Rose has an article about an interesting idea that has sort of bounced around in my head for a while. Is their any reason we can't do this or this in Tennessee?



Tennessee is full of religious people who are proud of their faith just as many people are proud of sports teams. Some plates could support religious schools such as Notre Dame or Belmont. Other plates could be religion specific, say a baptist plate or a catholic plate or a Jewish plate or a Muslim plate. Possibly a generic "In God we trust" plate with a little more religious theme to it then the one with the eagle.

How bout a Republican or Democrat plate?
If that is too overtly political how bout plates with elephants or donkeys on them? (wink, wink). The money raised could go to elephant and donkey sanctuaries or zoos.

If any of the groups could reach the requirement of pre sale orders and the other hoops were jumped through then half the money could go to a good charity (as they have for other plates). It is a winner all the way around. Why not in Tennessee?

400 million in non growth

Budget projections are projected short in the 400 million to 500 million dollar range. The talk in the legislature is that the number will be closer to the 440 million dollar number.

These are not cuts from last years numbers but more of a cut of projected growth in spending.

Meanwhile Drew Johnson at the TCPR has released the pork report categorizing over 260 million in waste. I was at the press release of the pork report and it was noted that if the budget was on line in detail the numbers could be higher.

Banning partial birth abortion

SJR127 the resolution that would allow the state to ban partial birth abortion is gaining new steam. Some have said it is a political stunt but many people value life in election years and non election years. We are giving all people Republican and Democrat the chance to support it.

Tim to tie knot

My state senator Tim Burchett has announced he is going to tie the knot. I wish him, and his lovely bride to be, all the best in their new life together.

UT in a spin over one empty holster

The KNS reports on one 30 year old aerospace engineer who has an empty holster on campus. Oh the humanity!! Just think if he had a gun in the holster! Hundreds would be automatically killed!

Or not.

Death of the non baby daddy bill fallout

The Tennessean did a story on the death of the bill that would allow non biological parents out of future child support payments after a DNA proof.

The video

AC Kleinheider got the video of the death of the baby daddy bill.

Not the baby daddy, bill dies

My bill to allow non biological parents (proven by DNA) to stop future child support payments was