Georgia Shoots First
Georgia Shoots First -- The Georgia State Senate shot the first shot in what is sure to be a border war between Georgia and Tennessee over moving the state line one mile to the north. The GA State Senate passed a resolution yesterday calling the 1818 survey that set the border between Georgia and Tennessee faulty. Rep. Gerald McCormick, who represents TN called the resolution "stupid." Gov. Bredesen's spokesman Will Pinkston said, "Under no circumstances will Gov. Bredesen turn over Tennessee's water to Georgia."
TN Considers Ballot Paper Trail -- Counties in TN would be required to have voting machines that produce a paper trail if the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act, currently before the Legislature, is adopted. Only Pickett and Hamilton Counties currently have voting machines which produce a verifiable paper trail. Funding is a major issue. It would cost about $25 million for every county to adopt optical scanners. Brook Thompson, the state's election coordinator, has warned lawmakers that rushing a conversion could create a crisis if counties and voters are not ready. The sponsor of the bill, State Rep. Gary Moore has amended the bill to make it effective starting in 2010, even though his original proposal had an effective date of November of this year.
Bills to Ban TXTing / Ticket Sales -- Legislators have introduced a bill that would ban computer programs that allow customers who want to purchase hot concert tickets online in high quantities. Rep. Gary Moore has introduced the bill in response to parent's complaints about Hannah Montana tickets, which frequently sell out just seconds after they go on the market. The bill would make it a misdemeanor offense for a person to sell, use or possess software designed to circumvent ticket sellers’ security efforts at maintaining a fair purchasing process. Another bill making its way through the Legislature this year would ban texting while driving. State Sen. Jim Tracy has introduced a bill that would levy a $50 fine for sending text messages while driving.
Knox Co. Commission Finally Full -- The Knox Co. Commission is finally full after the Commission's second appointment process filled 12 open seats in County government. Six of the appointees were winners in primary elections held earlier this month. In the county clerk's race, however, commissioners picked 17-year clerk's employee George Stooksbury over Amy Henley-Vandergriff, although she defeated Stooksbury in the Democratic primary with 60 percent of the vote.
