Frist Shows Up on Capitol Hill
Frist Shows Up on Capitol Hill -- Former TN Sen. Bill Frist showed up in Washington for the first time since leaving office in 2006 to push for a bill that aims to reduce global infant mortality. The Global Child Survival Act includes $5.9 billion over five years for health programs to reduce the 27,000 infant deaths worldwide each day from easily treatable maladies, like pneumonia and diarrhea. Frist: "If you reach out and lift up through these simple tools we have today, despair disappears and hope appears ... That becomes a currency for peace." At the media event, Frist declined to comment on whether he was still interested in running for Governor in 2010. More here.
Corker Criticizes Budget Process -- Sen. Bob Corker criticized the Congressional budget process and voted against the budget after the so-called DeMint amendment, which would have provided for a one-year moritorium on earmarks failed. Corker: "I was disappointed that the Senate did not take this opportunity to look seriously at our country’s true fiscal situation and set ourselves on a path toward better fiscal discipline." Sen. Lamar Alexander also said he was disappointed that Congress adopted the Democratic budget plan, which he says contains a tax increase for 43 million Americans.
Kurita's Bill Okayed -- State Sen. Rosalind Kurita's bill to elect a Lt. Gov. and Sec. of State was approved by the Senate, but now passes to the House where it must pass and subsequently be approved by 2/3 of the General Assembly before heading to voters in 2010. House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh has said he opposes electing a secretary of state. But Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey warned that the Senate wouldn't go along with the proposal if it doesn't include both positions. More here.
MTSU Poll Shows TN Softer on Immigration -- An MTSU poll shows that Tennesseans have softened their views of illegal immigration and most now support a path to legal citizenship. This year, 63 percent polled said they would support a path to legal residency for guest workers, up from 54 percent.Those at the bottom of the income scale and those with the most education are less likely to see their own economic standing change because of immigration. The MTSU poll is a random sample of 577 Tennessee adults with home telephone numbers weighted to reflect the state's demographics. The margin of error was ±4 percentage points.
Bunch / Campfield Bill Opposed by Schools -- A bill sponsored by State Rep. Stacey Campfield and Sen. DeWayne Bunch which would allow faculty members of college campuses to carry weapons provided they had a conceal and carry permit. The bill, which Rep. Campfield says will reduce violence on college campuses, including the highly publicized shootings at campus in Virginia. University of Tennessee and Board of Regents officials say they are opposed to the bill, because most major colleges already have full time security personnel or their own police force, who are armed. Board of Regents officials conceded, however, that two-year community colleges and technology centers “use security companies that don’t have commissioned personnel. So they’re not carrying guns.”
