Bubbly Will Have to Wait to New Years
Bubbly Will Have to Wait to New Years -- A bill that would have allowed wine sales in grocery stores is likely to fail this year after the bill's sponsor sent it to a summer study committee after receiving a chilled reception in the Senate Local Government Committee. Lawmakers heard from wine retailers who oppose the bill and say that they will have to layoff employees if big boxes like Walmart and Kroger can begin selling wine. Supporters of the bill, however, say they have signed up more than 1,900 supporters of selling wine in grocery stores since it launched a website just three weeks ago. More here.
Ethics Panel Delays Action on Violators -- The state's Ethics Panel delayed acting on a recommendation to chastise Seigenthaler Public Relations for not registering as a lobbyist but building an astroturf campaign to influence the bill mentioned above. The Commission heard from powerful Democratic political consultant and attorney Tom Lee that not all PR activities constitute lobbying and the opinion, if adopted as written, would apply the law to a whole new group of people and activities. In other action, the Panel recommended registration as a lobbyist but did not punish former Bredesen advisor Robert Gowan.
Bredesen Still on Superdelegate Primary -- Gov. Phil Bredesen is not giving up his push for a Democratic Party superdelegate primary to pick the presidential nominee. Bredesen says Washington insiders oppose the idea, but that the people like it as a common-sense approach to solving the looming crisis in the Democratic Presidential primary. He said Tuesday that the Democratic National Committee "needs to step up and bring some closure." Bredesen says Obama "likes the idea" and Clinton "wasn't repelled by it."
Deans Unveils First Budget -- Nashville Mayor Karl Dean unveiled his first budget yesterday. The no-new-taxes $1.58 billion budget is good to schools and emergency medicine, two priorities identified by Dean during the campaign. Unlike the previous Mayor Bill Purcell’s administration, Dean’s budget does not include anticipated savings, in the hope any actual savings could be funneled to Metro's reserve fund. The budget cuts include layoffs of over 200 Metro workers and an 11% budget cut in the Mayor's Office's own line-item.
Knox Charter Still an Unknown -- A group petitioning for changes to the Knox Co. charter may be forced to use public petitions to get the changes to Knox Co. government it wants on the ballot. After initial approval by the Knox Co. Commission of a Review Commission to approve the amendments, the Commission rejected the Mayoral appointed Commission and left those seeking change with no other option but to take matters into their own hands for getting charter changes on the ballot.
Chattanooga Riverfront Needs Repairs -- Chattanooga's 21st Century Waterfront project is in need of repairs because of issues ranging from shifted concrete slabs to water and electrical issues, vandalism and theft. The Chattanooga City Council approved a contract to correct the concrete and the Mayor's office says he is confident the city can work through the problems. In addition to cracks in concrete and electrical grounding issues, which may be partially corrected by contractors as "warranty items," theft of brass name plaques and vandalism of some of the art in the waterfront are some of the issues.
