News Roundup - 4/10

Bad, News!  Bad!!  The Nashville CityPaper is going to Mondays and Fridays only, which sucks, and is merging services with the Nashville Post, which is too bad.  Less news, less often – and fewer independent voices. 

Also Sucky:  Home sales are off by more than 25% in the greater Nashville area. 

That’s Rich:  Looks like Tennessee is at #5 on the list of states with the greatest gap between rich and poor, behind New York, Alabama, Mississippi, and Massachusetts. (h/t Nashville Post)

GDI:  State Sen. Mike Williams (I-Maynardville) is in (but his mustache is definitely out).

Amateurs!  Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) calls the Bush White House “amateurish” for hinting it would veto the Senate’s housing bill without notifying the GOP leadership first.  “I used to be on the White House staff, and if I’d announced a view on an important piece of legislation without notifying the Republican leadership, I would have been demoted swiftly,” he said.  Waaaaahh!  You should be pissed that the White House is standing in the way of the bill, not that they stepped on your toes in the process.  (h/t A.C.)

Lamar!  A.C. has a lot more news on Lamar Alexander and even the near-invisible Bob Corker in his political news roundup.  So check it out.

No Dirty Puns Here:  Shame on State Reps. Eddie Bass (D-Prospect), Frank Buck (D-Smithville) and Eric Watson (R-Cleveland) for voting against a bill to make cockfighting a felony.  Fortunately, the bill passed House Judiciary Committee anyway and is on its way to becoming law.

Always Your "Pal":  "The system for hiring and transferring principals is being overhauled by Metro Nashville Public Schools," says the Nashville CityPaper.

Say It, Don’t Spray It:  Metro will spray your property for mosquitoes whether you like it or not, so buzz off.

Sad News:  Our condolences to the family of Bill Youree, a first term city commissioner in Brentwood.

You’re Going the Wrong Way!!!  The State House is altering an open records bill so it will take longer and cost more to get public records.  Also, fewer people can request them, and lawmakers will be notified if anyone is snooping around about them.

Right Way:  State Sen. Tommy Kilby (D-Wartburg) withdrew a bill that would allow more toll roads in Tennessee.

Not Constitutional:  “Anyone arrested for DUI in Tennessee could lose their license on the spot if they fail — or refuse — a chemical breath test, under a proposed law,” says the Tennessean.  I’m all for stronger DUI laws and no-sympathy punishments… but police can’t convict and sentence people on the spot.  That’s just not how America works. 

- Rick