Monday, August 17, 2009
Breaking News / Woods Morning Roundup: Herenton Denies Mental Instability and More Surprising News
Posted by Jeff Woods on Mon, Aug 17, 2009 at 5:17 AM
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The governor is about to become the first in 30 years not to raise the sales tax but taxes have gone up at least a half-billion dollars during his tenure, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Bredesen has raised that amount by increasing cigarette taxes and closing business tax loopholes. ... Political intrigue in Memphis: Why Willie Herenton is acting like a crazy man. ... Herenton phones a talk show to berate the host for suggesting he's insane:
"I think you've made references to my state of mind and for the record let me advise you, my state of mind is real good. I know what I'm doing."Tennessean finds loopholes and administrative mistakes have allowed 500 people "with violent pasts" to hold handgun carry permits. So what? asks gun lobbyist John Harris. He envisions a day when the state will abolish the permit system, letting anyone and everyone pack heat: "The permit really is not that effective." ... Freshman Rep. Joe Carr tries to explain his extravagant use of legislative per diem. It turns out he didn't mean to claim all that money. Oops!
"Because the state finances were in such a mess, after the election and before the session, I took several trips to Nashville. I didn't realize that every time I came to the legislature, they did a per diem."Haslam's neighbors give $677,000 to his campaign. ... Bredesen insists solar initiative is on track. ... The state may lay off more workers in the spring. ... Nine candidates are running to replace Zach Wamp. ... Pickler won't run for Stanley's seat. ... Voters try to recall Metro Council's Pam Murray. ... A.C. Kleinheider wonders whether all powerful men cheat on their wives. ... George Poague bemoans the sad state of Tennessee politics:
Folks, we are returning to the benighted condition Erskine Caldwell wrote about in "Tobacco Road" and "God's Little Acre": a land of ignorant yokels who rail against anything that smacks of progress. And we know progress is another word for socialism.Tennessee health care businesses spend $2.5 million lobbying in Washington. ... Cooper talks health care with WPLN. ... They come to cheer, not jeer Marsha Blackburn. How nice for her.
