Tennessee News Clips
Politics
He's 'history' — Willie Herenton departs mayor's office for last time Thursday
July 30, 2009 Memphis Commercial Appeal
Willie Wilbert Herenton, the former amateur boxing champion who fought his way up from the city's mean streets to its highest office, left City Hall on Thursday for the last time without throwing any hard punches.
Lamar Alexander to back Sotomayor for Supreme Court
July 30, 2009 Associated Press
The Senate's No. 3 Republican announced Thursday he'd break with the rest of his party's leaders to support Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, who's in line to become the first Hispanic justice.
Education
SCORE targets 5 areas to ace
July 31, 2009 Tennessean
An African proverb says it takes a village to raise a child. A group of politicians and business and education leaders are taking a similar approach for reforming a child's public education in the state of Tennessee.
Schools strengthen standards
July 30, 2009 Columbia Daily Herald
Starting with this year’s freshman class, Maury County students will travel a tougher path to graduation.
Obama’s ‘Race to the Top’
July 30, 2009 Wall Street Journal
The Obama Administration unveiled its new “Race to the Top” initiative late last week, in which it will use the lure of $4.35 billion in federal cash to induce states to improve their K-12 schools.
Government
'Clunkers' Program Is Running Out of Cash
July 31, 2009 Washington Post
The government's "cash for clunkers" program, aimed at boosting stagnant auto sales, is almost out of money, putting its future in question, according to sources familiar with the effort.
Healthcare
Health bill inches forward in House
July 31, 2009 Associated Press
House Democrats methodically pushed ahead with a compromise health overhaul Thursday over liberals’ complaints, intent on achieving tangible — if modest — success on President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority ahead of a month long summer recess.
Americans spend $34 billion a year on alternative medicine
July 30, 2009 USA Today
While Americans may complain about the high cost of health care, they're still willing to shell out roughly $34 billion a year out-of-pocket on alternative therapies that aren't covered by insurance, a new study shows.
Business
Union says VW not hiring locally; company fires back
July 31, 2009 Chattanooga Times Free Press
A union said Thursday that Volkswagen isn’t hiring enough local workers in building the automaker’s Chattanooga assembly plant, a charge the company denied.
Economy
Pushed by recession, millions make dramatic job changes
July 31, 2009 USA Today
The automotive industry was the only life Ed Wozniak knew.
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Friday, July 31, 2009
Quote of the Day
"Man, I've been a fantastic Mayor. You know, to come behind me? It's gonna be a hard act!"
- Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton at the conclusion of his remarks at a ceremony marking his retirement
- Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton at the conclusion of his remarks at a ceremony marking his retirement
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Quote of the Day
"Yesterday at the White House, President Obama took part in an online Q & A session with a group of senior citizens. The most common question the seniors asked Obama was, 'What have you done with Eisenhower?'"
-Conan O'Brien
-Conan O'Brien
Today's news clips
Tennessee News Clips
Politics
Politicians consider run for Stanley seat
July 30, 2009 Memphis Commercial Appeal
So far, at least one Republican has announced his candidacy and two other GOP leaders are considering a run for the soon-to-be-vacant state Senate seat now held by Germantown Republican Paul Stanley who resigned.
Senators Seek a Ban on Texting and Driving
July 29, 2009 New York Times
States that do not ban texting by drivers could forfeit hundreds of millions of dollars in federal highway funds under legislation introduced Wednesday in the Senate.
Education
Tennessee gets charter school grant
July 30, 2009 Tennessean
Tennessee was one of five states picked to receive a piece of an $82 million federal charter school grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Class sizes grow as school budgets shrink
July 29, 2009 Associated Press
Like a seesaw on the school playground, falling state budgets are pushing class sizes higher.
Stimulus
Lawmakers dreading end of stimulus dollars
July 27, 2009 Stateline
Whether they welcomed or snubbed the federal economic stimulus package, state lawmakers took advantage of the bailout dollars this year to help patch their state’s shaky finances.
Healthcare
President talks health care reform at Bristol event
July 29, 2009 Kingsport Times News
Kroger deli worker Charlotte Norman asked President Barack Obama Wednesday if her 90-year-old mother will be “put out to pasture” and abandoned by Medicare.
House Democrats End Impasse on Health Bill
July 29, 2009 New York Times
Efforts to pass sweeping health care legislation took a big step forward on Wednesday as House Democratic leaders reached an agreement with fiscally conservative party members that would cut the bill’s cost and exempt many small businesses from having to provide health benefits to workers.
Energy
Efficiency Drive Could Cut Energy Use 23% by 2020, Study Finds
July 29, 2009 New York Times
The biggest opportunity to improve the nation’s energy situation is a major investment program to make homes and businesses more efficient, according to a study released Wednesday by the consulting firm McKinsey.
Economy
Fed Survey, Economic Data Signal Recession Is Easing
July 30, 2009 Wall Street Journal
The pace of decline in economic activity has "moderated" or "begun to stabilize," the Federal Reserve's latest survey of regional economic conditions found, and a Commerce Department report showed the steep drop in U.S. business-investment spending appears to be bottoming out.
Guidelines Aim to Help Struggling Borrowers
July 30, 2009 Wall Street Journal
The Obama administration plans to announce Thursday new guidelines designed to help struggling homeowners with Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgages.
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Politics
Politicians consider run for Stanley seat
July 30, 2009 Memphis Commercial Appeal
So far, at least one Republican has announced his candidacy and two other GOP leaders are considering a run for the soon-to-be-vacant state Senate seat now held by Germantown Republican Paul Stanley who resigned.
Senators Seek a Ban on Texting and Driving
July 29, 2009 New York Times
States that do not ban texting by drivers could forfeit hundreds of millions of dollars in federal highway funds under legislation introduced Wednesday in the Senate.
Education
Tennessee gets charter school grant
July 30, 2009 Tennessean
Tennessee was one of five states picked to receive a piece of an $82 million federal charter school grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Class sizes grow as school budgets shrink
July 29, 2009 Associated Press
Like a seesaw on the school playground, falling state budgets are pushing class sizes higher.
Stimulus
Lawmakers dreading end of stimulus dollars
July 27, 2009 Stateline
Whether they welcomed or snubbed the federal economic stimulus package, state lawmakers took advantage of the bailout dollars this year to help patch their state’s shaky finances.
Healthcare
President talks health care reform at Bristol event
July 29, 2009 Kingsport Times News
Kroger deli worker Charlotte Norman asked President Barack Obama Wednesday if her 90-year-old mother will be “put out to pasture” and abandoned by Medicare.
House Democrats End Impasse on Health Bill
July 29, 2009 New York Times
Efforts to pass sweeping health care legislation took a big step forward on Wednesday as House Democratic leaders reached an agreement with fiscally conservative party members that would cut the bill’s cost and exempt many small businesses from having to provide health benefits to workers.
Energy
Efficiency Drive Could Cut Energy Use 23% by 2020, Study Finds
July 29, 2009 New York Times
The biggest opportunity to improve the nation’s energy situation is a major investment program to make homes and businesses more efficient, according to a study released Wednesday by the consulting firm McKinsey.
Economy
Fed Survey, Economic Data Signal Recession Is Easing
July 30, 2009 Wall Street Journal
The pace of decline in economic activity has "moderated" or "begun to stabilize," the Federal Reserve's latest survey of regional economic conditions found, and a Commerce Department report showed the steep drop in U.S. business-investment spending appears to be bottoming out.
Guidelines Aim to Help Struggling Borrowers
July 30, 2009 Wall Street Journal
The Obama administration plans to announce Thursday new guidelines designed to help struggling homeowners with Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgages.
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Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Quote of the Day, #2
"When you’ve got 27 percent unemployment, that is a full-fledged depression down in Perry County, and let’s just see if we can’t figure out how to do something that’s just much more on the ground and direct, that actually gets people jobs."
- Governor Phil Bredesen, in today's New York Times, on using stimulus money to ease joblessness.
- Governor Phil Bredesen, in today's New York Times, on using stimulus money to ease joblessness.
Quote of the Day
"What kind of burglar breaks into a house with luggage? That's what I want to know about. "
-Bill Maher
-Bill Maher
Monday, July 27, 2009
Southern Strategy Group of TN - News Clips
Tennessee News Clips
Politics
Obama: U.S.-China relations to shape 21st century
July 27, 2009 USA Today
President Obama said Monday that the relationship between the United States and China will shape the history of the 21st century.
Palin’s Formal Farewell Includes Parting Shots
July 26, 2009 Associated Press
Sarah Palin stepped down Sunday as Alaska governor to write a book and build a right-of-center coalition, but she left her long-term political plans unclear and refused to address speculation she would seek a 2012 presidential bid.
Education
Teachers' pay would be tied to test scores under Obama plan
July 26, 2009 USA Today
States that want a piece of the Obama administration's $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund for schools must hew to internationally benchmarked academic standards and let schools pay teachers and principals more if they work in hard-to-staff schools — or if student scores improve on basic skills tests.
Special education improves in Metro, panel says
July 27, 2009 Tennessean
Metro schools need to keep working on inclusive education for students with disabilities, monitor racial and ethnic imbalances in that group and take many other steps to transform special education, a group advising Mayor Karl Dean said in a new report.
Healthcare
Reach of Subsidies Is Critical Issue for Health Plan
July 26, 2009 New York Times
The major health care bills moving through Congress would require nearly all Americans to have health insurance.
Dems alone can't deliver Obama health care win
July 27, 2009 Washington Post
President Barack Obama's push to overhaul health care needs Republican votes, lawmakers from both parties say.
Business
Lehman holds huge eBay garage sale
July 27, 2009 Bloomberg News
The green umbrella has the Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. logo silk-screened on it and can stand up to winds as strong as 80 mph — and it's yours for only $20.
Economy
Loans Shrink as Fear Lingers
July 27, 2009 Wall Street Journal
Lending continues to slow as bankers and borrowers refrain from taking risks, in a bearish sign for the economy.
For small businesses, recession lingers
July 27, 2009 Associated Press
As the effects of the economic collapse began pouring down Main Street, the government last year was left holding a record $2.1 billion in write-offs of small-business loans it had guaranteed.
Energy
Insurers Add Green Rebuilding Policies
July 27, 2009 New York Times
Texas homeowners can pay a bit more for insurance in order to be able to rebuild in an eco-friendly way after a catastrophe, according to a front-page story in Sunday’s Houston Chronicle.
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Politics
Obama: U.S.-China relations to shape 21st century
July 27, 2009 USA Today
President Obama said Monday that the relationship between the United States and China will shape the history of the 21st century.
Palin’s Formal Farewell Includes Parting Shots
July 26, 2009 Associated Press
Sarah Palin stepped down Sunday as Alaska governor to write a book and build a right-of-center coalition, but she left her long-term political plans unclear and refused to address speculation she would seek a 2012 presidential bid.
Education
Teachers' pay would be tied to test scores under Obama plan
July 26, 2009 USA Today
States that want a piece of the Obama administration's $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund for schools must hew to internationally benchmarked academic standards and let schools pay teachers and principals more if they work in hard-to-staff schools — or if student scores improve on basic skills tests.
Special education improves in Metro, panel says
July 27, 2009 Tennessean
Metro schools need to keep working on inclusive education for students with disabilities, monitor racial and ethnic imbalances in that group and take many other steps to transform special education, a group advising Mayor Karl Dean said in a new report.
Healthcare
Reach of Subsidies Is Critical Issue for Health Plan
July 26, 2009 New York Times
The major health care bills moving through Congress would require nearly all Americans to have health insurance.
Dems alone can't deliver Obama health care win
July 27, 2009 Washington Post
President Barack Obama's push to overhaul health care needs Republican votes, lawmakers from both parties say.
Business
Lehman holds huge eBay garage sale
July 27, 2009 Bloomberg News
The green umbrella has the Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. logo silk-screened on it and can stand up to winds as strong as 80 mph — and it's yours for only $20.
Economy
Loans Shrink as Fear Lingers
July 27, 2009 Wall Street Journal
Lending continues to slow as bankers and borrowers refrain from taking risks, in a bearish sign for the economy.
For small businesses, recession lingers
July 27, 2009 Associated Press
As the effects of the economic collapse began pouring down Main Street, the government last year was left holding a record $2.1 billion in write-offs of small-business loans it had guaranteed.
Energy
Insurers Add Green Rebuilding Policies
July 27, 2009 New York Times
Texas homeowners can pay a bit more for insurance in order to be able to rebuild in an eco-friendly way after a catastrophe, according to a front-page story in Sunday’s Houston Chronicle.
Click here to Subscribe or Unsubscribe.
Quote of the Day
“There are too many areas of this country where you have to go through more work to be licensed as a beautician than to do someone’s taxes.”
--California Congressman Xavier Becerra, a senior Democrat on the House Ways & Means Committee, discussing his plans to introduce legislation this year to require that all preparers register with the IRS (BusinessWeek).
--California Congressman Xavier Becerra, a senior Democrat on the House Ways & Means Committee, discussing his plans to introduce legislation this year to require that all preparers register with the IRS (BusinessWeek).
Friday, July 24, 2009
The rest of the world is kicking our broadband butt
More on the need for smart broadband investment:
The rest of the world is kicking our broadband butt - look how slow our speeds are compared to other countries - most of the countries ahead of us have been investing strategically in broadband infrastructure for the last 10 years: http://gigaom.com/2009/07/08/state-of-the-internet-globally-broadband-continues-to-grow/
The rest of the world is kicking our broadband butt - look how slow our speeds are compared to other countries - most of the countries ahead of us have been investing strategically in broadband infrastructure for the last 10 years: http://gigaom.com/2009/07/08/state-of-the-internet-globally-broadband-continues-to-grow/
Quote of the Day
"The good news is football fans from Florida won't be able to take THEIR guns into Tennessee bars."
- Former Metro Councilman, sometime stand-up comic and Nashville attorney Adam Dread on the failure of a measure in the United States Senate that would have allowed gun carry permit holders to use their permit to carry guns in any state that issues carry permits.
- Former Metro Councilman, sometime stand-up comic and Nashville attorney Adam Dread on the failure of a measure in the United States Senate that would have allowed gun carry permit holders to use their permit to carry guns in any state that issues carry permits.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Smart Grid and Broadband - The Super Two-fer
The smart grid you've read and heard about lately will require robust communication systems to handle the massive amount of data required to make energy systems across the country more efficient and reliable. The need for these robust networks for smart grid will provide the best opportunity for public investment in broadband that will allow the United States to catch up with the rest of the world in the speed, quality and reliability of broadband.
The need for these robust networks is also the best opportunity to provide fast, quality, reliable broadband service to unserved and underserved parts of rural America. Every place with electricity will need smart grid; every place with smart grid will need super fast broadband. See how that works?
Several electric utilities in Tennessee (http://www.fiberoptics4tn.com/), in cities as large as Chattanooga and towns as small as Pulaski, have invested in the fiber communication networks to build out their part of the smart grid. Not only will these fiber-based communication systems be robust enough to support the smart grid, this same fiber provides the fastest Internet service available anywhere in the United States.
It is hard to describe how fast the Internet connection is with these fiber systems. You have to see it to believe it. And get this - the super fast Internet speed (that SSG-TN partner Robert Gowan gets to use when he visits his parents in Pulaski) is only about 1/10th of the speed it is capable of. In other words: they haven't turned it all the way up yet! The educational and economic development possibilities for the communities that have this fiber backbone in place are amazing.
And look at what EPB's customers in Chattanooga are saying about their new fiber-based Internet service: http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_154527.asp
Finally, take a look at what the Center for American Progress has to say about the opportunities for bigger, better projects if broadband and smart grid projects are combined: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/04/smart_infrastructure.html
More later on fiber-based broadband, and why most areas in Tennessee are deprived of this kind of Internet speed.
The need for these robust networks is also the best opportunity to provide fast, quality, reliable broadband service to unserved and underserved parts of rural America. Every place with electricity will need smart grid; every place with smart grid will need super fast broadband. See how that works?
Several electric utilities in Tennessee (http://www.fiberoptics4tn.com/), in cities as large as Chattanooga and towns as small as Pulaski, have invested in the fiber communication networks to build out their part of the smart grid. Not only will these fiber-based communication systems be robust enough to support the smart grid, this same fiber provides the fastest Internet service available anywhere in the United States.
It is hard to describe how fast the Internet connection is with these fiber systems. You have to see it to believe it. And get this - the super fast Internet speed (that SSG-TN partner Robert Gowan gets to use when he visits his parents in Pulaski) is only about 1/10th of the speed it is capable of. In other words: they haven't turned it all the way up yet! The educational and economic development possibilities for the communities that have this fiber backbone in place are amazing.
And look at what EPB's customers in Chattanooga are saying about their new fiber-based Internet service: http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_154527.asp
Finally, take a look at what the Center for American Progress has to say about the opportunities for bigger, better projects if broadband and smart grid projects are combined: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/04/smart_infrastructure.html
More later on fiber-based broadband, and why most areas in Tennessee are deprived of this kind of Internet speed.
More than just quotes of the day ...
Welcome to the Southern Strategy Group of Tennessee blog. We will use this space to keep our clients and friends informed. We'll also use this space to continue delivering our quote of the day. Let us know what you think.
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