The modern day central planners have so many wonderful good intentions...isn't that enough??? They just want the best for us (eyes watering, fighting back the tears).
Unfortunately, all the good intentions in the world plus billions in taxpayer funded subsidies can't convince people in Los Angeles to take mass transit...in fact all the subsidized shopping built around mass transit stations is actually attracting more cars!!
Link
In Los Angeles alone, billions of public and private dollars have been lavished on transit-oriented projects such as Hollywood & Vine, with more than 20,000 residential units approved within a quarter mile of transit stations between 2001 and 2005.
But there is little research to back up the rosy predictions. Among the few academic studies of the subject, one that looked at buildings in the Los Angeles area showed that transit-based development successfully weaned relatively few residents from their cars. It also found that, over time, no more people in the buildings studied were taking transit 10 years after a project opened than when it was first built.
[...]
The reporting showed that only a small fraction of residents shunned their cars during morning rush hour. Most people said that even though they lived close to transit stations, the trains weren't convenient enough, taking too long to arrive at destinations and lacking stops near their workplaces. Many complained that they didn't feel comfortable riding the MTA's crowded, often slow-moving buses from transit terminals to their jobs.
Moreover, the attraction of shops and cafes that are often built into developments at transit stations can actually draw more cars to neighborhoods, putting an additional traffic burden on areas that had been promised relief.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Do ya think any of these groups
would EVER oppose a tax hike?
Many smart, well meaning, and sincere people staff these groups and many smart, well meaning and sincere people are members and their mission is to grow the size and influence and power of their groups. That is why they exist. Most are funded in part or whole by taxpayers.
Here is, as they say, the bottom line. If we, the citizens, allow those within government to determine the size and scope and tax burden of government, taxes will NEVER be high enough and the scope will NEVER be large enough.
Our elected representatives are supposed to represent US to those in government. Far too often they simply represent those in government to US.
TN Municipal League
TN Counties Association
TN County Attorneys Association
Association of Tennessee Valley Governments
TN County Officials Assocation
TN County Highway Officials Association
TN Sheriffs Assocation
TN School Boards Assocation
TN Institute for Public Service
Tennessee Registers (of Deeds-Assessors) Association
Tennessee County Trustee Association
Tennessee Association of Municipal Clerks and Recorders
Tennessee City Management Association
Local Government Corporation
TN Municipal Attorneys Association
TN Chapter American Public Works Association
TN Government Finance Officers Association
TN Association Housing/Redevelopment Officials
TN Building Officials
TN Fire Chiefs Association
TN Association of Chiefs of Police
TN Recreation and Parks Association
TN Chapter, American Planning Association
TN Personnel Management Association
TN Association of Public Purchasing
TN Section, Institute of Transportation Engineers
TN Public Transportation Association
TN Fire Safety Inspectors Association
TN Municipal Judges Conference
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
County Technical Advisory Service
Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations
Many smart, well meaning, and sincere people staff these groups and many smart, well meaning and sincere people are members and their mission is to grow the size and influence and power of their groups. That is why they exist. Most are funded in part or whole by taxpayers.
Here is, as they say, the bottom line. If we, the citizens, allow those within government to determine the size and scope and tax burden of government, taxes will NEVER be high enough and the scope will NEVER be large enough.
Our elected representatives are supposed to represent US to those in government. Far too often they simply represent those in government to US.
TN Municipal League
TN Counties Association
TN County Attorneys Association
Association of Tennessee Valley Governments
TN County Officials Assocation
TN County Highway Officials Association
TN Sheriffs Assocation
TN School Boards Assocation
TN Institute for Public Service
Tennessee Registers (of Deeds-Assessors) Association
Tennessee County Trustee Association
Tennessee Association of Municipal Clerks and Recorders
Tennessee City Management Association
Local Government Corporation
TN Municipal Attorneys Association
TN Chapter American Public Works Association
TN Government Finance Officers Association
TN Association Housing/Redevelopment Officials
TN Building Officials
TN Fire Chiefs Association
TN Association of Chiefs of Police
TN Recreation and Parks Association
TN Chapter, American Planning Association
TN Personnel Management Association
TN Association of Public Purchasing
TN Section, Institute of Transportation Engineers
TN Public Transportation Association
TN Fire Safety Inspectors Association
TN Municipal Judges Conference
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
County Technical Advisory Service
Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations
$4.88 for a plasma TV?
Link
According to police reports, Simms carried a 42-inch Sanyo Plasma TV to a self-checkout aisle after switching the original price tag of $984 with one for only $4.88. Wal-Mart Loss Prevention officers witnessed the alleged transaction and called police.
According to police reports, Simms carried a 42-inch Sanyo Plasma TV to a self-checkout aisle after switching the original price tag of $984 with one for only $4.88. Wal-Mart Loss Prevention officers witnessed the alleged transaction and called police.
Buyer's Market in Key West Condos
Link
* 3930 Roosevelt Blvd w101 - Original Price: $325,000 - Listing Price: $215,000
* 3930 Roosevelt Blvd S-104 - Original Price: $350,000 - Listing Price: $249,900
* 3314 Northside Dr 35 - Original Price: $499,000 - Listing Price: $299,000
* 2521 Fogarty Ave 4 - Original Price: $324,000 - Listing Price: $299,000
* 3314 Northside Dr 124 - Original Price: $449,000 - Listing Price: $335,000
* 173 Golf Club Dr - Original Price: $399,000 - Listing Price: $335,000
* 3314 Northside Dr 35 - Original Price: $499,000 - Listing Price: $299,000
* 3314 Northside Dr 124 - Original Price: $449,000 - Listing Price: $335,000
* 2601 Roosevelt Blvd 307 c - Original Price: $430,000 - Listing Price: $355,000
* 11 Whistling Duck Ln - Original Price: $669,000 - Listing Price: $399,000
* 1332 Seminary St 101 - Original Price: $525,000 - Listing Price: $410,000
* 1402 Olivia St 4 - Original Price: $598,876 - Listing Price: $499,000
* 21 Kestral Way - Original Price: $815,000 - Listing Price: $550,000
* 620 Thomas St 174 - Original Price: $729,000 - Listing Price: $595,900
* 1616 Atlantic Blvd 9 - Original Price: $1,212,500 - Listing Price: $905,000
* 2609 Gulfview Dr - Original Price: $1,270,000 - Listing Price: $923,200
* 31 Seaside south Ct - Original Price: $1,195,000 - Listing Price: $1,095,000
* 3930 Roosevelt Blvd w101 - Original Price: $325,000 - Listing Price: $215,000
* 3930 Roosevelt Blvd S-104 - Original Price: $350,000 - Listing Price: $249,900
* 3314 Northside Dr 35 - Original Price: $499,000 - Listing Price: $299,000
* 2521 Fogarty Ave 4 - Original Price: $324,000 - Listing Price: $299,000
* 3314 Northside Dr 124 - Original Price: $449,000 - Listing Price: $335,000
* 173 Golf Club Dr - Original Price: $399,000 - Listing Price: $335,000
* 3314 Northside Dr 35 - Original Price: $499,000 - Listing Price: $299,000
* 3314 Northside Dr 124 - Original Price: $449,000 - Listing Price: $335,000
* 2601 Roosevelt Blvd 307 c - Original Price: $430,000 - Listing Price: $355,000
* 11 Whistling Duck Ln - Original Price: $669,000 - Listing Price: $399,000
* 1332 Seminary St 101 - Original Price: $525,000 - Listing Price: $410,000
* 1402 Olivia St 4 - Original Price: $598,876 - Listing Price: $499,000
* 21 Kestral Way - Original Price: $815,000 - Listing Price: $550,000
* 620 Thomas St 174 - Original Price: $729,000 - Listing Price: $595,900
* 1616 Atlantic Blvd 9 - Original Price: $1,212,500 - Listing Price: $905,000
* 2609 Gulfview Dr - Original Price: $1,270,000 - Listing Price: $923,200
* 31 Seaside south Ct - Original Price: $1,195,000 - Listing Price: $1,095,000
Friday, June 29, 2007
NYC wants a piece of your YouTube action
Link
Some tourists, amateur photographers, even would-be filmmakers hoping to make it big on YouTube could soon be forced to obtain a city permit and $1 million in liability insurance before taking pictures or filming on city property, including sidewalks.
New rules being considered by the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting would require any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour to get a city permit and insurance.
The same requirements would apply to any group of five or more people who plan to use a tripod in a public location for more than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to set up the equipment.
Julianne Cho, assistant commissioner of the film office, said the rules were not intended to apply to families on vacation or amateur filmmakers or photographers.
Nevertheless, the New York Civil Liberties Union says the proposed rules, as strictly interpreted, could have that effect. The group also warns that the rules set the stage for selective and perhaps discriminatory enforcement by police.
"These rules will apply to a huge range of casual photography and filming, including tourists taking snapshots and people making short videos for YouTube," said Christopher Dunn, the group's associate legal director.
Mayoral candidates split on residency requirement
Link
A residency requirement for Metro Nashville employees that was discontinued when Governor Phil Bredesen was Mayor resurfaced last night as a divisive issue in the race to be Nashville's next mayor.
Currently nearly half of Metro firefighters and one-third of police officers live outside Metro. At a forum organized by the NAACP, the six candidates landed all over the map on whether public servants should live in the city.
Vice-mayor Howard Gentry made the strongest commitment to return to a residency requirement.
"It supports our tax base. It keeps our salaries that we pay inside of our county. It'd be a bold move, but no more bold than the decision to let them move outside the county."
Councilman and former fire chief Buck Dozier said there are too many variables and personal issues that would negatively impact families. Councilman David Briley said such a rule would be unenforceable.
Candidates also focused issues in the African American community. They were all in agreement about redeveloping Jefferson Street. Briley also suggested a new museum that would house Fisk University's famous art collection, which is now in storage.
Answering a question about how to get more Metro contracts to minority-owned businesses, former Metro Law director Karl Dean suggested breaking them up so smaller businesses would get a chance to bid.
Early voting begins July 13th. Election day is August 2nd.
What's your sign...and vote?
The Washington Post Congressional Vote database shows votes by gender, boomer status, and birth sign. Here is the vote to allow the Congressional pay raise go forward for example:
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Taxpayers fund Art with low interest loans
Link
Lucas County residents will be able to apply for low-interest loans to buy local artwork though a county-funded program, Commissioner Ben Konop, announced yesterday.
[...]
"The main beneficiary is the working people of Lucas County, who now have a more affordable opportunity to purchase art."
Sometimes blog posts just write themselves
Link
OTTAWA — The federal government burned through seven years worth of money in nine months last year in a failed effort to cut costs in its massive procurement machine, an internal audit has found.
In the latest administrative nightmare to emerge from Public Works Canada, auditors say high-level bureaucrats lost control of a $24-million contract with cost-cutting consultants.
[...]
Mr. Fortier has called on the department to implement a six-point action plan, including the creation of an oversight committee, to "avoid this from happening again," according to his spokesman, Jacques Gagnon.
EPA Tyranny - Ozone Mission Creep
Link
Due to relatively low ozone levels during the last few years, only 19 percent of the nation's metropolitan areas violate EPA's current eight-hour ozone standard of 85 parts per billion, down from 40 percent just a few years ago. Non-metropolitan counties — those that include only rural areas or smaller cities — are in even better shape, with only a four-percent violation rate. Absent a tougher standard, this would have meant that many areas would shortly be getting out from under some of the Clean Air Act's most odious requirements.
With the new standard, however, non-attainment will become the norm, rather than the exception. EPA is proposing a standard somewhere in the range of 70–75 ppb. Based on current ozone levels, this would put 67–87 percent of metropolitan areas in violation, and 39–72 percent of non-metropolitan counties.
Due to relatively low ozone levels during the last few years, only 19 percent of the nation's metropolitan areas violate EPA's current eight-hour ozone standard of 85 parts per billion, down from 40 percent just a few years ago. Non-metropolitan counties — those that include only rural areas or smaller cities — are in even better shape, with only a four-percent violation rate. Absent a tougher standard, this would have meant that many areas would shortly be getting out from under some of the Clean Air Act's most odious requirements.
With the new standard, however, non-attainment will become the norm, rather than the exception. EPA is proposing a standard somewhere in the range of 70–75 ppb. Based on current ozone levels, this would put 67–87 percent of metropolitan areas in violation, and 39–72 percent of non-metropolitan counties.
Ethics Commission too big for their britches
Link
Tennessee Ethics Commission members say it may be time to pull back the reins on the commission's staff.
In a meeting today Commissioner Dianne Neal said the staff might be getting ahead of the commissioners in the decisions they make. As an example she pointed to Executive Director Bruce Androphy's decision to hire an overseer for the registration of lobbyists and the setting of that person's salary without the commission's approval.
Paris beats Hannity and Colmes
Link
Larry King's interview with Paris Hilton averaged 3,079,000 viewers last night, according to live viewer data (not including same-day DVR viewership) from Nielsen Media Research.
In the 25-54 demo, King averaged 1,336,000 viewers.
King almost doubled Hannity & Colmes in total viewers (1,621,000) and tripled the show in the demo (382,000). MSNBC had 502,000 viewers, including 205,000 in the demo, for the hour.
CNN easily beat FNC in primetime in the 25-54 demo, 812,000 to 442,000. Among total viewers, CNN lost in a tight race, with FNC averaging 1,858,000 to CNN's 1,851,000...
Larry King's interview with Paris Hilton averaged 3,079,000 viewers last night, according to live viewer data (not including same-day DVR viewership) from Nielsen Media Research.
In the 25-54 demo, King averaged 1,336,000 viewers.
King almost doubled Hannity & Colmes in total viewers (1,621,000) and tripled the show in the demo (382,000). MSNBC had 502,000 viewers, including 205,000 in the demo, for the hour.
CNN easily beat FNC in primetime in the 25-54 demo, 812,000 to 442,000. Among total viewers, CNN lost in a tight race, with FNC averaging 1,858,000 to CNN's 1,851,000...
How much MORE will your school system receive?
These are the latest figures on how much additional money each Tennessee school system will receive under the new BEP calculations for 07-08 compared to what they got last year. Every school system will see an increase.
| BEP 2.0 Analysis | |||||
| FINAL Dollars 06-07 | FINAL Est BEP 2.0 07-08 | Diff 07-08 06-07 | |||
| Anderson County | $ 24,396,000 | $ 27,864,000 | $ 3,468,000 | ||
| Clinton City | $ 3,208,000 | $ 3,557,000 | $ 349,000 | ||
| Oak Ridge City | $ 15,143,000 | $ 17,109,000 | $ 1,966,000 | ||
| Bedford County | $ 27,353,000 | $ 31,361,000 | $ 4,008,000 | ||
| Benton County | $ 10,037,000 | $ 11,115,000 | $ 1,078,000 | ||
| Bledsoe County | $ 9,351,000 | $ 10,302,000 | $ 951,000 | ||
| Blount County | $ 40,398,000 | $ 42,332,000 | $ 1,934,000 | ||
| Alcoa City | $ 4,988,000 | $ 5,530,000 | $ 542,000 | ||
| Maryville City | $ 16,081,000 | $ 16,837,000 | $ 756,000 | ||
| Bradley County | $ 31,183,000 | $ 35,549,000 | $ 4,366,000 | ||
| Cleveland City | $ 14,494,000 | $ 16,517,000 | $ 2,023,000 | ||
| Campbell County | $ 24,086,000 | $ 25,214,000 | $ 1,128,000 | ||
| Cannon County | $ 9,374,000 | $ 10,401,000 | $ 1,027,000 | ||
| Carroll County | $ 1,769,000 | $ 1,775,900 | $ 6,900 | ||
| H Rock-Bruceton SSD | $ 2,897,000 | $ 3,128,000 | $ 231,000 | ||
| Huntingdon SSD | $ 5,050,000 | $ 5,375,000 | $ 325,000 | ||
| McKenzie SSD | $ 5,179,000 | $ 5,813,000 | $ 634,000 | ||
| South Carroll Co SSD | $ 1,689,000 | $ 1,712,300 | $ 23,300 | ||
| West Carroll Co SSD | $ 4,258,000 | $ 4,451,000 | $ 193,000 | ||
| Carter County | $ 25,101,000 | $ 26,986,000 | $ 1,885,000 | ||
| Elizabethton City | $ 7,803,000 | $ 8,399,000 | $ 596,000 | ||
| Cheatham County | $ 26,808,000 | $ 28,652,000 | $ 1,844,000 | ||
| Chester County | $ 10,312,000 | $ 11,668,000 | $ 1,356,000 | ||
| Claiborne County | $ 21,036,000 | $ 22,282,000 | $ 1,246,000 | ||
| Clay County | $ 5,321,000 | $ 5,744,000 | $ 423,000 | ||
| Cocke County | $ 18,886,000 | $ 20,784,000 | $ 1,898,000 | ||
| Newport City | $ 2,699,000 | $ 2,956,000 | $ 257,000 | ||
| Coffee County | $ 14,586,000 | $ 16,936,000 | $ 2,350,000 | ||
| Manchester City | $ 4,304,000 | $ 5,185,000 | $ 881,000 | ||
| Tullahoma City | $ 11,423,000 | $ 12,589,000 | $ 1,166,000 | ||
| Crockett County | $ 7,614,000 | $ 8,082,000 | $ 468,000 | ||
| Alamo City | $ 2,172,000 | $ 2,601,000 | $ 429,000 | ||
| Bells City | $ 1,790,000 | $ 1,962,000 | $ 172,000 | ||
| Cumberland County | $ 24,973,000 | $ 26,102,000 | $ 1,129,000 | ||
| Davidson County | $ 171,406,000 | $ 186,062,000 | $ 14,656,000 | ||
| Decatur County | $ 6,524,000 | $ 7,117,000 | $ 593,000 | ||
| DeKalb County | $ 10,657,000 | $ 11,474,000 | $ 817,000 | ||
| Dickson County | $ 29,249,000 | $ 32,525,000 | $ 3,276,000 | ||
| Dyer County | $ 12,083,000 | $ 13,782,000 | $ 1,699,000 | ||
| Dyersburg City | $ 11,539,000 | $ 12,787,000 | $ 1,248,000 | ||
| Fayette County | $ 13,658,000 | $ 14,655,000 | $ 997,000 | ||
| Fentress County | $ 9,974,000 | $ 10,817,000 | $ 843,000 | ||
| Franklin County | $ 23,428,000 | $ 24,643,000 | $ 1,215,000 | ||
| Humboldt City | $ 5,612,000 | $ 6,342,000 | $ 730,000 | ||
| Milan SSD | $ 7,749,000 | $ 8,787,000 | $ 1,038,000 | ||
| Trenton SSD | $ 5,507,000 | $ 6,154,000 | $ 647,000 | ||
| Bradford SSD | $ 2,394,000 | $ 2,721,000 | $ 327,000 | ||
| Gibson County SSD | $ 10,612,000 | $ 12,304,000 | $ 1,692,000 | ||
| Giles County | $ 16,051,000 | $ 17,467,000 | $ 1,416,000 | ||
| Grainger County | $ 15,741,000 | $ 17,090,000 | $ 1,349,000 | ||
| Greene County | $ 25,623,000 | $ 28,602,000 | $ 2,979,000 | ||
| Greeneville City | $ 10,110,000 | $ 11,091,000 | $ 981,000 | ||
| Grundy County | $ 10,648,000 | $ 11,762,000 | $ 1,114,000 | ||
| Hamblen County | $ 29,175,000 | $ 34,566,000 | $ 5,391,000 | ||
| Hamilton County | $ 95,452,000 | $ 108,320,000 | $ 12,868,000 | ||
| Hancock County | $ 5,370,000 | $ 5,720,000 | $ 350,000 | ||
| Hardeman County | $ 19,253,000 | $ 20,438,000 | $ 1,185,000 | ||
| Hardin County | $ 13,477,000 | $ 14,051,000 | $ 574,000 | ||
| Hawkins County | $ 30,107,000 | $ 33,129,000 | $ 3,022,000 | ||
| Rogersville City | $ 2,552,000 | $ 2,585,800 | $ 33,800 | ||
| Haywood County | $ 14,754,000 | $ 15,501,000 | $ 747,000 | ||
| Henderson County | $ 13,666,000 | $ 14,745,000 | $ 1,079,000 | ||
| Lexington City | $ 3,989,000 | $ 4,494,000 | $ 505,000 | ||
| Henry County | $ 11,386,000 | $ 12,550,000 | $ 1,164,000 | ||
| Paris SSD | $ 5,481,000 | $ 6,050,000 | $ 569,000 | ||
| Hickman County | $ 17,857,000 | $ 19,290,000 | $ 1,433,000 | ||
| Houston County | $ 6,804,000 | $ 7,582,000 | $ 778,000 | ||
| Humphreys County | $ 11,512,000 | $ 12,549,000 | $ 1,037,000 | ||
| Jackson County | $ 7,308,000 | $ 8,075,000 | $ 767,000 | ||
| Jefferson County | $ 27,745,000 | $ 29,629,000 | $ 1,884,000 | ||
| Johnson County | $ 10,909,000 | $ 11,448,000 | $ 539,000 | ||
| Knox County | $ 122,649,000 | $ 141,588,000 | $ 18,939,000 | ||
| Lake County | $ 4,433,000 | $ 4,491,600 | $ 58,600 | ||
| Lauderdale County | $ 19,304,000 | $ 21,542,000 | $ 2,238,000 | ||
| Lawrence County | $ 25,592,000 | $ 28,513,000 | $ 2,921,000 | ||
| Lewis County | $ 8,058,000 | $ 8,723,000 | $ 665,000 | ||
| Lincoln County | $ 15,398,000 | $ 16,727,000 | $ 1,329,000 | ||
| Fayetteville City | $ 3,697,000 | $ 3,997,000 | $ 300,000 | ||
| Loudon County | $ 17,633,000 | $ 18,800,000 | $ 1,167,000 | ||
| Lenoir City | $ 7,649,000 | $ 7,965,000 | $ 316,000 | ||
| McMinn County | $ 20,187,000 | $ 21,435,000 | $ 1,248,000 | ||
| Athens City | $ 5,883,000 | $ 6,505,000 | $ 622,000 | ||
| Etowah City | $ 1,416,000 | $ 1,442,000 | $ 26,000 | ||
| McNairy County | $ 16,715,000 | $ 18,663,000 | $ 1,948,000 | ||
| Macon County | $ 15,156,000 | $ 16,594,000 | $ 1,438,000 | ||
| Madison County | $ 38,426,000 | $ 43,011,000 | $ 4,585,000 | ||
| Marion County | $ 15,536,000 | $ 16,686,000 | $ 1,150,000 | ||
| Richard City SSD | $ 1,263,000 | $ 1,387,000 | $ 124,000 | ||
| Marshall County | $ 17,570,000 | $ 20,059,000 | $ 2,489,000 | ||
| Maury County | $ 40,475,000 | $ 42,784,000 | $ 2,309,000 | ||
| Meigs County | $ 8,476,000 | $ 9,067,000 | $ 591,000 | ||
| Monroe County | $ 21,275,000 | $ 22,904,000 | $ 1,629,000 | ||
| Sweetwater City | $ 5,726,000 | $ 6,210,000 | $ 484,000 | ||
| Montgomery County | $ 89,694,000 | $ 105,214,000 | $ 15,520,000 | ||
| Moore County | $ 4,107,000 | $ 4,400,000 | $ 293,000 | ||
| Morgan County | $ 15,750,000 | $ 16,879,000 | $ 1,129,000 | ||
| Obion County | $ 14,037,000 | $ 16,038,000 | $ 2,001,000 | ||
| Union City | $ 4,896,000 | $ 5,623,000 | $ 727,000 | ||
| Overton County | $ 14,382,000 | $ 15,483,000 | $ 1,101,000 | ||
| Perry County | $ 4,882,000 | $ 5,226,000 | $ 344,000 | ||
| Pickett County | $ 3,221,000 | $ 3,468,000 | $ 247,000 | ||
| Polk County | $ 10,934,000 | $ 12,128,000 | $ 1,194,000 | ||
| Putnam County | $ 30,915,000 | $ 35,738,000 | $ 4,823,000 | ||
| Rhea County | $ 16,346,000 | $ 17,850,000 | $ 1,504,000 | ||
| Dayton City | $ 2,746,000 | $ 3,088,000 | $ 342,000 | ||
| Roane County | $ 26,855,000 | $ 29,302,000 | $ 2,447,000 | ||
| Robertson County | $ 38,212,000 | $ 42,369,000 | $ 4,157,000 | ||
| Rutherford County | $ 102,944,000 | $ 121,981,000 | $ 19,037,000 | ||
| Murfreesboro City | $ 20,991,000 | $ 24,895,000 | $ 3,904,000 | ||
| Scott County | $ 11,634,000 | $ 12,730,000 | $ 1,096,000 | ||
| Oneida SSD | $ 5,462,000 | $ 5,940,000 | $ 478,000 | ||
| Sequatchie County | $ 9,486,000 | $ 10,293,000 | $ 807,000 | ||
| Sevier County | $ 35,933,000 | $ 36,421,400 | $ 488,400 | ||
| Shelby County | $ 144,122,000 | $ 160,871,000 | $ 16,749,000 | ||
| Memphis City | $ 371,376,000 | $ 419,383,000 | $ 48,007,000 | ||
| Smith County | $ 12,465,000 | $ 14,073,000 | $ 1,608,000 | ||
| Stewart County | $ 9,580,000 | $ 10,607,000 | $ 1,027,000 | ||
| Sullivan County | $ 36,256,000 | $ 40,094,000 | $ 3,838,000 | ||
| Bristol City | $ 11,047,000 | $ 12,663,000 | $ 1,616,000 | ||
| Kingsport City | $ 18,605,000 | $ 20,895,000 | $ 2,290,000 | ||
| Sumner County | $ 88,229,000 | $ 98,948,000 | $ 10,719,000 | ||
| Tipton County | $ 48,606,000 | $ 53,092,000 | $ 4,486,000 | ||
| Trousdale County | $ 6,082,000 | $ 6,650,000 | $ 568,000 | ||
| Unicoi County | $ 9,933,000 | $ 10,975,000 | $ 1,042,000 | ||
| Union County | $ 14,741,000 | $ 15,599,000 | $ 858,000 | ||
| Van Buren County | $ 4,315,000 | $ 4,365,000 | $ 50,000 | ||
| Warren County | $ 22,803,000 | $ 25,833,000 | $ 3,030,000 | ||
| Washington County | $ 26,235,000 | $ 28,954,000 | $ 2,719,000 | ||
| Johnson City | $ 20,508,000 | $ 22,239,000 | $ 1,731,000 | ||
| Wayne County | $ 11,717,000 | $ 12,490,000 | $ 773,000 | ||
| Weakley County | $ 18,744,000 | $ 20,718,000 | $ 1,974,000 | ||
| White County | $ 16,184,000 | $ 17,490,000 | $ 1,306,000 | ||
| Williamson County | $ 68,267,000 | $ 76,565,000 | $ 8,298,000 | ||
| Franklin SSD | $ 11,442,000 | $ 11,862,000 | $ 420,000 | ||
| Wilson County | $ 43,313,000 | $ 48,266,000 | $ 4,953,000 | ||
| Lebanon SSD | $ 10,063,000 | $ 11,241,000 | $ 1,178,000 | ||
| Dept. of Children Services | $ 6,491,000 | $ 6,491,000 | |||
| Statewide Total | $ 3,081,701,000 | $ 3,428,300,000 | $ 346,599,000 | ||
More info on Sevierille investigation
Reporter Greg Johnson is doing a great job investigating the City of Sevierville and the lobbyist hired with taxpayer money. It is clear from Johnson's investigation that the lobbyist, in effect, became another branch of government, unaccountable to the citizens.
Link
Though Sevierville city officials deny any knowledge of or involvement in a bill that would have allowed liquor by the drink in Sevierville's Tourism Development Zone, at least some city officials knew about it as early as January. Though city officials expressed surprise that a last-days amendment on behalf of Sevierville was presented by Rep. Ulysses Jones, D-Memphis, to allow liquor in the city without a referendum, Sevierville's city administrator knew that was the plan before the Legislature convened.
Link
Though Sevierville city officials deny any knowledge of or involvement in a bill that would have allowed liquor by the drink in Sevierville's Tourism Development Zone, at least some city officials knew about it as early as January. Though city officials expressed surprise that a last-days amendment on behalf of Sevierville was presented by Rep. Ulysses Jones, D-Memphis, to allow liquor in the city without a referendum, Sevierville's city administrator knew that was the plan before the Legislature convened.
Memphis Taxpayer sues re private college donation
Here is hoping Dr. Entman wins his lawsuit, this would be a huge victory for Tennessee Taxpayers.
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A judge agreed to hear a lawsuit against LeMoyne-Owen College and the city of Memphis.
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A judge agreed to hear a lawsuit against LeMoyne-Owen College and the city of Memphis.
The suit is over $3 million dollars the city gave the college and one man wants your money back.
Howard Entman's fired up. He says he'll prove the city's using your tax money inappropriately.
But, the city appears just as fired up to prove its donation will reap a multi-million dollar reward for the public.
Local radiologist Howard Entman is paying an attorney to stop the city from donating $3 million to LeMoyne Owen College.
Major investigation of Sevierville Lobbyist
This is a fascinating article about a lobbyist for Sevierville and the attempt to get liquor by the drink attached to a tourist development zone bill and the involvement of a developer who owns 1,000 acres inside the TDZ. There is a strong indication that Mayor and Aldermen broke the open meetings law: "The next day the mayor submitted a letter indicating city support after he consulted aldermen by phone."
The lobbyist is quoted as saying "I always wait till the end of a legislative session before quietly massaging legislation of this nature through the process."
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Bishop said he and Atchley were in Nashville May 22 to speak to legislators about another bill. Developer Jim Calkin, who owns about 1,000 acres in the TDZ, including the land around the Events Center, asked them that day if there was any way to get liquor by the drink approved in the zone.
That was why they asked Biddle about it, Bishop said.
Atchley also said the liquor discussion started at Calkin's request, and that Calkin also had lobbyists working on it.
Biddle and Bishop admit that before the session started in January they discussed how a bill involving the sale of liquor by the drink might be handled, leading Biddle to include comments about the matter in a letter he attached to his January invoice to the city.
"As to consideration of authorizing 'spirits' within a specified development area, we will have around till the end of April to decide exactly the 'if's, how's, and when's,'" the letter said. "I always wait till the end of a legislative session before quietly massaging legislation of this nature through the process."
The lobbyist is quoted as saying "I always wait till the end of a legislative session before quietly massaging legislation of this nature through the process."
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Bishop said he and Atchley were in Nashville May 22 to speak to legislators about another bill. Developer Jim Calkin, who owns about 1,000 acres in the TDZ, including the land around the Events Center, asked them that day if there was any way to get liquor by the drink approved in the zone.
That was why they asked Biddle about it, Bishop said.
Atchley also said the liquor discussion started at Calkin's request, and that Calkin also had lobbyists working on it.
Biddle and Bishop admit that before the session started in January they discussed how a bill involving the sale of liquor by the drink might be handled, leading Biddle to include comments about the matter in a letter he attached to his January invoice to the city.
"As to consideration of authorizing 'spirits' within a specified development area, we will have around till the end of April to decide exactly the 'if's, how's, and when's,'" the letter said. "I always wait till the end of a legislative session before quietly massaging legislation of this nature through the process."
No marriage and No refund on vasectomy
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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Lost love carries no refund, even if you have a receipt. The Utah Court of Appeals rejected an ex-fiance's request to recover thousands of dollars spent during his engagement on a vasectomy, a cruise to Alaska, a trip to France and other purchases.
Layne D. Hess sued Jody Johnston after she returned an engagement ring to him in April 2005 and called off a wedding planned for that summer.
Hess accused her of unjust enrichment and breach of contract, claiming he spent the money because of their upcoming marriage.
Govt can't give away our money fast enough
And much of the money that is being successfully "dished out" is used to militarize our local police...an awful trend.
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Almost $5 billion of $16.04 billion in grants approved by Congress for states and the District of Columbia from fiscal 2002 to 2007 remains in federal coffers, according to Homeland Security Department budget figures. That's fueled concerns in Congress that the federal government has been dishing out money faster than state and local governments can spend it.
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Almost $5 billion of $16.04 billion in grants approved by Congress for states and the District of Columbia from fiscal 2002 to 2007 remains in federal coffers, according to Homeland Security Department budget figures. That's fueled concerns in Congress that the federal government has been dishing out money faster than state and local governments can spend it.
In Indiana, 27.3 percent of the $272 million in federal anti-terrorism money awarded to the state remains unspent, second most in the region.
"Why put billions more dollars in the hopper when it's full already?" asks Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., the top Republican on the House Homeland Security appropriations subcommittee.
Spring Hill Property taxes stay at $0.0
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SPRING HILL — A $20.5 million budget got its final approval recently and members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen were pleased to note there was no property tax increase.
"In case the audience don't know, the tax rate is zero," Alderman Miles Johnson announced at the June 18 meeting.
West Va Food tax drops to 4%
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If you're a real penny pincher, you might want to wait until Sunday to go grocery shopping in West Virginia.
If you're a real penny pincher, you might want to wait until Sunday to go grocery shopping in West Virginia.
That's when the state sales tax on food drops to 4 percent from the existing 5 percent.
In another year, it will fall an additional percentage point to 3 percent under one of Gov. Joe Manchin's many tax reform initiatives.
Complete Texas Spending Transparency
A new Texas law will require all state expenditures to be listed online in detail. GREAT IDEA!!! Tennessee owes its taxpayers the same level of disclosure.
Here is the Texas site.
Here is the site for Texas A&M University
Here is the Texas site.
Here is the site for Texas A&M University
For the ladies - a website of WealthyMen.Com
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Wealthy Men is the one and only online personals site dedicated to those men & women seeking a higher caliber online dating experience.
Wealthy Men is the one and only online personals site dedicated to those men & women seeking a higher caliber online dating experience.
Cigarette taxes to triple Sunday
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The Legislature also passed a law that says by Sunday, smoking inside public buildings like restaurants and workplaces is not allowed.
The Legislature also passed a law that says by Sunday, smoking inside public buildings like restaurants and workplaces is not allowed.
According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, retailers can sell cigarettes for whatever price they want, but by law they have to give the state a cut from each pack, which will go up to 62 cents on Sunday.
But that's just on cigarettes, not on cigars or chewing tobacco.
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