Tennesseans First to Reach 2012 Tax Freedom Day

Tennessee has one of the lightest tax burdens in the country, according to new research from the non-partisan Tax Foundation. The group calculates how far into the year people must work to pay off their federal and state taxes.

Teenagers have been some of the first to weigh in on a new community plan for Antioch. Planners say Southeast Davidson County has the city’s highest concentration of young people.

A bill to make marijuana legal – as a prescription drug – died a state legislative death today, but backers say they’re more optimistic than ever that Tennessee will eventually have medical marijuana.

Gas pumps in Tennessee will soon feature ads with the slogan “new law, no escape” as part of a statewide campaign against meth. The federally-funded awareness effort will also include billboards, a website, bumper stickers and radio.

The state House of Representative spent more than a half hour today debating a resolution with no practical effect – it would tell the federal government that Tennessee doesn’t approve of mandatory coverage of contraception the national health care plan.

As bills that outlaw sagging pants or guide the teaching of evolution await the governor’s signature, Bill Haslam says lawmakers should be spending time – in his words – on “things that really matter to a state.”

Three of Governor Bill Haslam’s most important bills are heading for the House floor. The bills include the civil service overhaul known as the TEAM Act, a reduction of the sales tax on food, and a measure lowering the inheritance tax. WPLN’s Joe White reports yesterday the House Finance Committee gave all three bills its blessing.

Nissan North America says last month set an all-time sales record. The Franklin-based carmaker sold 136 thousand vehicles in March. Leading the pack was the popular Nissan Altima, which is made in Smyrna, and beat last March’s sales by 27 percent.

Governor Bill Haslam’s latest update to the budget covers the cost of a bill that would make designer drugs illegal to make and sell. The legislation had been stopped cold because of the added cost to incarcerate more offenders.

State Representative Curry Todd told fellow lawmakers today he is battling a rare form of cancer. His admission came during debate over a new, simpler chemotherapy treatment.