Homeless Pitch Tents in Safe Haven of Legislative Plaza

The number of tents pitched on Legislative Plaza has continued to grow since a federal judge overruled a curfew for the state-owned space. But some of those setting up camp outside the capitol are not aligned with the Occupy Nashville protest. They’re homeless.

The Tennessee Department of Correction has announced plans to close the Charles Bass Correctional Complex Annex. The minimum security part of the facility – which houses work-release inmates – has been the site of several escapes, including one just last week.

Nashville Representative Jim Cooper says he’s hoping for a “miracle” from the Congressional supercommittee tasked with finding a trillion dollars in budget cuts. Cooper says automatic cuts are likely to happen instead, and he’s worried what will follow.

Companies based in Nashville are making the business case for immigration reform. They’re advocating on behalf of a campaign called the Partnership for a New American Economy.

Governor Haslam says he won’t propose an increase in the state’s gas tax. In budget hearings last week, transportation officials said changes to the tax may be needed in coming years.

Time is running out for the Congressional Supercommittee charged with trimming more than a trillion dollars from the nation’s budget. None from Tennessee’s delegation are on the panel, instead they’re watching from the sidelines as the Thanksgiving deadline looms.

In its first month, Occupy Nashville received over $3 thousand in donations. That may not seem like much compared to the half a million raised by the group’s counterpart in New York. But in a movement questioning money and fairness, Occupy Nashville is having to figure out how to manage its own finances.

This week, the American broadcast world will pause momentarily for a national test of the Emergency Alert System. It will be the first system-wide check in the era of EAS.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has responded to a letter from Occupy Nashville protesters with one of his own. That’s as today a state official said the protests at Legislative Plaza have cost the state quote “thousands” of dollars, without giving a specific amount.

Governor Bill Haslam says growing expenses may force Tennessee to cut some state jobs in the coming year. In budget hearings with Haslam this week some department heads said they might have to lay off state workers.