State Departments Told to Plan for 30 Percent Cuts

Governor Bill Haslam has asked state department heads to prepare budgets that cut 30 percent from current spending. A letter went out yesterday from Finance Commissioner Mark Emkes to all departments and state agencies using federal funds.

Tennessee’s governor and other officials are due to travel to New York City in September for the annual review of state creditworthiness by bond rating agencies. It’s a visit usually called “routine,” but this year is anything but.

Middle Tennessee State University has landed a partnership with the U.S. Army that will promote the study of unmanned aircraft. As part of the deal, the Army will give MTSU three remote contolled aircraft called Ravens.

Tennessee Congressman Chuck Fleischmann underscored the United States’ devotion to Israel today, calling it America’s “steadyfast ally” and a “beacon of democracy.” Fleischmann spoke to reporters on a conference call from Israel, where more than 80 members of Congress are traveling during the August recess.

A Kurdish group making a good will tour of the U.S. visited with officials at the state capitol in Nashville today.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is picking up steam on nuclear power. The utility’s board of directors voted Thursday to restart another mothballed nuclear plant called Bellefonte, in northeast Alabama.

Fewer people were looking for work in Tennessee last month – but not necessarily because they found jobs. The state’s monthly unemployment rate stood still in July, holding at 9.8 percent, above the national average. Overall U.S. unemployment for the month was down slightly from June, to 9.1 percent.

The United States Humane Society has been called to Tennessee more than anywhere else in the country – 17 deployments in the last three years to rescue starving horses and raid puppy mills.

Governor Bill Haslam was in West Tennessee today to announce the opening of auto supplier.

Tennessee Congressman Diane Black is defending her Tea Party credentials, one day after about fifty members of the movement protested outside her Murfreesboro office. The group said they’re frustrated with Black for voting to raise the debt ceiling.