State Budget Director, Fiscal Review Head Move On

A man credited with keeping the state’s nearly $30 billion budget ship-shape is moving on just as the head of an office that puts price tags on proposed laws jumps to the private sector.

Many GM workers in Spring Hill are weighing whether it’s time to leave the company, even as UAW members consider a new contract that includes new jobs at the plant. The automaker is still trying to shed its most expensive employees.

Spring Hill is celebrating. The UAW has now outlined its contract agreement with GM, which includes a commitment to build two midsize cars at the former Saturn plant. Some 1,700 jobs will be restored after a long two years for some workers.

A committee of state lawmakers raised concerns today over conflicts of interest and transparency from the board that handles ethics complaints against judges. Some lawmakers want big changes to Tennessee’s Court of the Judiciary, arguing it’s too lenient.

General Motors plans to divert work that was headed to Mexico and build two mid-size cars in Spring Hill. The assembly lines will restore 1,700 jobs in Tennessee.

Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander announced this morning he will step down from his position in Republican leadership. He’s spent four years as the Senate Conference chairman, shaping the GOP message on issues.

Opponents of a sales tax exemption for Amazon.com say the break could cost the state nearly 7,000 jobs next year.

Tuesday morning, union leaders from the UAW Local 1853 expect to find out exactly what may be coming to the GM plant in Spring Hill. There’s still no certainty about what was agreed to over the weekend in contract negotiations.

The U.S. Attorney is prosecuting members of the Vice Lords gang based in Middle Tennessee. Seventeen indictments have been handed down.

The reward has increased for information that helps convict anyone involved in the murder of NBA star Lorenzen Wright.