Governor Pleased With Budget

The state legislature has now passed the budget for next year, and Governor Phil Bredesen says he’s largely pleased with the way it turned out.

Working late into Thursday evening on their last paid day of the 2010 session, state Senators passed a budget for next year. It funds a roughly $29 billion spending plan for the financial year that begins July 1.

Metro Nashville’s newest public art installation will be the center of attention next week.

Some Antioch residents are upset they were never included in the decision to relocate a homeless camp to their neighborhood. Dozens showed up to vent their frustration at a three-hour town hall meeting Thursday night.

Custodians in Metro Schools left a hearing Thursday night with little hope of remaining district employees. Their jobs are being outsourced to save money. District officials have other priorities if extra money does become available.

Investigations into who received government help after last month’s flood are leading to arrests. As of Thursday four people have been charged with misdemeanors for taking advantage of money set aside to help feed flood victims.

Officials with local school districts are trying to figure out what the state expects them to do with their share of ‘Race to the Top’ money. Around $250 million from the federal education grant will be split among local districts.

Water utilities in middle Tennessee will be better prepared to handle shortages after May’s flooding.

The number of businesses that sustained flood damage last month has ballooned beyond original estimates, which were based solely on how many properties were affected.

Although the Metro Public School Board already approved a plan to outsource custodial work, concerned parents and custodians plan to speak out tonight at the Metro Council’s public hearing.