Cell Phone Ban Begins Through Council

Last night the Metro Council began its discussion on a proposed ban on cell-phone use while driving.

After a hasty 2-week appointment process to fill Reverend Lisa Hunt’s vacant school board seat, Kay Brooks defeated Gracie Porter by a one vote margin last night on the Metro Council floor.

Today a committee of the state Senate gave nearly unanimous approval to a bill that would ban smoking in all state offices and state-owned buildings.

The Tennessee Regulatory Authority agreed (today/yesterday) to move ahead with a trial-like hearing in a case involving the over-earnings of Dallas-based Atmos Energy Corporation.

Tennessee House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh says instead of the Governor’s recommendation for a two-percent across the board increase for state employees, he’d like to see a three percent raise.

A 70-billion dollar tax bill that includes a break for Nashville songwriters is awaiting the President’s signature. Both houses of Congress passed the tax package earlier this week.

The U.S. house passed a bill yesterday that requires the army to study the pros and cons of reducing the length of deployment in a combat zone.

The legislature’s Safety Net Study Committee, is looking to Massachusetts as an example of a health insurance exchange.

The universal carding bill passed the house today, requiring that retailers selling alcohol must card everyone over the age of 21.

General Motors wants to build an infrastructure in Tennessee that would support alternative fuel vehicles.