Government

Henry County Approves New Investment Plan

John Null — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:36:47 +0000

The Henry County Commission has approved an investment of up to $5 million with First Tennessee Bank, in an attempt to jumpstart interest earnings.

Henry County Trustee David Stone estimates the county will reap $50,000 in interest earnings this year. That’s down from 2006, when Henry County earned more than $400,000 from its investments.

Hopkinsville Council Moves Forward On Rails-to-Trails Funding

Rob Canning — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:23:01 +0000

The Hopkinsville City Council approved spending more than $900,000 to help fund phase-one of the city's Rails-To-Trials project. An additional $100,000 in private donations brings the total investment to $1 million for phase-one.

Mayor Dan Kemp said he’s pleased with the way the council voted and that the walking trail will bring a dramatic improvement to residents’ way of life.

Kentucky Guard To Celebrate 221 Years Of Service

John Walker and The Associated Press — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:43:24 +0000

The Kentucky National Guard is getting ready to celebrate more than two centuries of service to the commonwealth and the nation. The celebration is set for Monday at Frankfort’s Boone National Guard Center. The event will recognize the Kentucky Guard's contributions over the past 221 years. The Kentucky Militia, the forerunner of the Kentucky National Guard, was formed on June 24^th, 1792, by Governor Isaac Shelby.

TN Workers' Compensation Changes Focus Of Conference

John Walker and The Associated Press — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:42:20 +0000

The Tennessee Workers' Compensation Educational Conference this week is expected to focus on changes to the state’s workers’ compensation system. The three-day conference begins today at the Nashville Airport Marriot. The gathering includes sessions on getting ahead of the prescription drug abuse issue, reducing costs with safety and health programs, and pain management.

Mayfield Seeks Funding To Build Farmers' Market Pavillion

Rob Canning — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:10:25 +0000

Mayfield City Officials are seeking grant funding to buy land for a new farmers’ market. Mayor Teresa Cantrell said currently the town's market has no permanent home and sets up on the downtown square on Saturday mornings and a borrowed church parking lot on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

“We thought that was something communities needed, especially small rural communities like Mayfield," said Cantrell. "We need our farmers’ market and they needed a home to conduct their activities. It needs to be a visible place where they can get drive-by traffic and have regular hours.”

Senator Rand Paul Introduces 'Secure the Vote' Amendment to Immigration Bill

Phillip M. Bailey — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:33:33 +0000

Republican Rand Paul is introducing an amendment to the Senate immigration reform bill that would bar undocumented immigrants from voting in federal elections until they obtain U.S. citizenship.

The proposed is being put out on the same day the Supreme Court struck down an Arizona law that required residents to prove their citizenship before voting.

Paul's "Secure the Vote" amendment is aimed a tackling voter fraud and ensures those on work visas or given status under the Senate bill are not allowed to vote in federal elections until they become citizens.

The amendment would also provide states with new procedures to check that those individuals are not illegally registered to vote.

"Not only would this amendment prevent voter fraud, it would also clear up the problem created by today’s Supreme Court decision," Paul said in a statement. "My amendment requires states to check citizenship before registering people to vote in federal elections."

The Morning Cram [talk the talk edition]

John Walker — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:12:54 +0000

From NPR: President Obama says federal judges have been "overseeing" the recently exposed government surveillance programs. But few, if any, experts in the Bush or Obama administrations believe that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has the enforcement teeth it once had.

TN To Review Proof Of Citizenship Ruling

John Walker and The Associated Press — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:53:04 +0000

Tennessee election officials plan to review a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says states can't demand proof of citizenship from people registering to vote in federal elections unless they get federal or court approval to do so. The justices' 7-2 ruling on Monday complicates efforts in Arizona and other states to bar voting by people who are in the country illegally.

Madigan Seeks to Delay Ill. Gun Plan a Second Time

John Null and The Associated Press — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:36:53 +0000

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is asking the U.S. Supreme Court for more time to decide whether to appeal a lower court's order saying citizens should be allowed to publicly carry concealed guns.

Madigan already got one extension — until June 24 — to challenge the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that said a ban on concealed firearms is unconstitutional. Now she wants until July 24.

Madigan filed the request late Friday.

Inspector General Confirms Wildlife Agency Probe

John Walker and The Associated Press — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:43:53 +0000

Kentucky’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has come under scrutiny in the past few weeks. Last week a legislative committee has ordered a review of the agency while another committee delayed a vote on a contract for the new wildlife commissioner, Jon Gasset. This weekend the Kentucky Cabinet for Public Protection said it is investigating the agency.