The Morning Cram [bless your heart edition]

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From NPR: Christine Ammer went the whole hog in collecting colloquial phrases for The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. She talks about the surprising history behind some of the most common idioms and why “control freak” might be her favorite.

Kentucky: The state House barely passes two bills dealing with the underfunded pension system, and Senate Bill 7, which would keep new legislators from participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, moves to the House. The bill moving Medicaid managed care late payments to the Department of Insurance's review process has overwhelmingly passes in the House. Lane restrictions on Little River Bridge in Trigg County begin tomorrow.

Tennessee: Sen. Brian Kelsey says the school voucher bill doesn’t help enough students. Three Senate Education Committee members refused to vote on the anti-affirmative action bill, effectively killing it. A measure to nullify federal gun laws in Tennessee also died in the Senate yesterday. The “guns in trunks” measure moves toward its final vote today.

Illinois: Shippers on the Mississippi River are handling full loads on their ships again. Senate President John Cullerton says he is on board with the new House pension fix.