1-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/APRIL 14, 2008 www.TML1.org 6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 59, Number 7 April 14, 2008 Former Lt. Governor Wilder Compromise reached on cable bill will not run for re-election BY CAROLE GRAVES BY CAROLE GRAVES After spending more than three TML Communications Director months hammering out details, Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and a host of “I love this state and this sen- legislators unveiled a compromise on ate. It is more a part of me than the Cable Franchising bill during a anything else I’ve known,” said press conference held last week in Sen. John Wilder as he announced Nashville. his decision not to seek re-election. “It’s not a silver bullet for rising “It is a hard thing for me to say media prices, nor will Tennesseans I am not running. I’ve been run- see immediate impact in their next ning all my life. I feel the time I cable bill,” said Naifeh. “But what have spent serving has been worth this bill does is create a climate that the difference it has made. If my levels the playing field for companies life has made any difference, it has Wilder wanting to provide the best services been as State senator..... Service to areas of focus during his tenure. in Tennessee for television and government is among one of the “We have some of the best roads Internet to the people in Tennessee. most honorable things one can in the nation,” he said. “We did it The bill is designed to balance a num- do.” because the Senate was the Sen- ber of competing interests with the Wilder, 86, has served 44 ate.” outcome to benefit the consumer. years in the Senate with 36 of them Recognized nationally for That is what this group has been Photo By Victoria South as Lt. Governor and speaker. his bipartisan leadership, Wilder working so hard to accomplish.” A Democrat who represents used what could be one of his Tennessee’s cities and towns op- Chairmen Charles Curtiss and Ulysses Jones were instrumental in West Tennessee’s rural Fayette final speeches on the Senate posed last year’s bill because it would negotiating a compromise on the cable bill that helps provide Tennes- County was first elected to serve in floor to remind his colleagues to have been a win for big corporations, seans with a choice in their cable provider without harming Tennessee the Senate in 1959-1961. After a be statesmen. See CABLE on Page 6 communities. six-year break, he resumed his seat “I want to encourage those in 1967 and was elected as speaker of you who will stay here and TN Safety Coalition, laws to protect citizens in 1971 – a position he held until those who will newly be elected last year when he was defeated by to be good state senators, to be BY VICTORIA SOUTH raising the classification of violent Sen. Ron Ramsey. statesmen. To do what is good TML Communications Coordinator crimes committed by two or more Wilder is the longest-serving and right for this state and leave individuals acting together. current member of the Tennessee partisan politics out of it. It is The greatest portion of society The coalition also backs legisla- General Assembly, and up until destructive, not constructive. isn’t violent, according to Randy tion curbing copper and other pre- last year, was the the longest serv- Each district in this great state Nichols, Knox County District At- cious metal thefts, which was re- ing presiding officer of any state needs men and women who will torney and Tennessee Public Safety cently signed into law, and strength- legislative body in America. vote their conscience and not Coalition Chairman. It’s less than ening Tennessee’s existing DUI In his remarks on the Senate what some partisan politician seven tenths of the population that laws, as part of Gov. Bredesen’s floor, Wilder named roads, tells them to. The good of our keep this group of sheriffs, police initiative against drunken driving, healthcare and education as three state depends on it.” chiefs and district attorneys general while continuing its quest to add 32 awake at night contemplating legis- more district attorneys across the lation that would provide law en- state. forcement the legal teeth needed to Tennessee is second highest in Grim statistics place Tennessee Rinks joins slate not protect the state’s citizens. the nation among states with high second highest in the nation among Lobbying seven proposals be- rates of violent crime. states with high rates of violent fore the state legislature, the group’s eliminating parole for individuals crime, falling short behind South seeking another term 2008 legislative package revisits sev- convicted of aggravated burglary; Carolina only by a small margin. BY CAROLE GRAVES eral items from last year’s agenda, enhancing last year’s Crooks with “Tennessee is vying to be num- those against violent gun crime; Guns law by adding second degree ber one,” Nichols said. “Everyone is April 3 marked the qualifying longer prison terms for convicted of- murder, aggravated robbery, rape against violent crime, and from the deadline for the 2008 state elections fenders possessing guns or using and burglary to the list of felonies; perspective of economic growth and and along with it came a host of them in the commission of a crime; and targeting street terrorism by See SAFETY on Page 3 announcements from legislators who have chosen not to run for an- other term. Rescinded TDOT funds spotlights The most recent announcement came from Rep. Randy Rinks, House Democratic Caucus chair, cap on Tennessee’s toll projects bringing the total number to 12 law- BY VICTORIA SOUTH makers who have announced they will not seek re-election next fall. After a House vote to remove limits on the number of toll roads or Rinks, 54, was first elected to Randy Rinks the House in 1990 and has served as bridges that could be built in Tennes- the Caucus chair for 12 years. A (TACIR). see, the Senate sponsor, Sen. Tommy former mayor of Savannah, Rinks’ “It has been an honor to serve Kilby, has withdrawn the bill for con- district covers Hardin, McNairy and the people of Tennessee during sideration this year. part of Decatur county. these critical times in our state’s his- The House approved the com- As House Majority Caucus tory,” Rinks said in a statement. “I panion measure as a means to facili- chair and a member of some of the am forever grateful to the citizens of tate future infrastructure projects and most significant House committees, District 71 for giving me the oppor- cushion a funding shortfall after the Rinks has been responsible for gath- tunity to serve and be a part of such United States Department of Trans- ering the votes needed to pass bills an amazing body of government.” portation rescinded $66.3 million in or to keep legislation from derail- Rinks is said to be interested in federal funds from the Tennessee De- ing. He also serves as chair of the running for secretary of state – a partment of Transportation’s Tennessee Advisory Commission position held for the past 16 years by (TDOT) federal allocation of funds for the fiscal year 2008. on Intergovernmental Relations See ELECTION on Page 6 “Nearly 50 percent of the department’s budget comes from the federal government, so a reduction in A loss of federal funding, coupled with massive inflationary costs of TMBF has money available these revenues significantly impacts construction materials, further reduces TDOT’s ability to address the the resources available to TDOT,” transportation needs of the state. for qualified city projects said TDOT Commissioner Gerald portation needs of the state.” The Tennessee Tollway Act In view of the problems that a since 1985. Since that time, more Nicely. The federal government has cut gained momentum shortly after number of Tennessee cities have than $2.2 billion has been loaned “This loss of funds, coupled with nearly a quarter-billion dollars from TDOT placed an earlier freeze on been experiencing in the issuance to Tennessee cities and counties the massive inflation in the cost of Tennessee’s anticipated road new projects due to impending fed- or remarketing of bonds, TMBF from these programs. Historically construction materials, further re- money since 2005. See TDOT on Page 6 has recently mailed the following the interest rates on our loan pro- duces our ability to address the trans- letter to all TML members: gram have been very favorable. For instance, since its inception in Memphis hosts Annual Conference As you may be aware, several August 2001, the base rate on our Tennessee local governmental en- daily rate program has averaged Make plans to attend the TML’s tities have recently been unable to 2.21 percent. For a typical bor- 69th Annual Conference held at the issue or remarket their bonds, due rower, this translates into a total all Cook Convention Center in Mem- Save the Date! to credit problems experienced by end interest rate of only 2.64 per- phis, slated for June 22-24. certain municipal bond insurers. cent. Also our program has been The conference will kick off June 21-24, 2008 We do not know how long these relatively unaffected by the recent Sunday, June 22, with a festive jazz problems may persist, but if you financial turmoil. Over the last brunch in the exhibit hall and con- need funds in the immediate future, month the average daily interest clude on Tuesday, June 24, with the we may be able to help.