2007 Tennessee Pork Report Tennessee’s State Government Gone Hog Wild by Trent Seibert & Drew Johnson The Book Nashville Doesn’t Want You to Read THE TENNESSEE CENTER FOR POLICY RESEARCH CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE The Tennessee Center for Policy Research is an independent, nonprofit Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) is a private, nonprofit, and nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to providing nonpartisan organization dedicated to educating the American public concerned citizens, the media and public leaders with expert research and about waste, mismanagement and inefficiency in government. timely free market policy solutions to public policy issues in Tennessee. CAGW was founded in 1984 by J. Peter Grace and nationally-syndicated The Tennessee Center for Policy Research promotes personal freedom columnist Jack Anderson to build support for implementation of the and limited government through policy solutions that: Grace Commission recommendations and other waste-cutting propos- als. Since its inception, CAGW has been at the forefront of the fight for · Generate economic growth through reduced tax and regulatory efficiency, economy and accountability in government. CAGW has more burdens on individuals and businesses than one million members and supporters nationwide. · Create unmatched educational opportunity by empowering parents, students and teachers with choice and opportunity Since 1986, CAGW and its members have helped save taxpayers more · Advance healthcare solutions that restore dignity and encourage than $758 billion. personal responsibility CAGW’s official newsletter is Government WasteWatch, and the group · Identify opportunities to reduce cost and increase efficiency in all produces special reports and monographs examining government waste levels of government and what citizens can do to stop it. CAGW is classified as a Section · Protect and defend the rights guaranteed by the Tennessee and 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and is United States Constitutions recognized as a publicly-supported organization described in Section · Reflect the Founding Fathers’ vision of a free society grounded in 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(A)(vi) of the code. Individuals, corporations, com- property rights and individual liberty based in personal responsi- panies, associations and foundations are eligible to support the work of bility CAGW through tax-deductible gifts. The Tennessee Center for Policy Research generates and encourages public policy remedies grounded in the ideas of liberty to achieve a freer, 1301 Connecticut Avenue, NW - Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 more prosperous Tennessee. Phone: 202.467.5300 P.O. Box 121331 www.cagw.org Nashville, Tennessee 37212 Phone: 615.383.6431 Fax: 615.383.6432 www.tennesseepolicy.org 2007 Tennessee Pork Report page iii Contents INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................1 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT ...................................................................................................2 PAINTING A PICTURE OF GOVERNMENT WASTE ..........................................................................................2 STATE-OWNED GREENS REMAIN IN THE RED ...............................................................................................3 HEY VERN, LOOK AT THE PORK .......................................................................................................................4 SOMETHING’S FISHY AT THE TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY ............................................5 BLUE RIBBON FOR GOVERNMENT WASTE ....................................................................................................5 TAKING TAXPAYERS FOR A CARNIVAL RIDE ...................................................................................................6 HEALTH AND WELFARE ...........................................................................................................6 AND YOU THOUGHT YOUR PHONE BILL WAS HIGH ......................................................................................7 MAKING SURE DEADBEAT DADS KEEP GETTING WELFARE .......................................................................8 PLEASE ADOPT A BETTER PLAN ......................................................................................................................8 RESPECT YOUR HEALTH DISRESPECTS YOUR MONEY ..............................................................................8 BIO-WORKING THE BUDGET ............................................................................................................................9 YOUR MONEY BYTES THE DUST ...................................................................................................................10 JUST PUT IT ON THE CARD ............................................................................................................................ 11 IT MUST BE AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE ................................................................................................... 11 EDUCATION .............................................................................................................................11 DEATH, TAXES AND TUITION HIKES .............................................................................................................. 11 WE DON’T NEED NO STINKING FACTS ..........................................................................................................12 THE BIRTH OF A BOONDOGGLE ....................................................................................................................12 NOT-SO-PETTY COMPLAINTS OVER THE PETTY CASH ..............................................................................13 PRISONS AND PUBLIC SAFETY ............................................................................................13 YOU’RE FIRED! STATE GOVERNMENT STYLE ..............................................................................................14 TAXPAYERS PAY FOR DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY DELAY ............................................................................14 MUST’VE PAID FOR A NICE RETIREMENT PARTY ........................................................................................15 IT IS HARD TO FIND THE REAL CROOKS ......................................................................................................15 911 IS A JOKE–IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY ....................................................................................................16 2007 Tennessee Pork Report page iv TRANSPORTATION .................................................................................................................16 PARKING–ON TOP OF THE TAXPAYER ..........................................................................................................16 THE BRILEY BOONDOGGLE ...........................................................................................................................17 THE MOST EXPENSIVE FREE RIDE–RIGHT EVER .......................................................................................17 RENOVATION AND CONSTRUCTION ....................................................................................18 SNUG AS A BUG IN A $21,000 RUG .................................................................................................................18 MEASURE ONCE, CUT TWICE ........................................................................................................................18 FOR WHOM THE BELL CONSTRUCTION TOLLS ...........................................................................................18 SALARIES AND CONTRACTS ................................................................................................19 OVERBOARD ON OVERTIME ..........................................................................................................................19 FORGET OVERTIME, JUST GET SOME FREE MONEY .................................................................................19 YOUR TAX DOLLARS PAY THE LOBBYISTS–TO GET MORE OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS. ............................20 SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE .........................................................................................................................20 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ...........................................................................................................21 WHAT A WASTE, LITERALLY ............................................................................................................................21 THINGS ARE GETTING HAIRY IN MCNAIRY ...................................................................................................21 IN A STEW IN STEWART COUNTY ..................................................................................................................21 THE CARTER COUNTY CONUNDRUM ...........................................................................................................22 THE SHERIFF’S SHORTFALL ...........................................................................................................................22 THE HENDERSON HIGH SCHOOL HASH .......................................................................................................22 HAMMERING THE TAXPAYER .........................................................................................................................23 CONFLICTS COSTING THOUSANDS ..............................................................................................................23