POLITICS: Governor Phil Bredesen will present his budget on March 23. The ‘living wage’ cap, passed in the Senate, is getting strong opposition in Memphis and Shelby County’s legislative community; more from the Commercial Appeal. US Rep. Steve Cohen will address the impact of government subsidies on the non-profit sector later this month. State’s police directors and chiefs oppose a bill ending anonymous complaints against police officers. The Senate will hold hearings on changing the State’s constitution to allow more abortion restrictions. A report on changing the way costs of incarceration are calculated.

Stanford Financial Group: Memphis was hit hard by the collapse of SFG. Allen Stanford and his wife, of Stanford Financial Group, owe more than $226 million in back taxes!

University of Memphis: Tigers Coach John Calipari will be on Fox13’s Good Morning Memphis show today; he also held a telephone conference call that you can hear on WREG. The Why Do You Hate Me? Week project will symbolically tear down a wall of discrimination on April 3.

Reappraisals: The anger is continuing to grow.

ARKANSAS: State’s ban on unmarried couples adopting has already drawn a challenge the Attorney General will present. An omnibus report on the progress of several bills in the Legislature, including the grocery tax cut. A Freedom of Information bill passes the Senate and now heads to the Governor; the Senate also approved an expansion of State insurance for low-income kids and rejected a motorcycle helmet bill. The House approves a reduction in utility taxes for manufacturers.

Memphis Crime: The organisers of the Jesus GANG Conference hope to fuse spiritual leaders with former gang members and young people to stop gang violence. The police fear an outbreak of Spring Break violence … in Memphis. Fighting crime on I-40 and I-55. Cell phone scammers are getting free phones and service unknown to victims.

St Patrick’s Day: It means big business for local bars and restaurants.

Shelby County Schools Superintendent: The SCS Board of Education have received the applications of the four candidates to replace outgoing Bobby Webb. They will make interview decisions by next Thursday.

Good Morning Memphis: The Southern Women’s Show is back in Memphis. The Red Cross talks about some of the training they offer. The Shelby County Schools system is getting national notice.

Previously Posted: NAMI rates the state as a ‘D’ in treatment for the mentally ill. The three top executives at First Horizon National declined bonuses, but still made big bucks. More on the financial details of World Overcomers Church buying the Hickory Ridge Mall Macy’s store.

Collierville: City to notify 12 employees they will be laid off in the new fiscal year. Four other vacant jobs will not be filled.

DeSoto County: Fourth law enforcement officer withdraws from run for Southaven alderman’s seat. As cost to County rises by 25%, widening bridges pledge gets new reconsideration. Officials will be working to improve the response by county residents to coming Census.

W. C. Handy Park: The City of Memphis has terminated a contract with Performa Management, leading to a lawsuit. More from Eyewitness News, WMC, Commercial Appeal.

Elvis: An auction of 500 lots of memorabilia is scheduled.

Africa in April: This year, honoring the Republic of Mauritania, it will be from April 16 -19. It’s expected to draw up to 60,000 people.

Black Business Expo: It will be held on April 25. It hopes to support entrepreneurship, support small and minority businesses and promote cooperation.

BUSINESS: The IRS announced new interest rates for under- and over-payment of taxes. Verso, will continue to be listed on the NYSE. National industrial output continues to fall and manufacturing is at the lowest level ever; more in the Daily News. Kutzman Carson Consultants has been acquired by Computershare Limited. Regions Bank executives made huge salaries, even as the bank’s shares lost 90% of their value.

Education Realty Trust, owner/managers of apartments and condos near universities and schools, posted quarterly and annual losses. George Cates, founder of Mid-America Apartment Communities, retires from the company’s board. Bad news for property owners can be good news for potential investors.

A business profile of Digital Kanvas, in Olive Branch, from the CA.

People in Business, from the CA, for Tuesday.

Medtronic: More reports of deaths connected to the company’s defibrillator are not worrying stock analysts.

Holy Rosary Church: They have filed a $2.5 million permit to build a new gymnasium.

Survey Says: First Horizon National was named among the top 50 companies for female executives by National Association for Female Executives.

Crye-Leike Realty: Cofounder Harold Crye will be honored by the Society of Entrepreneurs as a Master Entrepreneur.

Mick Wright: He explains the beer, wine and liquor sales controversy with widgets, sprockets and cogs. Oh my.

Commercial Appeal: Gang problems spilling into schools shouldn’t affect MCS planning. A memoriam for the former president of Rust College, William McMillan.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: Things to do Downtown for St Patrick’s Day. A Monday update, with pictures. And a handy primer on Downtown!

My Memphis Attorney Life and Work: He posts an update on his week.

Moments in Time: She’s at 27 weeks in her pregnancy and has a report.

The Chockley Blogs: Chloe turned three and she had a party!

Radio Sweethearts: Thoughts on newspapers and immigrants and manual laborers and the internet revolution.

vibinc: A rapprochement between ‘the Steves’ and part one of thoughts on Memphis City government transparency.

A View From the Middle: Is reality TV the new blackface?

BEEB: A visit to Helena, AR, to meet the Delta Jewels, and fun with ceramic elephants. And a seven month time machine!

Author of Y’all’s Destruction: Thoughts on organising schools by levels of ability instead of grades. Also, wondering who chooses where schools are built.

Brain Release Valve: Free music and more free music! And thoughts on changing the name of the channel from SciFi to SyFy.

Marsha Blackburn: Radio stations need to pay artist royalties to help support songwriters and musicians.

Bigger Than Your Head: Two rued white wines.

Buck’s Blog: Getting Restaurant.com coupons at pennies on the dollar and a review of the book Twilight.