Photo Credit: Fox13
Commission Votes to
Poke the Bear

 
The Shelby County Commission voted yesterday to oppose legislation from Nashville that would approve and allow municipal school districts in Shelby County. It was largely a symbolic measure. They also voted to return 10 properties seized over property taxes.

TCAP: Students are taking the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program Achievement Tests this week. There are higher stakes this year. Some information on the TCAPs.

University of Memphis: The univerisity’s collection of art grew by one more at the Statue of Ramesses was moved from Downtown yesterday, safely. A WREG photo gallery of the move. A Daily Helmsman account. And more from ABC24, Fox13 and the Commercial Appeal.

Municipal School Districts: Action Monday means a conference committee between the State House and Senate to resolve and pass a bill allowing MSDs for Shelby County.

Beale Street Landing: At twice the original cost, with a trimmed-down final design and still behind schedule the BSL is still scheduled to open on time.

Second Amendment: Governor Bill Haslam is apparently pressuring legislators to kill the “guns in parking lots” bill. The bill failed to get a vote in the Senate. State Senator Jim Kyle tried to force a Senate vote; his statement on the effort. House Republicans also “overwhelmingly oppose” a floor vote.

Orpheum Theatre: The new shows for 2012-13 have been announced. More information at the Orpheum website. The Broadway show, Memphis, is coming back.

Economic Development: Legislation has quiety surfaced that would disallow “border cities” (like Memphis) from using Tax Increment Financing from State revenues to fund private projects. This could impact Memphis development. Link to bill.

Seed Hatchery: May 3 is Investor Day, the culmination of the “intense boot camp-style, mentorship-driven seed stage investment program”. Website here.

Business: A quarterly survey of economists by USA TODAY shows the economy should gain steam this year. But, the Associated Press says half of all 2012 college grads will find jobs.

The Commercial Appeal covers What to Do. The Daily News reports Today’s Events. And the Business Journal brings the People on the Move.

Wal-Mart: That the company found tens of millions in suspect payments in their Mexican subsidiary and then stopped an investigation has brought scrutiny from the American Federal government. It hurt the company’s stock. sending it down.

International Paper: They are closing their plant in Santa Paula, CA. More from the CA.

Pinnacle: They will furlough 450 pilots over the next 18 months.

Macadvantage: They will host a tech recycling event, accepting a wide array of electronics, this Friday and Saturday. More information.

Gasoline: Will prices continue to decline over the coming weeks? More from WMC. According to MemphisGasPrices.com, the local average is $3.68/gallon, two cents lower than yesterday!

SunTrust Bank: The financial center saw 1Q profits increase by 39%. They increased both mortgage and commercial loans.

INTERNET EXCLUSIVE! Southpaw: Andria K. Brown looks at abstinence-only education, as enacted by the State, and wonders at their “modesty proposal”.
 

Internet Exclusive: Tomeka Hart and Separate Schools: Regular contributor Mick Wright shows that Tomeka Hart, candidate for the Ninth Congressional District, working with Darrell Cobbins, doesn’t have the best interests of Shelby County’s surburban residents in mind when it comes to schools.

Unemployment: Between February 2008 and February 2012, Memphis lost 32,000 jobs, an almost 6% decline.

Shelby County Public Defender’s Office: State Senator Jim Kyle says the State owes the office $28 million from a long-term “budget blunder”.

Memphis Fire Department: Residents in Hickory Hills are concerned that budget cuts will mean poorer protection.

Memphis in May: Tom Lee Park was officially closed yesterday to begin preparations for the month-long fest. Riverside Drive traffic will close soon. MIM website.

DeSoto County: More on the new Performing Arts Center at DeSoto Central High School. Olive Branch police are issuing 65% more traffic tickets. Both Hernando and Southaven won awards for “sustainability”.

Politics: The bill to allow drug testing of welfare recipients passed out of the House Finance Subcommittee yesterday. The bill. Sponsor Representative Julia Hurley later blocked an effort to have legislators also drug-tested; more from the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Republicans keep alive the Democratic tradition of secret budget meetings; more from the Associated Press. The bill to allow Tennessee to join an interstate health care exchange, part of Obamacare, passed out of committee. Speaker of the House Beth Harwell broke her ankle yesterday, while walking her dog; she will finish the session. The American Legislative Exchange Council is getting out of social legislating to return to a focus on business-oriented bills; more from the Knoxville News-Sentinel. State Representative Steve McDaniels’ statement in support of ALEC. The General Assembly is still on track to end the session this week.

Pregnancy and Assaults: The State Senate also passed a bill making harm to an embryo during homicide or assault a dual charge. (Links to bill in story) The bill has already passed the House and now goes to the governor.

Judicial Appointment: A constitutional amendment to allow the governor to appoint judges with Senate approval, has now passed the State Senate. Two more readings are required before the resolution waits for the next session of the General Assembly for second approval, then the resolution is put before the voters in 2014. A related bill, applying to the Attorney General, also failed.

Mall of Memphis: Sale has closed on its former site, which will now become an industrial park.

Mississippi: The charter school bill is headed to a conference committee. And the Legislature passed the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act, to review current or proposed legislation as it affect small business. And protections for roadside workers was expanded.

Weather: Not to make you too scared, but it’s mating season for snakes. Tick-related illnesses have nearly tripled since 2010.

Giving Back: He spotlights the Mid-South Food Bank. (via the Daily News)

The Worldly Investor: Don’t be seduced by large cap investments, there are plenty of small caps out there, too. (via the Daily News)

Eric A. Trotz: Advice if you’re considering a property tax appeal this year. (via the Daily News)

Commercial Appeal: The stakes are higher than ever for students and teachers. “Symbols matter” at the University of Memphis.

Sid Salter: The rift between the MS tea party and the Chamber of Commerce and Republican leadership. (via the Desoto Times Tribune)

Ben Ferguson: He looks at the issues of the day (via Fox13)

Joe Spake’s Daily Buzz: The rest of the day’s news, from all sorts of eclectic places.

Walls of the City: A case study in fail.

Vegan Crunk: Making a frittata with vegan egg substitute. And, vegan “Doritos”. Her vegan expectations were smashed by Folk’s Folly!

This Classical Life: Another Monday recipe roundup.

The Daddler and Me: A mother and daughter has a moment of longing and sentiment. Her new favorite word: loquacious.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: Hey! Someone noticed us!

Smart City Memphis: Thoughts on the Unified Development Code. And answers to a few questions on the UDC.