Obama coming around to Corker’s point-of-view on auto bailout?

According to Bloomberg:

Officials of the three automakers told members of Congress this week that they had studied a pre-arranged bankruptcy, championed by Republican lawmakers such as Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, before dismissing the idea as unworkable.

However, now Obama might be interested in pre-packaged bankruptcies for the Big 3:

President-Elect Barack Obama`s transition team is exploring a swift, prepackaged bankruptcy for automakers as a possible solution to the industry’s financial crisis, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Obama’s team has already contacted at least one bankruptcy-law firm to say that Daniel Tarullo, a professor at Georgetown University’s law school who heads Obama’s economic policy working group, would call to discuss the workings of a so-called prepack, according to this person.

Cooper probably not going to OMB – 5th Congressional District won’t open up

Post Politics reports that Obama will probably appoint the current director of the Congressional Budget Office to head the Office of Management and Budget, the post that some had speculated Congressman Jim Cooper might take.  That would have set off a chain reaction as a number of folks wanted to run for Cooper’s seat in Congress.  Alas . . .

Republicans to add transparency to selection process for constitutional officers

A good article in the Tennessean on a plan by Senator Mark Norris (R – Collierville) that will “add transparency, weed out unqualified candidates, and iron some of the patronage out of what has long been a political process.” 

The process would apply only to how the GOP chooses their caucus’ candidates. Democrats would be free to select their own candidates as they see fit, but with Republicans now in the majority, it is their nominees that would be likely be appointed.

Also an update on who the candidates are:

Names in circulation for secretary of state include former State Sen. Jim Bryson; Tre´ Hargett, a former House member and currently chairman of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority; and Deborah Tate, a commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission.

Justin Wilson, a chief policy adviser for Gov. Don Sundquist, is interested in being comptroller. Former Sundquist Revenue Commissioner Ruth Johnson has been named as a contender for treasurer, along with Ira Brody, an investment banker and former aide to former New York Gov. George Pataki.

Rosalind Kurita, who was just voted out of her Senate seat, was considered a candidate for secretary of state, but now appears unlikely because of Republican opposition. Former U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary, another early candidate, said he’s no longer interested.

More names for constitutional offices

Deborah Tate is a possibility.

So is Tre Hargett.

A Tennessee red-blue map

Stacey Campfield has a good red-blue map of Tennessee broken down by House seats, with historical info for 2004 and 2006 as well.  Good comparison and worth a look.

“House Speaker Naifeh will be out of a job come January”

According to the AP:

State Rep. Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington, appears certain to lose his record 18-year hold on the post of House speaker when the legislature convenes in January.

But Naifeh isn’t giving up:

But Speaker Naifeh said, “there’s a lot of time between now and Jan. 13 — that’s two months. A lot of things can happen in that period of time. And I’m just staying positive about it … I am trying to get the votes right now. Every day I’m trying.”

House Republicans commit to elect Republican Speaker

All 50 House Republicans have signed a pledge to elect a Republican Speaker of the House.

TN budget shortfall skyrockets – Could shortfall have been 90% less by complying with the Constitution?

From The Tennessean:

State revenues have continue to sink in an ever-bleaker economy, with general fund revenues expected to be about $200 million below expectations through September and the state facing a possible shortfall this year of up to $800 million, Gov. Phil Bredesen said Monday.

The shortfall is now up to $800 million from a previous Bredesen projection of $300 million to $600 million.

Yet, as Bill Hobbs explains, Bredesen’s budget for this year was $723 million (90% of the shortfall) over the constitutional cap on spending.  In an earlier post, Hobbs explains that the Constitution prohibits growth in state government spending that exceeds growth in the state economy, as measured by the growth in people’s incomes in Tennessee.  That means – the state is not allowed to grow its spending any faster than our income grows.  Spending over the cap must be specifically set forth in a separate bill.  It appears that this amount was misrepresented in violation of state law to the tune of about $670 million.

Constitutional Officers update

Van Hilleary out as Secretary of State candidate.

Bob Davis out as Secretary of State candidate.

Ira Brody in as Treasurer candidate.

What will the Republican takeover of the General Assembly mean?

Several recent articles speculate on this:

Tom Humphrey at KnoxNews.com writes:

Despite past differences, the Legislature’s Republicans now appear united to assure that last week’s historic election victories translate into a wholesale shake-up of Tennessee’s political power base.

The shift in control of the state House to Republicans and solidifying of the GOP’s Senate strength also will open the door to multiple changes in state law, ranging from greater rights for gun owners to stronger restrictions on abortion.

There also may be ramifications on such policy matters as selection of judges and school superintendents, expansion of charter schools and damages awarded in lawsuits.

This, of course, is in addition to the selection of State Constitutional Officers, positions on County Election Commissions and the make-up on committees in the General Assembly. 

Richard Locker of CommercialAppeal.com writes:

Conservative proposals on abortion, immigration, guns, selection of judges, legal liability reform and education — all for years blocked by Democrats in committees — will have a fair shot at reaching floor votes.

At the top of that list for many grassroots Republicans is an anti-abortion state constitutional amendment long stymied in the House. It is designed to reverse a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling that the state constitution contains an even stronger right to privacy, and abortion rights, than the U.S. Constitution.

. . .

The most likely victim of the Republican political takeover is Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen, who had hopes of continued expansion of the voluntarily pre-kindergarten program he has championed. Most Republicans have opposed its expansion beyond “at risk” children, fearing it will become a costly entitlement.

Other high-profile issues that will be on the Republican agenda:

Allowing people with gun-carry permits to take their firearms into places that serve alcohol.

Medical malpractice and liability reform: The legislature last year approved a compromise law designed to eliminate malpractice lawsuits that have little chance of winning in court. But advocates have wanted stronger measures, including limits on damage awards, in malpractice and other liability lawsuits.

Election of Tennessee Supreme Court justices: Conservatives have charged that the state constitution’s provision that judges, including the five state Supreme Court justices, be elected is violated by the 15-year-old “Tennessee Plan” that provides for nomination of the justices by an appointed commission, appointment by the governor, with votes by the public only on whether to retain the justices in office.

Ramsey tried last year to give legislative leaders more control in the appointment of members of the judicial nominating commission.

Charter schools: Conservatives have been stymied in their attempts to broaden options for public charter schools to be created, using taxpayer funds for new schools that are governed by groups that “charter” them rather than local school boards.

Immigration: Ramsey said bills that require proof of citizenship and photo IDs in order to vote will likely pass.

Nashville special election to determine how often Charter amendments can be proposed

A proposal to allow the people to vote more frequently on proposed amendments to the Metro Charter will be on the ballot in a January 22 special election, according to The Tennessean.  The article provides some background on three of the folks who are supporting the proposal: Jim Roberts, Eric Crafton and Jon Crisp. 

A tidbit at the end of the article discusses the position on the Davidson County Election Commission that will be available based on the Republican takeover of the General Assembly.  Although Crisp has been mentioned as possibly being interested in the position, Crisp said:

“I may be too divisive a figure,” he said. “I’m not sure I’m the right guy.”

Fruit Basket Turnover in State Constitutional Officers

Tom Humphrey of KnoxNews.com reports that at least three individuals have expressed interest in the positions of Secretary of State, State Treasurer and State Comptroller, which are appointed by the General Assembly:

• Jim Bryson, the former Williamson County State Senator and Republican nominee for Governor has contacted Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey (R – Blountville) to express interest in the Secretary of State position.  So has soon-to-be-former State Senator Rosalind Kurita (D-Clarksville).
• Justin Wilson, former Deputy Governor to Don Sundquist, has contacted Ramsey to express interest in the Treasurer or Comptroller positions.

Wilson speculates about others who may be interested: Bob Davis, Van Hilleary, Randy Stamps and Larry Scroggs.

Ramsey said that, with Republicans controlling both the House and Senate, it is a “foregone conclusion” that the current officeholders – Comptroller John Morgan, Secretary of State Riley Darnell and Treasurer Dale Sims – will be replaced.

Fifth Congressional District Up-For-Grabs?

Will Jim Cooper leave his seat in Congress for the Office of Management and Budget?  Cooper denies it:

“This is an old Washington parlor game played with no information, just a bunch of speculation,” Cooper said. “It’s flattering, but I hope Nashville won’t get sucked into it.

Of course, the speculation involves everyone under the sun . . . Howard Gentry, Megan Barry, Jerry Maynard, Greg Adkins, Jason Holleman, David Briley, Stuart Brunson, Bill Purcell, Erik Cole, et al.

Kent Williams will support Mumpower for Speaker

According to Post Politics, State Representative Kent Williams (R – Elizabethton) has announced that he will support Republican leader Jason Mumpower for Speaker of the House. 

“I want to state today, unequivocally, that I pledge to vote for a Republican for Speaker of the House. I have every reason to expect that the Republican nominee will be Leader Jason Mumpower. We are grateful that the people of Tennessee have given us the opportunity to lead. We will make them proud.”

Williams was a “Naifeh-Republican” who previously voted for Democrat Jimmy Naifeh to be the Speaker of the House.