2013 – In The News

December 30, 2013
Tennessee building contract questions piling upIn-The-News2

December 27, 2013
One-Hour Special Examines Haslam Controversies (Video)

December 13, 2013
Harwell, Ramsey block Haslam plan to expand JLL contract by $5.3M

December 12, 2013
Panel puts check on Jones Lang LaSalle after scathing audit

December 10, 2013
Haslam ignores JLL problem

December 2, 2013
How Long Does it Take to Replace a State Computer System? 20 Years in the Case of One Agency.

November 26, 2013
Haslam ends budget hearings with fretting over TDOT, fed funding
TDOT officials ask cities for scaled-back plans due to $8.5B backlog of projects
Anticipated Federal Funding Shortfall Makes for Bumpy Ride at TDOT

November 20, 2013
Senator Drafting Contract Reform Legislation

November 19, 2013
DCS seeks money to hire, train more caseworkers

November 18, 2013
TennCare budget increases could swallow most new state revenues

November 15, 2013
General Services chief says contract could have been clearer
Haslam Brushes off Criticism of State Contracting

November 14, 2013
TN developmental disabilities services could face further cuts
After Tough Audit, TN’s Real Estate Chief Responds: “We Do Not Concur. You Can Quote Me.”

November 13, 2013
TDOT taking bids on 43 contracts in 63 counties
Audit dings Tennessee’s Jones Lang LaSalle deal
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam sees tough challenges for next year’s state budget

November 12, 2013
State Revenues Sagging as Governor Opens Budget Hearings

November 4, 2013
Office consolidation plan includes savings on renovations, higher square footage fee

October 28, 2013
JLL Deal Called ‘Serious Conflict of Interest’

October 23, 2013
DIDD Audit damning
Audit: ‘Serious problems’ within TN disabilities department

October 22, 2013
Audit: DIDD deputy overturned findings of misconduct in two deaths
DCS gets new leeway with federal funds
No-Bid Contracts Worrisome to Some State Lawmakers

October 20, 2013
While Jim Henry leads DCS, Pat Henry explains why the work is important
The Tennessee melee really wasn’t like the federal fiasco

October 18, 2013
Hundreds back on job in Tennessee after shutdown

October 17, 2013
Federal, state workers after shutdown

October 16, 2013
Senate reaches deal to end shutdown and avoid default

October 15, 2013
Nearly 400 Labor Department workers furloughed
Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopening
599 state employees sent home without pay

October 11, 2014
TN Taxpayers paying CCA for empty prison beds under Nashville contract
TN taxpayers fund empty CCA prison beds
September Revenues

October 10, 2013
Possible job cuts worry ETSU employees, students

October 6, 2013
Custodians meet with TSEA, Crowe

October 4, 2013
TDOT workers upset at change in education requirements

October 3, 2013
Private prison giant CCA leaving Idaho

October 1, 2013
How Tennessee workers are affected by the federal government shutdown
Haslam: 10 days until state agencies feel pain of federal shutdown

September 24, 2013
TDOT taking bids on 53 contracts for roads, bridges, repairs, etc
TDOT gets belated go-ahead on new regional HQ building

September 13, 2013
August Revenues

September 12, 2013
Ethics Commission Takes No Action Against Ingram, Haslam
State contract counselor charged with having sex with counseled minor

September 11, 2013
Pay offset renewed for active duty Tennessee state workers
Ethics Commission stalemates over penalizing Ingram over lobbying work
Ethics complaint against Haslam dismissed; Campaign finance complaint remains

September 10, 2013
TDOC Earns Reaccreditation

September 6, 2013
Panel approves plan to move state workers from the Cordell Hull Building
Tennessee state workers to leave downtown, to relocate to Eastgate, Riverfront Parkway
State picks One Commerce Square for downtown Memphis Employees

September 4, 2013
Driver license station wait grows longer

September 2, 2013
Legislators eye state pension participation by lobbying organizations

August 29, 2013
Former House Speaker Kent Williams leaving Legislature; Will run for Carter County Mayor
Tennessee improperly pays out $1.47 million in health benefits

August 27, 2013
States Overhaul Civil Service Rules
Haslam Appoints Traughber to Ethics Commission

August 26, 2013
Did Haslam Administration Tell Whole Truth About Contract?

August 25, 2013
Private lobbyists get public pensions in 20 states, including TN

August 23, 2013
Haslam Administration Faces New Contract Allegations

August 22, 2013
Comptroller reports on probation officer stealing from probationers
Registry Fines Turner $250; Sets October hearings for Haslam, Campfield, Maggart

August 21, 2013
Political notebook: Union group ends donations to state Democratic Party

August 13, 2013
Haslam Announces Larry Martin as F&A Commissioner

August 10, 2013
State Ends Fiscal Year with Revenue Above Projections
Five is Enough: Gov. Haslam Says Don’t Expect Any More Departures from his Cabinet

August 5, 2013
DCS seeks to move several Middle TN counties out of regional network to balance caseloads
TN prison phone calls pricey for families, profitable for state
Haslam’s outsourcing draws little push-back

August 2, 2013
Tennessee Commissioner who pushed privatization of operations returning to private sector
Marshall ‘Connects Dots,’ Keeps State Beautiful
Steve Cates to resign as TN general services commissioner

August 1, 2013
State Sen. Lowe Finney won’t seek 3rd term

July 31, 2013
Tennessee Highway Patrol Begins Accepting Applications for New Trooper Cadet Class

July 25, 2013
Memo Raises Lack of Competition Question in Two State Contracts

July 24, 2013
Ingram Getting $5,000 Per Month from Haslam Campaign

July 22, 2013
Fitch Ratings: TN Has Lowest State Debt in the Nation

July 16, 2013
Haslam to reassess Cordell Hull plan
Cate on Jones Lang LaSalle Deal: Minor Miscues, Major Savings
State’s property management should be an open book
Amid Questions Over State Contract, Plan to Demolish Cordell Hull
The administration of Tennessee’s governor defends state office outsourcing
CCA asks judge to bar media from joining lawsuit (Boise, Idaho)

July 12, 2013
6 sealed bids submitted as state government seeks to move workers from state office building
Six submit bids to house nearly 400 state employees in Chattanooga

July 11, 2013
Ousted city manager picked for vacancy on TN Parole Board
DA asks TBI to find out who made Campfield ‘robo calls’
State takes sealed bids to move downtown workers

July 10, 2013
Bill Haslam, Mark Cate say no favoritism to Tom Ingram clients

July 9, 2013
Gov. Bill Haslam defends ties to lobbyists
Northrop Grumman Selected to Set Up, Sustain Tennessee’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Eligibility System

July 7, 2013
Bill Haslam, Tennessee Governor, Struggles to Meet Recusal Pledge on Family-Owned Buisness

July 6, 2013
Stacey Campfield seeks TBI probe into automated phone poll

July 4, 2013
TN, JPay receive slice of prison inmates’ funds

July 3, 2013
Tennessee legislature panel to review company’s deal with state

July 2, 2013
Real estate firm’s multiple roles in handling TN office space raising questions
New office charged with shrinking state government opens

July 1, 2013
Tom Humphrey: State’s IT glitches, proposed solution garnering attention
State contractor under scrutiny hires former Harwell employee as lobbyist
State mental hospital in Knoxville closes, patients dispersed, property will go to city
Tennessee Gov. Haslam names new chairman of state parole board

June 29, 2013
Governor relies on Larry Martin’s ‘mediator mindset’ to resolve problems
C omptroller: JLL Lease Commission seems ‘very wrong’

June 28, 2013
Tennessee Pension Officials Hire Portfolio Managers

June 27, 2013
‘Robo poll’ on Campfield annoys voters, disavowed by candidates
Prok Report broadens definition of $511 million figure

June 26, 2013
9 girls escaped from DCS custody, 3 still on the run
Haslam names state ‘chief operating officer’ with $165K salary
Governor Denies Self-Interest in State Contracts
Officials apprehend all 9 girls who escaped from Nashville treatment center

June 25, 2013
Ruling lets Tennessee proceed with layoffs
Governor says State will Privatize more work
Haslam to put lobbyist back on campaign payroll

June 24, 2013
Haslam will keep taking Tennessee services private
Judge lifts freeze on state layoffs

June 19, 2013
Claude Ramsey stepping down in August as Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam’s top deputy
Sweetened state deal smells of cronyism (opinion)

June 18, 2013
Judge grants week extension to delay of state layoffs
Career Center staff await final closure
Another key labor official is let go

June 17, 2013
Nashville judge extends order preventing state employee layoffs
Nashville judge hears arguments in civil service suit
Administration’s Claims about Cordell Hull Questioned

June 16, 2013
TN attorney general’s power makes him a target

June 14, 2013
Republican leaders question Tennessee real estate contract

June 13, 2013
Harwell, Ramsey say legislators will review state outsourcing contracts
Winning bid for state prison medical services called ‘squirrely’
Back up legal protections for state workers

June 12, 2013
Laid-off workers challenge parts of TN civil service law
Suit declares state ignored layoff law
Haslam announces Phillips as Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development
Winning bid for state prison medical services called “squirrely”

June 11, 2013
Nashville judge issues order to prevent state worker layoffs
Davidson Co. judge blocks Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan to lay off state workers
Judge stops hundreds of state workers from being laid off
Tennessee Treasurer Lillard Discusses Pension Plans’ Future at Forum

June 10, 2013
State Scraps Questionable Vehicle Maintenance Contract
Lakeshore Park plans and ideas receive discussion
Governor Invested in Company Getting $330 Million Contract

June 7, 2013
Mountain States, BlueCross reach contract agreement

June 3, 2013
State Rental Car Bills Riddled with Questionable Charges

May 29, 2013
Illinois firm will manage TN office properties
State decides to outsource management of office properties

May 28, 2013
Larry Martin named interim F&A chief by Tennessee Gov. Haslam as Emkes retires

May 27, 2013
Tennessee pulls plug on car title IT update

May 25, 2013
Tennessee offices in Chattanooga to relocate

May 21, 2013
Governor names Jim Henry permanent DCS Chief

May 17, 2013
One Commerce Square fits the bill for state’s employee needs

May 16, 2013
TN Labor Department loses ruling in reverse discrimination case
TN Sen. Douglas Henry looks back on his long political journey

May 15, 2013
DCS’ delays in records could have put kids, investigations at risk, experts say
Tennessee to become one of the last states to arm parole and probation officers
Vehicle Contract Outsourced to Company with Connections

May 13, 2013
Donation reporting divides Tennessee GOP
Enterprise Deal Raises Questions about Outsourcing Effort

May 12, 2013
Harwell, Ramsey say they’re getting along well

May 10, 2013
New mental health center opens at Lakeshore site
DCS interim commissioner talks of change

May 8, 2013
State Sen. Henry to end longest tenure in Tennessee Legislature in 2014

April 17, 2013
TN Senate passes budget; tax cuts, pay raises included

April 15, 2013
TDOT Reminds Motorists: We’re All in This Together
State Employee Retirement Reboot Headed to Haslam

April 14, 2013
TN inmate health care deal raises conflict issues
State wants new hires to pony up contributions to their pension plans

April 10, 2013
State IT workers must prove their skills to keep jobs
Plan to Train State Tech Workers Puts Their Jobs in Flux

April 2, 2013
401(k) eyed to cut cost of Tennessee pensions

March 20, 2013
Tennessee says nothing suspicious about Labor resignations

March 19, 2013
Tennessee’s state pension fund rated nation’s best
Tennessee DCS says more children died than it said earlier
Karla Davis quits Tennessee labor post

March 13, 2013
Our View: Fixing DCS will take support of DCS workers, state lawmakers
Bill curbing TSEA activities clears House panel, Delayed in Senate

March 11, 2013
Tough Time Rallying Workers Against Pension Overhaul

February 26, 2013
Lillard Outlines Plans to Change State Pension System
Treasurer Details New Hybrid Retirement Plan

February 25, 2013
Guaranteed State Pensions Could Become Thing of the Past

February 24, 2013
Tennessee treasurer introducing changes to public employee retirement plan

February 4, 2013
TN Prisons Full; Expansion in the Works

February 3, 2013
Reduction of DCS watchdogs called ‘total disaster’
Bill, Butch, Sundance and SOTS III — A Review

January 25, 2013
DCS again underreports children’s deaths

January 23, 2013
Unions Suffer Sharp Decline in Membership

January 21, 2013
Governor Haslam Appoints Woodard-Thompson To State Board

January 20, 2013
Field for Democratic Party chair dwindles 

January 11, 2013
Rep. Mike Turner demands investigation into DCS, cites ‘secrecy’ (The Tennessean)

January 10, 2013
East Ridge’s Vince Dean among Tennessee legislators getting key appointments (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
State Revenue Up in December Over Prior Year (Knox News Sentinel)

January 9, 2013
House panel OKs rules to allow only 15 bills for each Tennessee legislator (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
TN comptroller, treasurer, secretary of state re-elected (Tennessean)
2 top-level DCS staffers severed from department (Jackson Sun)