News for State Employees

2017

September:

•  TN cuts in higher ed funding less than national average
•  TN private prison inmate sends News 4 dead bed bugs to prove there’s a problem
•  Does Outsourcing Some State Jobs Save TN Taxpayers Money?
•  Tennessee to Transform Communications for Public Safety; Governor Haslam Approves Buildout Plan for First Responder Network
•  Outsourcing by Any Other Name Still Not So Sweet
•  Metro angles to take over Broadway, Nashville’s iconic downtown thoroughfare, from TDOT
•  Lack Of Bathroom Soap Leaves Some Lawmakers Wringing Their Hands About Outsourcing

August:
•  Lawmakers still critical of outsourcing, say it will remain a matter of debate in 2018
•  Tennessee Attains Statewide Compliance with Federal Particle Pollution Standards
•  Tennessee Governor to Drop Privatization Push at State Parks
•  Haslam gives up on parks privatization
•  Haslam leaves privatizing state park management decision to next Tennessee governor
•  ‘No Plans’ For Greene Valley?
•  In wide-ranging speech, MTSU president promises faculty and staff to push for more raises
•  Former prison employee describes difficulties with therapeutic program
•  Mistake on the lake: Unfinished Reelfoot center could be torn down
•  Holden presents proclamation to Child Support Services for Child Support Awareness Month
•  TDOC Inmates help construct new Madison County sheriff’s office
•  Attorney Asks Local Leaders To Investigate CoreCivic Detention Center Conditions
•  Rep.Dwayne Thompson: Outsourcing is not working and it hurts working Tennesseans
•  Tennessee legislators looking to move up, out
•  Comptroller’s Office Creates IMPROVE Act Project Maps For Tennessee’s General Assembly
•  THP, TDOT: All Hands On Deck For The Total Solar Eclipse
•  Baskin new head of comms for Haslam
•  New Tennessee prison health contract could top $473 million, points to Hepatitis C plan
•  Stretch of I-40 in Hickman Co. named for TDOT worker killed
•  Tennessee State Parks launches rewards app

July:

•  State DCS becomes leader in bringing positive change to child welfare systems
•  Northeast State eliminates 28 non-faculty, full-time positions
•  Lawsuit: CoreCivic jail employees infested by scabies, too
•  Legislature could leave JLL when it vacates the Legislative Plaza this fall
•  Legislators question museum policy legality
•  Judge removes longstanding federal oversight for Tennessee children services
•  Fed court oversight of DCS ends after 16 years
•  More than 250 correctional officer vacancies in Tennessee public prisons
•  TBR approves Dyersburg State Community College’s course revitalization proposal
•  State may break employer tax credits record
•  June Revenues
•  Legislature losing some powerful, familiar members
•  County DHS office to reopen

June:

•  Judge rules records of failed Fall Creek Falls privatization effort must be made public
•  TBR appoints new senior leadership
•  TN State Capitol evacuated due to small fire
•  Former employees and inmates’ families are calling the new Corecivic Facility the worst prison they have ever seen
•  Tennessee Prisons Will Serve As A Guinea Pig For On-Site Cell Phone Forensics
•  May Revenues
•  Tennessee corrections agency launches anti-contraband effort
•  Foster kids sleeping in DCS office due to lack of foster homes
•  Tennessee improves 3 spots to 35th in child well-being marks
•  Tennessee corrections agency launches anti-contraband effort
•  GVDC Closure Disrupted Lives
•  State government outsourcing hearings scheduled this summer
•  Citing lack of judges, court wants more time before removing federal oversight of DCS
•  Outsourcing Tennessee

May:

•  Open records lawsuit seeks documents on failed Fall Creek Falls State Park privatization effort
•  Controversial state plan to outsource college jobs moves forward
•  JLL outsourcing contract finalized
•  Firm Signs Contract in Tennessee Campus Outsourcing Push
•  Last Greene Valley Residents Leave Center
•  Green Valley Developmental Center finally closes
•  Unwilling Private Sector Gives Park Workers a Victory
•  April Revenues
•  TDOT Official: Lots Of Red Tape For Road Projects
•  Comptroller poses 53 questions on JLL outsourcing contract, awaits answers
•  Officials scramble after receiving zero bids on Falls Creek Falls contract
•  Fall Creek Falls state park outsourcing push draws no bidders
•  In stinging setback, Fall Creek Falls outsourcing request fails to draw a single bid
•  State Seeks To Improve Amusement Ride Safety
•  TN politicians asking Gov. Haslam to pull back on outsourcing
•  Lawmakers Still Seek Answers as Outsourcing Contract Gets Underway
•  Outsourcing criticism might not slow governor’s plans
•  Kids sleep in state offices as DCS struggles to find placements
•  TDEC fines TDOC for pollution by two prisons

April:

•  New outsourcing contract gives JLL a bonus if cost-cutting exceeds expectations
•  Details of outsourcing contract released
•  Tennessee comptroller says State Building Commission still in charge of Jones Lang LaSalle contract
•  Bad contracting, oversight enabled serious staffing problems at federal detention center
•  TDOT Commissioner John Schroer talks IMPROVE Act in Franklin
•  Bell wants Tennessee comptroller to delay OK on Haslam’s facilities management outsourcing contract
•  TDOT plans action as soon as Gov. Haslam signs IMPROVE Act into law
•  42 legislators ask delay in outsourcing; contract signing ahead of schedule
•  March Revenues
•  Greene Valley Developmental Center expected to close on May 19
•  TDEC adds 1,058 acres to South Cumberland State Park
• Correctional officers assaulted by inmates released from hospital
•  Tennessee DOT launches new Work Zone safety campaign (VIDEO)
•  Lawmakers call for more oversight after Turney Center prison attack
•  Dems push TDOC oversight
•  This Week’s Violent Incident at a Tennessee Prison Was No Surprise
•  Turney Center Prison / Industrial Complex Disturbance on Sunday in Tennessee
•  Officer taken hostage, two others assaulted at Tennessee prison
•  Outsourcing on fast track for implementation
•  A Reformed Tennessee Foster Care System To Exit Lawsuit After ‘Systemic Reform’
•  Three TDOC Officers Have Died By Suicide in The Past Month
•  TDOT remembers workers killed, warns about work zone safety this week
•  Democrats Put Squeeze on Republicans to Defeat Outsourcing
•  “Bodies in Beds” exposes private prison industry

March:

•  Bill to block state park privatization moving in House & Senate
•  Tennessee Democrats Say: Gov. Haslam Sells Out Thousands of Tennessee Families
•  Lawmakers Blast Haslam Administration for Process Toward JLL Contract
•  JLL wins higher education privatization contract
•  Audit questions over $12 million intended for food for Tennessee kids
•  Politicians fight to keep TDEC from destroying Horton Inn
•  Inn Construction, Private Management Plan Draw Ire of State Sen. Lee Harris
•  Proposed Fall Creek Falls outsourcing process back on track with tighter oversight
•  Faison bill would force review of Mt. View proposal
•  Inmate Lawsuit Alleges Tennessee Private Prison Understaffing Led To Inadequate Diabetic Care
•  Comptroller questions $12 million intended for hungry kids
•  TRA to become TPUC
•  Panel looks to amend Fall Creek Falls outsourcing plan
•  February Revenues
•  Hiring process for Tennessee State Museum director would be secret under bill
• Student Representation Is Necessary For University Decisions
•  Martin defends outsourcing amid tough questions
•  Finance commissioner says Tennessee is ‘intellectually and morally’ obligated to look at Fall Creek Falls outsourcing
•  Officials say state outsourcing is working, but plenty of skepticism remains
•  Senator Douglas Henry remembered as ‘true southern gentleman’
•  Democrats celebrate pause in outsourcing of state parks
•  DHS to pay $1.1 million to Feds over food program error
•  McNally: Administration revising Fall Creek Falls privatization plan
•  Senate speaker says building commission will retain control over new Fall Creek Falls inn work
•  Tennessee postpones deadline for companies’ Fall Creek Falls outsource plans
•  Haslam administration postpones Fall Creek Falls State Park’s deadline for would-be hospitality services outsourcing
•  DHS must refocus on feeding kids, saving taxpayer money

February:

•  Architects, engineers object to Haslam’s park privatization plans
•  Capitol Hill Conversation: Why Outsourcing Might Be Gov. Bill Haslam’s Biggest Legacy
•  Tennessee’s Most Popular State Park Becomes A Test Case For Gov. Haslam’s Privatization Plans
•  January Revenues
•  ETSU Board Of Trustees Confirmed, First Meeting Next Month
•  Mountain View facility retains accreditation
•  View From the Hill: Outsourcing, Rates Worry Park Fans
•  COMMENTARY: Privatizing APSU facilities doesn’t make sense
•  Other state parks could follow Fall Creek Falls into privatization
•  DCS wants to turn Mountain View over to private firm
•  State plans to transfer Mountain View youth facility to private operator
•  Yager elected new chairman of Tennessee Legislature’s Fiscal Review Committee
•  Lawsuit: Understaffing Leads to Insufficient Care for Diabetic Inmates at Private Prison
•  Haslam Proposes Funds For Nearby Rocky Fork State Park

January:

•  Haslam unveils budget proposal, $100 million for employee and teacher raises
•  Frank Cagle: State’s explanation on outsourcing makes no sense
•  Haslam outlines tuition-free community college plan for adults
•  State issues biting response to outsourcing criticism
•  TCRS elects new board member
•  AG to opine on outsourcing
• Does move to privatize Fall Creek Falls State Park break state procedures?
•  Randy Stamps: Tennessee parks belong to all, shouldn’t be privatized
•  Tennessee State Museum selects new executive director
•  Governor and First Lady Haslam honor 23 state employees with excellence in service award
•  Crowe backs ETSU’s maintenance workers, doesn’t support university outsourcing
•  TN Dept of Labor and Workforce Development awarded $5.8M to assist with clean-up, recovery efforts in Tennessee after wildfires in late 2016
•  Northeast State Community College realigns staff, four people lose jobs
•  Gov. Haslam names Danielle Whitworth Barnes commissioner of human services
•  CCA’s Rebranding as CoreCivic Part of PR Strategy
•  Lawmakers give DiPietro political cover on outsourcing
•  As We See It: The hidden costs of outsourcing campus jobs
•  State museum under audit, again
•  Neighboring states offer insight, caution as Fall Creek Falls hospitality privatization looms
•  Twenty Tennessee lawmakers question Haslam’s higher-ed privatization plans
•  Tennessee lawmakers criticize outsourcing plan in letter to UT
•  Speaker Beth Harwell Unanimously Re-Elected To Serve 4th Term As House Speaker
•  Tennessee legislature retains all Constitutional officers
•  Tennessee lawmakers to convene 110th General Assembly
•  Ron Ramsey departs, Randy McNally officially becomes lieutenant governor
•  ETSU not considering outsourcing jobs right now
•  Protest at Fall Creek Falls brings attention to concerns of outsourcing
•  Residents protest proposal for private company to run Fall Creek Falls Inn
•  Fall Creek Falls Inn Looks To Privatize Costing State Employees Their Jobs
•  Meeting with companies interested in operating Fall Creek Falls met by protestors
•  The Washington Times: Protesters gather against proposed privatization of park inn
•  Three companies bidding on outsourcing
•  Tax hikes, cuts both eyed as Legislature reconvenes
•  Tennessee Board of Regents appoints Dr. Flora Tydings as next TBR System Chancellor

2016

December:
•  Embattled Tennessee human services commissioner to resign
•  Rep. John Ray Clemmons: Outsourcing state jobs hurts Tennessee
•  State moves forward with plan to privatize Fall Creek Falls
•  New President Appointed For Jackson State Community College
•  Beverly Davenport named University of Tennessee chancellor
•  Democrats Say Nashville Firm Reviewing Benefits Of Outsourcing Is Too Close To Haslam
•  Democrats promise more pressure on Haslam outsourcing plan
•  Comptroller audits find problems with outsourcing efforts
•  Letter: Outsourcing will have negative ripple effect
•  Comptroller: Tennessee Department of Children’s Services improved, but still has issues

November:
•  Tennessee Governor Says Outsourcing Buses Needs To Be Reassessed After Chattanooga Crash
•  More than 800 staff vacancies in Tennessee prisons
•  Haslam believes he has ‘good problem’ on his hands regarding proposed budget
•  Haslam names Gerregano revenue commissioner
•  October Revenues
•  Prison heads want to more than double hepatitis C treatment spending
•  CPSC report provides first close-up look at gondola involved in Greene County Ferris wheel incident
•  Amid Budget Surplus, Tennessee’s Public Colleges Make Big Ask For New Buildings
•  Tennessee Gov. Haslam to follow 2012 law’s intent in publicizing chancellor finalists
•  Governor Haslam’s 2017-2018 Budget Hearings
•  Tennessee prison chief asks for $4 million to treat hepatitis C
•  Tennessee officials hint at another year of low tuition hikes
•  Tennessee Government Is Still Having Trouble Competing With Private Sector For Workers
•  2nd chancellor finalist: University of Tennessee’s goals align with hers
•  UT reverses decision, announces final candidate
•  Finalists named for Jackson State presidency
•  Tennessee DOC Prison Health Contract Up For Bid
•  Privatization looms at Fall Creek Falls once again
•  Haslam to kick off annual public budget hearings next week
•  Firm That Has Long Operated The Hamilton County Workhouse Is Changing Its Name
•  After jail cell birth, Nashville inmate sues claiming poor care
•  Sex harassment in Tennessee government: 460 complaints since 2010

September:
•  Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Doug Varney to retire
•  Former higher education commission leader heads to ETSU
•  Gov. Haslam appoints Memphians to several state boards, commissions
•  McCormick to exit as House majority leader
•  CCA to cut staff amid restructuring
•  As Economy Improves, Tennessee’s Public Colleges Try To Maintain Enrollment
•  Greene Valley Developmental Center to remain open almost a year longer than originally expected
•  Hundreds still employed at Greene Valley, facility set to close in December
•  10 Things That Have Happened Since Our CCA Investigation Broke
•  TDOC: Morgan corrections officer dies after motorcycle crash
•  Haslam To Call Special Session To Prevent Loss of $60 Million in Federal Highway Funds
•  UT Ranked Among Best Universities by Princeton Review
•  State audit critical of TSU
•  ETSU Fine Arts Center Project Moves Forward
•  Documents in CCA suit should be unsealed
•  Why Is Tennessee Still Shackled to CCA?

August:
•  Haslam, TN Dept of Tourist Development Announce Another Record-Breaking Year of Economic Impact Numbers
•  State requires only 1 independent inspection per year for amusement rides
•  States face a $1 trillion pension shortfall
•  Tennessee approves costly health exchange price hikes for state’s biggest insurers
•  Counseling service bilked TennCare for $300K
•  Haslam defends private prison operations
•  State Employees Question Private Prisons’ Role
•  State lags in moving disabled out of closing institution
•  Tennessee Board of Regents search committee for new chancellor to meet Sept. 2
•  TSEA: No more private prisons in Tennessee
•  July Revenues
•  MTSU President: State funding falls short
•  U.S. to end private prison contracts; impact on Hamilton County facility unknown
•  Justice Department says it will end use of private prisons
•  Whose job is it to pick up dangerous road debris in Tennessee?
•  Steven Hale: “The incestuous relationship between government and the private prison industry is gross”
•  Governor’s Excellence in Service Awards
•  Tennessee leaves ride safety approval to private inspectors
•  Tennessee college leader talks about changes under Haslam plan

July:
•  Is Outsourcing Really Saving Taxpayer Money?
•  Gov. Haslam names new head of Safety and Homeland Security
•  Hunting down the salaries of the highest-paid public officials
•  TDOT worker hit by car, killed in West Tennessee
•  Tenn. Inmates sue over lack of Hepatitis C treatment
•  Tennessee jobless rate stays at 15-year low
•  Meeting highlights challenges of Haslam’s college plan
•  Haslam Names Will Cromer As TennCare Chief Of Staff
•  Governor Bill Haslam Appoints Mike Krause To Lead Tennessee Higher Education Commission
•  June state revenue $112.8M above budget prediction
•  All state inmates to be removed from Blount County Jail
•  23 total employees at Northeast State, ETSU can carry concealed handguns on campus
•  Study: MTSU faculty pay well below average
•  Gov. Haslam reappoints TBI director

June:
•  Tennessee Treasurer: other cities lining up to duplicate Alcoa’s retirement plan contract
•  Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury makes an impact
•  Crime victims meet with offenders in new TDOC program
•  Bill Haslam appoints new Tennessee prisons chief
•  May Revenues Announced
• Tennessee Prison Officials Say They’re Sticking With Controversial Guard Schedules, After All
•  NBCNews -Controversial Prison Boss: I Wouldn’t Change a Thing
•  Gov. Bill Haslam signs transformative college overhaul
•  Labor Department names chief of staff
•  Department of Corrections Commissioner Derrick Schofield to resign
•  TDOC head Derrick Schofield leaves the state’s prison system in disarray

May:
•  State achieves “triple triple-A” bond rating
•  Rep. demands more protection for TDOC workers against Hepatitis C
•  Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute names CEO
•  Tennessee Higher Education Commission Releases Snapshot of Higher Education Data for 2015-16 Academic Year
•  Chancellor Will Recommend New WSCC President To Board Of Regents
•  Nashville State looking to open new satellite locations
•  Officer assaulted at new CCA Tennessee prison
•  New Tennessee CCA prison stops taking inmates amid ‘serious issues’
•  Large percentage of Tennesseans oppose governor’s outsourcing plan: Vanderbilt poll
•  View From the Hill: Outsourcing Savings Estimates Strain ‘Credulity’
•  Greene Valley Staff Benefiting From State-Paid CNA Classes
•  State agency blamed for more than 100 parolees avoiding mandated domestic violence classes
•  Haslam names Ohio official as new Tennessee Emergency Management Agency chief
•  ETSU Foundation task force to review possible ramifications of FOCUS act
•  April Revenues
•  Questions outnumber answers for Haslam college plan
•  Safety Commissioner Bill Gibbons to leave Haslam cabinet
•  Gibbons to lead new Public Safety Institute at University of Memphis
•  Focus Act soon to be implemented
•  Tennessee Board of Regents eyes low tuition hikes
•  High rates of inmates with Hepatitis C in TN
•  The TN Highway Patrol will use vinyl to wrap patrols cars in the future
•  Haslam approval rating 63 percent; almost unchanged from 2015
•  May 1-7, 2016 is Correctional Professionals Week
•  Food Program Leader Steals $162,165 of Money Intended to Feed Children
•  Funeral held Monday for TDOT worker killed on job
•  Interim superintendent of Mountain View already making changes
•  Carrying on campus to start in July
•  Tennessee, Georgia campus carry bills have big differences
•  Haslam allows controversial guns on campus bill to become law

April:
•  From the Governor’s Desk
•  Tennessee lawmakers adjourn 109th General Assembly
•  March state revenues exceeded budgeted estimates by $133.0 million
•  Tennessee legislature passes online voter registration bill
•  Plan To Let Employees Carry Guns On Tennessee Campuses Headed To The Governor
•  ETSU president expresses concerns about the possibility of more guns on campus
•  16 leaders to guide TSU’s transition to new board
•  Oldham and Haslam host forum for campus body about FOCUS act
•  UT president, chancellor disappointed with bill defunding diversity office
•  ETSU creates center for prescription drug abuse prevention & treatment
•  Roaden leaves legacy of quality, accountability in Tennessee higher education
•  Womack Named Deputy Commissioner for the TN Department of Agriculture
•  Tennessee lawmakers pass $35B annual spending plan
•  Haslam announces 2016-17 budget amendment
•  DCS meets improvement goals after 15 years of federal oversight
•  Tennessee moves to review possible outsourcing partners
•  MTSU prepares for FOCUS Act
•  Construction beginning on new group homes
•  Haslam shakeup of open universities gains final approval
•  FOCUS act passes through state Senate
•  The state capitol’s week in review
•  FOCUS Act Puts Tennessee on Best Path for Reaching Drive to 55
•  DHS defends child nutrition program from comptroller critique
•  Haslam names new TennCare Director
•  Western Mental Health Institute Psychiatrist Named Employee of the Year
•  Groundbreaking ceremony held for new TN State Museum

March:
•  Haslam introduces fiscal year 2016-2017 budget amendment
•  TDEC puts effort to privatize golf courses on hold, for now
•  Lawmakers set special hearing on Human Services food programs
•  Non-voting students on new board a concern
•  Tennessee Comptroller: $11.4M in questionable DHS costs
•  Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has named Jai Templeton as the state’s commissioner of agriculture
•  Haslam’s TennCare director to step down, opening up key cabinet spot
•  Ketron questions Haslam’s secret $30M development deal
•  Critics question Haslam’s outsourcing plan
•  Lawmakers hear from state, UT employees on outsourcing plan
•  House OKs new governing boards for 6 state universities, including Memphis
•  Haslam’s college plan passes in House
•  Audits find misdeeds in two child nutrition operations
•  In Tenn., Politics or Good Policy?
•  Noland muses on life as ETSU president
•  Tennessee State president: I do not oppose FOCUS Act
•  New Senate bill proposes minor changes affecting tuition waivers for state employees
•  April groundbreaking set for Tennessee State Museum
•  House To Set Budget Before Considering Hawk’s Bill
•  Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey will not seek re-election
•  State snubs students and staff on U of M governing board
•  Bipartisan Skeptics Doubt Haslam’s Outsourcing Plan
•  Editorial: Figures for plan on outsourcing unconvincing
•  Tennessee February Revenues released
•  Skepticism greets Haslam’s plan for additional outsourcing
•  Editorial: Questions dog Haslam’s plan for outsourcing
•  TSU President Speaks Against Part Of FOCUS Act
•  Tennessee prison assaults soar under new definitions
•  Haslam claims outsourcing plan will save Tennessee $35.8 million a year
•  Lawmakers consider bringing back corrections oversight
•  TSU students protest Haslam’s college plan

February:
•  Opinion: Outsourcing bad for taxpayers, workers
•  Committee ignores Morgan, approves Regents restructuring
•  Plan to create new TBR boards moves ahead, despite strong criticism
•  Bill to alter controversial 28-day prison schedule fails
•  Tennessee House panel OKs Haslam’s plan to split Board of Regents system
•  Tennessee transportation chief says road funding is essential for prosperity
•  CCA Board of Directors Appoints Mark Emkes as Chairman
•  State, UT agree to outsourcing review after disagreement
•  ETSU to have more autonomy after passage of Haslam’s FOCUS Act
•  KnoxNews Editorial: Funding request sound first step for state’s parks
•  UT Pres.: UT will review outsourcing plans, committed to advancing diversity
•  Haslam, colleges agree to outside review of outsourcing plan
•  Haslam college overhaul given early approval
•  ETSU President Noland still monitoring outsourcing plans at the state level
•  Haslam team about to launch campaign for massive outsourcing initiative
•  Higher education reshuffle will pass, legislators predict
•  Fall Creek Falls supporters applaud $22 million in proposed upgrades
•  Governor’s budget includes Cummins Falls visitor center
•  UT president calls outsourcing criticism ‘regrettable’
•  UT official says Haslam outsourcing plan ‘would be a disaster’

January:
• Gov. Bill Haslam’s State of the State address to the TN General Assembly on February 1, 2016
• Gov. Haslam Proposes $130 Million For Road Projects
• Gov. Haslam to give State of the State Monday
• State Outsourcing Efforts Persist
• Haslam announces 2016 legislative session agenda
• CEO of embattled prison program blasts lawmakers, retires
• City leaders heading to Nashville to voice opposition of new home for people with disabilities
• Board of Regents picks David Gregory as interim leader

2015 In The News

2014 In The News

2013 In The News

2012 In The News