"Outings" story update

The Hollis F. Price Middle College High School "outings" led the 6 PM and 10 PM broadcasts on WMC Channel 5 last night. I really admire the courage of the young students who have stepped forward to challenge their Principal, high school, and the city school system.

Twenty years ago, when I was in a student at White Station High School (a Memphis City School), I had the luxury of coming out at my own pace. The Principal at Hollis Price violated the privacy of these young men and created a hostile atmosphere in which they were verbally harrassed by teachers and students. I cannot imagine what they have experienced.

In February, I was horrified to hear about the Oxnard, California middle school student who was shot and killed by a fellow student because of his sexual orientation. Could something like this happen in Memphis? I hope and pray that the brave efforts of the students at Hollis Price will lead to policies that will prevent harrassment and violence toward GLBT students in the classroom.

Adoption bill goes to summer study committee

SB3910, which would ban unmarried cohabiting couples is going to summer study. Sen. Paul Stanley (R-Germantown), the bill's sponsor, asked that it be sent off and that seemed fine with everyone on the Senate Judiciary committee.

While we can't be sure the bill is dead until the session ends next month, the state's GLBT community can rest a little easier this week.

A combination of intense contact with legislators and a hefty fiscal note attached to the bill gave it an uphill climb.

Memphis City Schools Principal targets "homo" couples

WMC Channel 5 in Memphis is reporting on an ACLU complaint filed against the Memphis City School system demanding new school policies, a reprimand of a school principal, and money for the two male students who said they were put on a gay list by the school's principal.

The ACLU wants a reply to the complaint by Friday, May 9th. See links to story for more info and video.

Update: The Commercial Appeal also has a story in this morning's paper.

Gay PDA

I missed this story on 20/20 when it originally aired. I found it fascinating. The reporter set two affectionate couples - one gay in Birmingham, the other lesbian in New Jersey - and filmed the reactions of people on the street. The gay couple prompted a 911 call to police. Straight men were quite interested in the PDA of the lesbian couple. I wonder how such scenarios would play out in communities in Tennessee.

Best and worst legislators for business

BusinessTN's May issue is out and with it comes "The Best & Worst Lawmakers for Business in Tennessee." The best are Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, Rep. Charles Curtiss, Rep. Craig Fitzhugh, Sen. Jamie Woodson. Sen. Bill Ketron gets an honorable mention.

The worst are House Majority Leader Gary Odom, Sen. Michael Williams, Sen. Ray Finney, Rep. Mike Turner, and Sen. Ophelia Ford. Rep. Henry Fincher gets "dishonorable mention."

Explaining their criteria, they write: "As litmus for determining the selections, BusinessTN sticks to legislative stances clearly identified as good or bad for business...Lastly, BusinessTN heavily weights a lawmaker's actual ability to have a positive or negative effect on the state's business climate."

But when you read the individual entries you realize that things are a bit slippery. When discussing Lt. Governor Ramsey, the piece says, "Ramsey and his Senate Republican majority has hiccuped on a pro-business agenda from time to time stemming mainly from their conservative stances on social issues." They cite his opposition to pre-K expansion, which enhances "workforce development." Um, what about his strong support for the marriage discrimination amendment, which makes the state less welcoming to GLBT people? Think that's not an issue? Talk to someone in Nissan H.R. about the kind of questions they got about Tennessee from management employees when it was announced that the corporate headquarters was moving here.

On the other side of the aisle and in the other chamber, Speaker Naifeh is praised for helping get the tobacco tax hike passed even though it's (a) a tax, which is generally a bad word at BusinessTN and (b) a tax targeting a business with important ties to the state. But since it was done in the interest of "the state's workforce development needs," it's all right. Huh? Maybe he did it purely for the health interests of people.

Even more confusing than the descriptions of the "best" are the droppings the piece leaves on the "worst." The only real anti-business tag they can stick to Gary Odom is his interest in regulating for-profit colleges, which the magazine describe as "important to Tennessee's workforce." In fact, they go on to describe him as "previously viewed as unfriendly to business, Odom has repaired that reputation..." The rest of the section on the House Majority Leader is a series of petty attacks on political issues that have nothing to do with the criteria the magazine set out for its picks. It's just character assassination.

Furthermore, this idea of workforce development is used to justify policies that are directly anti-business in the near-term. It's curious how some investments in workers are seen as visionary, whereas raising the minimum wage (their swipe at Mike Turner) and improving the workers compensation process for...yes, workers (those people BusinessTN seems so interested in "developing")...are perceived as anti-business. Besides, there is a legimitate debate as to whether a rising mimimum wage hurts economic growth, as this Wall Street Journal piece points out. Those who directly benefit from it are the ones most likely to spend the money locally.

I think where this piece stumbles in the end is that it starts with criteria based on the common perception of what is and is not pro-business and then loosely applies these criteria while taking detours into issues that are not business related. It would have been more helpful if they had given us their understanding of what is good for the business climate in Tennessee in an introductory essay and then looked at the voting records and power of those legislators they wished to feature.

Former soldier deployed to integrate U of Miss running for TN House

A profile of Larry Bennett, who is running for TN House representing Obion, Lake, and part of Dyer counties.

"I know the people of Obion, Lake and Dyer counties are why this place is the greatest place in the greatest state in the greatest nation on earth."

He sounds like a politician to me.

McMillan exploring gubernatorial bid

Former House Majority Leader Kim McMillan of Clarksville is considering a run for governor. The Democrat has formed a committee to explore a possible candidacy. Other Democrats and Republicans who are likely contenders are also mentioned.

Springfield NAACP reactivating

Clarksville Online provides an extensive report complete with photos on the reactivation of the Springfield NAACP.

...citizens recently have expressed their desire to see the branch once again active and engaged in local affairs as an advocate and watchdog for their civil rights.

Day of Silence at UT-Martin

UT-Martin ALLIES' Day of Silence observances were mentioned in the Jackson Sun today. The event draws attention to the discrimination, hate, and violece experienced by the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. The Day of Silence came soon after the faculty senate failed to adopt an amendment to the school's nondiscrimination policy that would have included sexual orientation and gender identity.

The event was sponsored by the Tennessee Equality Project Foundation.

Group alleges state and local government waste

The City Paper reports on the Tennessee Center for Policy Research's "pork report" that includes about $260 Million in government waste at the state and local level. The report comes on the heels of an announcement by Governor Bredesen that he may have to find as much as $500 Million in additional cuts to the state's budget.

You can read the entire report here at their site. TCPR is providing a valuable service in keeping a close watch on government spending. At a time when there is inadequate funding for social services, we have to subject the budget to this level of scrutiny. But that doesn't mean the report is without some troubling quirks.

Interestingly, the report attacks funding of the arts, in particular plays and films that deal with sexual themes. This sex-baiting is unfortunate. Even if a few productions or films lacked merit, the report focuses on the ones with sexual themes. They don't mention the ones that apparently (if they liked any of them) possessed artistic merit. The effect is to cast doubt on all state funding on the arts, which is counterproductive to our state's economic development. The North Carolina Arts Council notes that in "2006 arts industry wages alone infused more than $3.9 billion into North Carolina’s economy, according to research by Regional Technology Strategies (RTS)."

It might be helpful if TCPR suggested a review of arts funding criteria rather simply use sex to whip taxpayers into a frenzy about government spending.

President praises Memphis Catholic schools

President Bush held up Memphis Catholic schools today as an example of determined initiatives in inner-city education at a time when many faith-based schools are closing.

"I was struck by an interesting story that came out of Memphis, Tennessee," the president said in his speech. "Ten years ago private donors gave approximately $15 million to the church in Memphis to help revive Catholic schools in the city's poorest neighborhoods. Assets exist; they're worried about them going away. So rather than just watch schools close, somebody -- individuals -- did something about it by putting up $15 million.

"With the seed money, the diocese launched the Jubilee Schools initiative, and reopened Catholic schools that had been shuttered, actually in some cases, for decades. Today, 10 Jubilee schools serve more than 1,400 students. Eighty-one percent of these children are not Catholic; nearly 96 percent live at or below poverty level….

Another County Commission violates open meetings law, says Mayor

The Blount County mayor has accused three members of the County Commission of violating the open meetings law for going with a citizen to Nashville to meet with officials in the State Comptroller's office about financial irregularities in their county government.

A frustrating situation. They probably did violate the law, but in this case it seems to be hampering their ability to provide an effective check on other branches of government. A thousand instances of history provide justification for the sunshine law, but is there a price that we're paying in weakening representative bodies? Then again, there are probably perfectly easy means for dealing with such issues without violating the spirit or letter of the law.

Editorial challenges UT-Martin to work toward fairness

Will York of the UT-Martin Pacer devotes a substantial portion of his editorial to the stalled nondiscrimination policy at the school.

Most of the time, this injustice never directly touched me, and it was easier for me to be fair and emotionally detached from both sides of the story.

But now the Executive Committee for the Faculty Senate - with advice from lawyers in high places - has once again mangled the will of students, and the sexual orientation amendment isn't on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting.

One member of the committee said religious students may be offended by codifying the university's position against discrimination. A lofty and powerful visitor to their meeting said UTM is opening itself up to lawsuits. Others said discrimination against gays is simply not a problem on this campus.

Does this rhetoric sound like a progressive college campus, or is this - despite what I was told as a prospective high school senior - yet another example of the intolerance the South is so noted for?
Campuses should be open and accepting to all viewpoints and walks of life; even if my path of gay vegetarianism offends your frail moral sensibilities, I should still be given human respect.

Fairness also includes keeping your word.

To that end, administrators should not mislead - intentionally or accidentally - students into making decisions with their money, or anything else.

I hope the SGA will continue to effectively challenge administrators to maintain fairness, and I hope SGA will be accountable to itself to be effective.

Sen. Kurita attempts to ban some DUI ads

Sen. Rosalind Kurita (D-Clarksville) is attempting to ban some forms of advertising by lawyers who have DUI defense as part of their practice. Sen. Jim Kyle (D-Memphis) opposed her amendment on federal First Amendment grounds as well as his desire to keep the Legislature out of judicial ethics. The amendment may in part be a shot at her primary challenger, Tim Barnes, a Clarksville attorney who works in DUI defense and other areas.

Phil cutting half a bil

Andy Sher reports that Governor Bredesen may have to cut an additional $500 Million from the proposed budget. Revenue shortfalls are the culprit. The cuts may affect raises for state employees and some funding of higher education.

State of the States: GLBT legislative wrap up around America

The Washington Blade has this wrap up of GLBT legislative issues around the country.

Here's the mention of Tennessee:

Proposed legislation in Tennessee would prohibit non-married couples from adopting children. The Senate committee working on that chamber’s version of the bill has been deferring action on the legislation since it was introduced to the committee. No action has been taken on the House version of the bill since it was introduced to a subcommittee.

At the request of the Tennessee Equality Project, a state gay rights group, HRC has paid for lobbyists to help defeat the bills.

The last sentence is inaccurate. TEP made a funding proposal to HRC to fund our existing activities, which include lobbying. We have one and only one lobbyist.

Speaking of oil...

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Padgett devotes his Earth Day message to alternative energy sources. He hits Senator Lamar Alexander on gas prices and vote on a recent energy bill:

In 2008, the average Tennessee family will spend close to $5,000 on gas.
“A fellow told me last night he spent more than $90 to fill up his pickup,” Padgett said. “Remember when gas was $1.24 a gallon? That was the average cost before Senator Alexander took office.

“Americans expect their leaders to try to fix the problems that make life tough. But when an energy bill came up in the Senate last December to enforce better mileage and develop other energy sources, Senator Alexander, President Bush and other Republicans threatened to scuttle it.

“Why? Because it would have ended some of the huge tax breaks going to the oil industry. Only when that part of the bill – along with some of the alternative energy funding – was taken out did they agree to let it go through."

His opponent Bob Tuke doesn't say a great deal about energy policy on his site, so I've signed up for his email updates. Tuke does mention the rising gas prices but mainly with respect to its impact upon family budgets.

Senator Alexander recently wrote about energy policy from the point of view of TVA's efforts to find clean energy source to reduce our dependence on coal. Yesterday he spoke about the importance of setting aside more land for parks as a viable form of conservation. In particular, he addresses the Gulf of Mexico Security Act of 2006, which takes oil and natural gas production royalties and devotes them to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. I'm not sure how that addresses the price of gas, but I'd be happy for someone to post and make the connection.

So basically, all three candidates have noticed the price of gas is going up. Padgett, so far, has the clearest message on why that should be a liability for one of his opponents. Whether any of the three candidates can match some concrete policy to the "Gee, gas prices are too high" rhetoric remains to be seen.

Populism West Nashville style

Here's my bad camera photo of a piece of protest art on 51st Avenue North in West Nashville with the title "Fat Cat Oil," part of which is cut off by my car window. Neighborhoods like West Nasvhille are really feeling the pinch. We'll see how this sentiment translates into votes this November.

Politics with a side of fries

The Chattanooga Times Free Press surveys the connection between restaurants and political meetings in the area.

“This is business,” said Ed Hearn, owner of the downtown Tallan Cellar, the restaurant where the Democratic JFK Club meets each month. “I’ll take anybody who wants to come in.”

Another sign of the passing of an era in state government

Comptroller emeritus William Snodgrass has died. He held the constitutional office of Comptroller from 1955-1999 and is widely credited for "accountability and good government," in the words of John Morgan, who succeeded him.

Mr. Snodgrass's death has contributed to the postponing of legislative committee meetings this week. Senate Judiciary, which was to have taken up the adoption measure today, is going to meet next week. In theory, the upcoming meeting is the last one and will be a decisive moment in the adoption battle.