haslam

Tennesseans Get Chance to Comment on Health Care

Mike Osborne — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:08:43 +0000

MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WMOT) -- In spite of his opposition to federal health care reforms, Governor Haslam appears to be moving forward with preparations to implement the Affordable Care Act.

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak says she’s preparing to conduct a series of health care public comment sessions state-wide. McPeak will take input from residents on what essential health benefits should be made mandatory for health policies sold in Tennessee.

Governor Haslam Begins Higher Education Review

AP/WMOT — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:15:46 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Gov. Bill Haslam began a review of the state's college and university systems at his residence on Tuesday.

Reaction in Tennessee to Health Care Ruling

AP/WMOT — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:20:26 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — Reaction in Tennessee to Thursday's Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act has been strong if somewhat predictable.

Within hours of the decision’s announcement, Governor Haslam had recorded and uploaded his reaction to YouTube.

Tennesseans Approve of Governor, Legislature

Mike Osborne — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:07:08 +0000

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- Tennesseans are sticking to a surprisingly center-of-the-road public policy line in spite of this election season’s heated political rhetoric.

WMOT will be looking at the results of the latest Middle Tennessee University Survey Group poll over the next few days. The twice-yearly phone survey was released Wednesday.

MTSU Poll Gives Santorum Commanding Lead in Tenn.

Mike Osborne — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:09:33 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) Presidential candidate Rick Santorum says he’s undaunted that most Tennessee Republican leaders have chosen not to endorse him for the nomination.

The former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania told reporters after a speech at the Temple Baptist Church in Powell Wednesday that as the "insurgent candidate," he doesn't expect to draw the support of GOP establishment.

But Santorum expressed confidence he will carry Tennessee and other states holding their primaries on Super Tuesday.

Will No Child Waiver Boost Teacher Morale?

AP/WMOT — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:33:42 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam says he hopes Tennessee's waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind education law boosts teacher morale.

President Barack Obama announced yesterday that Tennessee is among 10 states to receive the waiver.

No Child Left Behind requires all students to be proficient in reading and math by 2014, which critics say is unrealistic.

Phil Waldrop, the Associate Dean at Middle Tennessee State’s College of Education says it’s one less thing for teachers to worry about.

Governor's Budget Proposal Good News for Tenn. Higher Education

AP/WMOT — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:12:29 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) —Gov. Bill Haslam delivered his annual State of the State address to the Tennessee General Assembly last night.

Haslam spent much of the 40 minute speech laying out his budget plans for the upcoming fiscal year. The governor's more than $31 billion proposal relies on rebounding revenues to avoid more drastic cuts the state would have faced otherwise.

Among other proposals, the governor is calling for raises for state employees, more spending on construction on college campuses and tax cuts on food and inheritance.

Tenn. Drug Overdose Deaths Triple

Associated Press — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:34:56 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's death rate from drug overdoses has nearly tripled since 1999, a trend that state officials are hurrying to tackle with expanded regulations.

The proposals include one from Gov. Bill Haslam that would require doctors and pharmacists to consult a controlled substance database before writing or dispensing such prescriptions. State Sen. Ken Yager of Harriman tells The Tennessean he believes new state regulations will help reduce drug overdose deaths.

Legislation Could Affect Occupy Nashville

Associated Press — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:36:11 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers are proposing legislation that could affect Occupy Nashville protesters.

The measure says a person can’t live on publicly owned property that isn't designated or permitted as residential.

Protesters have occupied the plaza across the street from the state Capitol since early October. State troopers raided the encampment in late October and made 55 arrests, but the state has had to back down.

Push to "Water Down" Tenn. Open Meetings Law

AP/WMOT — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:53:08 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Governor Bill Haslam says he opposes efforts to water down Tennessee's open meetings law that bans city or county officials from deliberating over official business in private.