Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Let's Demonstrate Against Matthew Hill
Well, I see that Matthew Hill has decided it is time to start campaigning, with a fundraising dinner Thursday night in Johnson City at the House of Ribs restaurant. I think it would be great for some U.S. military veterans to demonstrate against war protester Hill on the other side of the street from the House of Ribs. Be sure to bring some signs about Hill wanting to be a lobbyist and that he voted to give himself a pay raise. Don’t forget to add that he has said taxes should be raised only if we are at war, which we are.
Here’s a great post on the shady dealings of the Hill family radio stations. They are slowly going the way of Tom Delay.
I also find it interesting that Bob Corker doesn’t view the Hill family joke of a radio show to be worth his time. Smart move by Corker, who will likely beat Bryant and Van Hilleary.
I also find it interesting that Ron Ramsey appears to have covered his speeding butt with this new anti-drag racing legislation.
In other news, it looks like David Davis has enlisted little Timmy Hill in his campaign (it’s buried way down among the rambling). That should all but seal the deal for Richard Venable.
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Here’s a great post on the shady dealings of the Hill family radio stations. They are slowly going the way of Tom Delay.
I also find it interesting that Bob Corker doesn’t view the Hill family joke of a radio show to be worth his time. Smart move by Corker, who will likely beat Bryant and Van Hilleary.
I also find it interesting that Ron Ramsey appears to have covered his speeding butt with this new anti-drag racing legislation.
In other news, it looks like David Davis has enlisted little Timmy Hill in his campaign (it’s buried way down among the rambling). That should all but seal the deal for Richard Venable.
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Saturday, June 10, 2006
Political News in NE Tenn
I was perusing an article from The Roll Call about who will fill Jenkins' seat and I found some interesting tidbits. I bet Phil Roe is not a big fan of PAC-funded war protester Matthew Hill.
Venable, by the way, still appears to be the front runner for Jenkins' seat. I'm convinced he's all but won it, but I could be wrong. I'd rather it went to Roe.
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Frontrunners Emerge for Jenkins’ Seat, June 7, 2006, By Elizabeth Brotherton and Lauren W. Whittington, Roll Call StaffAlso, it looks like Jenkins was probably not a full-fledged Gregory puppet since he defeated Gregory's right-hand man.
...Even though he, too, is a local office holder, [Phil] Roe is looking to paint himself as the political outsider in the crowded race by focusing heavily on his other experience - both as a doctor and Army veteran.
"You put the uniform on, you've crawled in the mud, it gives you a different viewpoint than someone who didn't serve," Roe said.
Roe has refused to take political action committee money, and he said his bicycle tour gives him a chance to really connect with voters.
"People don't feel like they have any input," he said. "They feel like they are just electing another suit."
...The 1st district has a history of close primary races. When Jenkins first ran for the seat in 1996, there were 10 other candidates in the field. He defeated his closest opponent, then-state Sen. Jim Holcomb, by only 320 votes.I also found some info interesting about Steve Godsey (not Richard Venable, whose name I mistakenly wrote here on June 10). In May, someone wrote a letter to the editor at the Kingsport Times-News about the fact that Godsey had already spent $21,000 on his campaign for Sullivan County Mayor (a position that pays $90,000+) and none of that money went to Sullivan County businesses. A significant chunk didn't even go to businesses in Tennessee. He sure seems to have plenty of money. Too bad it isn't going to the county he wants to work for.
Venable, by the way, still appears to be the front runner for Jenkins' seat. I'm convinced he's all but won it, but I could be wrong. I'd rather it went to Roe.
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Sunday, June 04, 2006
Did Hill Give Himself a Raise?
Well, many people are not happy with the pay raise that Tennessee legislators gave themselves at the last minute this past week. The move has been accurately called "self-serving and cowardly," since the public had no opportunity to voice their opinion. Here are some more stinging comments on the topic:
I can't believe they would do this in an election year. Hopefully some of them will be gone by this time next year.
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[L]egislators' pensions, which now are calculated at $70 per month per year of service, will increase at about 3 percent without future legislatures having to do so much as lift a finger... [L]egislative pensions are far too generous to begin with, even without the cost-of-living adjustment...In regard to where Hill stood on this issue, all I know right now is that 67 members of the house supported it. Only 12 opposed it, though no one, including Ron Ramsey, opposed it in the Senate.
So while most working Tennesseans will be getting no pension when they retire, a part-time lawmaker who retires (or is defeated) after 10 years of service can pull down a $700 monthly pension. Make that $721 in November when the new law kicks in.
I can't believe they would do this in an election year. Hopefully some of them will be gone by this time next year.
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