The Knox County Young Republican Federation is pleased to announce that we will be co-hosting a forum for all candidates running for Mayor of Knoxville, focused on young professionals.

Joining us as co-hosts are:  The Young Professionals of Knoxville, Young Professional Democrats of East Tennessee, and Knoxville Overground.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an open time for city council candidates to meet and greet followed by a presentation by Lesgue of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County. The mayoral forum is scheduled for an 8 p.m. start. We welcome all citizens to attend, regardless of age.

She will not be able to use any money raised for the Mayor’s race in her run for the State Senate seat.

Interestingly, this leaves Ivan Harmon as the only Republican candidate in the race for Mayor of Knoxville.

via KnoxNews

Democrat Election Commissioner Cameron Brooks has announced he will resign May 9th, due to moving with his job. If Greg Mackay is not reappointed as Administrator of Elections, then expect him to fill this vacancy.

County Commission has approved a compromise ordinance for the county fee offices to submit a budget to the Mayor’s office. It was a 7-3 vote in favor of the plan. For the ordinance to pass, it will take two readings before the commission to pass.

Knoxville is redistricting the City Council districts this year. KnoxNews has a breakdown of the details.

City Council approved an ordinance to erect the soon-to-be-restored JFG sign in South Knoxville.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Pavlis family. Jamie Anderson Pavlis, City Councilman Nick Pavlis’ mother, died Tuesday.

Lots of names being tossed around for possible appointment to take Sen. Jamie Woodson’s seat. The county commission will make the appointment. Interestingly, three commissioners have come forward thus far and indicated interest.

Former Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner will donate the money in his campaign account to charity.

The Knox County Commission will have to select a replacement to Senator Woodson. It looks like a special election could be held to coincide with the Knoxville city election on September 27th. Could end up being the race to watch.

In state news, the Republicans are pushing a bill to require photo IDs to vote. Democrats are worried the bill will “intimidate or otherwise disenfranchise legitimate voters” where “legitimate voters” really means “illegal voters”. The bill could end up disenfranchising dead people and moving the state closer to the out-dated one-person-one-vote idea. Rumor is the Democrats are afraid they won’t be able to win any elections in Memphis if this passes.

Candidates for City Council have disclosed their fundraising numbers. Not many candidates and very little money raised. It’s still pretty early. These races should start to heat up soon.

The Knox County Clerk’s office had three more former employees arraigned yesterday. Looks like Foster Arnett is still cleaning up after Mike Padgett.

A little inside baseball here, but this story about some local (one might say liberal) non-profits and their lobbying efforts before the county commission is not as innocent as they would have you believe. For example, the League of Women Voters has two separate organizations, a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4). 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from lobbying or losing their tax-exempt status. Their contention is that is a federal rule and only applies to federal legislative bodies. Their 501(c)(4) does allow them to lobby. So what’s the issue? Organizationally, the person that was lobbying before commission was from the 501(c)(3) and not the 501(c)(4). Honestly, I don’t think there would be a media cover story like this if it was a conservative 501(c)(3).

‘I don’t think we’re as far apart as a lot of people think we are,’ Knox County Commissioner Richard Briggs said at a morning meeting to review the plan. ‘It’s just how to get there and what’s the best way to get there.’

via Hillside plan reviewed » Knoxville News Sentinel.

‘If you find an area of government that is not working, rather than eliminate it, they would rather form a committee to find out why it’s not working. That’s very frustrating to me.’

Congressman Scott DesJarlais

via Freshman lawmakers celebrate first 100 days in office » Knoxville News Sentinel.

The TEA is starting to realize that, in fact, the Republican’s won the election and are setting about to do exactly what they said they would do. In an attempt to thwart the Republican’s they have decided to…claim it’s because they haven’t been bought like the Democrats. Right.  via Professor Humphrey

The TBI investigation into Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner appears to include his relationship with another person. Judge Baumgartner is currently on a medical leave of absence and is widely expected to resign.

Taking money from convicted criminals appears to be pretty standard fare – if you’re a democrat. Mark Padgett, democrat candidate for Knoxville City Mayor certainly doesn’t see any problem with it and isn’t going to return the money. Interestingly, former democrat Governor Phil Bredesen received money from the same Cocke County man but returned it. I guess some democrats have more integrity than others.

A judge has upheld Tennessee’s new lethal injection protocol.

The House Republican Caucus has announced a plan to help deal with illegal immigration. According to the release, “the plan calls for three distinct principles to address different areas of the law that need to be strengthened in order for private businesses and State and local law enforcement agencies to have the authority to effectively deal with illegal immigration.”

An announcement is expected Wednesday regarding the future of the Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett confirmed this evening.

Mae Beavers has a bill (SB316) that would require filing a long form birth certificate with the Secretary of State prior to being listed on the presentational ballot.

More details on the retirement announcement of Knoxville Police Chief Sterling Owen IV. Also, he appears to be looking to move his spokesman under civil service before leaving.