WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER18, 2013 Grantsgo to 6 GibsonCountycities(JacksonSun)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam was in Trenton on Tuesday to award $2.2 million in grant money to six towns in Gibson County. The Gibson County Community Development Block Grant is part of a series of grants that focuses on the infrastructure needs of the towns and communities around the state. The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Tennessee $25.6 million for improvements, and the local communities make applications for improvements. This is actually a very competitive process, Haslam said. There is way more need than there is ability to fit those needs. The needs that were submitted I think are real ones and really will help improve the quality of life in each one of these communities. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130918/NEWS/309180009/Grants-go-6-Gibson-County-cities (SUB)

HaslamAnnouncesTransportationGrantfor City of Dickson(ClarksvilleOnline)

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer announced today the award of a $595,461 transportation alternative grant to the City of Dickson for Phase III of the Downtown Revitalization Project. The project will add improvements to sections of West College Street and Main Street, and is a continuation of the overall downtown revitalization that began in 2008. Phase III includes sidewalks with brick pavers, new pavement, new crosswalks, and ADA compliant sidewalk ramps, parking areas and signage. The project will also add decorative street lighting, landscaping and pedestrian amenities. This project will help Dicksons efforts to give its downtown a more vibrant, inviting appearance, Haslam said. Our downtowns are the hearts of our communities, and when complete, the project will make downtown areas more accessible to residents and visitors and can have positive impacts on the local economy. http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2013/09/18/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-announces-transportation-grant-citydickson/

WorkforceDevelopmentGrantAnnouncement(StateGazette)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced on Tuesday a $589,000 workforce development grant for Dyersburg State Community College to help meet the advanced manufacturing needs of the area. An array of state and local political figures, business people, educators, and students joined Haslam in the Learning Resource Center at Dyersburg State Community College for the announcement. This $589,022 grant will help the college establish two advanced manufacturing labs -- in Dyersburg and Tipton County -- and move forward with its proposed Associate of Applied Science degree in Advanced Manufacturing. The program will have industry-recognized certificates embedded in the curriculum including: the certified production technician and four mechatronics certificates. http://www.stategazette.com/gallery/16868

HaslamCitesManufacturingBoomin Grants(MemphisDaily News)

Armed with a $16.5 million fund approved by the General Assembly, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has lots of West Tennessee stops this week as he awards grants that will provide workforce training equipment to state schools certifying workers or training them for associate degrees. And Haslam kicked off the set of announcements Monday, Sept. 16, with checks totaling $2.7 million in the hangar of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Avionics School near Memphis International Airport. The school was awarded two grants totaling $1.2 million for equipment that includes a Aeroism Boeing Virtual Procedures Trainer as well as upgrading its advanced manufacturing equipment and building a new lab. Haslam specifically cited the growth in the citys manufacturing sector in making the grants. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/18/haslam-cites-manufacturing-boom-in-grants/

HaslamDisappointedin Superintendents'Petition(AssociatedPress)
Gov. Bill Haslam says he was disappointed to hear of a petition signed by nearly half of the states' school superintendents that raised serious concerns about Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman. The Republican governor in a letter to superintendents released Tuesday stood by Huffman and the initiatives he has championed, saying that the commissioner has brought a "new perspective and dynamic energy to education reform in Tennessee." The petition originated with Dan Lawson, director of the Tullahoma City Schools, alleges that Huffman's office "has no interest in a dialogue" with local officials and the superintendents' efforts to improve their schools are being thwarted by low teacher morale because of policy changes on the state level. Haslam called for "a fresh approach to communication" between the school districts and state education officials. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/18/haslam-disappointed-in-superintendents-petition/

Haslamasksschoolleadersto backoff fromcriticizingHuffman(Tenn/Fingeroot)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam took a flattering and conciliatory tone with irritated schoolleaders this week, but still told them to back off public criticism of beleaguered Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman. In a letter sent by email Monday, Haslam told school superintendents that he appreciates the hard work they have done to implement education changes in their own districts and is grateful for their help. However, he told them to find new ways to communicate and collaborate with Huffman. The bottom line is that we are at a critical point in the implementation of key reforms that I believe will lead to continued progress in education, and this work is simply too important to get sidetracked, Haslam wrote. I was disappointed when I learned from the media about a letter that was signed by some superintendents and apparently is making its way to me. Tullahoma Schools Superintendent Dan Lawson says at least 60 superintendents from around the state have signed a letter asking Haslam to put the brakes on Huffmans education reform policies and assess progress before moving ahead. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130918/NEWS04/309180126/Haslam-asks-school-leaders-back-off-fromcriticizing-Huffman?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Haslam'disappointed'by criticismof educationchief KevinHuffman(TFP/Sher)

Gov. Bill Haslam says in a letter to school superintendents that he's "disappointed" by their open criticism of his education chief Kevin Huffman and wants them to take a "fresh approach to communications" with the commissioner. "The bottom line is that we are at a critical point in the implementation of key reforms that I believe will lead to continued progress in education, and this work is simply too important to get sidetracked," Haslam says in the letter, dated Monday. He adds, "That's why I hope you'll join me in taking a fresh approach to communication between the state and school districts and work together as partners as we seek to build on the momentum that's been generated." Educators said about 60 superintendents have signed a letter criticizing Huffman, saying they feel Huffman "considers school teachers, principals and superintendents impediments to school improvement rather than partners." The letter, drafted by Tullahoma Schools Superintendent Dan Lawson, also takes Huffman to task, saying they believe his department "has no interest in a dialogue with those of us providing leadership for school systems." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/18/haslam-disappointed0010by-criticism-of-huffman/?local

Haslam'disappointed'by criticismof Ed CommissionerHuffman(N-S/Humphrey)

Gov. Bill Haslam has written the states school superintendents to declare hes disappointed with open criticism of Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman by some of them and saying they should not get sidetracked from implementing education reforms. The Haslam letter, dated Monday and released to media Tuesday, comes with Tullahoma City Schools Superintendent Dan Lawson circulating a letter calling on the governor to re-evaluate the leadership at the state Department of Education. The Lawson letter says the state Department of Education has no interest in a dialogue with superintendents, adding, We feel that we are not respected or valued and that the unique culture of our state is not valued. Haslam appears trying to refute that contention of an uncaring administration in his letter, urging the superintendents to join me in taking a fresh approach to communication between the state and school districts and work together as partners. I value the input I receive from superintendents and I plan to continue those meetings and will also sit down with appropriate leadership in the near future to better understand any concerns you may have, Haslam wrote. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/18/haslam-disappointed-by-criticism-of-ed-kevin/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Governordefendsed. commissionerunderfire fromsuperintendents(CA/Locker)

Gov. Bill Haslam has written Tennessees local school superintendents a letter defending his state education 2

commissioner, Kevin Huffman, the target of a petition signed by about half of them. The petition criticizes Huffman for what they say is his unwillingness to listen to their concerns about the rapid pace of change in state education policies. In the letter, Haslam said hes very grateful for ... Huffmans vision and leadership. He has brought a new perspective and dynamic energy to education reform in Tennessee, and while you may not always agree with some of our administrations specific initiatives, there is no doubt that were improving the future for more Tennessee children. The bottom line is that we are at a critical point in the implementation of key reforms that I believe will lead to continued progress in education, and this work is simply too important to get sidetracked. Thats why I hope youll join me in taking a fresh approach to communications between the state and school districts and work together as partners as we seek to build on the momentum thats been generated. The governors letter, dated Monday, comes in response to news reports of a petition highly critical of Huffman being circulated among the states 137 school superintendents, the chief executive officers of local school districts. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/17/tennessee-governor-defends-state-education-under/ (SUB)

TN GovernorPreparesFor Battle WithRightAndLeft OverCommonCore(WPLN)

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam finds himself in a political crossfire over Common Core. He says this weeks legislative hearing on the new education standards will show both liberals and conservatives are upset, for their own reasons. Speaking at an education event in Washington organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Haslam was asked how hed help other governors stay the course on Common Core. Tennessee has moved ahead while some states have gotten cold feet. But Haslam suggests he still has plenty of work to do in Tennessee, where the Senate Education Committee holds a hearing to listen to critics on Thursday and Friday. It will be a real battle. Its one of these interesting political deals where you have folks on the far right who you hear its Obama-core and all the stories out there about what Common Core is. And then you have folks on the far left who dont like the fact that teacher evaluations are being tied to students test scores. So you have this fairly unique push coming from both ends. http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/17/tn-governor-prepares-forbattle-with-right-and-left-over-common-core/

CouncilapprovesUBSincentives(Tennessean/Cass)
Swiss financial services giant UBS will receive up to $500,000 a year for five years as a taxpayer incentive for bringing up to 1,000 new jobs to downtown Nashville under a deal the Metro Council approved Tuesday. The arrangement, negotiated by Mayor Karl Deans administration, calls for UBS to receive a $500 annual grant for each new operations support job it creates. UBS can decide when the grant starts as long as it does so within three years of moving into the 98,000 square feet of space it plans to occupy in the Regions Center building, which will be renamed UBS Tower. The council supported the mayors plan by a 34-2 vote. UBS already has 240 workers doing similar support jobs in Nashville among a global workforce of 62,000, according to an analysis by the council office. The company also has about 70 wealth management employees, who will continue to work in a West End Avenue office. Councilman Ronnie Steine, chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee, said UBS plans to spend about $36 million to renovate the Regions Center building at 315 Deaderick St. These are good-paying finance, human resources and IT jobs, Steine said. In the competitive environment of job creation and attraction, to invest with a company that is already located in and committed to our city is one of those kinds of issues that is particularly attractive to us as we try to retain and grow existing businesses. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130917/NEWS/309170140/Council-approves-UBS-incentives?gcheck=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Footwearplant to openin JeffersonCity, bringing109 jobs(NewsSentinel/Marcum)

Merchant House International Group announced Tuesday it will move production of a line of footwear from China to Jefferson City, creating 109 jobs. The Footwear Division of the company has bought a 40,000 square-foot building in Jefferson City Industrial Park and will start making a line of mens leather boots and shoes. The operation, known as Footwear Industries of Tennessee Inc., represents a $5.4 million investment and is to begin production in March. We understand this is probably going to mean 109 jobs or more and those are dearly welcomed into our community, said Jefferson County Mayor Alan Palmieri. We are looking forward to providing them with top notch employees. Garrett Wagley, director of economic development for the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, said local officials played a role, but much credit for bringing the company to Jefferson County lies with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. And I think maybe the thing that really convinced them to come to Jefferson City is that there was an experienced apparel workforce, Wagley said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/17/footwear-plant-to-open-in-jefferson-city-109/ (SUBSCRIPTION) 3

MTSUreportslargestfreshmanclassfor TBR(DailyNewsJournal)
Middle Tennessee State University has the largest class of new freshmen and the largest population of new transfer students among the six universities in the Tennessee Board of Regents system, according to preliminary counts released Monday. MTSUs new freshman population increased by almost 2 percent over last year, growing to 3,179 as of the 14th day of classes, the date TBR uses as the systems enrollment snapshot. The university welcomed 1,907 new transfers, the most of any TBR school. We are pleased that our number of new freshmen has increased, said Deb Sells, vice president for student affairs and vice provost for enrollment and academic services, in a news release. This is good news since, nationally, the number of high school graduates is down, and demographers have predicted a smaller high school graduate population in Tennessee. The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a resource for universities in admission forecasting, predicted a decline in Tennessees high school graduating class between the 2012-13 and 2015-16 school years. MTSUs overall enrollment declined by 5.96 percent compared to fall 2012 totals. The university reported a headcount of 23,881 for fall 2013, down 1,513 students from fall 2012. http://www.dnj.com/article/20130917/NEWS/309170029/MTSU-reports-largest-freshman-class-TBR (SUB)

EarlyVotingOpensin StateHousePrimary(MemphisDailyNews)
Early voting opens Wednesday, Sept. 18, in the Democratic primary special election for State House District 91. From Wednesday through Sept. 26, early voting is limited to the Shelby County Election Commission office at 157 Poplar Ave. From Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, voters in the Memphis district can also vote early on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at any of three satellite locations: Glenview Community Center, 1141 S. Barksdale St.; Greater Middle Baptist Church, 4982 Knight Arnold Road; and Riverside Baptist Church, 3560 S. Third St. Election day in the Democratic primary is Oct. 8. The winner in the seven-candidate primary advances to a Nov. 21 special general election to face independent candidate Jim Tomasik, who filed his qualifying petition as a Libertarian. No candidates filed in the Republican primary. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/18/early-voting-opens-in-state-house-primary/

TennesseesSpent$70MOn BiofuelsResearch(WPLNRadioNashville)
In 2007, the state gave the University of Tennessee $70 million to pioneer a way to turn switchgrass crops into biofuel for cars. Now the exact payoff could rest in the hands of oil companies. The state chipped in $40 million before the recession to build a plant-based bio-refinery, and tens of millions more for things like farmers growing thousands of acres of tall switchgrass. With that money now spent, a committee of lawmakers asked Tuesday what the state has to show for it. They made clear theyre not impressed with pure research. Rather, theyre looking for commercial success, turning the talk to who might pay for biofuel technology. The likely answer is fuel companies, which are federally required to blend in more and more ethanolNot that theyre thrilled about that, says Steve Mirshak, with UTs industry partner, the chemical company Dupont. Mirshak says right now fuel companies with deep pockets are campaigning against the Environmental Protection Agency rule, but he expects theyll come to accept it, and could end up at the bargaining table. http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/17/tennessees-spent-70m-on-biofuels-research-lawmakers-ask-whatsit-getting-us/

ObamasTVAplanmakesstrangebedfellows(MemphisBusinessJournal)
When President Barack Obama floated the idea of selling the Tennessee Valley Authority to private hands as part of his budget proposal in April, the idea earned a swift rebuke from Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander. He called the proposal one more bad idea in a budget full of bad ideas. It was only days later a chorus of fellow Republicans joined Alexander in decrying the idea of taking the government-owned TVA into the private sector. Alexander even invoked the spectre of national security in his opposition to the proposal. In a hearing in late April, Alexander asked U.S. Energy Department official Neile Miller if the government could find another source of weapons-grade nuclear material outside of TVA. The TVA has not been on the healthiest financial footing recently, posting a $12 million loss for its third quarter in August.(5) The utility reported that power sales in the spring were 5 percent below year-ago levels, putting revenue at $2.6 billion, down from $2.74 billion in 2012 when TVA posted a $23 million quarterly loss. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2013/09/17/obamas-tva-plan-makesstrange.html

VolkswagenPlantin Tennesseeis Front-Runnerfor NewSUV(AssociatedPress)

Volkswagen AG says its factory in Tennessee is the front-runner to build a new SUV. Marc Trahan, executive vice president of quality for Volkswagen in the U.S., said Tuesday that Volkswagen will decide by the end of this year where to build the seven-passenger SUV, which the company believes it needs in the U.S. market. Trahan would not discuss efforts by the United Auto Workers to organize workers at the plant, or say whether those efforts are part of the discussion about where to build the new SUV. The UAW said last week that a majority of workers in Chattanooga have signed cards seeking union representation. The plant currently has two shifts of workers making the Passat sedan. Trahan said if the SUV doesn't go there, something else will. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/18/volkswagen-plant-in-tennessee-is-front-runner-for-new-suv/

UAW'sunionizingeffort at ChattanoogaVWplant 'lowkey, low budget' (TFP/Pare)

The United Auto Workers chief organizer in the region says the union's effort at the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant has been as low key and low budget as he has seen. "This is a home-grown deal," said Gary Casteel, a UAW regional director based in Lebanon, Tenn., who said there's been just two or three organizers on the ground in Chattanooga. Senior managers for VW in Germany this spring engaged in talks with the UAW and met with UAW President Bob King and other union officials last month in Germany. Officials said those discussions are ongoing. Last week, the UAW said a majority of the Chattanooga plant's workers have signed cards authorizing the UAW to represent them. Karl Brauer, senior industry analyst at Kelley Blue Book, said Volkswagen officials appear to think it's best to leave the decision of a works council labor board and UAW representation up to employees. "They'll let the workers decide their destiny," he said, noting that whatever the outcome "there's no room to complain about it." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/18/vw-unionizing-effort-low-key-low-budget/?businesstnvalley (REGISTRATION)

HeritageFoundationhelpsfuel Franklin'stourismindustry(Tennessean/Travis)
In 1967, the old Corn House at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Bridge Street was torn down and a gas station was built. Preserving local landmarks wasnt always a top-of-mind concern in Franklin. But losing that historic home was a wake-up call to a small group of people in this town that has since become nationally known for historic preservation. They saw that we were losing our heritage, said Rick Warwick, who now uses his encyclopedic knowledge of Williamson Countys past as a historian for the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County. In 1970, when then-schoolteacher Warwick moved to Franklin, the Heritage Foundation was just a toddler moving from a walk to an all-out run as its members found purpose and projects. Today, many give the foundation credit for fueling the tourism industry and stoking property values and economic development through political advocacy, coalition building, and strategic fundraising and spending. It also has popularized preservation causes. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130918/WILLIAMSON10/309180124/Heritage-Foundation-helpsfuel-Franklin-s-tourism-industry (SUBSCRIPTION)

OakRidgecounciltransfersmoneyto coverfundingfor schools(NS/Fowler)

Oak Ridge City Council grudgingly transferred $250,000 to the school system in a called session Tuesday, ending worries of a state move to withhold a hefty chunk of its funding and a possible school shutdown on Oct. 1. With the transfer and expected approval in back-to-back meetings Monday of the Board of Education the schools will comply with the state-required maintenance of effort funding. State officials had earlier indicated some $1.87 million a month in funding would be withheld unless the state requirement to meet last fiscal years funding level is met. School Board Chairman Keys Fillauer had earlier warned that without the money city schools would be forced to close. Comments by council members before the vote sent the clear message that council and the Board of Education are still at sharp odds over a lingering controversy how to pay the massive debt on a $61 million high school renovation. Council members maintain that all proceeds from a half-cent local option sales tax hike approved in a 2004 referendum to pay for the school project should flow into servicing the projects debt. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/18/or-council-transfers-money-to-cover-state-for/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Boardwill pay Hopson$269,000,otherperksin 3-year contract(C. Appeal/Roberts)

Supt. Dorsey Hopson will earn $269,000 a year for running Shelby County Schools, $15,000 less than Kriner Cash was making when he left last winter after running a district with 40,000 fewer students. The board approved a three-year contract Tuesday night that also includes a $500,000 life insurance policy, 20 days of vacation and a 5

district car for personal use. The contract does not include provisions for bonus pay as Cash requested when he arrived in 2008. Instead, Hopson will receive the same pay increase other staff get presuming he earns satisfactory marks in his annual evaluation. In other action, the board seated new member Shante Avant, who replaces Reginald Porter Jr. It elected Kevin Woods board chairman and Chris Caldwell vice chairman. Hopson, by tradition, serves as board treasurer. The board also defeated a resolution, 5-2, to place a two-year moratorium on new charter schools here, offered by board member David Pickler. Voting in favor were Pickler and David Reeves. Pickler wanted the board to press the governor and/or the general assembly to halt the rise of charters in the county, arguing that the cost of supporting charter schools cripples the boards ability to educate students in its schools. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/17/scs-board-approves-hopsons-contract/ (SUB)

HopsonThree-YearContractApprovedBy SchoolBoard(MemphisDaily News)

Countywide school board members approved a three-year contract Tuesday, Sept. 17, that makes Dorsey Hopson the superintendent of Shelby County schools through Sept. 2, 2016 at a starting base pay of $269,000 a year. The draft contract with Hopson, who had been general counsel to Memphis City Schools and then became interim superintendent of the two legacy school systems into their merger, was approved by the seven-member board less than two weeks after the board voted to pursue contract negotiations with Hopson. The terms provide for a one year extension through the 2016-2017 school year if the board takes no action by March 1, 2016. After the years extension, the agreement operates on a year-to-year arrangement. Hopson is evaluated and based on that evaluation would get the same percentage pay raise as all other school system employees. Meanwhile, Hopson told the board he wants to explore the school system taking over Shelby County governments Head Start program as a way to expand, align with the school system in curriculum and provide some consistency to the quality of prekindergarten programs. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/18/hopson-three-year-contract-approved-by-school-board/

OPINION Editorial:AVIDoffersgoodboostto achieve'Driveto 55' (DailyNewsJournal)

Earlier this year, Gov. Bill Haslam revealed his Drive to 55 initiative. Its a plan to get more Tennesseans educated and trained beyond a high school degree. The number of people in the state whove earned associate degrees or higher was at 32 percent when Haslam announced his plan; he wants to raise that number to 55 percent by 2025. Its a smart goal designed to make the states workforce more attractive to potential businesses, and its a goal we fully support. Thats why we are so pleased to see Smyrna High School becoming part of the Advancement Via Individual Determination program. AVID is a college-readiness program designed to prepare first-generation students for post-secondary education and the workplace. First-year costs of nearly $35,000 will be funded entirely by grants. Most of that money, however, is for training; costs will decrease over time. "Eventually it will require about $5,000 to $6,000 to sustain the program," said AVID program district director Karen Meador. "The entire school will be trained in the AVID strategies. This allows all students to benefit from the program." http://www.dnj.com/article/20130918/OPINION/309180007/OUR-VIEW-AVID-offers-good-boost-achieve-Drive-55(SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial:Internettax bill really is aboutfairness(KnoxvilleNews-Sentinel)

U.S. Rep. John Duncan Jr. is waffling on whether hell support the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would require Internet retailers to collect sales taxes just as bricks-and-mortar retailers must. In his Washington Report, Duncan says he originally supported the bill because he thought it was unfair to give large out-of-state companies selling on the Internet nationwide an advantage over local small businesses. More recently, though, he says he has grown concerned that people feel they are taxed too much already. No doubt its tempting to make political hay 6

out of the tax issue. A poll of Republican voters showed 66 percent are opposed to changing the way Internet sales taxes are collected. Some political strategists naturally want to use the Marketplace Fairness Act against candidates who favor the bill. Tennessees Sen. Lamar Alexander is one Republican who faces such an attack http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/18/editorial-internet-tax-bill-really-is-about/ (SUB)

Guestcolumnist:Tennesseevs. Germanyat VW(Wall StreetJournal)

Don't mistake a fight over a Volkswagen factory in Tennessee with the great episodes of labor history. The Flint Sit-Down Strike of 1936 it's not. The only sit-down relevant to VW's Chattanooga plant took place in Germany on Aug. 30, in a secret meeting between the United Auto Workers union and German labor representatives on Volkswagen's supervisory board. Chattanooga is VW's only major plant without a German-style works council, in which workers and management consult on plant-related matters. The UAW had come to deliver a convenient red herring. It would be illegal under U.S. law, advised the UAW, which has no role in the Chattanooga plant or formal tie to its workers, to establish a works council at the factory without the UAW first being installed as the collective bargaining agent for the plant's workforce. This is certainly a handy interpretation, since it would allow the UAW to slide into the Chattanooga plant on German politics, and allow Germany's giant IG Metall labor union to export German practices to the U.S. under the red-white-and-blue aegis of the UAW. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323527004579081032408682124.html?mod=ITP_opinion_0 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Guestcolumnist:Closebackgroundcheckloopholesin currentfed. gunlaw(TN)

If you want to purchase a gun in Tennessee, you have lots of options. You can visit your neighborhood gun store, stop by the hunting department at your local Wal-Mart, go to a weekend gun show or simply buy one on the Internet. Tennesseans trust that licensed gun retailers will use quick background checks to help prevent guns from ending up in the hands of criminals or the mentally ill. But unfortunately, under current federal law, all gun retailers are not created equal, and the requirement to complete a quick background check before commercially buying a gun is not applied across the board. But it should be. Federal law requires your neighborhood gun store or local Wal-Mart to perform a quick background check before an individual may purchase a gun, but if the same person wants to buy a gun at a flea market, for example, the background check requirement does not apply because of loopholes in the current law. In fact, an estimated 40 percent of all commercial gun sales in the U.S. are occurring without simple background checks designed to help keep guns out of the hands of criminals. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130918/OPINION03/309180084 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Guestcolumnist:Wherethe GoodJobsAreandWhy(Wall StreetJournal)

The American labor market is recovering from a painful recession. But the recovery is geographically uneven. While some parts of the country are booming, others are still stuck in a deep recession. Two groups of localities have been doing particularly well over the past two years. Both are supported by fast-paced technological progress, but one has by far the bigger jobs-multiplier effect. The first group includes cities endowed with a large number of highly educated workers and innovative employersplaces like San Jose, Calif.; Seattle; Austin, Texas; Raleigh, N.C.; Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis. The recession had less impact on these areas, and job growth has been brisk since the recovery began, thanks to sectors like the Internet, software, digital entertainment and biotech. The most striking example is San Francisco, where the labor market for tech workers is the most dynamic it has been in a decade, average salaries are above their 2006 level, and housing prices have surpassed their prerecession peak. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324576304579072773954985630.html?mod=ITP_opinion_0 (SUBSCRIPTION) ###