When the administration of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. went to the state earlier this year for approval of a $112.4 million refunding bonds issuance, it was the second time in four years City Hall had used a debt tactic known as “scoop and toss.”

2. Critical State Report Remakes City Budget - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

An April report from the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury critical of city finances threw the budget season at City Hall into remake mode Tuesday, May 21.

The bottom line for the budget is a remediation plan that will increase the city’s long term debt, force the city to use its reserves, and take reserves below the 10 percent level considered key with bond-rating agencies.

3. Judicial Redistricting Plan Leaves Shelby Same - Wednesday, March 13, 2013

About a year after the Tennessee legislature set new district lines for itself and the state’s nine members of Congress, it is about to set the district lines for civil and criminal trial court judges at the state level.

4. A Higher Order of Sausage - Friday, March 01, 2013

GOD’S SAUSAGE. (When you see this column, it’s the 40 Days of Waffle Shop again, so strike while the iron is hot.)

“You might just be a copywriter,” Brick Muller said, staring down at the piece of paper I’d just handed him. On it was an ad idea I’d just pounded out on the 1948 Royal typewriter he was paying me to use as a copywriter. The fact that this was his first recognition that I might be one was gratifying since I’d already been there for nine months.

5. Lawmakers Re-Elect State Constitutional Officers - Saturday, January 12, 2013

The Legislature has unanimously re-elected the Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Comptroller Justin Wilson and Treasurer David Lillard to another term in office.

6. Lawmakers Re-Elect State Constitutional Officers - Thursday, January 10, 2013

The Legislature has unanimously re-elected the Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Comptroller Justin Wilson and Treasurer David Lillard to another term in office.

7. State Comptroller: Waive $25 for Records Requests - Thursday, October 04, 2012

Comptroller Justin Wilson’s move to automatically waive the first $25 in fees for public records requests is drawing praise from open government advocates.

8. State Officials React to Critical Parole Audit - Wednesday, October 03, 2012

A member of the Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee says an audit of the Board of Probation and Parole casts doubt on the effectiveness of parolee supervision.

A performance audit by the state comptroller’s office showed at least 82 people parole officers said they checked on between January 2011 and May 2012 were, in fact, dead. One of them died more than 19 years ago.

9. Hargett: Shelby Election Problems Erode Public Confidence - Monday, July 30, 2012

The election driven by ballot questions and one-time-only races looks to become an election that goes into overtime as well.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett formally asked State Comptroller Justin Wilson Friday, July 27, to audit the administration of the Shelby County Election Commission and investigate election procedures and returns.

10. Pending Bill Could Raise Solar Taxes - Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The week that two solar farms located in Haywood County and Memphis were dedicated, a bill that would increase property taxes on owners of solar production facilities like the two arrays was undergoing more changes in Nashville and encountering increased opposition from the state’s solar industry.

11. Waffle Shop Again Answers Prayers - Friday, February 24, 2012

GOD’S SAUSAGE. “You might just be a copywriter,” Brick Muller said, staring down at the piece of paper I’d just handed him. On it was an ad idea I’d just pounded out on the 1948 Royal typewriter he was paying me to use as a copywriter. The fact that this was his first recognition that I might be one was gratifying since I’d already been there for nine months.

12. Tenn. Fiscally Sound but Cuts Needed - Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Tennessee’s financial ledger is in good shape. The current state budget is balanced. For the first five months of the current budget year, general fund collections have outpaced projections by about $188 million.

13. Tenn. Comptroller Wants School Funding Formula Fix - Monday, December 12, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – State Comptroller Justin Wilson says Tennessee's school funding formula is fraught with complexity and a lack of transparency that could lead to either inadvertent or intentional errors in distributing state money.

14. Sen. Kelsey Introduces Bill Targeting Local Gov. Debt - Friday, December 09, 2011

Tennessee state Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, has introduced a bill aimed at helping reduce local government debt.

15. Fuente Looks to Turn Tigers Around - Friday, December 09, 2011

The next phase of University of Memphis football officially began Thursday, Dec. 8. That’s when 35-year-old Justin Fuente, co-offensive coordinator at Texas Christian University, told media and fans gathered at an on-campus press conference, “This is going to be Memphis’ team. … I don’t care what school you went to, you live in the city, I want this to be your team.”

16. Fuente Looks to Turn Tigers Around - Thursday, December 08, 2011

The next phase of University of Memphis football officially began Thursday, Dec. 8.

That’s when 35-year-old Justin Fuente, co-offensive coordinator at Texas Christian University, told media and fans gathered at an on-campus press conference, “This is going to be Memphis’ team. … I don’t care what school you went to, you live in the city, I want this to be your team.”

17. Report Criticizes Former Revenue Commissioner - Friday, October 21, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – A report by the state's comptroller says former Tennessee Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr approved millions of dollars in tax reductions for businesses without proper documentation or justification.

18. Tenn. to Sell Estimated $584 Million in Bonds - Wednesday, October 12, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – The state of Tennessee plans to sell an estimated $584 million worth of bonds this week, the largest sale in the state's history.

The sale Tuesday through Thursday will use some of the proceeds to pay for new capital projects and infrastructure. These include economic development grants for Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Wacker Chemie in Bradley County, Hemlock Semiconductor in Clarksville and Electrolux in Memphis.

19. Comptroller Appoints Tenn. Business Advocate - Friday, June 03, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson has appointed the state's new small business advocate.

20. Tenn. Revenue Estimates Reflect Improving Economy - Monday, April 18, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – More money should be coming into the state as a result of an improving economy, but high gas prices that are eating up people's disposable income are also affecting Tennessee's revenue projections, the State Funding Board said Friday.

21. Tenn. Funding Board Sets Growth Projections - Thursday, February 10, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – The State Funding Board has projected that Tennessee's general fund revenues could be up to $162 million more than expected this budget year.

The panel on Wednesday set official projections for the remainder of the current spending year and the one beginning July 1. Gov. Bill Haslam and lawmakers use the projections to plan the state's spending plan.

22. Board Cautious About Revenue Estimates - Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Economic forecasts call for a growth in Tennessee revenues, but the State Funding Board is taking a cautious approach toward setting projections for the upcoming budget year.

Comptroller Justin Wilson said Monday that it would be equally damaging for the panel to either overestimate or underestimate tax collections.

23. Legislature Re-Elects GOP Constitutional Officers - Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Tennessee Legislature has re-elected two of its Republican constitutional officers.

A joint session of the entire state House and Senate on Wednesday elected by voice vote for Justin Wilson to continue as comptroller and David Lillard as treasurer.

24. Officials Uncertain About Final Revenue Estimates - Friday, December 17, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) – State officials say they're uncertain when final revenue projections for Tennessee will be released.

The State Funding Board was expected to make its estimates on Thursday, but Comptroller Justin Wilson adjourned the meeting to the call of the secretary of state.

25. State Funding Board to Hear Debt Policy - Thursday, December 16, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) — State Comptroller Justin P. Wilson will recommend Wednesday that the State Funding Board adopt a model debt management policy for governmental entities throughout Tennessee.

26. Ex-GOP Lawmaker Bunch Named Administrative Judge - Wednesday, December 15, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) – A former state lawmaker who was a vocal critic of Tennessee's laws on appointing judges has been named an administrative law judge.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports for Tuesday's editions that Republican Sen. Dewayne Bunch of Cleveland has been appointed an administrative law judge by Secretary of State Tre Hargett, a fellow former state lawmaker.

27. Tenn. Sales Taxes Grow by Highest Rate Since 2007 - Thursday, November 11, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee's latest revenue figures released Wednesday show monthly sales tax collections grew at their highest rate since April 2007 and that the state's general fund exceeded projections by $46 million through the first quarter of the budget year.

28. 2009 Year In Review - Monday, December 28, 2009

2009 was a year without a script – and plenty of improvising on the political stage.

It was supposed to be an off-election year except in Arlington and Lakeland.

2008 ended with voters in the city and county approving a series of changes to the charters of Memphis and Shelby County governments. Those changes were supposed to set a new direction for both entities, kicking into high gear in 2010 and ultimately culminating two years later.

29. Funding Board Sets Low Tenn. Revenue Estimates - Monday, December 21, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee State Funding Board on Friday agreed to a range of revenue estimates that dips below the predictions of economists previously consulted by the panel.

The four board members voted to set the general fund growth rate at between 1.8 percent and 2.3 percent for the budget year beginning July 1. Five economists earlier this week forecast a growth rate of between 1.99 percent and 3.5 percent.

30. Funding Board Delays Tenn. Revenue Estimates - Friday, December 18, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The State Funding Board has delayed setting the revenue projections that the governor and lawmakers use to prepare Tennessee's annual spending plan.

Treasurer David Lillard said at a meeting Thursday that "staff is not ready" to proceed with the revenue estimates. He asked that another meeting be scheduled for Friday.

31. Report: Tenn. Pre-K Not Effective After Second Grade - Monday, November 02, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A new report shows the effectiveness of Tennessee’s pre-kindergarten program diminishes after the second grade, but supporters say it still provides a valuable foundation that will help at-risk children succeed.

32. Justin's Empire: Timberlake drives business interests where it all began - Monday, August 10, 2009

Justin Timberlake might be best known for hit records, dance moves and sold-out concerts, but the 28-year-old entertainer extraordinaire is much more than a singer/dancer/performer. The award-winning, chart-topping Timberlake – or, simply, JT – has become an institution, a brand name that transcends his showbiz persona and carries as much cachet as any living celebrity.

33. Education Department Recovers More Than $425,000 - Friday, August 07, 2009

The Tennessee Department of Education has recovered more than $425,000 from a vendor that overbilled for services and then alerted the department to the problem.

A special investigation by the state comptroller found Edvantia Inc. overbilled for administering the Exemplary Educators program grant contracts. The program assigns teachers and administrators to schools in need.

34. Comptroller Suggests Reforms for Bond Financing - Monday, May 04, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee comptroller on Friday recommended preventing smaller cities and counties from entering into complex bond deals because they are too risky.

Some cities, counties and utility districts in Tennessee are struggling under derivative bonding arrangements that sent their interest payments skyrocketing and suddenly reduced how much time they have to pay off their debts.

35. New Tenn. Comptroller Hires Legislative Manager - Wednesday, February 04, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - New Comptroller Justin Wilson has hired Republican operative Susie Alcorn to lead the office's legislative duties.

36. Bredesen Appoints Morgan To Deputy Governor Post - Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The day after the Tennessee Legislature replaced John Morgan as state comptroller, Gov. Phil Bredesen appointed Morgan deputy governor of Tennessee.

37. Lillard, Hargett in GOP Sweep of State Constitutional Offices - Friday, January 16, 2009

NASHVILLE – Republicans, including two familiar faces from Shelby County, have been elected as Tennessee’s secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer in a legislative vote.

A joint session of the entire state House and Senate on Thursday voted 70-61 for Tre Hargett, a former GOP House leader from Bartlett, to replace Democratic Secretary of State Riley Darnell.

38. Repubs Sweep Tenn. Constitutional Officer Vote - Friday, January 16, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Republicans used their new majority in the Tennessee Legislature to elect three members of their party as secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer on Thursday.

A joint session of the entire state House and Senate voted 70-61 for Tre Hargett, a former GOP House leader, to replace Democratic Secretary of State Riley Darnell.

39. Tenn. House Pitched Into Uncertainty by Speaker Vote - Thursday, January 15, 2009

NASHVILLE (AP) – The surprise election of Republican Rep. Kent Williams as speaker of the Tennessee House has heightened the atmosphere of uncertainty in an already closely divided chamber.

40. Bios of GOP Choices For 3 State Constitutional Offices - Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Legislative Republicans on Monday elected their three nominees for Tennessee’s constitutional offices.

The comptroller, treasurer and secretary of state were scheduled to be elected today by a joint assembly of the House and Senate, where Republicans have a 69-63 advantage.

41. Tenn. GOP Candidates Linked to Life Insurance Plan - Monday, January 12, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Two Republican candidates for Tennessee constitutional offices have been linked to a proposal for the state to benefit from taking out life insurance policies on unwitting retired state employees.

42. GOP Lawmaker Mulls Vote for Democratic Officers - Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Tennessee state Rep. Kent Williams is considering breaking ranks with his fellow Republicans to vote to hold on to the state’s Democratic constitutional officers.

43. Archived Article: Standout (mack) - Friday, August 04, 2000
By SUZANNE THOMPSON Cooking from the heart By SUZANNE THOMPSON The Daily News The last thing Bonnie Mack needs is someone looking over his shoulder while hes in the kitchen. So last year, when President Clinton visited Blues City Cafe, where Mack is...

44. Archived Article: Briefs - Friday, January 03, 1997
A guide to the states environmental permitting process is now available from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation A guide to the states environmental permitting process is now available from the Tennessee Department of Environmen...

45. Archived Article: Back2 - Thursday, June 27, 1996
Tennessee emissions down by 32 million pounds Tennessee emissions down by 32 million pounds Tennessee has made a 32 million pound reduction this year in the release of more than 600 chemicals included on the Toxic Release Inventory, Justin P. Wilson...

46. Archived Article: Env Briefs - Wednesday, May 08, 1996
05-08 Env briefs Shelby County environmental coordinator Edward F. Williams III will receive Tennessees Lifetime Environmental Stewardship Award from the states recently-appointed commissioner of environment and conservation, Justin Wilson. Williams...