On Politics

Sunshine In
State Representative Tom DuBois (R- Columbia) is pushing a bill to allow for easier public access to candidates’ financial disclosure forms. Currently a person must go to the Election Commission office, fill out a card identifying one’s name, address, employer, phone number and driver’s license number before being allowed to view a disclosure. The information of the viewer is then mailed to the office seeker or official that was viewed. DuBois is moving to put the records on the internet for easy anonymous public access. State House Republicans voted to support the legislation in the Democrat controlled body.

Heartland Updates
The anticipated meeting in Chancery Court between Heartland Development and the Chilhowee View Home Owner’s Association was granted a continuance till May by request of counsel for Heartland.
Grading work continued this week at the contested project site.

Senate Pulls Curtain Down on Rolling Porno
Tennessee State Senator Mark Norris (R-Colliersville) sponsored senate bill 176 which passed the Senate this week unanimously. The bill, opposed by the ACLU, fines drivers of vehicles that possess an in-vehicle television system that is displaying an “obscene or patently offensive” production where it is visible outside the vehicle. The house version of the bill, carrying penalties from $2 to $50 has yet to be voted on.
“If the House will just do the right thing and pass this bill, it’ll be curtains for rolling porno movies in Tennessee,” said Senator Norris. “We really don’t care how these thoughtless people decide to hide their offensive movies that distract other drivers. They can use curtains, tinting, or just keep them turned off when other people are around.”
Extreme window tinting is already illegal in Tennessee under TCA 55-9-107.

Get Well Ray
We wish Sevier County Commissioner Ray Godfrey a quick recovery from his surgery last week. Get well soon.