A tax expert is warning state officials that Tennessee would be among the hardest-hit states if federal officials don't resolve the so-called fiscal cliff. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports Dr. Stan Chervin updated Gov. Bill Haslam and other state officials, saying states that depend heavily on sales taxes for revenue would feel the most stress if tax breaks are not extended.
Members of the House Republican caucus on Monday unanimously nominated Speaker Beth Harwell for another term in charge of the chamber but ousted Rep. Judd Matheny from the No. 2 slot. Matheny, a Tullahoma Republican, was defeated by Rep. Curtis Johnson of Clarksville in a secret ballot.
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has to decide by Friday his intentions regarding the setting up of a statewide health insurance exchange. The exchanges are required under the federal Affordable Care Act. States have to inform Washington by Friday whether they plan to establish their own health insurance exchanges, or whether they want the federal government to create an exchange for them.
Tennessee Democratic leaders say they plan to talk with Gov. Bill Haslam about expanding pre-kindergarten classes after the state's education commissioner said he doesn't plan to request funding for an expansion.
Tennessee's chief medical officer says the rate of new infections of deadly fungal meningitis appears to be declining in the state where it was first discovered. Dr. David Reagan said in an interiew that not everyone who received the contaminated medicine that caused the infections will get sick.
