Democrat Mayor of Columbia, Tenn., Chaz Molder continues to build his war chest for his highly anticipated Fall faceoff with incumbent Republican Congressman Andy Ogles in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional district. (Ogles still has to get by former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher in an August GOP primary.)
In the just-ended quarterly financial reporting period, Molder has reportedly raised $601,000, increasing his total 7-month haul to $1.8 million. While much of that has come from outside the State of Tennessee, it all still spends the same. Hatcher and Ogles will report their own totals soon, including cash on hand. Molder has consistently shown a financial edge in the race.
But the district has a decidedly strong Republican tilt that will still make it an uphill battle for Molder in November. Nevertheless, Democrats are planning a serious run at Ogles.
Ogles has been endorsed by President Donald Trump and is relying on red-meat conservative issues (illegal immigration, threat of Islamic radicals, etc.) in his reelection bid.
WILL MEMPHIS-SHELBY SCHOOLS FORENSIC AUDIT RESULT IN POLITICAL CARNAGE OR PROSECUTIONS?
Lt. Governor Randy McNally says a recent forensic audit of the Memphis-Shelby County school system could result in some criminal prosecutions!
The catastrophic audit of Memphis Shelby County Schools is reverberating across the state!
There were a significant number of school district contractors who, the audit revealed, did not even have addresses! And keep in mind the audit is only 25 percent done and yet they’ve already uncovered $1.1 million in waste and abuse and $1.7 million in what they called “problematic spending.” Will the financial mismanagement rise to a level of criminality? Will ANYBODY be held accountable? The fiscal incompetence make the academic incompetence and work product of the school system look flawless.
BIG BUCKS BATTLE OVER PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER (PBM) BILL HEADS TO CONCLUSION
A bill that CVS says could result in the closure of 134 pharmacies in the state has seen millions in advertising dollars and lobbyist fees deployed to kill it, including $500,000 from an out of state PAC. Out-of-state advocacy groups have also weighed in to oppose the bill.
The bill is backed by the legislature’s top Republicans, House Speaker Cameron Sexton of Crossville and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally of Oak Ridge, and the Tennessee Pharmacy Association, so it appears likely to gain passage. Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson opposes it. The legislation is essentially a proxy fight between small, independently owned pharmacies and the larger chain stores like CVS.
The PBM regulation bill has cleared all the necessary Senate committees and has one committee vote left in the House before it will be voted on by both legislative bodies. Governor Bill Lee is expected to sign it upon passage.
WILL PROPOSED SCHOOL VOUCHER EXPANSION PLAN FAIL?
Bill Lee’s desire to expand the voucher plan that provides $ 7,300 in taxpayer funds for “school choice” from 20,000 to 40,000 recipients is running into some snags. The cost of the expansion is a problem, as Tennessee revenue collections have slowed. So is the fact that most existing voucher payments go to students already enrolled in private schools, rather than moving students from “poor” public schools to “better” private ones, as the program was sold. Add in the fact that rural residents, and rural legislators seeking reelection, are receiving virtually none of the vouchers and votes to expand the program look to be hard to find.
Advocates say that 99% of those receiving the free money like it and have applied to keep the gravy train flowing proves the scheme’s popularity. Hmmm, 99%. Does that mean NONE of the recipients of the voucher money graduated last year?
The Tennessee Senate and House are fighting over the details, and with the legislature wanting to conclude their business within the next couple of weeks, any delays could be deadly to the expansion proposal. Stay tuned!
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
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