Oak Ridge Today

Nolan announces Republican candidacy for Tennessee House

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Caitlin Nolan

Caitlin Nolan

She lobbied the state legislature for anti-bullying legislation as a high school freshman eight years ago, and now Republican Caitlin Nolan is seeking a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Nolan would challenge incumbent John Ragan of Oak Ridge in the Republican primary in the state’s 33rd District, presuming Ragan seeks re-election to a third two-year term. The 33rd District includes Oak Ridge, Clinton, and most of Anderson County.

The Republican primary is Aug. 7, 2014. [Read more…]

Sen. Alexander, others introduce bipartisan nuclear waste legislation

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U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander

Lamar Alexander

Four U.S. senators, including Lamar Alexander, introduced a bipartisan, comprehensive plan this week that they said would safeguard and permanently dispose of tens of thousands of tons of dangerous radioactive nuclear waste currently accumulating at sites dispersed across the country.

A press release said the proposal, the Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2013, would establish a new nuclear waste administration and create a consent-based process for siting nuclear waste facilities. It would also enable the federal government to “address its commitment to managing commercial nuclear waste, limiting the costly liability the government bears for its failure to dispose of commercial spent fuel.

“The integrated storage and repository system established by this legislation will expand opportunities for nuclear power to supply low-carbon energy, and will provide long-term protection of public health and safety for both commercial and defense high-level waste,” the release said. [Read more…]

Haslam signs gang-enhanced sentencing bill in Memphis

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Governor Bill Haslam

Bill Haslam

Legislation changes the definition of “criminal gang offense”

MEMPHIS—Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam on Wednesday held a ceremonial bill signing in Memphis for legislation that rewrites and simplifies the criminal gang offense enhanced punishment law.

Gang-related crimes are of increasing concern across Tennessee, in the state’s rural and urban communities, and the bill, House Bill 196/Senate Bill 202, changes the definition of “criminal gang offense” from a vague and broad definition to a specific list of offenses that will make it easier for prosecutors to seek a greater sentence. [Read more…]

Organizing for Action has Climate Cleanup at Melton Lake Park on Saturday

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Organizing for Action will be holding an event on Saturday called Climate Cleanup. This event will take place at 3:30 p.m. and be held at the pavilion at Melton Lake Park next to the New China Place restaurant in Oak Ridge.

Climate Cleanup will start with Organizing for Action fellow Scott Julius giving a speech about climate change, why the climate change deniers are wrong, and how this problem impacts Tennessee. His assistant Rose Williams will give a short speech about what one can do to help. Their goal is to encourage people to contact senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander to get them to sponsor comprehensive climate change legislation.

After the speeches, a  cleanup will take place to help remove litter from the park, allowing those present to do something tangible to help the environment. [Read more…]

Mayor to testify to Congress: Manhattan Project park would honor most significant event of last century

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Tom Beehan

Tom Beehan

A new national historical park that could include Oak Ridge would honor the history of the Manhattan Project, the most significant event of the 20th Century, Mayor Tom Beehan will tell a U.S. House subcommittee in testimony this morning.

The Manhattan Project was a top-secret U.S. program to build the world’s first atomic weapons. The three Manhattan Project sites that could be included in the new park are Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, N.M., and Hanford, Wash.

Despite what some detractors might say, the proposed park is not about weapons, Beehan wrote in prepared testimony.

“I believe this historical park is about scientific and engineering accomplishments at a time when our country was defending itself, both during World War II and the Cold War,” he said. [Read more…]

Tennessee judicial redistricting to be discussed at League forum

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There have been concerns about how plans to redraw Tennessee’s judicial districts might affect Anderson County, and a local organization has scheduled a Thursday night forum to discuss the proposals.

The forum is presented by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, and it starts at 7 p.m. Thursday in the City Room at the Roane State Community College campus in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Letter: Autism insurance coverage possible thanks to Yager, Powers, Ragan

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To the Editor:

Much gratitude and admiration goes to local area state lawmakers Sen. Ken Yager, Rep. Dennis Powers, and Rep. John Ragan for their vision and dedication to the people in our Tennessee autism community. By signing on to the widely-supported state autism insurance reform bill SB 1286/HB 1265, these legislators join 20 of their colleagues across the state as co-sponsors of this legislation.

Countless studies show that providing vital, medically necessary treatments to people on the autism spectrum greatly improves their chances of becoming self-sufficient, income-earning members of our society. Yet health insurance plans very rarely cover these therapies, and families are left to incur enormous debt to provide these treatments for their loved ones, or worse, are unable to provide these treatments at all due to the high cost of this non-covered crucial care, greatly reducing their children’s potential for success as an independent adult.

[Read more…]

Fleischmann votes for ‘No Budget, No Pay’; Corker co-sponsors

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U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann

Chuck Fleischmann

U.S. Senator Bob Corker

Bob Corker

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann voted for a bill that passed the House on Wednesday that temporarily increases the nation’s debt ceiling and requires each house of Congress to pass a budget.

Known as the “No Budget, No Pay” Act, the bill would withhold pay for legislative members if they fail to pass a budget.

“Not having a budget wouldn’t fly for hardworking Americans at home or at work, and it shouldn’t be allowed in Congress,” said Fleischmann, a Tennessee Republican whose district includes Oak Ridge. “We cannot ever truly constrain spending if the Senate will not pass a budget. With the passage of this bill, the Senate Democrats will finally be obligated to produce a path to get our fiscal house in order.”

[Read more…]