Governor Identifies 128 Transportation Projects in TDOT’s Region Four for Funding

Projects to be funded through Recovery Act, Bridge Bonding and Traditional Funds

NASHVILLE— Governor Phil Bredesen today released a final list of projects to be funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds (Recovery Act), proposed bridge bonds and TDOT’s regular funding mechanisms.The three-tiered program represents more than 450 projects statewide touching every county in Tennessee.Included in the proposal, which has been presented to the Legislature, are 128 highway and bridge projects in TDOT’s Region 4 alone.

“The Recovery Act is fundamentally about creating and retaining jobs during one of the toughest economic times our nation and state have faced since the Great Depression,” said Governor Bredesen.“This three-tiered program represents a record investment in Tennessee’s transportation system. The Recovery Act, along with the bridge bonding and TDOT’s regular program, will put thousands of Tennesseans to work rebuilding and strengthening one of Tennessee’s largest economic drivers, our transportation system.” [Read more]

House Republican Caucus Weekly Wrap

Week of March 23-27,2009

• Budget proposal presented to lawmakers
• Stimulus funds will foot much of the TennCare bill
• Higher Education may dodge a bullet
• Unemployment Insurance
• Testimony on “wine in grocery stores”
• Is the Tennessee Plan constitutional?

After months of uncertainty while the United States Congress wrangled over details of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Governor presented his initial budget proposal Monday night to a Joint Convention of the House and Senate. Because of the unprecedented economic situation facing Tennessee, the Governor is proposing a multi- year approach, and laying out possibilities for the next four years. He explained that much of the ARRA money, which totals approximately $5 billion over two years for Tennessee, comes with strings attached and has essentially already been earmarked by Congress.

According the Administration, about “two-fifths” of the money are “Tennessee” funds—monies that will allow the state some leniency regarding where to use them—while the remainder are “Congressional” funds that have multiple strings attached. [Read more]

Nashville named host venue for “Great American Clean-Up”

Tennessee’s capitol will have the chance to showcase its Volunteer spirit and green initiatives this spring for Keep America Beautiful Inc.’s Great American Cleanup.

 

Nashville is one of three U.S. cities selected by KAB to host national spotlight events this year, Mayor Karl Dean and KAB President Matt McKenna announced today.  Held annually from March through May, the Great American CleanupT has become the nation’s largest volunteer coordination effort.

 

“My goal is to make Nashville the greenest city in the Southeast,” Mayor Dean said. “As a national Spotlight City in this year’s Great American Cleanup, we have the opportunity to showcase to the rest of the country our commitment to clean streets and livable communities.” [Read more]