No WhiteWash!

I am sure that Kingsport, TN has many potholes that could use a few shovels of asphalt.

State and local governments will have to move quickly to take advantage of the billions of dollars Congress is offering for infrastructure projects.

Spending on everything from pothole repairs to green energy is at the heart of the stimulus plan designed to create as many as 4 million jobs in two years. With earmarks largely absent from the bill, it will be up to states and local communities to decide how to use the money, but they’ll have to scramble to meet tough restrictions that require springing into action quickly. There’s no shortage of "shovel ready" projects to choose from, but deciding and then getting the necessary approval from Washington will be difficult for some. Read more on Stimulus

DeMarCaTionVille blog gives a viewpoint on the Stimulus bill.  I do have a question, does filling a pothole qualify as “shovel ready”?  If it does, then Kingsport should be able to submit some projects to claim stimulus money.

It looks like another neighbor in East Tennessee got their act together for “shovel ready” stimulus projects.  See what Knoxville has submitted

Chattarati bog in Chattanooga picked up on the fact that Mayor Littlefield of Chattanooga did not have any “shovel ready” projects for stimulus funds.  At least Mayor Littlefield and Kingsport’s Mayor Dennis Phillips have something in common……they did nothing.

So where does Chattanooga rank? Off the charts—literally. While there are more than $60 Million worth of projects listed for neighboring Cleveland, none were included for the scenic city.  Read more on Chattanooga

Stimulus Watch has a list of  “shovel-ready” projects for which the mayors of this state have requested federal stimulus funding.  I guess Kingsport, Tennessee Mayor Dennis Phillips and City Manager John Campbell are happy with the unemployment  rate (Dec. 8.4%) for Kingsport, because Kingsport does not have any “shovel ready” projects listed.  It is interesting that Johnson City submitted 11 projects.

Where are our great economic development politicians when we need them?  Why is it they just want to spend our local tax generated money when billions of dollars are available from the feds?

Kingsport citizens deserve better leadership!!

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Focus on the Basics: Improving Education, Job Creation  and Health Care

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today delivered his seventh State of the State Address to the members of the 106th General Assembly, outlining a path forward that will ensure Tennessee’s financial position remains sound while focusing on the basics: improving education, job creation and health care.

The Governor acknowledged the overwhelming issue right now is the state of the national economy – the worst since World War II – and its impact on the people and the government of Tennessee. Continue reading “Bredesen Delivers 2009 State of the State Address” »

States are better suited to getting road and bridge projects under way than cities and towns, President Obama’s transportation secretary said Thursday.

Ray LaHood rebuffed mayors’ lobbying efforts to send money from the stimulus package – at least for road and bridge projects – directly to them.  Read more on Stimulus

If you believe what you hear how on great things are going in Kingsport, then this should not be a problem for Kingsport officials.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Gov. Phil Bredesen said Wednesday he’ll delay presenting Tennessee’s budget to the state legislature until late March as he waits to see how the federal economic-stimulus package will impact a projected $900 million state funding shortfall.  Read more on Budget