Alexander: Health care bill disastrous

In remarks on the Senate floor this week, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said he agreed with President Barack Obama that the only health reform plan that could be effective is one that lowers costs.

Sen. Alexander said the current health bill in the Senate doesn't do that.

"The cost of these health care proposals is going to head us toward state of fiscal ruin. Let's read this bill; let's know what it costs, and let's see how it affects you," he said.

Sen. Alexander quoted President Obama's remarks from the president's health care summit earlier this year, at which he said, "If we don't address costs, I don't care how heartfelt our efforts are, we will not get this done."

"Ramseys for Wamp"

Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey and Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield spoke at a Tuesday fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, with Mr. Ramsey jokingly introducing the formation of a new group: Ramseys for Wamp, with his wife, Jan, as chairwoman.

Mr. Ramsey said now that Lt. Gov. Ramsey is running for governor, he has begun introducing the county mayor as "my cousin from Hamilton County" as a joke. They are not related.

kefauver dinner hosts candidates

All five Democratic candidates for governor are slated to speak at the Hamilton County Democratic Party's annual Estes Kefauver Dinner, set for Monday at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

The event will end with a straw poll to see who's leading the race.

Tickets to the dinner, for which registration begins at 6 p.m., are $45. For more information, go to www.hcdp.us/kefauver or call 266-4125.

grisso joins fleischmann team

Dale Grisso, student body president at Chattanooga State Community College, has signed on to be the southern 3rd District youth coordinator for Chuck Fleischmann's congressional campaign, according to a news release.

Hamilton County Commissioner Bill Hullander introduced Mr. Grisso to Mr. Fleischmann, according to the release.

Mr. Fleischmann is running in a crowded field for the GOP nomination for the seat from which Rep. Zach Wamp is stepping down to run for governor. Other candidates include former Tennessee Republican Party Chairwoman Robin Smith, Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble, businessman Tommy Crangle, businessman Art Rhodes and engineer Greg Goodwin.

Former Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Paula Flowers and systems analyst Brent Benedict are running on the Democratic side.

twitter updates

Twitter is a social networking tool politicians often use to send updates to supporters. Here's what some local and state candidates and officials were saying this week.

* Sheriff Gobble, Sunday: "There is hope the Senate will pass a health bill with legitimate reforms without the extreme costs and other problems of the House version."

* Lt. Gov. Ramsey, Monday: "At home in Bristol today. Good to sleep in own bed last night. Several speaking engagements in the area today. Heading across state tomorrow."

* Ms. Flowers, Wednesday: "Confused on 42 page 'Manager's Amendment' to House Health bill -- sneaks in biofuels tax credit provisions in health care midst -- WHY?!?"