U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said in a news release this week that the health care reform bill being debated in the Senate Finance Committee could cost Tennessee $735 million.
“That doesn’t sound like a lot of money here in Washington, but I can assure you it’s a lot of money for the state of Tennessee, and as you can imagine, as the years go out, that number increases tremendously,” he said.
Sen. Corker cited a letter from Gov. Phil Bredesen which he said claimed the health care reform bill would cost the state millions in new Medicaid costs over five years.
Also this week, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., issued a statement saying the Congressional Budget Office’s estimated cost for the Senate Finance Committee bill — about $800 billion — is “too good to be true.”
“We know it’s going to cost about twice as much as the $800 billion advertised because it doesn’t take effect for a few years,” he said. “The taxes start right away, but the benefits don’t start for a few years.”
fleischmann rolls out first ad
Chattanooga attorney Chuck Fleischmann, a Republican candidate for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District seat, unveiled his first TV advertisement this week. It’s called “What defines me.”
In the 30-second ad, Mr. Fleischmann says he’s defined by “my faith and my family” as text flashes on the screen. He and his wife give some biographical information as pictures from Mr. Fleischmann’s life are displayed.
Mr. Fleischmann is part of a crowded GOP field for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., who’s running for governor.
Also running for the congressional seat are former Tennessee Republican Party Chairwoman Robin Smith, Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble, businessman Tommy Crangle, businessman Art Rhodes and engineer Greg Goodwin.
Former state Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Paula Flowers and systems analyst Brent Benedict are running on the Democratic side.
Businessman Mark DeVol has said he is running as an independent.
alexander gets flak from both sides
Sen. Alexander took some shots recently from both sides of the debate on alternative energy.
In an Oct. 2 letter to the senator, state Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mount Juliet, asked Sen. Alexander to oppose a “low-carbon fuel standard,” despite the senator’s assertions that such a standard “makes a lot of sense for our country.” The standard would reduce carbon emissions from motor fuels.
Rep. Lynn said the standard “would reduce the availability of the fuel by limiting the amount and type of oil we’re able to access from some of our closest, most trusted allies in the hemisphere.”
She stated that such a standard may not even reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.
In a Tuesday post on the blog of the American Wind Energy Association, blogger Chris Madison questioned Sen. Alexander’s facts in a Monday speech to an environmental group. In the speech, Sen. Alexander asserted that wind turbines are as tall as 50 stories and require 60 acres of land for one megawatt of power.
“C’mon, Senator. Today’s larger turbines are about 30 stories high,” Mr. Madison wrote. “And when a large wind farm is spread out across a large farm or ranch, it can average out to 60 acres per turbine. But 95 to 98 percent of that acreage is undisturbed, and can still be used for farming or ranching.”
twitter updates
n Mr. Goodwin, Monday: “With the increased exposure of the cause of our economic issues, politicians and central bankers need to find new employment or jail.”
n Mr. Crangle, Monday: “General McChrystal calls on the President and Congress to ‘get resolve’ quickly concerning victory in Afghanistan. I say amen.”
n Rep. Wamp, Thursday: “Bloomberg and his anti-gun cronies should stay the heck out of Tn. We’ll defend our 2nd ammdt rights. Right to Carry ctzns keep streets safe.”
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