Governor Bredesen

Bredesen Appoints Ridder to the Tennessee Circuit Court

Lorrie K. Ridder to fill vacancy in the 30th Judicial district

 NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today appointed Lorrie Ridder of Memphis, Tenn., to the Tennessee Circuit Court for the 30th Judicial District, Division IV. Ridder will fill a vacancy created by the death of Judge Rita Stotts in January. The 30th Judicial District serves Shelby County.

“Lorrie Ridder has served in many roles these past 25 years; litigator, law professor, teacher and community volunteer,” said Bredesen. “She has litigated hundreds of cases in four southern states, and I am confident that she will run a fair and efficient courtroom. I am pleased to appoint Lorrie to this seat and appreciate her willingness to serve in this position. I also want to take this opportunity to honor Judge Rita Stotts and acknowledge her many years of service to the state in this position. She will be deeply missed.”
 

Bredesen Names Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Nashville – Governor Phil Bredesen today appointed 20 Tennesseans to serve on 10 boards and commissions.

“We depend upon the leadership and commitment of citizens like these men and women to serve state through its boards and commissions,” said Bredesen. “I appreciate their readiness to serve, and I am confident they bring the experience and knowledge necessary to become valuable members of their respective boards and commissions.” 

Bredesen, Wharton Announce New Infant Mortality Initiative

MEMPHIS – Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen joined Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton today to announce establishment of a Fetal Infant Mortality Review team in Shelby County. The state is providing funding for the start up of FIMR teams in Davidson, Hamilton and Shelby counties, as well as a 10-county region in East Tennessee, in an effort to increase fetal and infant survival rates among Tennessee babies.
 
“The Governor’s Office of Children’s Care Coordination, local officials and partnering organizations are putting in place the best and most successful programs from across the country to give babies the very best chance of reaching their first birthday,” said Bredesen. “While we’ve seen some preliminary indications that the number of infant deaths is on the decline, we must continue to do everything we can to improve the health outcomes for this vulnerable population.”

Bredesen, Lawmakers Unveil Clean Energy Future Act

Energy Press Conference.jpg
Energy Press Conference.jpg
Bipartisan Legislation Stems From Year-Long Task Force Effort
 
NASHVILLE — Governor Phil Bredesen and a bipartisan group of legislators, joined by members of the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Policy, today unveiled sweeping new legislation designed to make the Volunteer State a national leader in energy efficiency and clean energy technology.
 
The Tennessee Clean Energy Future Act of 2009 — sponsored by Senators Jim Kyle, Randy McNally, Andy Berke and Ken Yager, and Representatives Les Winningham, Joe McCord, Jim Hackworth and Phillip Johnson — is a wide-ranging bill tackling several major recommendations by the Governor’s energy task force, created in March 2008. Last summer and fall, Bredesen traveled the state with the 16-member panel to craft a comprehensive new energy policy for Tennessee. The group’s extensive work can be viewed at www.tn.gov/energy.

Bredesen Outlines FY 2009-2010 Budget

March 23, 2009 Budget Address
March 23, 2009 Budget Address

"The Greatest Test of our Stewardship Begins Tonight"

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today unveiled his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2009-2010 in an address to a joint session of the General Assembly. The multi-year proposal outlines the use of approximately $5 billion in federal funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act within an overall framework of declining state revenues.
 
“This budget is presented in an economic environment more difficult than any we have been through since the Great Depression. We are on the one hand faced with an unprecedented downturn in state revenues; on the other, we temporarily have unprecedented amounts of federal cash coming from the President’s economic Recovery Act,” Bredesen said.
 
“This so called ‘stimulus’ package is not a silver bullet – what it does is buy us time. What I am trying to achieve with this budget is sensible, conservative long-range fiscal stewardship; to recognize these funds for the one-time help that they are, and to use them wisely and compassionately, and most of all, when this recession is over, to leave our state looking to the future strong and independent.”

Bredesen Announces Change in Recovery Act Implementation Team

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen announced today a change in the Recovery Act implementation team for Tennessee. Charles Harrison, who was tapped to lead the state’s implementation effort earlier this month, has decided not to continue in his new role.
 
Assistant Commissioner of Finance and Administration Mike Morrow, a 34-year veteran of state government, will step into the state’s primary Recovery Act management role.

Bredesen Appoints Smith Circuit Court Judge

Philip E. Smith to Fill Vacancy in the 20th Judicial District 

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today appointed Philip E. Smith of Madison, Tenn., to the Tennessee Circuit Court for the Twentieth Judicial District, Division IV. Smith will fill a vacancy created by Judge Muriel Robinson’s recent announcement of her plans to retire. The 20th Judicial District serves Davidson County.

Bredesen Appoints Durham Criminal Court Judge

David E. Durham to Fill Vacancy in the 15th Judicial District 

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen has appointed David E. Durham of Lebanon, Tenn., as criminal court judge in the 15th Judicial District. The vacancy was created by the death of Judge J.O. Bond in December. The 15th Judicial District is composed of Jackson, Macon, Smith, Trousdale, and Wilson Counties.
 
“David Durham has served the citizens of the 15th Judicial District for more than 20 years, most recently as Deputy District Attorney General, and I appreciate his willingness to continue his service in this new position,” said Bredesen.  “I am pleased to make this appointment and have confidence that he will serve with fairness and integrity.”

Bredesen Names Charles L. Harrison Special Assistant for Recovery Act Administration

NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen today named Charles L. Harrison, CPA, CGFM, as Special Assistant to the Governor for Recovery Act Administration. Harrison will lead the state’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“I am extremely pleased to have someone of Charles Harrison’s experience and qualifications to lead our implementation of this important Act,” said Bredesen. “The financial and project management expertise he brings to our efforts will help ensure the funds that come to Tennessee are used to their full potential and that we are complying with the rigorous requirements of the Act for accountability and transparency in its implementation.”

Bredesen Announces Letting of First Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act Projects

Ten Local Bridges to be Replaced with Recovery and Reinvestment Funds
 
NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that 10 local bridges will be the first projects in Tennessee to be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The 10 bridge replacement projects are scheduled for a construction letting on March 20, which means work could be underway on the projects by the end of March.
 
“These 10 bridge projects will bring much needed private industry jobs to areas of the state in need of economic investment and will create a safer, more efficient bridge system for all of us,” said Bredesen. “Selecting local bridge projects also allows us to ease the burden of local governments, because funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act do not require local matching funds.”
 
All 10 bridges are owned, maintained and operated by local governments. Normally, local governments are required to provide a 20 percent match in order to receive bridge funds; however, that match is waived under the ARRA.
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