D.D. 06/21/05

I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so here are the stories from today worth reading. I'll add more if they come up:

• State Senator John Ford has filed an appeal with the State Registry of Election finacne of a fine levied in response to the use of campaign money to fund his daughter's wedding.
• State Senator Ward Crutchfield says that he will not resign from the State Senate, despite stepping down from his Senate leadership positions.
• Governor Bredesen vetoed a tobacco tax increase, which could according to the State Attorney General have signaled a change in the tobacco settlement agreement and sue to withold their payments to the state.
• A special session of the State Legislature could be called in October or November to deal with ethics reform if a panel to be appointed by the Governor to examine the issue could conclusive reform options by then.
• The AARP will join other TennCare protestors in filing litigation to prevent the TennCare reforms insisted upon by the Governor.
• John Bailes, who is a noted commentator and blogger in Chattanooga, has filed papers to run for the County Commission against incumbent Curtis Adams. Adams, a long-time Democrat, switched parties several months ago, claiming the Democrats had sold out to "radical groups."