In recent visits with the two men running for governor of Tennessee, it was obvious they have differences. Bill Haslam and Mike McWherter hail from different parties, are products of different backgrounds and live in different parts of the Volunteer State. But, there is at least one issue on which they agree: No state income tax. "Let me tell you, categorically, I'm not in favor of a state income tax. So, let's just take that off the table," insisted Mike McWherter. "As a matter of fact, I'm not in favor of any additional taxes, whatsoever. I just don't think you're gonna add jobs to this economy by layering in more taxes." "I can assure you 100%, state income tax is not on the table," Bill Haslam echoed. "I'm a hundred percent opposed to it, now, and always will be in the future, period," he added. One of these men will likely be charged with jump-starting Tennessee's economic engine. On the role of small business, there is some similarity between the two camps. "I do think most of our job growth in the future will come through small business, but that's good," Haslam said. http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13086682

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker said he will introduce legislation after the November elections he hopes will “change the way Washington does business” by capping federal spending as a share of the U.S. economy. Corker, R-Tenn., said Thursday such a cap will likely require major cuts in overall federal spending, including changes in Social Security and other entitlement programs. He declined to specify where government spending should be cut, but during a meeting with reporters and editors at the Times Free Press, he said “it is embarrassing the way money is now spent in Washington.” Without limiting spending and debt, government borrowing as a share of the economy will more than double by 2030 to a level surpassing the debt burden of the financially troubled Greece, he said. “Today for every dollar we spend in Washington, we borrow 40 cents and that’s just not sustainable,” said the 58-year-old former Chattanooga mayor. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/aug/27/corker-urges-limit-federal-debt/

Governor Phil Bredesen today announced Terry J. Oliver as the next commissioner of the Department of Agriculture. Oliver, who currently serves as deputy commissioner, will assume his new role on August 16, 2010. “I have personally known Terry and have sought his advice and counsel through the years on agricultural issues,” said Bredesen. “Always dependable and a man of his word, Terry made a great team with former Commissioner Ken Givens in leading our efforts to address the needs and opportunities of farmers and rural communities. He is the right person to assume leadership of the Department of Agriculture at this time, and I’m very pleased to announce his appointment.”  http://www.tnreport.com/2010/08/new-tn-ag-commissioner-named/

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber today announced Michael Cohen, president of the nationally recognized education reform organization Achieve, will keynote the Commissioner’s Luncheon on September 16, 2010 during the 57th annual Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development in Nashville, Tenn. Founded in 1996 by a coalition of business leaders and the nation’s governors, Achieve is an independent, bipartisan organization dedicated to helping states raise standards and graduation requirements, as well as improve assessment and accountability. In 2005, Achieve created the American Diploma Project, of which Tennessee is one of 35 participating states. Governor Bredesen also serves as co-chair of the Achieve Board of Directors.