“I’m Andy Berke. I’m a Democrat. That’s where I stand.”
That’s how I concluded my first ad for the Tennessee Senate. I said it because it’s the truth, because I’m proud of it, and because I believe the Democratic tradition is closest to the everyday concerns of the people of my district and our state.
The “painful action” that Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen said state officials may have to take to stem a possible $800 million budget shortfall shouldn’t include a tax increase, Chattanooga-area lawmakers said.
“A tax increase, at this point, is off the table,” said state Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga. “These are dire times for the people.”
The Police Blotter would like to take a moment to send out thanks to State Representative Vince Dean and State Senator Andy Berke, who combined with other members of the state legislature to pass a bill renaming a section of Interstate 24 to honor slain police officer Julie Jacks.
For the first time last year, Marion County schools achieved a 90 percent graduation rate and school officials hope to continue that trend. Odds are that they will, with a little help from a friend.
Meeting Tuesday at the Marion County Department of Education, AT&T awarded the school system an $86,000 grant to advance the expansion of the Freshman Academy as part of the company’s $100 million philanthropic Aspire Initiative.
For the first time in 140 years the Republicans will control Tennessee’s House and Senate. Now that Tuesday has come and gone GOP state legislators say they are getting to work
Republicans haven’t been the majority in many years on Tuesday they won the Senate 19-14 and the House 50-49.
Most local voters aren’t looking for change when it comes to their representation in Nashville, according to preliminary totals showing that the only two contested state legislature races were dominated by incumbents.
Unofficial results show Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, handily defeating Republican challenger Oscar Brown in Hamilton and Marion counties Tuesday to retain his District 10 seat.
CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) - The volunteers and candidates have been waving signs, shaking hands, manning phone banks and taking people to the polls to vote all day long.
Eyewitness News caught up with a few taking a breather at their headquarters downtown. They’re running on adrenaline at this point, but thir smiles tell you they’re hoping for a big night.
Andy Berke, a Democrat and the incumbent, and Oscar Brown, a Republican, are vying for the 10th District seat in the Tennessee Senate in the Nov. 4 election. Mr. Berke, who won a special election to fill the seat vacated by Ward Crutchfield, has not served long, but he has served well. He’s proved to be a thoughtful, productive and hard-working legislator. He deserves a full term.
Mr. Brown is waging a low-key but congenial campaign. He’s articulated his views clearly and has the best interests of the state at heart. His platform, however, does not meet the needs of a state increasingly beset by economic hard times. Mr. Berke’s views, by contrast, better match the needs of district residents and all Tennesseans.
Mr. Berke is well known for his efforts to promote education in Tennessee, and justly so. He’s a staunch advocate of public schools. He instinctively understands that neither the 10th District nor the state can move forward unless schools provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to find and keep decent-paying jobs that allow them to take care of their families and to improve their own and the state’s quality of life.
The key to such a useful education, Mr. Berke rightly says, is a quality teacher in every classroom. Mr. Berke is committed to reaching that goal, even as he admits that budget constraints likely will make it difficult for the state to increase school funding. Still, his willing advocacy for public education is typical of his progressive outlook.
by Judy Frank
posted October 20, 2008
Americans who remember the 1960s and President John Kennedy have not forgotten the adoration with which many men and women viewed the charismatic Democrat, Congressman Jim Cooper said Monday night in Chattanooga.
In many homes, a photo of President Kennedy - who brought hope to the poor and disenfranchised as well as their more prosperous friends and neighbors - was a prominent fixture, he said.
This year, the congressmen told over 350 Democratic activists attending the annual Estes Kefauver Award Dinner, Americans have the chance to elect another Democrat who he said symbolizes hope: Barack Obama.
Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams said he wants to know how much the county’s Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority is paying its attorney, but can’t get the information.
“When a county commissioner can’t get these records, there’s some problem,” he said.
Mr. Adams told other commissioners Wednesday that he’s seeking the information on behalf of an East Ridge citizens’ group. He said his inquiry is nothing personal against John Anderson, the authority’s attorney and the city attorney of East Ridge.
Mr. Adams said the group has been told Mr. Anderson has made more than previous East Ridge city attorneys.
Robin Derryberry of Derryberry Public Relations said the authority will provide Mr. Adams the information once authority Chairman Henry Hoss and Executive Director Cleveland Grimes return from a Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce trip to South Carolina.