//andyberke.com/news/rss/ None en-us 5 //andyberke.com/news/a-calm-rational-healthcare-discussion/ I personally doubt it's possible, but I know just the guy to try and make it work.  Because the actual Congressman from the Chattanooga area is too busy running for Governor and making wild claims about healthcare, Senator Andy Berke is going to bring the grown-ups together to have a rational discussion.  Perhaps he's prepping to step up into that ... 2009-09-03 00:00:00 //andyberke.com/news/as-congress-talks-about-immigration-reform-states-attempt-to-address-the-issue/ As Congress talks about possible immigration reform, states continue to struggle with handling the issue on their own.“Clearly what the situation cries out for is action at the national level,” said Ken Ellinger, associate professor of political science at Dalton State College.State legislators recognize that a comprehensive immigration solution can’t come from the state level, he said, but they are ... 2009-06-03 00:00:00 //andyberke.com/news/berke-is-sponsor-of-bill-seeking-to-attract-green-jobs/ Senator Andy Berke was a sponsor of a bill that passed Monday to help attract good-paying "green-collar" jobs to Tennessee.The Clean Energy Future Act, which Senator Jim Kyle carried on behalf of Governor Phil Bredesen, also makes sure that state facilities and vehicles are energy efficient, the sponsors said."With unemployment nearing 10% in Tennessee, we need the jobs that this ... 2009-06-02 00:00:00 //andyberke.com/news/border-marker-in-water-wars-is-missing/ Where in the world is the Camak Stone?After gaining fame in recent years as the symbol of flawed 19th century surveys that now keep Georgia a stone's throw away from the Tennessee River's water, the 200-year-old survey marker is missing."The governor (Sonny Perdue) probably sent troops up there and had that done," joked John Bennett, chairman of the Coosa-North Georgia ... 2009-08-23 00:00:00 //andyberke.com/news/chattanooga-replay-of-online-chat-with-state-senator-andy-berke/ Monday June 1, 2009     8:56 Senator Berke: test9:00 David Barry: Senator Berke is here and is are ready to take your questions.9:00 [Comment From Steve Robinson: ] Senator Berke, First let me thank you for your hard work and representation of the people of Hamilton County. My first question to you is: why has there been assumption by those ... 2009-06-01 00:00:00 //andyberke.com/news/georgia-legislator-call-for-action-on-tennessee-water/ A Georgia senator is urging his state to look north to water resources "right at its fingertips."State Sen. Judson Hill, R-Marietta, issued a statement Thursday suggesting Peach State lawmakers explore agreements with Tennessee to gain access to the Tennessee by pipeline or by moving the border north."No innovative solution should be left out of consideration," wrote Sen. Hill, who represents ... 2009-08-01 00:00:00 //andyberke.com/news/rally-backs-cleaner-energy-movement/ as reported in the Times Free PressAt a time when the unemployment rate for Tennessee has reached 10.8 percent, a grass-roots movement called Repower America wants to bring 39,000 new jobs to the state in the form of cleaner energy."This is an opportunity to bring good-paying green jobs to the state of Tennessee," said Gene Kelly, the organization's Southeast Tennessee ... 2009-08-28 00:00:00 //andyberke.com/news/senate-joins-house-in-overriding-bredesen-veto/ The Senate voted 21-9 today to join the House in voting to override Gov. Phil Bredesen's veto of a bill allowing those who hold handgun carry permits to take their weapons into establishments that sell alcoholic beverages.The bill had passed the Senate initially by a 24-7 margin.Democratic Sen. Doug Jackson of Dickson, sponsor of the bill, said the override means ... 2009-06-04 00:00:00 //andyberke.com/news/senate-refuses-support-of-gore-statue/ The state Senate on Tuesday refused to support a statue honoring Nobel laureate Al Gore. The non-binding resolution would’ve encouraged the project, which would have been paid for with private funds and erected on the capitol grounds.The measure passed out of the state House two months ago with 95 votes. But it fell two votes short in a 15 to ... 2009-06-16 00:00:00 //andyberke.com/news/tennessee-house-guns-in-bars-sponsor-hopes-to-override-bredesen-on-wednesday/ NASHVILLE — The House sponsor of a bill letting handgun-carry permit holders go armed in restaurants selling alcohol angrily accused Gov. Phil Bredesen on Monday of showing “no courtesy” for lawmakers by keeping “his little plan secret” to veto the measure until the last minute.“I won’t tell you what the governor can do with that piece of paper he just ... 2009-06-02 00:00:00 //andyberke.com/news/tennessee-welcomes-solar-jobs-texas-snubs-say-senate-democrats/ Volunteer State and Bredesen have the foresight to grab clean-energy opportunities.NASHVILLE – Texas may be willing to turn down the jobs that come with solar energy, but Tennessee is more than happy to welcome this 21st century industry and the economic benefits that go with it, members of the Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus said Monday.“Governor Bredesen has sent a strong ... 2009-06-03 00:00:00