The Tennessee Republican Party has been throwing accusations at some of their own.

TNGOP called the 2007-2008 budget a "folly" and "reckless" after forty-seven Republicans voted in favor of the plan including Senate Speaker Sen. Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) and House Minority Leader Rep. Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol). Rep. Glen Casada (R-College Grove) piled on the acrimony claiming out-of-session spending (which is approved by Senate Finance Chairman Sen. Raymond Finney (R-Maryville) and passed with the same 47 Republican legislators in the FY07-08 budget) contributed to "exorbitant spending" in the state.

-This came from the TNDP

Judge Mike Meares is touring Blount County and he want to meet YOU, your friends, family and neighbors. The tour is kicking off this Saturday, January 26, 1pm, at Bob's Mountaineer Restaurant on Chapman Hwy in Seymour. The Seymour Herald is going to be covering the event.

See the Elect Judge Meares website for more upcoming events.

Maryville Daily Times: New regional development program launched

The Blount County Chamber of Commerce and five other regional economic development agencies have formed Innovation Valley Inc. to encourage successful regional development and bring more businesses to East Tennessee.