Gov. Bill Haslam was named to Politco Magazine’s 2015 list of 50 “thinkers, doers and visionaries transforming American politics”, the Times Free Press reports. Politico, a nonpartisan news organization, referenced Haslam’s “Tennessee Promise” scholarship program and commitment to higher education in contributing to his ranking as number 23 on the list. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy was ranked number one on the list for his authorship of the same-sex marriage decision.

"We know that we can't depend on the federal government to be the funding partner that it once was," Gov. Bill Haslam said today in Chattanooga while meeting with Chamber of Commerce officials to discuss state transportation needs, The Times Free Press reports. The Republican governor is seeking support for funding to keep state highway projects going smoothly amid an estimated $6 billion statewide backlog.

At the same meeting, The Knoxville News Sentinel reports Haslam also spoke on his proposed privitazation plan, saying state colleges have the authority to decide whether to outsource the management of campus buildings. Some UT employees oppose Haslam’s privitization plan, saying they fear they will lose their jobs.

The House Judiciary Committee began a series of hearings on Planned Parenthood Wednesday, Times News reports. House Republicans began investigating Planned Parenthood after the Center for Medical Progress released recordings that showed Planned Parenthood officials selling fetal tissue obtained from abortions. Planned Parenthood and some Democrats say there is no evidence of wrongdoing, but Committee Chair Bob Goodlatte, R-V.A., says the investigation is necessary since Planned Parenthood receives federal funding.

The Crossville Chronicle reports Congress is moving toward an overhaul of the country’s foster-care system and bi-partisan legislation could be presented this fall. Advocates say foster care funds should be going to help biological parents learn to care for children properly, including paying for psychotherapy or treatment for a parent’s addiction issues. "When you ask a child who has been in foster care how we can best improve the current foster-care system, often the answer will be: You could have helped my mom so that I did not have to go into foster care in the first place," Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said.

Some Tennesssee lawmakers disagree with the the University of Tennessee’s request in a recent Office of Diversity newsletter that encourages students to use gender-neutral pronouns such as “ze." According to the Times Free Press, Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, said the request is "the clearest example of political correctness run amok that I have seen in quite some time." Ramsey said UT officials should resolve the issue or the legislature will weigh in when it returns in January. University spokeswoman Karen Ann Simsen said there is no mandate or official policy to use the language intended to make the campus more inclusive for gays, lesbians and transgender students.

State House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, requested an independent review of Tennessee’s corrections system by the National Institute of Corrections, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. Stewart said he believes the recently announced review by the American Correctional Association will not be an independent investigation. “Everything we see about this organization suggests that it is essentially working hand in hand with our correctional management,” he said. Stewart also called for the re-establishment of the legislature’s Corrections Oversight Committee.

Political candidates should not be limited on how much money they can raise, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander said while visiting Nashville Wednesday, but he believes transparency is necessary, Nashville Public Radio reports. His comments come one day after a group of former members of Congress said they will attempt to change rules about anonymous donors. “I don’t think money’s the problem. I think disclosure is the problem,” Alexander said. 

“Donald Trump, Make Nashville Great Again – Please Leave Soon!” is the message on a marquee outside of Ozment Law Offices on Murfreesboro Pike in Nashville, WKRN reports. “I don’t think it has sunk into the minds of America yet that he has called for U.S. citizen children to be deported with their undocumented parents,” immigration lawyer Elliott Ozment said. Presidential hopeful Trump is scheduled to speak at the National Federation of Republican Assemblies this Saturday in Nashville.

Jason Zachary was sworn in Monday as the State Representative for the 14th District, after winning the Republican primary earlier this month. Speaker of the House Beth Harwell swore in Zachary at his church, First Baptist Concord in Farragut, WBIR reports. The 2016 session of the General Assembly will convene on Jan. 12.

Two Tennessee judicial nominees are among the nine awaiting Senate confirmation as lawmakers begin their four-and-a-half week break. The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved Waverly Crenshaw’s nomination to the Middle District and Travis McDonough’s nomination to Eastern District judgeships. According to the Washington Post, the Senate has confirmed just five judges so far this year. Edward Stanton of Memphis has also been nominated for a federal judgeship in Tennessee, but is still awaiting review by the Judiciary Committee.