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The International Biscuit Festival made its way to Knoxville this week, wrapping up on Saturday.More >> It's one of the most delicious times of year once again, as downtown Knoxville is transformed into a biscuit-lovers paradise. The International Biscuit Festival made its way back to town this week, wrapping up on Saturday.More >> A judge has sentenced a Clarksville woman convicted of assault for pouring hot oatmeal on her husband to diversion.More >> A judge has sentenced a Clarksville woman convicted of assault for pouring hot oatmeal on her husband to diversion.More >> U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander says the Tennessee Valley Authority will help keep a federal fish hatchery in East Tennessee stay open for at least three more years.More >> U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander says the Tennessee Valley Authority will help keep a federal fish hatchery in East Tennessee stay open for at least three more years.More >> A Maryville man is dead after a fiery wreck on Saturday morning, according to a Tennessee Highway Patrol accident report.More >> A Maryville man is dead after a fiery wreck on Saturday morning, according to a Tennessee Highway Patrol accident report.More >> Kenny Hall, former Vol basketball player is talking about his dealings with a University of Tennessee administrator in trouble for possible inappropriate relationships with student athletes.More >> Kenny Hall, former Vol basketball player is talking about his dealings with a University of Tennessee administrator in trouble for possible inappropriate relationships with student athletes.More >> A Kentucky veteran who was working as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan has died in an explosion in Kabul that killed at least 15 people including six Americans.More >> A Kentucky veteran who was working as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan has died in an explosion in Kabul that killed at least 15 people including six Americans.More >> A gang leader has been sentenced to serve more than 78 years in a federal prison for his role in three armed home invasion robberies in Nashville.More >> A gang leader has been sentenced to serve more than 78 years in a federal prison for his role in three armed home invasion robberies in Nashville.More >> A traffic crash in Memphis has thrown several children out of vehicles near a school.More >> Officials say a morning traffic crash in Memphis injured children who were ejected from a vehicle.More >> With no end in site for the federal sequestration, many attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park remain closed.More >> With no end in site for the federal sequestration, many attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park remain closed.More >> A Southern staple is taking center stage in downtown Knoxville this weekend.More >> A Southern staple is taking center stage in downtown Knoxville this weekend.More >>
By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II
Associated Press
NASHVILLE (AP) - Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says the state's revenue surplus of more than a half-billion dollars should stay in the bank despite calls from Democrats to use it to offset tuition costs.
The Blountville Republican spoke to reporters following a meeting at the Legislative Plaza on Thursday. He says it's bad policy to spend the money at this time because of future costs that may arise, such as expenses resulting from the new federal health care law.
State Finance Commissioner Mark Emkes announced Wednesday that tax collections came in at $130 million above estimates in June, which brought the year-to-date surplus to $540 million.
Last month, the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees and the Tennessee Board of Regents voted for tuition and fee increases of as much as 8% for the fall.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
