Seen at State of the State

-- Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam were both in the audience last night for Governor Bredesen's State of the State address.

For two men whose stars seem to be headed in different directions, you would not have known that from the attention they received from those on the House floor.

Both men were greeted warmly by a number of lawmakers.

-- UTK's new Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, also made the rounds last night. He was being escorted by UT V-P Hank Dye.

--Also in the crowd, ORNL's Thom Mason and Billy Stair. The two, along with UT President John Petersen met with Governor Bredesen last Friday after the Governor's speech to the Knoxville Chamber Partnership.

I asked Stair why the meeting? His answer (with a smile) ,"We're just scheming." It turns out the "scheming" had to do with the Governor's call for a Solar Institute.

--State Senator Tim Burchett may have a new calling (aside from his desire to be the next Knox County Mayor) - TV field producer. While we were busy interviewing local lawmakers for their reaction to the Governor's speech, Burchett was busy lining up Lt Governor Ramsey and House Speaker Williams for our cameras.

--T-DEC spokeswoman Tisha Calabrese-Benton (a former Ch. 6 Asst. News Director) took time from her communications duties to attend last night's address.

Since the ash spill in Roane County, she's been busier than normal answering questions from reporters. She wasn't fazed by talk of a 4-day work week for state employees. It's one of the possibilities facing state government if revenues continue to fall.

"Does that mean your reporters won't call me on my 3-day weekend?" she asked?