Today's KNS editorial proposed legislation by Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), Rep. Jimmy Matlock (R-Lenoir City), and the Tennessee Banker's Association that would limit publishing foreclosure notices in "newspapers of general circulation."

The effect of the proposed bill would be that a bank can foreclose with just one letter to the homeowner and one short notice in the paper (instead of three) and the notice would no longer have to include the property's legal description, or even the address.

The KNS is right to criticize this latest move by the GOP controlled legislature to weaken consumer protections in Tennessee. They correctly point out that Tennessee is one of few states with no judicial review of foreclosures and that we coincidentally have one of the highest rates of personal bankruptcy.

They are so upset about this trampling of consumer rights that they ran a companion full page ad (advertorial?) on A7 that spells out the issue and urges readers to contact their state senators and representatives, who are listed. The ad doesn't say it's a paid (or unpaid) advertisement or who is advocating this position. There is a small "TPA" logo at the bottom, which is presumably the Tennessee Press Association, but who knows?

Anyway, it appears the KNS is really on top of anti-consumer protection legislation when it affects their bottom line. Not only would this cut their foreclosure notice revenue by a third, the new short form would further cut the size of the notices, which run several column inches, down to practically nothing.

It would be nice if the KNS were so diligent and outspoken in advocating for consumers and against legislation that weakens protections, not to mention all the other goofy, embarrassing bills making their way through the legislature.

(To their credit, the KNS did run an editorial in Feb. saying the tort "reform" doesn't seem to be a pressing problem and that Haslam needs to make a better case for why it's needed.)

The bills: HB1920 and SB1299