Confidential documents reveal hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate giveaways by Tennessee state officials. Our investigation discovered that, contrary to their public claims, those officials used the offer of $300 million in taxpayer money against a union. Those revelations made headlines across the country.
Feb. 3, 2014: Haslam Administration Considered Tennessee Tower Giveaway
Critics call it an example of "corporate welfare -- on steroids." The proposal, designed to lure a big corporation to Tennessee, is contained in confidential documents leaked to NewsChannel 5.
Feb. 6, 2014: ECD Boss Calls Tennessee Tower Idea 'Temporary'
One of the governor's commissioners is offering up an explanation for that novel idea, but that explanation raises some puzzling new questions.
March 31, 2014: EXCLUSIVE: Haslam Administration Linked $300M Offer To VW-UAW Process
Confidential documents leaked to NewsChannel 5 show the Haslam administration wanted a say in Volkswagen's deal with organized labor -- in exchange for $300 million in economic incentives.
April 1, 2014: Haslam's $300M VW Offer Brings Calls For Investigations
The head of the House Democratic Caucus called for legislative hearings into the Haslam administration's $300 million incentive offer to Volkswagen. And the UAW hinted subpoenas could be in the future.
April 1, 2014: Haslam Offers No Apologies For $300M Volkswagen Offer
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam offered no apologies Tuesday night for using $300 million in taxpayer money as leverage in a labor battle involving Volkswagen and the United Auto Workers.
April 2, 2014: Republicans Reject Investigation of Haslam's Secret $300M VW Offer
Gov. Bill Haslam continued to face intense questions about his use of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars as leverage in a labor dispute. But the House speaker said she has no plans to investigate.
April 8, 2014: Governor Sidesteps Questions About Reported VW-UAW Talks
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam declined to say Tuesday whether a decision by Volkswagen to recognize the United Auto Workers at its Chattanooga plant would affect his administration's offer of incentives to the automaker.
April 9, 2014: Haslam, Corker Subpoenaed By UAW Lawyers
United Auto Workers lawyers have issued subpoenas for Gov. Bill Haslam, U.S. Senator Bob Corker and several members of the Haslam administration to testify at an upcoming hearing.
April 16, 2014: Congress Opens Inquiry Into Haslam Administration's $300M Offer
Two House Democrats announced that they have opened an inquiry into the confidential $300 million offer that the Haslam administration made to Volkswagen that appeared to have hinged on VW's talks with the United Auto Workers.
April 16, 2014: Corker, Aides Plan To Ignore 'Baseless' UAW Subpoenas
U.S. Senator Bob Corker's office said Wednesday that he will ignore a subpoena from the United Auto Workers to testify at a hearing next week in Chattanooga.
April 17, 2014: Tennessee AG Files Motion To Revoke UAW Subpoenas
Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper filed motions Thursday asking the National Labor Relations Board to revoke subpoenas issued to Gov. Bill Haslam and nine other state officials by the United Auto Workers.
April 21, 2014: UAW Drops Appeal Of Volkswagen Vote
The United Auto Workers has dropped its appeal of the February vote that it lost to unionize workers at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, the UAW announced Monday morning.
April 21, 2014: UAW: 'Ball Is Back In The Governor's Court'
The United Auto Workers ended one battle Monday, but the struggle to represent Volkswagen workers appears to be far from over. And union officials promised to turn up the heat in Congress over how the Haslam administration used your money.
April 24, 2014: EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Emails Raise Questions About Governor's $300M Offer
New leaked documents raise more questions about Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam's secret $300 million offer to Volkswagen. They show VW lawyers had actually drawn up papers for a potential deal to bring more than a thousand new jobs to Tennessee.
April 25, 2014: Governor Says $300M Withdrawn Due To 'Revenue Situation'
Gov. Bill Haslam appeared to offer a new explanation Friday for the sudden withdrawal of a $300 million offer to Volkswagen. Now, the state's top Democrat is calling for a legislative investigation.
April 28, 2014: Tennessee Offers $222,000 To Create One Job
How much should taxpayers pay a big corporation to create a single job? An exclusive NewsChannel 5 investigation discovered that secret deals cut by politicians could cost more than you ever imagined.
May 14, 2014: WEB EXTRA: When Haslam Says 'We've Been Really Clear'
New email messages illustrate the continually shifting series of explanations that the Haslam administration has given about its involvement (critics would say "interference") in Volkswagen’s talks with the UAW.
July 9, 2014: UAW Expected To Announce Agreement With Volkswagen
The United Auto Workers is expected to announce Thursday the creation of a local chapter to represent workers at Volkswagen's plant in Chattanooga and that the automaker has agreed to work with the union, NewsChannel 5 has learned.
July 10, 2014: Union Foes Vow To Fight State Incentives For Volkswagen
A major announcement out of Chattanooga could touch off a political firestorm if union opponents get their way. The United Auto Workers announced Thursday that it's forming a local chapter to represent workers at Volkswagen's plant in Chattanooga.
July 16, 2014: Governor Says VW Incentives Not Tied To New UAW Deal
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said Wednesday that his administration is giving Volkswagen almost $180 million in incentives -- regardless of any deal it might work out with the United Auto Workers. That marks a major reversal of policy.
