Posted on 06/28/2002 1:00:27 PM PDT by GailA
The Oak Ridger Coffey Time David Coffey
David Coffey: Sad and glad about Tennessee
Who knows what tomorrow may bring, but as this is written the Legislature is still being held hostage by the Naifeh/Rochelle/Wilder/Sundquist income tax assault.
No, the whole state is being held hostage. Everyone suffers when such strong-arm tactics are imposed on us. The DOGS budget was contrived to scare, to put the worst face on what could come from this Legislature. No one would ever vote for it except to further endanger Tennessee while bringing yet more pressure for an unconstitutional income tax.
Local governments have been threatened with a major loss of funds. Why? To pressure them to push for the IT.
Colleges and higher education institutions are threatened with the loss of millions. The new University of Tennessee president even cautioned that the university could be closed.
How much worse can it get? The pressure on the legislative members is intense. They have no way out while the leadership holds out for the IT. Sadly, that could extend at least until August.
My friend and mentor, Rep. Shelby Rhinehart, now lies stricken with a stroke. He thought many times of retiring and his health was failing. But perhaps he stayed too long in this stressful time. My friend, Rep. Keith Westmoreland, is gone following his suicide. I agree with other legislators who said, "That's not the Keith Westmoreland I knew," following his reported sexual misdeeds. Extreme pressure can cause strange behavior.
And that's two votes less for the IT.
There are constitutional ways to address the IT question, before implementing it unconstitutionally. They bring great debate but less pressure. The legacy of this Legislature will be decided by how the issue is resolved.
But, joy! There is still reason to cheer. These leaders and this year will pass. Tennessee is forever. We have much to celebrate.
Among the beautiful Southern states where we live and compete, Tennessee ranks well. Our roads are voted the most scenic. Our cost of living is low.
Better still, Tennessee scores above seven Southern states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and West Virginia) and others in the just released "2002 State New Economy Index" (www.neweconomyindex.org). The index uses many measures to rate our preparation for the 21st century economy.
But four Southern states still beat us (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia). So we have work to do. Virginia is understandable. Eastern Virginia is heir to many of our federal tax dollars.
Florida is far ahead of Tennessee in percentage of high school graduates, but we are gaining on them fast. They are ahead in college grads, but we are gaining just as they are -- and both states faster than the U.S.
Georgia is blessed with the Atlanta airport hub which has made it the center of Southern economic activity. Like Florida they have more high school and college grads, but we are gaining faster.
North Carolina fell behind Tennessee in the '90s in high school grads, but they still have more college grads. Again, we are closing in on them fast.
All this is to point out that Tennessee still has that great spirit (Nashville excepted). We are moving up quickly. Some new leadership may make things brighter yet.
David Coffey is an Oak Ridge businessman and a former member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Today a partial shutdown began as you are probably aware.
I am pleased that my Senataor, Rosalind Kurita, has stated that she is opposed to both an income tax and a sales tax increase. :)
We need other people to contact their Senators and representatives. If they have done so, then we need them to rally at the Capitol steps either as pedestrians or as drivers honking the wake-up calls to the income tax pushers.
As of 8:30 tonight, Sundquist announced that he intends to sign the budget that passed both houses. This budget increases the state sales tax by 1%.
I am grateful that Tennessee is still free from the income tax. God has spared us again. May His grace abound more so that we can turn tide on government demands of our property, our earnings.
This is STILL the coward's way out, IMHO. Rather than massive spending cuts, they choose to STEAL even more money from hard-working Tennesseeans. This won't affect me much, since my wife and I do most of our shopping, dining out, and recreating out of state (primarily Virginia, North and South Carolina); but I am still thoroughly disgusted with the thieves in Nashville.
I agree. We don't need any tax increases. I heard that Rep. Mae Beavers stayed true and voted against all the budgets that increase the sales tax and the income tax.
While I am against the sales tax increases and the infliction of the income tax, I have been focusing on the "NO INCOME TAX" message to prevent this Pandora's box from being opened. It looks like our focus on the common ground issue is bearing fruit.
Although I hope we won't have to go through all this fuss to make the point that the income tax is unacceptable, I feel like we might need to engage in another vocal campaign (i.e. phone calls, horn-honking, letter-writing, prayer, rallying, etc.) one more time before we drive the stake through the heart of the vampire (income tax). Hopefully it won't take much more than that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.