TN TAX BATTLE: Sen John Ford missing for key Senate business; 'family emergency' cited

The Commercial Appeal ^ | 7/2/02 | Richard Locker

[GailA]

John Ford missing for key Senate business; 'family emergency' cited

By Richard Locker locker@gomemphis.com July 2, 2002

NASHVILLE - Where is Sen. John Ford? The Memphis Democrat left the Senate Sunday afternoon after he voted for an income tax-sales tax bill that won Senate approval but did not return while all 32 of his colleagues struggled on for another eight hours to pass an appropriations bill.

Ford was not present to vote at 11:32 p.m. Sunday on the appropriations bill - the key document required by the Tennessee Constitution that determines how taxpayer money is spent. It was the legislature's failure to agree on an appropriations bill that led to Monday's partial governmental shutdown. He had not returned by the time the Senate adjourned more than an hour later at 12:40 a.m. Monday. When the chamber reconvened Monday at 11, Ford remained absent - the only member of the 33-member Senate not present. He was not present for the Senate Finance Committee's meetings Monday on a new tax plan.

State Sen. John Wilder (D-Somerville) said Monday that that Ford left without telling him and that he didn't know where he was. But Wilder defended his colleague for being present Sunday. "Senator Ford's presence yesterday made the difference in funding the budget and not funding the budget," said the speaker Monday.

Wilder had had to summon Ford back to the Senate to make the tax vote: Ford had left Nashville and Wilder reached him by phone on his way to Memphis to tell him to return because his vote was needed. Ford returned - to the applause of colleagues when he entered the chamber - and voted for the bill at 4:22 p.m. It passed with the 17 votes required - then was rejected just before midnight by the House.

"When the bill came up that would have stopped the State of Tennessee from shutting down, I called him. He came back. When he left the second time, he didn't ask my permission. He hasn't told me he was leaving," Wilder said.

Asked where Ford was Monday and whether he could reach him if his vote is needed for a budget plan that would reopen government, Wilder said, "I don't know that I do today. I think he's at home with his family; I'm not sure.''

Later Monday, the issue of Ford's absence arose in the Senate Finance Committee Monday afternoon as it reviewed for nearly three hours the latest tax plan, proposed by Sen. Jerry Cooper (D-McMinnville). Cooper asked the chairman, Sen. Douglas Henry (D-Nashville), whether Ford planned to return: "Senator Ford is MIA - gone for good, I understand?"

After the committee adjourned, an aide to Ford told Henry that Ford intends to return today. Asked why Ford was away, the aide said that he had a "family emergency."

Contact Nashville Bureau chief Richard Locker at (615) 255-4923.

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[GailA]

The Lt Gov boss hogg II is getting realy senile! "Senator Ford's presence yesterday made the difference in funding the budget and NOT funding the budget." HUH??????????

[Alabama_Wild_Man]

Ford probably had to go back home and get his wife out of jail - again. . . .

[GailA]

Ha, ha, or seperate his mistresses from his wife..er is she now his former wife? Or maybe one of his many out of wed lock kids are in jail and need to be bailed out?

[George Frm Br00klyn Park]

GA, Since the government has "shut down all but essential services", how many actually poor people are hurting? How many "middle class? How many "rich people". I would suspect VERY few except the high dollar government worker{?} parasites upon the private sector taxpayer's back. Tell them to STOP THE SPENDING!!!! Good work. Peace and love, George.

[Alabama_Wild_Man]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh - He's gonna get ya for that one....

. . . that is - if he (and his family) can stay out of trouble for more than 5 consecutive business days !!

[tdadams]

how many actually poor people are hurting? How many "middle class? How many "rich people"

Day two of the "shutdown" and I've yet to start feeling hunger pangs or gnashing my teeth. Although, I'm sure it's only a matter of hours now.

[who knows what evil?]

The Tennessee state government is shut down? You mean those irritating idiots leaning on their shovels on the side of the interstate every day won't be there today? Cool. (By the way...when do I panic? Please let me know, so I don't look out of step. Thanks.)

[OldFriend]

Too bad we couldn't get the NJ government shut down. McGreedy signed an increase in corporate taxes and made a secret deal on the arena that will bankrupt the state but enrich Steinbrenner.