TN TAX BATTLE: Henry (R) says in Knox stop Hilleary (R)'not prepared' to lead state

The Knox News Sentinel ^ | 7/10/02 | Jim Blalloch

[GailA]

Van Hilleary

Jim Henry

Henry says in Knox stop Hilleary 'not prepared' to lead state

By Jim Balloch, News-Sentinel staff writer July 10, 2002 Republican gubernatorial hopeful Jim Henry was in Knoxville on Tuesday to push his tax reform plan and question the leadership abilities of his opponent, U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary.

Hilleary "is not prepared to be governor, doesn't understand the issues and can't beat (Democratic candidate) Phil Bredesen," Henry said in a press conference at a local law office. Responding, Hilleary's press secretary Jennifer Cox said, "It is no surprise that only 16 percent of the voters support Don Sundquist's candidate Jim Henry, and his childish antics that are masquerading as a campaign. Clearly, Jim Henry is frustrated because Van's 'Fresh Start for Tennessee' message is resonating with voters."

Henry said the state's recent budget crisis and the legislative fight over the failed income tax proposal illustrate the need for both a massive overhaul of the state's tax system and a constitutional convention "that will allow the people to vote on the type of long-term tax system they want."

"I don't think anybody is satisfied" with the tax package approved by the General Assembly, with a state sales tax increase that translates into a total sales tax of 10.25 percent in some areas of the state, Henry said. "A lot of those protesters were saying 'no new taxes,' they were not just saying 'no income tax,' " he said.

When the state income tax was proposed, Hilleary not only opposed it, but vowed that if elected governor he would work to repeal such a tax if it were passed. Henry said such rhetoric worsened the situation.

"Mr. Hilleary and his 'not on my watch' campaign has placed the largest tax increase in our history in the laps of Tennessee's working families," Henry said. "I am as much against a double digit sales tax as I am against an income tax."

"Van's record is as clear as Jim Henry's signature on his income tax lobbyist form," said Cox. "Van is proud to share credit for the defeat of the income tax. Jim Henry was all but invisible at that critical time in Tennessee's history."

Turning to Hilleary's record in Congress, Henry said Hilleary has held no significant leadership posts in his eight years in office and questioned if Congress is a good place to gain the type of experience needed to be a governor.

"They've only balanced the budget four or five times in the last 50 years."

Hilleary chairs no committees or subcommittees. He is vice chairman of a subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee and is one of 17 deputy whips in the House.

As a deputy whip, Hilleary "plays a key role in virtually every bill the House passes," spokesman Frank Cagle said.

Jim Balloch may be reached at 865-342-6315 or balloch@knews.com.

[JDGreen123]

One other thing to watch is the black independent candidate for Governor, Ed Sanders. He actually is a Republican who is running as an Independent. He has a large following in the Nashville black churches. Tommy Burnett has said that he fears that by playing to the no-income tax vote, Bredesen will be tied to the higher sales tax which is hated in black communities. Burnett fears that Bredesen may lose the black vote to Sanders if he does not give them what they want. One can only hope.

[GailA]

James Lewis
July 10, 2002

http://www.wsmv.com/global/Frameset.asp?P=/default.asp

For the first time in decades, Republicans now may dominate the State Senate.

Since Democratic Senator Bob Rochelle (D-Lebanon) withdrew from the race, the balance of power could very possibly shift.

And when a political power change is imminent, people in state politics start rethinking their positions. For one thing, an income tax would be dead. Colleagues as well as private citizens were astounded.

The Democratic Senator from Lebanon had held power in the Senate for 20 years. But he was on the losing end of the income tax fight.

Back on June 30 on the floor of the Senate, he argued dramatically against an increase in sales tax.

"I wasn't going to roll the dice on stomping on the working families of Tennessee of that bill the Senate just passed. It results in an increase in the sales tax of this state," said Rochelle.

With his abrupt departure, his fellow Democrats feel betrayed.

State Democratic head Sen. Joe Haynes said, "I had a lot of respect for him as a state senator, for his effectiveness but he didn't do this exactly right. This is the wrong way."

Rochelle is Senator from District 17, covering seven counties: Wilson, Trousdale, Macon, Smith, DeKalb, Cannon and Clay.

Now with no Democrat on the ticket, Republican Rep. Mae Beavers is almost a sure thing. She thinks Rochelle's polling numbers were soft anyway.

"Rumor had it that his polls were showing 60% for me, 30% for him and 10% undecided," said Beavers.

She says she's pressing ahead with her campaign. Democratic Representative Frank Buck has been mentioned as a write-in candidate but he says not so.

"I don't think there's any doubt that it puts control of the Senate in jeopardy. I don't think there is any question about that," said Rep. Buck.

That means with the election just three weeks away, Democrats hope to get a write-in candidate who can get more votes than Rochelle. Since he is still on the ballot, some voters will undoubtedly vote for him anyway.