When Tennessee voters arrive at the polling booths for the November general election, they may be stupefied to discover that Republican Don Sundquist will not be on the ballot.
Even in the campaign's final month, the term-limited Sundquist seems to be everywhere. This late in the race, Sundquist is still in it.
Phil Bredesen can talk until he's blue in the face, saying he's opposed to a state income tax, but here's the facts
1970 "I favor raising the necessary funds through a graduated income tax." [Lexington, Massachusetts Minute Man, 10/15/70]
Described as "appalled" that although Massachusetts is an industrial state, it does not have a graduated income tax. [Lexington, Massachusetts Minute Man, 10/29/70)]
"We should broaden the tax base through such steps as eliminating federal deductibility and feed back the proceeds to the town." [Lexington, Massachusetts Minute Man, 10/15/70]
1987 "I would propose it and I would lobby for it." (Tennessean, 8/29/87)
"I have said that I think a payroll tax is one of the possible mechanisms to have people in surrounding counties help absorb part of the cost of infrastructure and amenities in Nashville." (Tennessean, 8/31/87)
Phil Bredesen said he would like very much to see a professional sports team in Nashville but balked at committing the city's money to building a stadium to house it." "But I don't think we ought to build a municipal stadium on speculation" in hopes of luring a team here. (Tennessean, 8/26/87)
1992 Bredesen lobbies state legislature for 1/2 cent sales tax. (Nashville Business Journal, 3/2/92)
1993 "I'm not prepared to take a position on that, or on some other state.issues, until I decide whether to run for the office," the mayor said. (Knoxville News-Sentinel, 11/21/93)
But he refused to join Sundquist and several Democratic candidates in pledging to veto the income tax if passed by the Legislature. And he said he might support an income tax in a second gubernatorial term. (Nashville Banner, 11/25/93)
Lobbies Governor to extend temporary 1/2 cent sales tax. (Commercial Appeal, 1/9/93)
Raises property tax 77 cents, calls tax hike "justifiable." (Nashville Banner, 5/26/93)
1994 Bredesen repeated that he opposes an income tax, at least during his first term, because industries find it unattractive. If he decides one is needed, Bredesen said, he will run for re-election with an income tax as part of his platform.” (Commercial Appeal, 12/11/93)
States he could not argue for lifting the sales tax on food as it provides about $350 million a year to state coffers and another $120 million to local offers. (Commercial Appeal, 11/1/94)
1997 Pushes for 73 cent hike in property tax rates, settles for 54 cents. (Nashville Business Journal, 3/2/98)
1998 Raises property taxes another 12 cents, second increase in less than 2 years. (Nashville Scene, 9/17/98)
Supported a 1% increase in hotel/motel tax. (Tennessean, 7/10/ 98)
1999 An income tax is a better source of revenue than a sales tax. (Tennessean, 8/27/99)
"Were he looking over the dawn of another four-year term, he would clearly propose new projects. And to fund them, he says the tax rate can simply be raised. (Nashville Scene, 3/4/99)
"The state's money problem's are overstated." (Tennessean, 8/27/99) …..(although sometimes there was a bottle of champagne in his office that he shared with staffers after the Council passed his tax hikes). [Nashville Scene, 9/16/99]
2001 " An income tax is probably a fairer way to collect tax than a sales tax." (Commercial Appeal, 12/24/01)
2002 “I didn’t say I was going to repeal it or that would be my priority,” Bredesen said. “I said I would favor repeal.” (SAT Column, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 4/28/02)
2002 Bredesen indicated he may support an income tax in a second gubernatorial term. (League of Women Voters Debate, 8/14/02)
2002 Bredesen refused to rule out an income tax, responding, “Eight years ago in this country nobody had heard of the Internet and I think it’s crazy for anybody running for office to make predictions about where they’re going to be eight years down the line. Good mature management requires that you keep your options open." (Nashville City Paper, 10/1/02)
9/30/02 WKRN.com commenting on the Teddy Bart show about the income tax. Bredesen answered: "I think what I said is that if its passed by the people, its going to happen."
10/01/02 Nashville City Paper speaking about the income tax Teddy Bart show “Good mature management requires that you keep your options open.”
Don Sundquist is the worst thing that ever happened to the Tennessee GOP - since Reconstruction, anyway.
He's clearly the most hated man in the state, and justifiably so.
