Income Tax Central to Tenn. Governor's Race

GO VAN GO, latest polls show it's a dead heat.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Carolyn Denny Thursday, October 31, 2002 (615) 771-4826

Halloween Surprise: Bredesen Says Income Tax Would "Benefit the Economy" Bredesen Gives Liberal Democrats Hope for State Income Tax

Franklin, TN - It seems Democrat Phil Bredesen has been holding his liberal base by telling them behind closed doors what many have long suspected: Phil Bredesen believes an income tax would "benefit the economy."

During his gubernatorial campaign, Bredesen has made a PowerPoint presentation to liberal Democrats and large donors that includes a telling slide entitled "Phil on the Income Tax."

Beneath the "Income Tax" heading are the words: "As a businessman, he refuses to remove options that could benefit the economy four years from now." Bredesen not only refuses to rule out an income tax while he is Governor, he also says it could benefit Tennessee's economy.

This revelation follows on the heels of the release of a letter Bredesen wrote to a state legislator in 1992, lamenting that a "more progressive revenue source" was not passed.

Bredesen has a long history of support for the income tax:

1970: "I favor raising the necessary funds through a graduated income tax" (Lexington, Mass. Minute Man,

10/15/70). Bredesen was described as "appalled" that although Massachusetts is an industrial state, it does not have a graduated income tax (Lexington, Mass. Minute Man, 10/29/70).

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" (Commercial Appeal, column by Susan Adler Thorp, 4/28/02).

2002: Bredesen indicated he may support an income tax during a second gubernatorial term (League of Women Voters Debate, 8/14/02).

Ultimately, the evidence shows that Tennesseans cannot trust Phil Bredesen to keep Tennessee income tax-free.

P.O. Box 680127· Franklin· Tennessee· 37068-0127 (615) 771-4VAN www.vanhilleary.com Paid for by Van Hilleary for Governor - Susan W. Simons, Treasurer

"I know Phil Bredesen won't stand for building more prisons while our colleges are falling down," Wharton says in his ad. Commercial Appeal 10/31/02 ............ ac wharton the new dem mayor of Shelby Co is telling the black community in Memphis that phil won't build new prisons...what's phil telling the white community that he will?

When he ran against taxquist he wanted to cut sentences in half to reduce over crowding. Gail

I don't see how they figure an Income Tax is more fair than a sales tax since they only people that have to pay an income tax are people that work and the shirkers get off scott free. Our sales tax is ridiculous but everybody has to pay that, not just the working person. Also, I never pay 6 or 7 percent sales tax. Everything I buy seems to be taxed at 9% since the increase. I shop over the state line in GA every chance I get! I received a notice from the Republican committee yesterday saying to vote for Van Hilleary.

Van has purposed a repeal of the sales tax hike. Weasel phil wants all the money he can get and more to boot. The 6% is the state's then you have to add in the local's share bringing it up to 9.25-9.75 depending where you live. Memphis is 9.25 they want to up it to 9.75. I shop rummage sales, store sales and use coupons which lowers the sales tax bite.

Even the drug dealers have to pay sales tax.

The pimps, hookers, illegals, tourist, etc also have to pay sales tax. :-)