I am going to have to read the amendments again before I go vote. I am still not sure what they are saying. Reading some of them with mentions of change leaves no good understanding of what it accomplishes - especially on the one about judges.
#2 IS THE MOST COMPLICATED OF THE LOT, THE REST ARE PRETTY CLEAR. #4 WORRIES ME, AS IT CAN WITH A CHANGE BACK TO DEM LEGISLATURE GO TO ORGS LIKE PLANED PARENTHOOD, OR A DEM PART ORG. THINK HARD BEFORE YOU VOTE ON THIS ONE. WHILE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE VETERAN’S ORGS HAVE MORE MONEY, THIS MAY NOT BE THE BEST WAY TO DO SO AS IT LETS IN THE CAMEL’S NOSE UNDER THE TENT.
Amendment 1:
Shall Article I of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section:
“Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.”
Amendment 2:
Shall Article VI, Section 3 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the first and second sentences and by substituting instead the following:
“Judges of the Supreme Court or any intermediate appellate court shall be appointed for a full term or to fill a vacancy by and at the discretion of the governor; shall be confirmed by the Legislature; and thereafter, shall be elected in a retention election by the qualified voters of the state. Confirmation by default occurs if the Legislature fails to reject an appointee within sixty calendar days of either the date of appointment, if made during the annual legislative session, or the convening date of the next annual legislative session, if made out of session. The Legislature is authorized to prescribe such provisions as may be necessary to carry out Sections two and three of this article.”
Amendment 3: State income tax
All Tennesseans know we don’t pay an income tax. Amendment 3 would make sure that stays the same, just on paper — or in this case the State Constitution. The amendment said, “Notwithstanding the authority to tax privileges or any other authority set forth in this Constitution, the Legislature shall not levy, authorize or otherwise permit any state or local tax upon payroll or earned personal income or any state or local tax measured by payroll or earned personal income.”
Some opponents argue not having a state income tax is one less form of revenue that the state needs right now.
Amendment 4: Charities & games of chance
The reason why we have a state lottery is that it supports education. That facet is one of the many groups that are classified as 501 (c) (3) by the IRS, and can use games of chance for revenue. If Amendment 4 passes, the legislature would vote on which non-profit organizations that support veterans could host gambling events.