http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/
let `er rip...
800-449-8366 + 1 + the last 4 digits of their Nashville office, which can be found on the web site)
They are now screaming it's a $480M shortfall of last year's budget. Never mind this years budget.
Tennessee Political News Ch 5 Nashville
April 24, 2002
No Support For Hastily Call Budget Fix It was a roller coaster ride on Capitol Hill Wednesday.
In a surprise move, the Governor and legislative leaders tried to pass a temporary sales tax increase that would have gone into effect next week.
As they arrived for session Wednesday, many lawmakers had no idea that they were going to be asked to vote on the temporary tax measure.
House leaders suspended the rules and Republicans and Democrats went into separate rooms to try and work out a deal.
Governor Don Sundquist met with Republicans and said the state had no choice by to pass an immediate sales tax increase to meet this year's projected budget shortfall.
Democrats also met and looked over paperwork detailing the terrible state of the budget.
This year's shortfall was projected to be $350 million, but tax collections are down and the latest estimate is $480 million, just for this year.
The proposed sales tax increase would put the state sales tax at seven percent, up from six percent. It would have gone into effect next week and end on the last day of the year.
The sales tax plan never came up for a vote. Leaders realized there were not enough votes to pass the temporary measure.
Now, the plan is to begin raiding all of the state's reserve funds, but many are concerned that still isn't enough to cover the increasing deficit.
Neither house can agree on a long-term budget fix.