Income tax backers pack up, sadly leave 'Camp Reform'

AP/Memphis Commercial Appeal ^ | 7/4/2002 | John Gerome

[07055]

NASHVILLE - When she learned the income tax was dead Wednesday, 21-year-old Erin McVay couldn't contain her disappointment.

"Wow, I can't believe it," said McVay, a college student from Michigan. "This is something we've worked really hard for."

McVay was among a small group of income tax supporters who demonstrated outside the Capitol around-the-clock for more than a week in the sweltering heat, even sleeping in shifts to keep their prime spot safe from the anti-tax demonstrators.

They believe the state's tax structure, which relies heavily on the sales tax, is regressive because they say it takes a disproportionate share from the poor and middle class.

With an income tax off the table, they folded up their makeshift camp and headed home.

Later in the day, the House and Senate approved a revenue measure centered on an increase in the state sales tax.

The income tax proponents had paid the state $65 a day to reserve their space at Legislative Plaza. Under four green canopy tents were several folding tables and chairs, electric fans, plastic coolers and a tabletop full of stereo equipment and CDs.

McVay said she was encouraged to get involved by one of her college professors. She slept at the camp, waved pro-tax signs and handed out bottles of cold water to demonstrators.

Answering critics who say she is an outsider with no business meddling in Tennessee politics, she said, "This is where I live and spend my money. Wherever I live I have a right to be concerned about the people in my community." Camp Tax Reform was on the site conservative talk radio hosts Steve Gill and Phil Valentine used to broadcast their morning shows during legislative sessions.

Gill and Valentine are linchpins in the anti-tax movement, organizing rallies over the past four years of tax debates that draw hundreds.

Lawmakers who supported an income tax derisively called the tax protesters horn-honkers, because many drive around Legislative Plaza blowing their horns.

But after Camp Tax Reform put down stakes, there was a noticeable lull in the protests.

[07055]

The RATS were bussing in pro-tax protesters from MICHIGAN. I guess they had trouble finding enough morons in Tennessee to volunteer to give up 6% of every paycheck to help continue out of control spending.

[mlibertarianj]

Young Erin, you may have a right to be concerned about the people in your community, but you do not have the right to do something about it, WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY!!!! Erin you are still young. Live awhile, earn a living, then you will see why the people of Tennesee, are heroes today. Keep up the good fight!! Patriots of the Volunteer State!

[Ferris]

Those that support an income tax have absolutely no idea of the inherent evil in a tax on production...

They have absolutely no concept of the reality that exists right in front of them...

They are mental midgets...

[B Knotts]

McVay said she was encouraged to get involved by one of her college professors.

Says it all!

[Lancey Howard]

"Wow, I can't believe it," said McVay, a college student from Michigan. "This is something we've worked really hard for."

The scumocrats not only bus people from location to location to vote, they even bus them around the country to push for more taxes, LOL!!

[IronJack]

Instead of focusing on how to raise additional revenue, perhaps their energies would have been better spent finding ways to lessen expenditures. Or is that thought inconceivable to the liberal mind?

[steve50]

I missed this yesterday. Did they bring it to a vote on the floor and defeat it, or might it rear it's ugly head again?

[vannrox]

Indeed, my young and youthful politically active lady, your heart is in the right place, but your experience is wholefully inadequate. There is a saying that (in my experience has been proved to be quite true). Students who are liberal in college become strongly Conservative after paying taxes for ten years. In the year 2012, lets see how you feel about throwing away an additional 6-8% of your paycheck.

[07055]

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee legislature Wednesday raised the sales tax from 6 to 7 percent beginning July 15, (NOTE: SALES TAX ON FOOD WAS NOT RAISED)and hiked other taxes to restore state government to full operation Friday morning after four days in partial shutdown. Lawmakers adopted the mostly lobbyist-written tax plan after House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, Gov. Don Sundquist and other reform-minded advocates of an income tax conceded defeat Wednesday morning, ending a 3d-year budget stalemate. Sundquist said he will sign the bill passed Wednesday. But its sponsors warned that while the plan will fund current government services for this year, it will be adequate for only another two years, depending on the strength of the economy.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

There is an answer to these people's problem. Gov. Huckabee did the right thing. All they have to do is implement a VOLUNTARY income tax. If these people want to donate money to the state's treasury--let them. Let the people exercise their "choice" if they want to donate.

We Republicans are stupid if we do not promote this idea, big time.

[07055]

I agree with you about a voluntary income tax. Of course, almost no one would voluntarily send 6% of their income to the state. Their championing of the income tax is only because they figure that they, or their constituents, will pay less and benefit more---and that the hated "rich" will be soaked.

[andyk]

Students who are liberal in college become strongly Conservative after paying taxes for ten years

Aw, heck! It took me less than two years. I was fairly conservative before college, turned into an authority-rejecting liberal while studying, and returned full-circle while still going to TAMU! Got to see Dan Quayle speak while attending. Great memories!

[andyk]

McVay, a college student from Michigan.

<snip>

Answering critics who say she is an outsider with no business meddling in Tennessee politics, she said, "This is where I live and spend my money.

This is wholly inconsistent, and deserved a follup from the "reporter".

[philomath]

This is where I live and spend my money. Wherever I live I have a right to be concerned about the people in my community

however, young erin, you are not subject to the tax you support, and in fact would benefit from less sales tax, hardly the moral position you imagine for yourself. in addition, my fellow tennesseeans and i are subsidizing your schooling, since your out-of-state tuition does not cover the whole cost of your education. in short, you are a meddlesome, ingrateful twit.

[Desparado]

Your saying re-stated: "If you're not a socialist when you're 20, you don't have a heart. If you're still a socialist when you're 30, you don't have a brain!"

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

I agree with you about a voluntary income tax. Of course, almost no one would voluntarily send 6% of their income to the state. Their championing of the income tax is only because they figure that they, or their constituents, will pay less and benefit more---and that the hated "rich" will be soaked.

Why wouldn't these pro-taxers be glad to send more to the state? You're not insinuating they're hypocrites, are you? We have to keep pounding on this issue.

The voluntary tax was introduced in the Iowa Senate this year and made it out of committee but that's as far as it went. It needs to be reintroduced again next year. I think it's in the Iowa Republican platform.

[07055]

I just sent a letter to the editor of the Commercial Appeal telling all those liberals who are in mourning about the failure of the income tax that there is still hope:

They can just send 6% of all future paychecks to the state. I bet they can even have their bank set up a direct debit from their checking account so they don't keep to waste a 37 cent stamp to keep "nonessential workers" on the state payroll.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Good for you. Let's make this a campaign.

[Grammy]

THANK YOU my fellow Tennesseans!!! We have stood up to the beast and beaten it back yet again. Perhaps with a REAL Republican in the governors office next year we can cut some spending.

[NYCVirago]

They believe the state's tax structure, which relies heavily on the sales tax, is regressive because they say it takes a disproportionate share from the poor and middle class.

Can they name one state where an income tax was put in, and the sales tax removed? Heck, not only do we have state and city income taxes in New York, we also have an 8.25% sales tax!