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.

[tdadams]

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

Yeah, because everyone but these johnny-come-latelys knew the income tax was dead. It's laughable how the pro-tax press attributes the lull to the presense of the "camp tax reform."