Posted on 05/17/2002 5:39:56 AM PDT by GailA
Edited on 05/07/2004 9:20:00 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Efforts to gain votes for the income tax appeared to hit a snag after withdrawal of support by some members of the legislative Black Caucus.
As a result, the Senate Commerce Committee yesterday threatened to dissolve a state agency at the heart of the conflict.
(Excerpt) Read more at tennessean.com ...
The Silence is Deafening
Tom Humphrey covers state government for the Knoxville News-Sentinel but it's not clear if he's read the state constitution recently. Appearing on Teddy Bart's Roundtable radio show today, Humphrey asserted that the constitution is "silent" in the issue of a state income tax.
It isn't.
Article 2, Sections 28 and 29 is where the constitution authorizes the legislature to levy certain kinds of taxes. The income tax is omitted. Those who favor the income tax say the silence doesn't automatically prohibit non-listed taxes.
General Assembly On the left side of the page are these choices: Information, Senate, House, Joint, Bills and Other Links. These options should get you to any information you need including office numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, committee assignments, legislative bills, etc.
Toll Free calling 1-800-449-8366 + extension or call the switchboard at (615) 741-3011.
GOOD, the term African-american places allegance to Africa first, therefore, they are not American's. We need to face reality there is only one race. Stop giving special groups extra priveledges. Appoint based on merit only regardless of skin tone, hair color, etc.
Pro tax citizens want to be heard
Students at the University of Memphis could be facing another tuition hike if state legislators cut an estimated $93-million from colleges and universities across the state. Those in favor of tax reform say this is another example of how a state income tax is the best solution to Tennessee's money problems.
In the crowd rallying against taxes at the capitol this week, only a handful came out to support tax reform. Nell Levin of Nashville says it's not a good strategy. "We just choose not to come out here and do this kind of thing. We don't feel it's as effective as getting on the telephone and calling our legislators."
Memphian Michael Schmidt was not on the streets of Nashville Wednesday, but he is among those who favors a state income tax. "People are concerned that this is just another way for the government to get their claws into them and I just say you know get over it," say Schmidt. His 7-year old Grayson has a younger sister and Schmidt worries about the future of their education. "It's very disconcerting because I'm starting to realize that my children might not have the chance for a decent k-12 education as I enjoyed as a child in Ohio."
As a professor at the University of Memphis for the past 7 years, Schmidt's beginning to see the scars that consistent budget cuts have left behind. "Truth be told I've seen a lot of professors leave I've seen a lot of folks say you know I cannot get the raise that I need." And students who say they can't afford another tuition hike, says Schmidt.
Advocates for tax reform may not be as vocal as their opponents. But they say the money to balance the budget will come from the taxpayers whether there's an income tax or not. And they believe delaying the inevitable will result in more costly consequences for the state's future.
WELL, proffessor I CAN'T AFFORD A 4.5% PAY CUT SO YOU CAN HAVE A 3.5% PAY RAISE. HEY, PROF YOU ARE DOING FUZZY MATH AGAIN trading a 3.5% pay raise for a 4.5% pay cut. OVER EDUCATED PROF doing FUZZY math.
Giving your pols the income tax is giving up your freedom. Don't let it happen.
You folks in Tennessee are waging a successful war against those in your government who would futher enslave you.
Bravo Zulu! I salute you for holding your ground and making such a strong case against the imposition of a state income tax.
I wish you all the best of luck in holding off the scumbag politicians and their lackey friends who have spent and spent and spent Tennessee into this fiscal crisis.
There is no tax problem in Tennessee. There is a scumbag politician SPENDING problem!
It is time to change the diapers in Nashville! I would urge all Tennessee residents to actively campaign against those scumbag politicians who are supporting Taxquist's income tax scheme.
When you elect honest citizens to state offices, you will solve the problem.
Tennessee Political News May 16, 2002
Tax Plan May Hinge On Deal-Making The political game playing is in high gear at the state capitol.
Speaker Jimmy Naifeh is working hard to convince 59 house members to support the flat rate income tax.
When he didn't call for a vote Wednesday, some lawmakers said it was because of behind the scenes maneuvering by the 14 house members of the black legislative caucus.
A struggle for power on the agency that regulates your phone bill and other utilities is the issue in play.
The black caucus wants to keep black member Melvin Malone on TRA's powerful three-person board.
"This is not about race, this is about consumers being represented on the TRA," said Rep. Joe Armstrong, (D) Knoxville.
The senate has approved three members and none is black. The house has not yet voted.
The black legislative caucus said phone companies wanted Malone off the board.
Caucus members today said the issue is very important to them, but it will not delay the tax vote.
"I don't think there is any caucus member that would say, 'I'm going to hold the state of Tennessee hostage until we resolve this other issue,'" said Rep. Edith Taylor Langster, (D) Nashville.
In fact members of the black caucus believe House Speaker Naifeh already has the votes to pass the flat tax.
"I think the votes are there in the house. I don't think the votes are there in the Senate," Langster said.
Everyone denies deal making, but with the vote so close every member's concern is critical.
It takes seventeen votes in the Senate to pass the income tax. Speaker Naifeh said Senate leaders have told him they will pass whatever bill the house passes.
He needs to move his yankee butt and his kid back to Ohio and leave the legitimate citizens of Tennesse to determine their business. Only natural born citizens of a state should have the right to vote on state matters, it needs to be part of every state Constitution.
Yes 24.83 % (3572 out of 14384 voted)
No 75.17 % (10812 out of 14384 voted)
to vote, see link in #9
Liberals are the enemy.
God knows what we are funding at the University of Memphis. Look at the core curriculum for majoring in American Studies (i.e., "Bash every white male heterosexual in American history except for Wilson, FDR, and the Kennedys" Studies), within the College of University Studies.
Then there's the Ed. Psych. brain shrinkers. (Nurse Ratchet looks like she's just had a double botox injection). Seriously, though, these are the people who will be in charge of teaching those who would be "socializing" 4-year old children if Sun'bitch gets his way.... Read Ayn Rand's essay, "The Comprachicos" for an accurate description of the educational establishment's goal for what was my generation at the time it was written - these people have been entrenched for many years now.
The whole list of majors is at http://www.memphis.edu/majorsminorsindex.html.
I do hate hearing newcomers, esp. Yanks, who expect us to do everything for them. Why can't these people appreciate our low taxes, and use their free time to help educate their own children? The average two-parent family has someone in it who is just as well qualified to teach their children as an ed-skool graduate who has spent 4 years as a receptacle for piles upon piles of intellectual garbage.
A small fee is paid for these courses BUT by the time you factor in salary, insurance, utilities, wear and tear on the buildings, etc. the small fee can't make these things pay for themselves
Where are your manners? for kids 7-11
Father & daughter luau
tennis
Camp Abracadabra! kids 7-14 learn magic tricks
Mock trial
Jewelry making for family fun kids 9-15 Explore the wolf river headwaters
Antizue shop tour
A waliking tour of historic downtown Memphis
A walk through victorian village
Poise & modeling for girls 5-12
wire jewelry making
pottery
simple sewing
home made baby food
social & party dancing, cha cha, cha, Elizabethan dance, ballroom dancing, etc
power posture
massage
create a life you love
fashion & glamour workshop
collecting dolls
beading
3 game
rollerblading
sailin
personal image
social etiqute
modeling
make up for the mature
Finding the ideal job for you
lets get organized
cut the clutter
starting the school year
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