TENN: Sundquist, Wilder name 10 to panel on state's tax structure (ALL PRO-INCOME TAX)

The Tennessean ^ | 1/03/03 | Bonna de la Cruz

[GailA]

Former state Sen. Bob Rochelle, who became a lightning rod in the income tax debate for his unwavering support for the tax, has been appointed one of 15 panel members to recommend to the legislature how Tennesseans should be taxed.

[GailA]

The deck was STACKED from the beginning. The PRO-INCOME TAX out going gov is picking some, the PRO-INCOME TAX Lt. Gov (Sen) John Wilder is picking some, and the PRO-INCOME TAX (BOSS HOGG) House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh is picking some.

NO ONE IS REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE.

[Bahbah]

They will not give up until they get their way.

[JDGreen123]

We have a slick Democrat Governor now though who is expert at media and voter manipulation. He has a former news anchor as a spokesperson. We could be headed for a Constitutional Convention in a few years. At least we would get to vote yes or no on an income tax though I would not trust the results.

[JDGreen123]

Tom Humphrey mentioned this panel this morning and acknowledged that most on the panel are pro-income tax. The feeling was though that this panel is just a smokescreen. Bredesen already has his plans. This just provides him some cover.

[JDGreen123]

Hope you enjoyed your stay outside of the Bredesenites. They think he invented or built everything. Same old line they used about that genius Al Gore. Somehow they equate giving away taxpayer money to pro sports teams as being "big city." But I know it happens in all cities. Taxpayers have been raked over the coals for stadiums and arenas all around the country.

I believe that I saw 2 of every 3 professional sports teams got new facilities in the last 10 years. Nearly all were paid for in part or in whole by the good old hard working folks who cannot even afford tickets to the games.

[GailA]

Watch closely the media will NOT be reporting much of anything that is going on in the General Assembly this year beyond mundane crap. IF they don't report it we don't know anything about it. I noticed last year the news was real skimpy compared to what it was in past years.

[MainFrame65]

Thanks, GailA, for keeping an eye on things here in Tennessee for those of us a little less well-informed. I just sent the following note to my own representative (and incoming state house minority leader) with the hope that he will at least find a way to let people know what is happening here.

---

Dear Tre,

I see from an article in the Tennessean that 10 of the 15 members of this commission have now been selected - by Don Sundquist and John Wilder, both strong advocates of an illegal income tax - and that the other 5 will be selected by Jimmy Nafieh, another income tax proponent.

The article specifically mentions Bob Rochelle as an appointee, a man who lost his seat due to his support of an income tax. And according to other reports I have seen on the internet, every other appointee named so far wants an income tax as well.

The people of Tennessee made quite clear last November that we DO NOT want an income tax, but we are again being ignored and misrepresented by these people. I realize that you have no direct input to this hijacking of representation by these big spenders, but I hope you will shine some light - and heat! - on this farce.

I hope you and your family had a great holiday season, and that you are ready to tackle the tough job ahead of you in your new position. This situation indicates that you have your work cut out for you.

(signature deleted)

[GailA]

Good letter. It is a good thing we ousted the incumbent GOP leadership in the General Assembly. The ousted ones were PRO-income tax. Tre' opposes it. He is not as strong on cutting as I'd like (sigh, few are) but he knows the areas we can cut without doing major damage to programs that do actually help, like prisons.

[MainFrame65]

I have met and had several long conversations with him, and I do think of him as one of the good guys. He did vote for the sales tax increase, but there was no way that we were going to get away without some more revenue. He actually led an effort to cut spending earlier, but it had no chance with the leadership from last year.

I just hope Governor Taxquist didn't do so much damage to republicans that we lose any chance to roll over the legislature next election.

[JDGreen123]

I guess Bredesen is trying to get in good with Hargett:

January 3, 2003

Governor-elect Phil Bredesen's Cabinet now includes two Republicans. The Democratic governor said Friday that Major General Gus Hargett gets to keep his job as Tennessee's adjutant general.

The adjutant general supervises the state's Army and Air National Guard, as well as the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Hargett is also the father of state House Republican Leader Tre Hargett.

Bredesen has promised that his Cabinet would included Republicans. And Bredesen says Susan Hinchcliff Whitaker will run the Department of Tourist Development.

Whitaker is Dollywood's marketing vice president and a Republican. Bredesen also named his new revenue commissioner. He promoted Loren Chumley, who had been the department's audit director. Bredesen has ten more commissioners to appoint before he takes office on January 18th.

[JDGreen123]

That is the way to do it! See politicos, Columbus did it and it did not kill them. Did you have to kick in any State taxes for the new palaces in Cleveland or Cincinnati?

[JDGreen123]

Thanks. I remember some stuff about Kucinich and appreciate the links. Perhaps Central and Southern Ohio can seceed and form their own state. If West Virginia can get away with it, why not others?