Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Kotz / Legislature / Politics The Income Tax Isn't the Third Rail of Tennessee Politics
Posted by Pete Kotz on Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Yes, the possibility of an income tax makes Robin Smith's head explode, and forces Democrats to scurry in retreat like fearful chipmunks. But Howell, an organizer for Tennesseans for Fair Taxation, believes the time may be right to make it happen.
Given Tennessee's deep financial problems and persistently low rankings in all kinds of quality of life listings, he says the legislature is more receptive than ever before, and may even contain some Republican support. And though the issue doesn't play well in sound-bite politics -- Ooooo nooooo, taxes are evil! -- he hears "a good bit of support" when he talks to civic groups and there's time to air out the discussion. After all, the current system of charging $8 in taxes for a loaf of bread isn't exactly popular. If someone could articulately make the case that we could lower sales taxes on necessities, he thinks it has a reasonable chance of passing.
"People have been loathe because it's a third rail of Tennessee politics," says Howell. "That is the conventional wisdom, and we think it's completely wrong."
Comments (12)
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tying 'quality of life' to whether or not the government has enough of your money to spend.. that's pretty sad in my opinion, but unfortunately the two concepts are inextricable for too many people these days. those of us who have a clue will be fine no matter what, but in the meantime i'll continue to vote for keeping as much of my money as i can.
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"But Howell, an organizer for Tennesseans for Fair Taxation, believes the time may be right to make it happen"
Uh-huh.
A guy representing a group shilling for an income tax is really authoritative on the viability of getting it passed - NOT.
One example of the "civic groups" Mr. Howell has spoken with are the members of the socialist organization on the campus of MTSU: MT Students for a Democratic Society... this is a relatively new incarnation of the pseudo-terrorist group prevalent on college campuses in the '60s. Oh yea, they're a glimpse into reality, alright...
- Matthew
Whoever Bill Howell is, he's an idiot. If it was going to pass, 2002 was the time. Mr. Howell must have no sense of what the actual politics are like in the legislature.
As I have noted, income tax advocates such as Chip Forrester and Justin Wilson have reassumed positions of authority. The liberal media, liberal advocacy groups, and college students are gearing up their lobbying machine.
It's 1999 all over again.
You gotta love the only response opposition has to this idea: "You ain't from around here, are you?" That response isn't paying the bills and is keeping Tennessee at the top of every bad list while at the bottom of every good list, dependent on retail sprawl, and dependent on tax revenues from other states to the tune of getting $1.27 for every dollar we send to the federal government. Under the status quo, Republicans and those Democrats who oppose a state income tax are making this state one of the nation's largest and fattest of all welfare queen states.
Back to the original question from your caption:
If Robin Smith's head exploded, it would be no more dangerous than the air escaping from a balloon.
"A guy representing a group shilling for an income tax is really authoritative on the viability of getting it passed - NOT."
It came within 3 votes of passing in 2002 in spite of threats, intimidation and vandalism by the no-tax mob. MTSU polls at the time showed 60% support for an income tax. However, the supporters perceived themselves to be a minority because the no-tax mob was so vocal and outrageous. The majority of legislators of both parties know it is the logical choice for responsible public policy. They are afraid to voice their opinion because of the myth that voters do not want it. I'm here to debunk that myth.
"Milton says:
The liberal media, liberal advocacy groups, and college students are gearing up their lobbying machine."
Milton, I think you need to go back into your underground bunker and come out when you've listened to something other than right-wing talk radio. Right now you're so paranoid and delusional you think college students are coming after you! Is that why all of you anti Income guys don't care that higher education in Tennessee faces financial dire straits almost every year?
Milton, much like Tennessee's tax system, you are out-of-date and out-of-touch.
While passing tax modernization is still a long-shot this year, I think Mr. Howell is right when he says that there is a large number of people out there supporting it. I know when I talk with folks that an overwhelming number of the people I know understand and support the need for real tax modernization, including repeal of the food tax, reduction of the sales tax, and creation of a state income tax.
If we are to ever compete in this 21st Century economy, we need to kick our state's rump out of the 19th Century with a modern tax system that can raise the funds needed, in a fair way, to invest in education (from pre-K to higher ed), infrastructure, environmental protection, and public health.
Bootstraps just aren't enough when the percentage of adults with high school degrees is 49th in the nation, education funding is 48th in the nation, etc., etc. It's a both-and deal. We need to make the public investments and people need to exercise initiative.
I think the new tax modernization plan is just what Tennessee needs. And for all those "low-tax" lovers out there, even with the $1 billion in new funding the proposed plan raises, Tennessee would only move from 49th to 45th in state and local taxes as a percent of income (Which also tells you how far behind we really are in making the the investments in our communities we need to).
"One example of the "civic groups" Mr. Howell has spoken with are the members of the socialist organization on the campus of MTSU: MT Students for a Democratic Society..."
Mr. Hurtt's credibility might be improved by a little fact-checking. I spoke to Solidarity.
