Monday, June 8, 2009
Breaking News / Woods Morning Roundup: Republicans Balk at Bredesen's New Taxes and Other Budget Spats
Posted by Jeff Woods on Mon, Jun 8, 2009 at 4:53 AM
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With the session entering its frantic, final days, Republicans are balking at the governor's $2 million sales tax on cable TV boxes and $6 million in higher business phone taxes.They're not too happy about the tax on the Predators and the Grizzlies, either. Plus, Senate Republicans are trying to cancel or delay $130 million in capital projects, including a new UTC library, and they're against bonding out $350 million in bridge replacement projects. The state workers union, meanwhile, pressures lawmakers not to impose layoffs.
"How much more can you ask the citizens of our state to do without? Every state job cut equals services to Tennesseans that will no longer be available," TSEA President Phil Morson says. "Layoffs are not the answer."
Dwight Lewis wants to know why Roy Herron voted to override the guns-in-bars veto. "Why, Sen. Herron? Why?" ... Phil Bredesen discusses the future energy needs of the South with T. Boone Pickens and four other Southern governors. ... The state is moving business tax collections online. ... A Morgan County commissioner says: We'll take Gitmo detainees. ... but then drops the idea for lack of support. ... Has Memphis been stealing Mississippi's water? ... Tennessee schools to allow LGBT websites. ... Corker introduces bill to help auto dealers. ... The state ramps up prison security after rash of escapes and killings. ... Tom Griscom asks why the legislature is a gun-free zone:
For all of the venues that now permit firearms to be present -- parks, restaurants and bars -- there is one place that surprisingly remains off limits. Citizens should write their legislators and ask why. An act of the legislature is not required. Overriding a governor's veto is not necessary. With merely a nod from two people, the legislative plaza also can become a gun-carrying zone. Why not? As they say, if you can do it to your constituents, why not do it to yourself?
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