07/06/2002 Archived Entry: "US Senate: TN"

The legislature in TN has passed another sales tax, adding 1%, so that now it is up to 9.75% in some counties. Not only is this regressive taxation, but it's highly visible. It takes from those least able to afford it, and pisses off those least likely to put up with more taxation. And the latter, conservative Republicans, are the ones voting in the August 1st primary. The new sales tax is likely to become the defining issue in the primary, and that's bad news for Alexander, GOP Primary Fight Heats Up in Tenn:

In questioning Alexander's conservative stripes, Bryant often points to a sales tax increase the former governor implemented to fund education reforms. Taxes rile Tennessee conservatives, who are upset over proposals to enact a state income tax to fix the state's budget woes.

Up to now, the campaign has devolved into "plaid" "solid" and "plain" talking about shirts/positions as symbolic of conservative credentials. Heavy stuff. Bryant should be able to proxy the vote as a referendum, by aligning Alexander's past enactment of a state income tax with this recent increase.

Replies: 2 comments

Tennessee made its bed...now it is time to lie on it.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/e98/shapiro/630.htm

Posted by G.C. Raj @ 07/06/2002 01:57 PM PST

It looks more and more like Gov. Bredeson every day.

Posted by Ced @ 07/08/2002 06:50 AM PST