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« Oregon Eyes Taxpayers Bill of Rights | Main | 'Jobless Recovery' Only Temporary » January 18, 2004What if the Conventional Wisdom is Wrong?Convention wisdom in the world of Tennessee politics has it that Gov. Phil Bredesen will propose an income tax when he runs for re-election in 2006. But that CW comes from people who think Tennessee needs and/or ought to have an income tax. Knoxville News Sentinel columnist George Korda wonders what happens if Bredesen never proposes an income tax. Korda also compares Bredesen to his predecessor, Don Sundquist. Korda: What if Phil Bredesen goes eight years and does not propose what Don Sundquist, his Republican predecessor, said Tennessee state government couldn’t live without?I'd bet Bredesen doesn't propose an income tax - and doesn't need one. An honest look at the state's revenue and spending trends over the past two decades reveals that it is excessive spending - not insufficient revenue - and a mind-boggling refusal to reign in and reform out-of-control programs like TennCare that created the faux budget crises of the Sundquist administration. Fact is, the state of Tennessee has spent in excess of the state constitution's loophole-riddled cap on the annual growth of spending in 11 of the past 20 years, by more than $3 billion. Bredesen's first budget proved you could restraiin the growth of spending to fit curent revenue, and not gut the state. As Korda notes: Sundquist said the state budget could not be cut. Bredesen cut it. Sundquist said an income tax was essential. Bredesen said Tennessee could be better managed. Thus far, by all accounts, he and his team are doing it.I suspect they can continue to do it for seven more years. Posted in Tennessee Budget & Tax Policy
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It wouldn't be the first time CW was wrong, it's been wrong a lot in the past couple of years. Posted by: Sandy P. at January 18, 2004 05:24 PMIf Bredesen keeps up like he has been, he will be the first Democrat I vote for. Posted by: Kevin at January 18, 2004 09:45 PMAs a native of Tennessee, I thought it took a Constitution change to allow an income tax. I live in Colorado now. To get a Income tax here the sales tax was reduced to 3% and the State was 5%. Sales tax now averages around 9% and state is 4.75 Giving a politican money is like giving a drunk a drink. They always want more. Posted by: Poker Player (aka Jim) at January 19, 2004 12:52 PMAnybody think he wants to leverage a fiscal conservative democrat governorship into a shot at the white-house in '08? Posted by: jimmy at January 19, 2004 12:53 PMWhile I like the way Bredeson has managed fiscally, if he doesn't flat-out say he won't support an income tax, I'll still have to seriously question whether I'll vote for him or not. Especially if a strong conservative Republican comes out saying he will *not* support the income tax (yes, I know - we've heard that from a Republican before). I simply cannot get beyond the words Bredesen said when he wouldn't "rule out a state income tax in his second term". Considering the 'independent' study being done which will no doubt suggest an income tax - that mix doesn't sit well with my wallet. Posted by: DocB at January 19, 2004 01:08 PMPost a comment
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