BillHobbs.com is a frequently updated blog of original reporting and commentary by Bill Hobbs, a longtime Nashville journalist and media relations adviser. I am currently serving as communications director for the Tennessee Republican Party, a job I began on Oct. 29, 2007.
Frank Cagle nails it in his column explaining the proposed Taxpayers Bill of Rights amendment to the Tennessee constitution. Here's an excerpt, followed by some comments and information you can use to help get the proposed amendment passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee next week.
In 1978, the people of Tennessee voted to put a limit on the growth of state government. The people voted for a constitutional amendment that would limit the growth in the state budget to the growth in personal income of the people of Tennessee. The framers, being reasonable people, put in a provision that a majority of the General Assembly could override the cap in an emergency situation.
It has become routine for the Legislature to override the people's wishes and exceed the cap. It has been violated 11 of the past 17 years. That allowed runaway spending during the boom years of the 1990s and budget hell during the recent recession. It led to another increase in the sales tax.
On Tuesday, the state Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on a new Taxpayer Bill of Rights. This time there is no wiggle room.
This is a constitutional amendment, following the same path as with the lottery, that will put the measure before the people for a vote. It has to pass the Legislature once with a majority and then again the next year with a two-thirds majority. Then it would go on the ballot in a gubernatorial election year. But the process starts Tuesday. Nothing happens unless the measure gets out of the Judiciary Committee.
The provisions include three main items. The state budget cannot be increased beyond the rate of inflation and population growth. Raising taxes requires a vote of the people. Once the Rainy Day Fund has been replenished, revenues in excess of the cap will be refunded to the taxpayers.
This provision, championed by state Sen. Jim Bryson, R-Brentwood, will revolutionize governing in Tennessee. It scares the wits out of a lot of politicians because, if it ever gets in front of the voters, it is a sure thing. The previous cap was an effort to allow the Legislature some discretion. The Legislature has demonstrated that it cannot be trusted to be responsible. So much for the argument against tying the hands of elected officials.
Read the whole thing - and make copies and give them to every one you know. The Taxpayers Bill of Rights amendment goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Members of that committee include Sens. Curtis Person, Mark Norris, Doug Jackson, Steve Cohen, David Fowler, Joe Haynes, Tommy Kilby, Larry Trail and Micheal Williams. The toll-free number for the Legislature is 1-800-449-8366.
Four senators are considered key votes on the committee, and I urge you (my Tennessee readers) to contact them by phone, fax and email and urge them to vote "yes" on the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, also known as Senate Joint Resolution 88.
They are: Senator Doug Jackson-D District 25
Dickson - Giles, Hickman, Humphreys, Lawrence, and Lewis counties
Phone: (615) 741-4499
Fax: (615) 741-4324
Email: sen.doug.jackson@legislature.state.tn.us
Senator David Fowler-R District 11
Signal Mtn - Part of Hamilton County
Phone: (615) 741-1764
Fax: (615) 253-0280
Email: sen.david.fowler@legislature.state.tn.us
Senator Tommy Kilby-D District 12
Campbell - Fentress, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, and Scott Counties
Phone: (615) 741-1449
Fax: (615) 253-0237
Email: sen.tommy.kilby@legislature.state.tn.us
Senator Larry Trail-D District 16
Murfreesboro - Bedford, Moore and part of Rutherford counties
Phone: (615) 741-1066
Fax: (615) 253-0204
Email: sen.larry.trail@legislature.state.tn.us
Tell them all you want is for them to pass the amendment so you can have a chance to vote on it.
And finally, to get involved with the grassroots movement to pass the Taxpayers Bill of Rights in Tennessee, visit the website of Tennessee Tax Revolt. If you live in the greater Nashville area, your involvement is critical as the local newspapers have both ignored the Taxpayers Bill of Rights movement, including failing to cover last week's Town Hall meeting. That lack of newspaper coverage means your neighbors may not know about it.
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