March 21, 2004

Tennessean Wrong on Amendment's Form

The Tennessean flat got it wrong in its story today about the proposed amendment to the Tennessee constitution known as the Taxpayers Bill of Rights. The paper says the legislation "would let Tennessee voters decide whether to call a constitutional convention to debate and propose the amendments to the state Constitution. If voters decide a convention should be called, voters elect convention delegates and then get to approve or disapprove of what delegates recommend."

Not true. The legislation, if passed, would put the proposed amendment on the November 2006 ballot for voter approval. There would be no constitutional convention. We're not sure why The Tennessean got it wrong. The language of the bill is very clear.