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Daily Dose for January 18, 2007
Daily Dose
Campfield Proposes Porn Tax -- In an effort to reduce the state sales tax on food, State Rep. Stacey Campfield has proposed taking the adult entertainment industry. The new tax would cover videos, books, magazines and sexual devices. Campfield: "It's a different swap tax: Remove the sales tax on groceries and raise the tax on pornography." Governor Bredesen is already critical of the bill saying, "I hope he will take a quick look at the Constitution before he comes by the office. I'd like it if we could put a tax on articles that are critical of the governor." Campfield says on his blog this morning that details of the bill still need to be worked out.
Plans All Over the Place on Knox Co. Replacements -- It seems everyone has an opinion about how to go about replacing members of county government term-limited out. County Mayor Mike Ragsdale took it upon himself to craft a plan that the Commission could adopt. The Mayor's plan set Feb. 16 as the date to make the actual appointments after a round of meetings in each district to identify candidates. Knox Co. Commission Chair Scott Moore seems to have gotten his feelings upset that Ragsdale proposed a plan. Fellow Commissioner Greg Lambert said, "It's not his call, and I think that offended Scott." Moore's plan is more sketchy in its time frame - it calls for public meetings, but sets no date to make the appointments and that's the way some commissioners like Diane Jordan want it, because they don't think they can meet the deadline under the Ragsdale plan. In the MetroPulse, Frank Cagle sees more sinister motives for drawing out the replacement process - these County Commissioners are gripping with dead hands to their old jobs, afraid to leave after so many years on the job. Meanwhile, out-going Sheriff Tim Hutchison is trying desperately to stay on in an "advisory role" so he can collect his pension.
Alexander Taking Up Grassroots Cause -- Lamar Alexander says he will take up the cause of concerned grassroots activists who are worried about about new regulations in the ethics bill before Congress that would require them to register as lobbying organizations. Alexander's amendment would strike Section 220 of the ethics bill now under consideration by the Senate. That section, if left intact, would require burdensome and expensive filing and reporting requirements for grassroots organizations that encourage their members to contact government representatives.
Backpedaling on Frist '10 -- Out of fear of appearing overanxious, GOP insiders have begun backpedaling comments reported in the Hill that former Sen. Bill Frist is planning a campaign for Governor in 2010. Frist political advisor Chip Saltsman says it's "too soon" to say Frist is "seriously considering" a bid. Saltsman did say, however, he is one of the people encouraging Frist to run.
2006 Best in Politics Awards -- We've started revealing the award winners for our 2006 Best in Politics Awards. Below is our first winner, Tom Ingram, who not surprisingly is awarded the title Political Consultant of the Year.
