Daily Dose for February 21, 2007

Daily Dose

Bredesen Calls Sales Tax Cut on Food "Voodoo" -- Governor Bredesen said his budget is the only way to go to balance state revenues with the added cost of his education intiatives - and he had some choice words for a proposal sponsored by every Republican in the State Senate to decrease the state's sales tax on food. Bredesen called that plan "really dangerous" and "voodoo." Bredesen says the plan doesn't address making up the lost revenues. Bredesen also suggested the same Republican Senators who fought adamently against a state income tax are sponsoring this bill to bring back discussion about a state income tax. State Sen. Mae Beavers: "We need to give the people a tax break. To me what is voodoo is to pass a new tax on tobacco, which is a declining source of revenue, to fund education, which is a permanent program." More here and here.

Corker Returns from Iraq -- After returning from Iraq, Sen. Bob Corker said the President's strategy needs more time for testing - and we will know if our course is right in Iraq by mid-summer. Corker said soldiers encouraged him not to cut funding. Corker: "For many reasons, I believe that we need to give General Petraeus the time he needs through this summer to see if we can take what’s been a downward spiral … and turn it into an upward spiral."

Knox Co. Commission Rejects Settlement of News-Sentinel Lawsuit -- Voting 5-4 the Knox Co. Commission voted against holding an open meeting to select new commission replacements after the daily newspaper in Knoxville sued the County Commission for violations of Open Meeting laws. The lawsuit would require the Commission to hold public hearings and complete a reappointment process for the County Commissioners ousted by a State Supreme Court ruiling on term limits. KNS Editor Jack McElroy: "If they will go back in and redo it as a public meeting - and they'll be enjoined from violating the Sunshine Law - then we'll drop the suit."

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |