Government Accountability and Taxpayer Rights

 

Dear Editor:

 

Why does Tennessee need a constitutional amendment to require approval of ALL state tax increases by direct voter referendum?

·        Because in the TN General Assembly there are 533 lobbyists who are paid an estimated $24 million yearly to represent everyone except taxpayers. Most of these lobbyists have one objective: to get as much money out of your pocket as possible.

·        Because the $24 million paid to lobbyists is an estimated figure.  Tennessee is one of only two states that doesn't require disclosure of money paid to lobbyists.

·        Because the leadership of the TN General Assembly refuses to apply the Sunshine law to itself. They made it apply to all other areas of government except the General Assembly.

·        Because the leadership of the TN House of Representatives refuses to support bills which require committee votes to be recorded. You read that correctly, when the TN House votes in committee to spend over $20 billion dollars, they refuse to require recorded votes.

Do you think Taxpayers receive fair treatment? It's TIME for a Tennessee Taxpayer Bill of Rights.  For more information, please see the web site www.TnTaxRevolt.org.

 

Ben Cunningham

Old Hickory, TN

brcnash@bellsouth.net