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Mike Moser Is the state approaching
They tell us we need an income tax. They tell
us we need tax reform. So they cut our services and close our
revenue-making venues in an effort to strong-arm us into accepting
a form of taxation that even the General Assembly leadership
cannot agree on. Yet some of the same politicians fly their
spouses around the country in the state-owned plane, charging
their trips to the taxpayers of Tennessee. I just don't get it.
And God knows what we don't about how our money is spent in Nashville. For those of you who have heard me moan about
the want of true statesmen in this country, I apologize ahead
of time for subjecting you to yet another unsolicited railing
about the lack of men and women with foresight and vision in
positions of influence and authority. I am now convinced more than ever that this
malady of elected government is not restricted to the federal
level, but is alive and well in Nashville as well as in some
areas of local government. How many of you out there really believe that
the so-called budget crisis is as bad as the Sundquist administration
would have us believe? I am having a hard time swallowing this.
I admit tax reform might be good for Tennessee. But isn't this the same state that labels
road funds as untouchable but ranks low in education spending
when compared to other states, even our neighbors in the Southeast
U.S.? Is it unreasonable for me to believe that investing in
the education and training of our kids today translates into
a more educated and competitive work force drawing higher wages
and spending more money in the Tennessee economy? Or is that
a simple way to look at it? They tell us we are broke, yet House Speaker
Jimmy Naifeh uses the state airplane at a cost of about $5,000
to fly himself, two aides, and their wives to a conference in
Charleston, SC. The state tells us they will be cutting classroom
positions next year, but travel for legislators' spouses is not
cut? The meeting Naifeh, his wife (a Capitol Hill lobbyist),
his assistant and her husband (the state treasurer) and Naifeh's
chief of staff and his wife attended was the national organization
of legislative presiding officers. While the meeting might have been important
for Naifeh, how did the state benefit by the other five fliers
attending? And if their attendance was required, would it have
not been cheaper to travel on round-trip airfares on commercial
flights? Naifeh justified using the state plane because
he had to be back in Tennessee the same day so he could host
his benefit golf tournament. Now that might be popular in the
Golf Capitol of Tennessee, but it befuddles my thinking, to a
degree. When The Tennessean checked the convention
schedule against flight logs, they found out the executive committee
on which Naifeh serves had already concluded its meeting. But
I am getting hung up on details. Then there is the governor's famous decision
to close eight state parks. So much for "Follow me to Tennessee,"
huh? That one hit home. Sundquist's decision to
close the parks has cost the state $715,000 in reimbursement
funds from the National Park Service for land acquisition for
the Cumberland Trail, which passes through Cumberland County. And, while the parks are closed, the state
will not be eligible to receive money from the Land and Water
Conservation Fund. If the purpose of this closing was to save
the $3 million the administration said would be saved, well,
my math says the loss of three-quarters of a million in federal
funds brings the total down to $2.3. Then figure in revenue generated
by dollar rollover from tourists, local and out-of-state, who
visit these parks, that is now lost. What have we gained? Burgess Falls boasts about 400,000 visitors
a year. If each of them spent an average of $5 while on their
outing that they normally would not have spent, well, you do
the math. This week one of the most beautiful parks
in the state, Frozen Head State Park in nearby Morgan County,
was closed to the public. Not only are we losing tourist-generated
dollars to our already staggering economy, we are putting loyal
state employees on the unemployment rolls. It is estimated Frozen Head generates over
$5 million per year in tourist revenue for the state and local
economy. That is money Morgan County and Tennessee can ill-afford
to lose. I heard the other day that employees of the
Department of Children Services in Cumberland County have been
relocated to Putnam County. With the workload these public servants
face on a daily basis, I can see that being beneficial to the
welfare of our community. Are we being strong-armed into accepting a state income tax? I don't know, but it sure seems like that is what is happening. I am not necessarily against a state income tax, but I will never accept it without someone in Nashville explaining it to me in everyday terms that I can understand, sans the emotional and economic blackmail. · · · |