During the four weeks of the Special Session on taxes, TFT members worked double-time to push the message of tax justice. Members were making calls and planning activities nearly every day of the Session. As a result of this hard work, TFT played a key role (The Tennessean called it spearheading) in keeping the fires of tax reform alive. Following are a few of the highlights of that whirlwind of activities.

On Friday, March 26, TFT members and member groups made a strong presentation at the Knox Co. Legislative Forum. Members from several groups spoke, including Solutions, Tenn. Industrial Renewal Network, Save Our Cumberland Mountains, Hospitality Food Pantry, Catholic Charities of East Tenn., and TFT staff. The forum was covered in the Knox News Sentinel as well as three local TV stations. See related article.

On Monday, March 29, TFT held a press conference in Nashville to kick off the Special Session. About 20 members and TFT supporters were present. Members from several coalition groups were present and the event was well covered in media across the state.

On Wednesday, March 31, TFT Board Chair Harrell Carter testified before House Fin. Ways and Means Comm. along with spokespersons from three other member groups. Several supporters were in the audience.

During the first week of the Special Session, members distribute literature at the Capitol regarding surveys conducted that show significant support for and income tax when tied to the elimination of the food tax or to education funding.

In early April, TFT began to phone bank several its members across the state, generating calls to legislators in support of tax reform.

On Wednesday, April 8, several TFT member groups testified before Senate Fin. Ways and Means Comm. Nearly 20 supportive groups testified that day including the Tenn. Hunger Coalition, TIRN, League of Women Voters, Catholic Public Policy Commission, Tenn. Justice Center, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Tenn. State Employees Association, TNCED, Cumberland Center for Peace and Justice, as well as TFT's Board Vice-Chair.

On Friday, April 9, ten members representing several member groups including TIRN, Solutions, Commission on Religion in Appalachia, SOCM, LWV, AARP and others met with Sen. Atchley at his Knoxville Office. The following day, Knoxville LOC members held a similar meeting with Sen. Burchett.

On Saturday, April 10, about 75 supporters turned out at the Shelby Co. Legislative Forum. Nearly every person there was a supporter - many wore the TFT badge that red Fair Taxes NOT Food Taxes. See related article.

On Monday, April 12, postcards were mailed to over 500 members asking them to call the Governor and state their support for a veto of any band-aid proposals.

Throughout the Special Session and before, TFT staff leaders conducted numerous workshops at church events and church-based forums, including the Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church, Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Conf. Council on Ministries / UMC, and Church Women United.

On Friday, April 16, TFT appeared on an hour-long Knoxville TV program along with Knox. Co. Legislators. In addition to TFT staff, representatives from two member groups, Solutions and the Tenn. Education Association, were on the show.

On Monday, April 19, TFT mailed out over 1,500 post cards asking members to call their legislators expressing support for a state income tax.

On Monday, April 19, TFT launches its new web site to serve as a resource for legislative allies and coalition members across the state. That site has grown into what you are on now.

On Tuesday, April 20, a TFT board member representing the League of Women Voters was interviewed by a Knoxville TV news program. She called on Sen. Atchley to do the right thing and support tax reform.

On Tuesday, April 20, TFT held a press conference on Hill with strong SOCM presence to call for bi-partisan support for a state income tax. The focus of this press conference was a call for Sen. Atchley to do the right thing. The event was covered in the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

On Tuesday, April 27, nearly 100 members rallied at the War Memorial Building calling on Legislators to go back to the drawing board and pass real tax reform. The event was covered on Nashville TV and made the front page of the Tennessean. See related article.