|
The Public Issues Forum Kicks Off "Shredding The Safety Net" Statewide Town Hall Meetings
Learn more about TFT's "Shredding the Safety Net" Report
L-R: Veronica Coleman-Davis (standing), Rep. Mike Kernell, Nell Levin, Rep. Larry Turner, Johnie Turner
|
. . . . . . . . May 18, 2003
Memphis, TN - Fifty concerned citizens took part in a discussion about potential effects of the pending budget cuts. The "Shredding the Safety Net" panel discussion was hosted by the Public Issues Forum (PIF), a long-time TFT member group. Rep. Mike Kernel (TFT bill sponsor), Nell Levin (TAP), Rep. Larry Turner (TFT bill sponsor) and Johnie Turner (President of Memphis NAACP and TFT spokesperson) were panelists and Veronica Coleman-Davis (PIF President and Memphis activist) was the moderator.
Each panelist gave an opening statement about the state´s chronic fiscal troubles and commented on the “Shredding the Safety Net’ report, which examines the impacts of pending cuts and solutions to improve the situation. The group then took questions from the audience
State Reps. Larry Turner and Mike Kernell, both from Memphis and long-time tax reform advocates, recently voted against the Ominbus (a.k.a. Ominous) Bill because they believe cuts are no solution to a revenue problem.
Community leader and TFT member Jim Fri and his daughter Sally.
|
NAACP President Johnie Turner commented that Larry Turner had predicted more than a decade ago that Tennessee would be in the shape it is today unless real comprehensive tax reform became a reality. On a lighter note, she remarked that her praise of his keen vision had nothing to do with the fact that they were married.
The Public Issues Forum normally gathers four times a year to discuss a range of topics of interest to people in Shelby County. The PIF Board agreed to host the SSN event, which meant adding an extra gathering, because of the dramatic impact pending cuts will have on Tennessee, including Shelby county which has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation. Memphis is also experiencing the loss of revenue due to border drain to as locals cross the mighty Mississippi to shop in lower taxed Arkansas and Mississippi.
The audience was mostly made up of members of PIF, which
is also a TFT coalition partner. Several audience members represented
a variety of interests, including TFT coalition partners Church Women
United, League of Women Voters – Memphis, NAMI and the Mid South
Peace and Justice Center.
The event was covered by WMC-TV NBC and the Commercial Appeal (story @ http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/local_news/article/0,1426,MCA_437_1971955,00.html).
Learn more about TFT's "Shredding the Safety Net" Report
|
