TFT's Board Chair John Stewart was interviewed for a radio story that aired statewide about the impact of the federal stimulus. Stewart pointed out
that this stimulus is only a temporary fix that will not solve the long-term problems facing Tennessee. Real tax modernization is still needed.
Click here for more.
Two great guest editorials appear in the Tennessean [2.1.09]
On Sunday, Feb. 1, two great editorials appeared in the Tennessean. The first is TFT's formal rebuttal of the Tennessean's faulty analysis
earlier in the week claiming that the state budget had doubled in 20 years.
Click here for more. The second editorial was from Dr.
Patrick Reagan. His editorial both made the case for tax modernization while also challenging the wisdom of the proposed constitutional income tax ban.
Click here for more.
New report refutes Tennessean story about the growth of government [1.29.09]
TFT issued a report challenging the faulty analysis presented in a January 26 Tennessean news article that claimed
the state budget had doubled in 20 years. In addition to pointing out the faulty assumptions of the Tennessean analysis, the report
makes evident that the recurring budget shortfalls are an inevitable outcome of an outdated tax system.
Download report here or read related
press release.
UT students call on Peterson to sign petition supporting stimulus and income tax plan [1.27.09]
While Peterson has already gone on record criticizing our current tax system, telling the Tennessean editorial board this month that the state's reliance
on sales tax revenue was "a regressive way to run the state." Students rallying to save the university are asking him to sign a petition explicity
supporting a state income tax and the federal stimulus package for states.
Click here for full story.
TFT annouces support for Governor's plan to close FONCE loophole [1.22.09]
TFT issues a press release today announcing support for the Governor in his effort to close the FONCE loophole estimated to cost the
state $45 million per year. Dick Williams, TFT board member, says, "The State should be using that $45 million to help lower the food tax or
provide pre-K education for our young children instead of giving a tax break to rich families..."
Click here for full release.
Tennessean prints editorial series on food tax [1.21.09]
WRCB Ch. 3 in Chattanooga airs story on food tax [1.12.09]
TFT Board member Ron Naylor was featured in a news story that aired on Channel 3 in Chattanooga. The story highlighed the
revenue lost over the state line by Tennesseans shopping in Georgia to avoid the high sales tax.
View streaming video.
Knoxville News-Sentinel runs op ed from TFT Board member [1.11.09]
The News-Sentinel ran a guest editorial in the Sunday paper from Phil Schoggen entitled, "Close tax loopholes,
use public investment to jolt economy." It makes the case that public
investments, funded through our tax system, are an effective way to stimulate the economy while achieving goals that are
important to us as a community.
Read
full editorial.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal published an editorial in support of a fair and responsible
food tax reduction... "The political risk involved with mucking around in the corporate tax structure is
significant, but the General Assembly also owes Tennesseans a fair and reasonable system of taxation."
Click here to read full editorial.
Newschannel 5 in Nashville runs food tax story [1.6.09]
Newschannel 5 in Nashville ran a follow-up story to yesterday's Tennessean piece. The Newschannel 5 story features an interview
with TFT Board member and local chapter chair, Jean Harrington, who points out the need to find replacement revenue for any food
tax cut.
Click here for streaming video.
Food tax story in Tennessean features TFT [1.5.09]
The Tennessean ran a story today, quoting Rep. Hardaway and TFT Board member Ron Naylor, about the unfair impact the food tax has
on low- and moderate-income families. The story also notes TFT's support for closing corporate tax
loopholes as a way to pay for the food tax reduction.
Click here for story.
Radio story challenges proposed income tax ban [12.19.08]
TFT Board member Brian Paddock appeared on a radio story that aired on radio stations across Tennessee. Brian pointed out that the proposed income tax ban would
chain Tennessee to the old way of doing things... while making the case for tax modernization. Click here to listen to the audio.
New YouTube video points out flaws of food tax [12.18.08]
While most Tennesseans are already aware that the food tax disproportionatly hits middle- and lower-income families, this new video goes further by pointing
out how the high food tax drives shoppers across state lines, costing Tennessee much-needed revenue as the state faces a $1 billion shortfall. Click here to see the new video.
Guest column from TFT Board member appears in Tennessean [12.15.08]
Corporate tax loopholes topic of Tennessean story [11.25.08]
On November 25, the Tennessean ran a story related to closing corporate tax loopholes. While the story related to the FONCE loophole, it's
helping to open the door to discussing other loopholes such as Delaware Holding Companies and Captive REITs.
Click here for more.
All new & increased contributions get doubled! [Notice]
Thanks to a new challenge grant from the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, all new and increased contributions are now matched, dollar-for-dollar. Click here to make your donation today.
Knoxville House Party a Success [11.20.08]
On Nov. 20, supporters from across East Knoxville gathered at the home of Mary Thom Adams and George Reynolds for a reception and fundraiser. The event was a great success. Special thanks to all who came!
TFT Welcomes Two New Staff [11.15.08]
In October and November, two new regional organizers have joined the TFT staff, Ebony Williamson in West Tennessee and Samantha Wallace in
East Tennessee. Click here for staff bios.
Budget shortfall may hit $800M [11.11.08]
The budget shortfall facing state legislators when they return in early 2009 may be as high as $800 million. While the Governor is proposing more cuts, TFT will work to point out the underlying revenue problem. Click here for full Tennessean story.
August 2008 Newsletter Available [8.15.08]
Click here to download the latest copy of TFT's semi-annual newsletter, "Tax Fairness News," with a celebration of our successes in 2008, an analysis of the current budget shortfalls and the need for real tax reform, and much more.
TFT launches Food & Biz Tax Fairness Act [3.5.08]
After extensive feedback from coalition members,
hundreds of individual supporters, local chapters
across the state, and the Board, TFT has decided to
focus our 2008 legislative efforts on our new Food
and Business Tax Fairness Campaign. Click
here to learn more.
Food tax victory! [1.1.08]
On January 1, 2008, the food tax reduction TFT helped to pass in 2007 took effect. This win, plus the earlier victory in preventing the 2002 sales tax increase from being applied to food, saves every Tennessee family enough to buy five-and-a-half-days worth of groceries each year. Click here for more.
Important June 12, 2007 Update
We did it! First-ever cut in state food tax passes!!!
That's right... We did it! The first-ever reduction of the
state's high food tax has now passed both houses and it headed
to the Governor's desk for his signature. As part of the budget
bill that passed both chambers, the sales tax on food will
be cut from 6 to 5.5%. While this is far less than TFT had
asked for, it is a very positive first step that we can build
as we move forward.
The local government add-on of up to 2.75% is not affected.
On average, locals add 2.35% to the state rate, bringing the
average state and local food tax to 8.35% under current law.
This is the highest average state and local rate in the nation.
Beginning January 1, 2008, this average rate will drop to
7.85% as the new state rate takes effect, moving Tennessee
to the third highest food tax, below Oklahoma and Alabama.
Our food tax will still be among the highest in the nation,
but this is nonetheless a very positive step in the right
direction and we applaud the legislators who helped make this
possible. Clearly, much work remains to be done in the coming
years to build on this victory.
Until 2002, grocery food was taxed at the same rate as non-food
items. Legislators excluded groceries from the 2002 sales
tax increase. This meant that for the first time, groceries
were taxed at a lower rate than non-food items (6% for groceries
vs. 7% for non-food items). The scheduled reduction in the
food tax to 5.5% will be the first time the food tax has ever
actually been reduced, a welcome change.
While the 42-cent cigarette tax increase was technically
dedicated to education, no matter how they shuffle the money
on paper, the end result is $40 million of the $220 million
cigarette tax increase was used to cut the state's high food
tax. That's what we wanted... a fiscally-sound cut in the
state food tax paid for with an increase in the cigarette
tax so important public structures like education, health
care, and environmental protection would not be hurt.
Thanks to all the members and supporters who helped along the way. And a special thanks to the following organization that had all signed on in support of this successful campaign.
League of Women Voters / Tennessee
MANNA
Save Our Cumberland Mountains
Cumberland Countians for Peace & Justice
Network for Environmental & Economic Responsibility, United Church of Christ
AARP / Tennessee
Tennessee Society for Respiratory Care
National Association of Social Workers, Tenn. Chapter
Tennesseans for Fair Taxation | Copyright 2008 | All rights reserved
Knoxville:
865.687.9600 | Nashville:
615.289.1397 | Memphis: 901.647.8884
Statewide Tollfree Number (access to all offices): 888.671.5188
