Taxpayers Voluntarily Forked Over $4.8 Million in Online Sales Taxes [10.21.11]
Tennessee Report has the story about the little known Use Tax in Tennessee.
Click here to read.
Tennessee's Amazon.com Deal is No Tax Hike, Gov. Haslam Says [10.12.11]
Chattanooga Times Free Press's Andy Sher
has the story here.
Amazon to Collect Tenn. Sales Tax, add 2,000 Jobs [10.6.11]
WSMV Channel 4 news
has the story here.
Amazon Agrees to Collect Sales Tax, More Expansion Coming in Tennessee [10.6.11]
Chattanooga Times Free Press examines the latest about this victory.
Click here to read.
Occupy Nashville Rallies to Mirror Wall Street Protests [10.6.11]
TFT's own Megan Riggs is interviwed about the protest.
Click here to watch or read from Nashville's Channel 4 WSMV.
TFT Sees Tipping Point in Battle Over Income Tax Amendment [10.4.11]
Read about TFT's annual meeting and the issues
here in the Tennessee Report.
Amazon-Style Tax INcentives Drain State Resources [9.28.11]
To read the full story in the Tennessee Report click here.
Tennessee Has Highest Average Sales Tax [9.28.11]
Reporter , Andy Sher from Chattanooga Times Free Press tells the story.
TFT: Amazon-Style Tax Incentives Drain State Resources [9.27.11]
The Tennessee Report
has the story here.
Tax Fraud in Soddy Daisy [9.16.11]
Private Contractors Are Double the Cost of Federal Workers [9.13.11]
Durbin Pushing for 'National Standard' on Internet Sales Tax Collections [9.12.11]
TFT: High TN Food Tax May Contribute to Hunger [9.12.11]
Tennessee's State Agencies Told to Prepare for 5 Percent Cuts [9.2.11]
The Knoxville News Sentinel
has the story here.
Letters: Time for State Income Tax [8.29.11]
Knoxville News Sentinel Has the Letter. Comment today!
Click here to read.
Letters: More to Taxes than Income Levy [8.24.11]
Click here to read the letter in the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Haslam Wants Amazon to Collect Sales Tax [8.11.11]
Read the story here in the Nashville Tennessean.
Amazon Gathering Anti-Tax-Law Signatures Outside Retail Stores [8.6.11]
Read the story here in full at the Los Angeles Times.
State, Amazon Discuss Internet Retailer Collecting Sales Taxes [8.1.11]
Read the story here in Nashville's City Paper.
Federal Cuts Could Hit Tennessee Hard [7.31.11]
Andy Sher has the story in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Click here to read.
Local Lawmakers Chilly to Amazon Tax Delay [7.25.11]
Chattanooga Times Free Press
has the story here.
Companies Spend Big Bucks to Lobby Legislators in Nashville [7.23.11]
Read the rest of the article in the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Analysis: Gov. Haslam's Stalled Transparency Push [7.5.11]
The Jackson Sun has the scoop.
Click here to read.
Attorney General: State Can Force Amazon on Taxes [6.29.11]
Chattanooga Times Free Press discusses the latest.
Click here for the story.
Collegedale Balks At Tax Increases: City Library In Jeopardy [6.20.11]
Fulfilling Amazon.com: a Sales Tax Exemption [6.5.11]
Consumers Need Direct Economic Stake In Health Care: Haslam [6.1.11]
TN Report:
'A coalition of health care advocates who had opposed the cuts included the Tennessee Health Care Campaign, the Tennessee Justice Center, Tennessee Disability Coalition, National Alliance on Mental Illness-Tennessee, Tennesseans for Fair Taxation and Tennessee Citizen Action.'
Click here to read the report.
TFT Lauds Study Attacking 'Regressive State Tax Structures' [5.25.11]
Tennessee Report has the story.
Click here to read.
No Budget Cliffhangers [5.18.11]
Amazon Tax Deal "NOT FAIR" [5.17.11]
Representative Watson Takes Stand Against Amazon Taxing [5.14.11]
Knoxville's Daily Sun discusses Rep. Eric Watson's (R-Cleveland) stand against Amazon.
Check out the story here.
Editorial: Amazon Should Collect Sales Taxes Like ALL Tennessee Retailers [5.12.11]
Click here to read the editorial in the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Swiftly Formed Coalition Doomed Amazon's S.C. Tax Break [5.4.11]
Knoxville News Sentinel has the story.
Click here.
Two State Lawmakers to Push for Collection of Amazon Sales Tax [5.4.11]
Haslam Budget Snips Safety Net [4.28.11]
Nashville Tennessean reports how Haslam's plan is bad for social safety nets in Tennessee.
Click here for the full story.
UT Students Protest Cuts [4.27.11]
Dear Governor, Make Amazon Pay Sales Taxes: an open letter to the governor [4.21.11]
Click here to sign the open letter to Gov. Haslam.
Haslam Accepts Bredesen's Logic on Amazon Deal [4.20.11]
Study Estimates That Illegal Immigrants Paid $11.2B in Taxes Last Year, Unlike GE, Which Paid Zero [4.20.11]
Click here to read this NYDailyNews article.
71 Positions to be Cut as Tennessee Shifts Economic Development Focus [4.20.11]
Chattanooga Times Free Press
has the story here.
10 Companies Who Paid NO Taxes [4.15.11]
MoveOn.Org makes an interesting point.
Click here for more.
Tennessee is No Model for Missouri: [4.13.11]
Repeal of income tax would hurt economy. Read the full story in the
Columbia Daily Tribune.
Cuts to Services Can Kill [4.12.11]
Knoxville News Sentinel points out a story of man's death due in part to cuts to TennCare.
Click here for the full story.
Exempting Amazon from Tennessee Sales Taxes Strikes Competitors as Just Plain Wrong [3.27.11]
Toby Sells from the Memphis Commercial Appeal looks at the proposed tax break for Amazon and the real cost to Tennessee businesses.
Click here to read the story.
Resolution Creates Roadblock for Future Lawmakers [3.21.11]
The Nashville Tennessean explains how a resolution to ban an income tax is short-sighted at best.
Click here to read the article.
Roger Harris: Tax Break Issue About Fairness [3.20.11]
Knoxville News Sentinel talks about Amazon's unfair tax advantage over Tennessee businesses.
Click here to read the story.
Schoggen: State Following Wrong Path on Revenue Collection [3.20.11]
Chattanooga Times Free Press highlights why banning and income tax in Tennessee is a bad idea. Click here to read the full story.
Report: Recession Makes State Revenue Estimates a Guessing Game [3.15.11]
Public News Service talks with UT's Bill Fox about TN's economic plans.
Click here to hear the story.
Poll: Should Amazon Be Required to Collect Sales Tax in Tennessee? [2.28.11]
Click here to take the poll in Chattanooga's Times Free Press.
SC Not Eager to Give Amazon Promised Tax Break [2.28.11]
South Carolina's Newspaper, The State talks Amazon and tax cuts.
Click here for the story.
Are Amazon's Days of Tax Free Selling Numbered? [2.27.11]
Janet Novack from Forbes Magazine tackles this tricky question.
Click here to read story.
Critics Cry Foul on Amazon Tax Advantage [2.26.11]
Chattanooga Times Free Press clearly explains how Amazon is trying to bully Tennessee.
Click here to read the story.
Problems With Amazon Deal? [2.24.11]
FitsNews from South Carolina sees Amazon eyeing their tax dollars too.
Click here to read.
Amazon's Unfair Tax Advantage: Will Gov. Haslam Use State Power to Give One Retailer Advantage Over Another? [2.23.11]
Frank Cagle of Knoxville's Metro Pulse asks the important questions.
Click here to read more.
TN State Officials' Investments Raise Red Flags [2.21.11]
Nashville's Tennessean discusses potential investments that raise questions of conflicts for Governor Haslam.
Click here for the full story.
Changing Notice Laws Only Benefits Insiders
Knoxville News Sentinel's Jack McElroy notices that Tennessee law makers who want to take important public notices out of papers all together aren't thinking of about going green at all.
Click here to read the story.
Amazon Seeks Sales-tax Exemptions [2.5.11]
The New Observer in Seattle, WA, wants to know, what's so special about Amazon?
Click here for the story.
TN No Longer an Openness Leader on Financial Disclosures [1.30.11]
Tennessee Report investigates Gov. Haslam's executive order relaxing income disclosure rules.
Click here for full report.
Tennessee lawmakers pursue cut in Hall investment tax [1.21.11]
Click here to read the full story in the Tennessean.
Close tax loopholes, and state budget will rebound [12.19.10]
Great Op-ed written by Phil Schoggen in Nashville's Tennessean.
Click here to read it.
Revenue is increasing, but more is needed [11.16.10]
Click here to read the full editorial in the Knoxville News Sentinel.
TFT concerned governor candidates aren't addressing real solutions [10.11.10]
TFT's Complaint: No debate talk of 'fundamental flaw' in TN taxes.
Click here to read.
Next governor must protect the state's resources [10.5.10]
TFT board member, Kris Murphy talks about what TN's next governor must be careful of in Nashville's Tennessean .
Click here for the full story.
Tennessee Report on TFT [10.4.10]
Tennessee Report reports on TFT. Interviews, videos and more! Click here to see report.
Wealth Inequality in America [9.30.10]
A fascinating examination of this topic.
Click here.
New Push for the Dreaded State Income Tax Disclosed [09.30.10]
Humphrey on the Hill talks TFT.
Click here to read his blog post.
Gov. Candidates Back Away From Income Tax [9.19.10]
An income tax for Tennessee is an easy punching bag. Both Gov. candidates take the easy road.
Read full story here.
Group Says Enacting State Income Tax Would Reduce TN Sales Tax [8.23.10]
Tennessee Report:
Click here to read the full story.
Tennessee Needs A Permanent Fix To Flawed Tax System - Tax Free Weekend is Small Potatoes. [8.6.10]
Editorial by Jennifer Tlumak highlights the real issues about Tennessee's tax system.
Read it here in the Nashville Tennessean
More Needed Than A Tax Holiday [8.3.10]
Chattanooga Times Freee Press Opinion. Smart article.
Read it here.
States Buy Into Sales Tax Holidays; Economists Don't [8.2.10]
Read the
full story here from the Nashville Tennessean.
The Web and Sales Tax[8.2.10]
Read all about this great debate in Chattanooga's Times Free Press
here.
Tennessee's Economy Still Stuck in Ditch [7.30.10]
Read the full story in the Tennessean
here.
Economist: Lower Taxes on Groceries by Closing Tax Loopholes [7.20.10]
Click here for the whole story.
Click here to learn about closing loopholes.
Tennessee Rated Low For Quality of Life [7.18.10]
According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Chattanooga is a great place to live, but the rest of Tennessee has serious issues.
Read it here.
Business More Important Than Education? [7.6.10]
State budgets slashed; businesses remain unscathed.
Full story here.
Income Tax Ban Fails, Leaving Options For Tennessee [6.8.10]
Read or listen to the
full story here.
Tax Reform Test in Maine [6.5.10]
"Maine is about to answer the question of whether a state can overhaul its income and sales tax structure to better withstand the ups and downs of the economy."
Full story here.
"Raise My Taxes, Please!" says a wealthy American [5.21.10]
Eric Shoenberg says that as a wealthy American he doesn't pay enough in taxes. He further discusses that by paying more taxes he and all Americans would benefit by paying down the national debt and providing greater services.
Click here to read the full story in Forbes magazine.
Everyone Should Pay the Taxes They Owe [5.19.10]
Read this opinion about the Use tax and how Tennessee is losing $300 million a year in revenue to out-of-state businesses.
Use Tax Report [5.18.10]
Few people know about the use tax and that it serves to level the playing field for Tennessee businesses.
Click here to watch the report.
Business Must Do Part to See That Tax is Paid [5.6.10]
TFT Board Chair, John Stewart, writes a compelling op-ed about
The Internet Parity Act, SB1741/HB1947.
Click here for full story.
Amazon and Sales Tax [5.6.10]
An Editorial in the New York Times discusses Amazon's tax avoidance isses. This is an ongoing fight in the courts in New York, an issue for Colorado and Tennessee hopes to make the change as well with
our Internet Parity Act, SB1741/HB1947.
Click here for article.
NPR Documentary: Taxing the Poor [5.4.10]
TN Tax Structure is Leaving Money on the Table [4.13.10]
New report says that not having a state income tax keeps Tennesseans poor.Cick
the link to listen to or read the full story.
TFT announces new bills [2.8.10]
Nashville Public Radio talks about Tennessee's budget crises and how TFT aims to help.
Read full story here.
John Stewart speaks his mind [2.6.10]
Guest editorial in Nashville Tennessean: Bredesen takes wrong approach in economic crisis says TFT state chair John Stewart.
Read full article here.
Tennessee must fixed flawed tax system, article says [1.28.10]
Adequate funding is needed "[f]or Tennessee to be a first-class place to live and do business, we must ensure our current and future work force is educated, our bridges and roads are safe, our rivers and parks are clean, our communities are protected, and our fellow Tennesseans have access to affordable housing and health care.
Click here to read full article
Is it "Revenue Enhancement Time" in TN? [1.13.10]
Gov. Brededesen plans to cut, cut, cut and has no plans for generating revenue. TFT believes tat there are options on the table that Bredesen should review before creating draconian and harmful cuts.
Click here for more details.
Revenue Commissioner Farr denies data being withheld. [12.8.09]
TFT seeking answers; looking to determine how much money is lost to corporate loopholes. Farr not providing answers.
Click here to read the full article.
Revenue Chief Mad At Group Accusing His Office On Dragging It’s Feet [12.3.09]
Nashville blogjam discusses TFT's data request of Revenue Commissioner Farr.
Click here to read full story.
Tennesseans for Fair Taxation takes aim at tax shelters [12.2.09]
As printed in Nashville's Tennessean newspaper, "The advocacy group Tennesseans for Fair Taxation has sent an extensive public records request to the state Department of Revenue seeking information about a law that allows companies to shift profits to tax-haven states like Delaware and Nevada."
Click here for full article.
Closing Corporate Loopholes [12.2.09]
Tax method stirs legislative debate
Multi-state firms file separate returns in Tenn.
Click here for full story.
Tax-reform group (TFT) seeks state records [12.2.09]
Chattanooga Times Free Press discusses TFT's data request.
Click here for full article.
Tax reform group says Tennessee misses revenue source [12.1.09]
Leaders of a tax-reform group (TFT) today accused the Tennessee Department of Revenue of repeatedly ignoring requests for information about how much money the state loses each year from a corporate tax loophole they contend benefits large, multistate businesses.
Click here to read article.
Tax Reform Group Spars With Farr Over Tax Data Request [12.1.09]
Leaders of Tennesseans for Fair Taxation accused the state Department of Revenue Tuesday of stonewalling requests for information about "a corporate tax loophole that benefits large corporations."
Click here for full story.
The Inevitable TN Tax Increase & Available Options [11.26.09]
Even as gubernatorial candidates are daily denouncing the idea of raising taxes if elected, The Tennessee Journal's Ed Cromer has written an analysis explaining that the next governor will really have no choice but to raise some new revenue.
Read the full story here.
Income tax falls further off radar [11.22.09]
State officials have talked about letting felons out of prison and capping benefits for TennCare recipients. They've brought up the possibility of cutting highway patrols in 13 counties and raising fees for a driver's license for the first time in more than two decades.
Click here for full story.
Johnson: Short-term budget salve can worsen long-term pain [11.20.09]
It's been an excruciating week in Nashville. It's budget time. And like millions of families at millions of kitchen tables across America, Gov. Phil Bredesen has been sitting down with state department heads and staring into the cold, dark, deep reality that outgo exceeds income, so some stuff has got to go. It's bad in Nashville.
Click here for article.
Why Doesn't Tennessee's Unfair Tax System Ever Come Up in State Budget Hearings? [11.20.09]
Families earning less than $17,000 a year are paying 12 percent of it in state and local taxes, compared with a paltry 3 percent paid by families earning $400,000 or more. Maybe if we fixed that inequity, we could afford to pay for basic state government services.
Click here for full article.
A terrible decision [11.20.09]
Tennessee lawmakers who controlled the debate over state tax reform in 2002 can proudly point to Tennessee's No. 3 ranking on the list of states with the lowest state and local taxes....What these politicians are less likely to mention is the state's appearance among the "Terrible Ten" most regressive tax systems in the country.
Click here for full article.
Opinion: Report reminds us hunger a serious matter [11.19.09]
on Monday, after a government report was released saying the number of U.S. households struggling to feed their members jumped by 4 million to 17 million last year fueled by recession-driven job losses and increased poverty.
Click here for full article.
Chattanooga Times Free Press says Liberal group raps state tax regressivity [11.19.09]
The Tennessee and Alabama tax systems are among the nation's worst when it comes to favoring the rich over the poor and middle class, according to a study by a Washington-based research organization.
Click here for full story.
Commercial Appeal notes report on Tennessee's regressive tax system [11.18.09]
The Tennessee tax system is the fourth most regressive among the states, with lower-income families paying a higher portion of their income in state and local taxes than do more affluent households, according to a national study released Wednesday.
Click here for full article
State must slice, not slash, with eye on jobs, services [11.13.09]
Tennessee's budget troubles emerged last year with a big drop in tax collections, have persisted through 2009 and look to linger into 2010.
Click here to read full story
The Tax Foundation finds Tennessee has highest sales tax rate in the U.S. [10.17.09]
Chattanooga Times Free Press reports on Tennessee having the highest sales tax rate in the country.
Click here to read the full story.
The great tax debate continues [10.12.09]
Tri-Cities News tries to tackle the great tax debate. Opponents to tax modernization say cut spending and cut taxes. Proponents say make taxes fair and equitable.
Read the full story here.
Sen. Alexander admits his taxation estimates where incorrect, thanks to TFT [10.8.09]
Sen. Alexander says his tax estimates where out of whack, yet still concedes Healthcare reform bad for Tenn.
Read the full story here.
Doug Horne receives "Truth Teller" award at 2009 TFT Annual Meeting [10.5.09]
The Knoxville News Sentinel says "Knoxville businessman Doug Horne, who is working for a revision in the state's tax structure, is the recipient of the "Tennessee Truth-Teller Award" presented by Tennesseans for Fair Taxation."
Click here for the whole story.
Knoxville News Sentinel Editorial says now is time to examine Tennessee's tax structure [9.9.09]
In a Knoxville News Sentinel editorial today, entitled: Will recession spur look at tax reform? The paper writes that "Certainly it is time to look at the overall tax structure to see, first, if the citizens of the state are being taxed as fairly as possible and, secondly, to fund those programs the state needs to fund."
Click here to read the full editorial.
Call for Tax reform renewed says Knoxville paper [8.29.09]
An article by the Knoxville News Sentinel, highlights the need for tax reform in Tennessee. "Tennessee is one of the most unfair tax states in the country because poor people pay about 12 percent of their income in taxes, while residents with the highest earnings pay 4 percent of their income in taxes."
To read the full story click here.
Taxes take historic dive [8.12.09]
Bill Fox, a state economist and director of the University of Tennessee Center for Economic Research, said it will likely be 2011 before Tennessee sees any growth in sales tax revenue.
To read the full story click here.
Bredesen tells state agencies to slash another $56 million [8.5.09]
As Tennessee's revenue stream continues to plummet, Bredesen puts another Band-Aid on a broken bone.
Read the full story here.
Tax holiday OK, but reform needed: says Chatt paper [7.28.09]
In a Chattanooga Times Free Press editorial today, entitled: Tax holiday OK, but reform needed, the paper writes, "Meaningful tax reform, anathema to the Legislature, would ease that burden. It would bring relief to those struggling to make ends meet 52 weeks a year rather than on the one weekend a year provided by the sales tax holiday."
Click here for more.
It's hard to be a kid in Tennessee: says foundation report [7.28.09]
Annual Kids Count report released Tuesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Among other frightful statistics Tennessee's infant mortality rate ranked 47th worst in nation.
Click here for full article.
Taxes and the Wisdom of Our Forebears [7.17.09]
TFT's former Executive Director, Brian Miller pens a thought-provoking editorial that calls on elected officials across the country to consider the wisdom of our forebears when choosing the most fair and just tax systems for their respective states.
Click here for full op-ed.
Legislative Wrap-up; More Cuts to Come [6.21.09]
Legislators wraped-up the year promising more cuts to come for 2010. "Last week, lawmakers passed a $29.6 billion plan that shrinks state spending by about 10 percent. It also calls for eliminating 1,400 jobs, including 717 through layoffs."
Read the full Tennessean story here.
A Victory: FONCE Loophole Closed [6.7.09]
TFT is pleased to announce that the FONCE bill passed with the support of TFT and the leadership of Gov. Bredesen. This bill, as you may know, will close large tax loopholes for wealthy landowners and raise an estimated $22 million for the state. For more information on
FONCE please click here. For more information on
closing other tax loopholes click here.
Budget Cuts Hit Mental Health, Special Needs Programs [5.28.09]
The state is poised to eliminate 1,400 jobs under the proposed cuts. The bulk of the proposed cuts will come from the Departments of Mental Health and Retardation, including programs to assist families of children with learning disabilities.
Click here for the full Tennessean story.
Great editorial in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press [5.13.09]
"Tennesseans could be forgiven for thinking their state lawmakers are mainly interested in providing us comic relief and theater of the absurd while Rome burns. Unfortunately, that’s a pretty accurate assessment," writes the Times-Free Press in an editorial about the misplaced priorities at the General Assembly, where bills allowing guns in bars and banning sagging pants are being debated as the state budget crumbles before our eyes.
Click here for the full editorial.
Growing Shortfall Points to Need for Tax Modernization [5.7.09]
On May 7, in conjunction with release of a revised budget projection from the Funding Board, TFT issued a news release pointing to the structural problems helping to fuel the budget shortfall - a tax system that is dependent on the outdated sales tax.
Click here to real the full release.
April 2009 Newsletter Available for Download [4.23.09]
TFT's twice annual newsletter just went to the printer today and should be arriving in mailboxes across Tennessee by early May. This issue features stories about our 2009 legislative agenda, why tax modernization is essential to the long-term health of our state, new organizing in West Tennessee, and much, much more.
Click here to join our mailing list and receive this and other publications.
Click here to download an electronic copy of the newsletter today.
New handouts summarize legislative agenda [4.9.09]
A new handout is available from TFT that summarize the 2009 legislative agenda, including various bills that will close loopholes and end unjustified exemptions.
Click here to download this new handout.
TFT has also produced a handout summarizing the new Tax Modernization and Economic Stimulus Act that offers a long-term solution to Tennessee's challenges.
Click here to download the modernization handout.
State parks falling into disrepair [4.8.09]
Chronic under-funding of public structures are being felt in every area, including parks and recreation. Today's Tennessean ran a story, "Tennessee can't keep up with park repairs," that documents some of the consequences.
Click here for Tennessean story and click here for the
Tennessee Infrastructure Report Card from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
Big Victory! Anti-Income Tax Amendment Defeated [4.2.09]
TFT extends a big thanks to all who made calls and sent emails to state legislators in opposition to the constitutional amendment to ban a state income tax! We did it! The amendment was effectively killed yesterday after it was put "behind the budget." Read the
WSMV report and the
Knoxville News Sentinel story for more information... Then reach around and pat yourself on the back!
Myth-busters inject a “dose of reality” into Legislative Plaza [3.23.09]
As the Governor prepares to present his proposed budget Monday evening, "myth-busters" from TFT, wearing wearing white coveralls and wielding mock insect sprayers, are visiting legislative offices Monday afternoon to inject some reality and humor into the conversations about budgets and revenues.
Click here for press release.
Part-time Job Opening in TFT's Jackson Office [3.19.09]
TFT is seeking a part-time community organizer to work in our Jackson Office.
Click here for more information.
Member Letters printed in Chattanooga Times-Free Press [3.19.09]
Several letters to the editor in support of tax modernization, including a state income tax coupled with repeal of the food tax and reduction of the sales tax, were printed in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press. A number of those letters came from TFT members... Thanks!
Click here to view the letters.
Ch. 5 in Nashville does story on food tax bill [3.18.09]
Channel 5 in Nashville aired a brief report on the bill by Rep. Hardaway to reduce the food tax in Tennessee. They note that Rep. Hardaway is also sponsoring the Tax Modernization bill that will fully repeal the food tax, lower the sales tax, and enact a progressive state income tax - A plan fully supported by TFT.
Click here for Ch. 5 story.
Nashville Free Press picks up story about 5 plans supported by TFT [3.12.09]
The Nashville Free Press picks up the story about the various revenue-generating proposals TFT is supporting in the face of damaging budget cuts, including closing corporate tax loopholes with combined reporting, closing the FONCE loophole, ending the tax advantage enjoyed by out-of-state merchants, ending unjustified sales tax exemptions, and full-fledged tax modernization.
Click here for full story.
Nashville is Talking talks tax modernization [3.11.09]
Picking up on the blog postings from Pith in the Wind, Nashville is Talking starts an on-line discussion about the need for tax modernization, including a state income tax as part of a broader package.
Click here for more.
TFT responds to Gov. Bredesen's "reprieve" for higher education cuts
[3.10.09]
TFT issues a press release in response to Gov. Bredesen's remarks about higher education being saved from proposed cuts by the federal stimulus package. TFT calls for using this 2-year reprieve to get our own fiscal house in order with tax modernization so higher ed (and other programs) can be saved from unnecessary cuts when the stimulus runs out.
Click here for full release.
Radio story airs statewide about TFT's 2009 legislative agenda
[3.9.09]
Quoting TFT's Board Chair, John Stewart, a radio story aired on stations across the state about the need for additional revenue, and the various proposals supported by TFT to do so.
Click here to listen to audio.
TFT unveils 2009 legislative agenda with statewide news release [3.2.09]
In a statewide news release, TFT announced its support for five different pieces of legislation in the 2009 session, including closing corporate tax loopholes with combined reporting, supporting closure of the FONCE loophole, ending the unfair tax advantage enjoyed by out-of-state retailers, closing unjustified sales tax exemptions, as well as full-fledged tax modernization.
Click here for full release.
Tax Modernization Bill Filed, Ch. 4 Interviews TFT Regarding Proposal [2.27.09]
The Tax Modernization & Economic Stimulus Act was filed this week, gaining media attention immediately. The new bill would modernize our tax system by eliminating the food tax, reducing the sales tax by 3%, and enacting a progressive state income tax. While it is an uphill battle, TFT spokesperson Jean Harrington notes, we have to start the dialogue now.
Click here for Channel 4 news story.
Federal stimulus won't solve problem [2.23.09]
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 explicitly
supporting a state income tax and the federal stimulus package for states.
Click here for full story.
TFT announces 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.
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 highlighted 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.
Commercial Appeal editorial supporting food tax cut [1.8.09]
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.
News channel 5 in Nashville runs food tax story [1.6.09]
News channel 5 in Nashville ran a follow-up story to yesterday's Tennessean piece. The News channel 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 disproportionately 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.
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.
