Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
A resolution to amend the Tennessee constitution and prohibit the General Assembly from permitting a statewide property tax in the state passed on the Senate floor by a 26-5 vote on Wednesday.
Senate Joint Resolution 1 (SJR0001), sponsored by Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin-District 18), is “a resolution to propose an amendment to Article II, Section 28 to prohibit the general assembly from levying, authorizing, or otherwise permitting a state tax on property.”
“There’s a general sentiment in Tennessee, that once you purchase something, it should be taxed as little as possible,” Sen. Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun-District 1) said during Senate proceedings. “I wanna remind the body that this is a constitutional amendment. Ultimately what we have decided, is to allow the people to speak for themselves. We’ve done this before with an income tax question, and we asked the people, do you want to be taxed on your income? They said no in Tennessee. We’re asking them this question when it comes to property taxes.”
Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31) also spoke in support of the resolution.
“To me, and I believe my constituents, the property tax is the most egregious tax there is because you never own your property. You’re only paying rent to the government,” said Sen. Taylor, “and if you don’t think you’re just paying rent to the government, try not paying your property taxes.”
Republican Senators Bailey, Bowling, Briggs, Crowe, Gardenhire, Haile, Harshbarger, Hatcher, Jackson, Johnson, Lowe, Massey, Pody, Powers, Reeves, Roberts, Rose, Seal, Southerland, Stevens, Taylor, Walley, Watson, White, Yager, and Lt. Gov. McNally voted in favor of SJR0001.
Democrat Senators Campbell, Kyle, Lamar, Oliver, and Yarbro voted against it.
Democrat Senator Raumesh Akbari marked herself as “present and not voting.”
The corresponding House Joint Resolution 2 (HJR0002), sponsored by Rep. Tandy Darby (R- Greenfield-District 76), also moved forward in the legislative process on Wednesday, receiving a 20-0 vote in the House State and Local Government Committee.
Republican Representatives voting in favor of the resolution were Bricken, Burkhart, Butler, Carringer, Crawford, Howell, Leatherwood, Littleton, Martin G, McCalmon, Moon, Powers, Rudd, Rudder, Warner, and Wright. — 20.
Democrats Chism, Dixie, Miller, and Mitchell joined their colleagues in voting for HJR0002.
Only Democrat Representative Gabby Salinas marked herself as “present and not voting.”
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. Adelia is The Tennessee Conservative’s on-site reporter for the Tennessee General Assembly. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Good!