The Tennessee Education Association sent out an alert recently that deserves everyone’s attention.

On Tuesday, April 11th, SJR 629, modeled on TABOR, the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights, prevents state revenue collected in excess of a constitutional cap from being used to invest in public services without two-thirds support in the legislature for doing so, was passed out of the State Senate Judiciary Committee and is now on its way to the Senate Finance Committee where it could be heard as soon as Tuesday, April 18.

About SJR 629
SJR 629 is a proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by Sen. Jim Bryson (R, Franklin) that will constitutionally cap public investments in education, health care, and other programs at their current level. By writing the limit into the constitution, it essentially uses the anti-tax sentiments of one generation to make decisions for generations that have not yet been born.

Since Tennessee is already at the bottom of most national rankings from education to home care for seniors, such an irresponsible cap will virtually assure Tennessee remains at the bottom for generations to come.

The bill is largely inspired by the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights, or TABOR, that was enacted in Colorado in 1991. The bill there had such consequences over the years on health care, education, and other public servictes that voters rejected TABOR and voted last November to suspend key provisions of the amendment.

Contact the Senate Finance Committee prior to Tuesday morning, April 18. The message should be that SJR 629 would place a “straightjacket” on the funding of essential state services, including public education. It would tie the hands of future legislatures in attempting to address the changing needs of state government. Contact information for members of the Senate Finance Committee is listed below.

* Douglas Henry (D-21, Nashville), Chair -
615-741-3291 or douglas.henry@legislature.state.tn.us
* Randy McNally (R-5, Oak Ridge) Vice-Chair -
615-741-6806 or randy.mcnally@legislature.state.tn.us
* Doug Jackson (D-25, Dickson), Secretary -
641-741-4499 or doug.jackson@legislature.state.tn.us
* Tim Burchett (R-7, Knoxville) -
615-741-1766 or tim.burchett@legislature.state.tn.us
* Ward Crutchfield (D-10, Chattanooga) -
615-741-6682 or ward.crutchfield@legislature.state.tn.us
* Joe Haynes (D-20, Nashville) -
615-741-6679 or joe.haynes@legislature.state.tn.us
* Rosalind Kurita (D-22, Clarksville) -
615-741-2374 or rosalind.kurita@legislature.state.tn.us
* Jim Kyle (D-28, Memphis) -
615-741-4167 or jim.kyle@legislature.state.tn.us
* Jeff Miller (R-9, Cleveland) -
615-741-3794 or jeff.miller@legislature.state.tn.us
* Ron Ramsey (R-2, Blountville) -
615-741-4524 or ron.ramsey@legislature.state.tn.us
* Mike Williams (R-4, Maynardsville) -
615-741-2061 or mike.williams@legislature.state.tn.us

(Hat tip: Mr. Barry @ PITW)

This post was written by Mary Mancini