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By Bailey Ludlam
NASHVILLE, Tennessee: Tennessee is one of about three states proposing a ballot measure to ban personal income taxes. Following a vote last week, the proposal is now half way to the 2014 ballot.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Brian Kelsey, proposes an amendment that would explicitly prohibit the Tennessee General Assembly from levying, authorizing or permitting any state or local tax on personal income.[1][2]
On January 19 the Tennessee General Assembly closed the first step in referring the measure to the ballot for a public vote. The Tennessee House of Representatives voted 73-17.[3] Earlier, the Tennessee State Senate approved the measure with a 28-5 vote.[4]
In order to qualify the measure for the statewide ballot, the Tennessee General Assembly must approve a proposed amendment in two successive sessions. In the second such session, the proposed amendment must earn 2/3rds approval, however, in the first session, it only needs majority approval.
Similar proposals are currently pending in the states of Missouri and New Hampshire. However, both efforts, if successful, would place measures on the 2012 statewide ballots.
- ↑ WPLN,"Amendment To Ban State Income Tax Begins Its Legislative Trek," March 18, 2010
- ↑ Tennessee General Assembly,"SJR 221 summary," retrieved January 24, 2012
- ↑ Tennessean,"TN House approves anti-income tax amendment," January 19, 2012
- ↑ Knoxvillebiz.com, "Senate OKs measure to ban Tenn. income tax", March 9, 2011
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