Tennessee State Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) has been appointed Middle Tennessee Chairman for the “Yes on 2” campaign, along with leaders from all 95 Tennessee counties.
The “Yes On 2” campaign is an effort to support Constitutional Amendment 2, which would permanently prohibit a state property tax in Tennessee.
Governor Bill Lee will serve as statewide chairman of the campaign. Joining Gov. Lee are Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton and Representative Tandy Darby from West Tennessee as regional chairmen. State Senators Jack Johnson, Paul Bailey, Shane Reeves, Kerry Roberts and Bill Powers are among those leading county efforts. Outgoing Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs will head the campaign in Knoxville.
The Tennessee Farm Bureau is leading the coalition, which also includes Tennessee REALTORS, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, Americans for Prosperity and the Beacon Center.
“Tennessee families and businesses have benefited from our state’s longstanding commitment to low taxes and responsible fiscal stewardship,” said Haile. “Amendment 2 will provide an additional constitutional safeguard against a future state property tax and help preserve Tennessee’s reputation as one of the best places in the nation to live, work, and raise a family. I’m honored to serve as Middle Tennessee Chairman for this important effort.”
The effort will appear on the ballot in November asking voters if the state Constitution should be amended to prohibit state government from allowing a state property tax.
“We are honored that all of these individuals from one corner of the state to another have joined together to pass Amendment 2,” said Kevin Hensley with Tennessee Farm Bureau, “Thanks to their leadership, we will spread the message far and wide that Tennesseans can forever ban a state property tax by voting ‘Yes on 2’ this November.”
A list of county leaders for the effort, composed mostly of state legislative representatives, was also released by “Yes on 2.” However, the lone democrat legislative leader on the list, Nashville Rep. Bob Freeman, denies knowing anything about it. Freeman was critical of the so-called “bi-partisan” effort saying it falls short of involving Democrats and blaming the state’s Republican leadership for ignoring real issues facing Tennesseans.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
