Tennessee legislators prepare to commit fiscal suicide. Film at 11 eastern / 10 central.

(Of course, the tax NIMBY ninnies will also be quick to remind you that the state Constitution already prohibits imposing an income tax.)

"This is exactly the time in which we can possibly get a two-thirds vote for this in the House and the Senate," he said. "I think opposition to an income tax is very strong right now. … This is a real amendment that I think has a real chance of passing."

It may be that Kelsey could get a majority vote on this in the current legislative session, but next session?

What about its chances of passing on second reading next year, when a 2/3 majority rather than a simple majority would be needed? And when the election year pandering is past? And when all those greenhorn reps have had their eyes opened to the reality of the budget cuts needed in this no-new-income future of ours? And when stimulus funding has ceased to mask the crisis? What are its chances of passing then, Kelsey?

It's been eight years since the legislature raised the state's sales tax rate and they've never before, since the sales tax was enacted in 1947, gone more than seven.

Kelsey is in la-la land and this is a lot of wasted motion.