So, having Democrats in control resulted in the 42 cent tax. And, that's something to brag about? Yeah, I know it's the evil cigarettes (and no, I'm not a smoker), but it could just as easily have been another tax increase.

With record state revenues something less than 42 cents or a reduction of some tax (on food maybe?) was warranted. But, as you say, if Democrats are in control, the highest tax was a lock. Senator Woodson put forward a compromise which should have been the final bill. Hold on to your wallets for a few more days. They're still in session.

Yeah, I know it's the evil cigarettes (and no, I'm not a smoker), but it could just as easily have been another tax increase.

But it wasn't.

Of course, Democrats had been in the majority in both houses up until halfway through Bredesen's first term. And it still controls the majority in the House.

And still, no taxes except on cigarettes.

You must have Bredesen confused with Sundquist, Chad.

____________________________

I'm a guy in a Reagan mask -- and I'm running for President!

AC Kleinheider made the point a week ago (I can't find the link) that Kurita's move was actually a good one for Dems because it lets us flush out DINOs like Wilder and start over with bona fide Democrats.

There are bona fide Democrats in the Tennessee legislature...?

;) Just kidding. We have a few from Nashville I'd dearly love to see in leadership positions.

I just don't get the spleen vented at Kurita, for a few different reasons...this being the least of them.

Rachel,

I don't post regularly. I read this blog occasionally. I grew tired of being the (almost) lone soldier trying to answer the posts of dozens who criticize everything Republican and everything Bush. Randy changed the rules which caused some more modertate or conservative voices to leave. So, I just don't show up as often. Democrats bragging about passing the largest tax increase in this year's legislature prompted me to respond.

I did see your call out on the meatpacking issue, but there was no need for me to comment. Like many news stories, it identifies "the Bush Administration", which is accurate in one way, but my guess (and the story isn't clear) that this was a decision within the Agriculture Department. The President likely knew nothing about it or played no role in making the decision. Maybe he did. If so, he likely relied on experts within that department. But, like so many things the general id of "Bush" gets the blame.

Within the limits of the story it doesn't seem to make sense. But, there's little details given on why the Agriculture Dept. believes the proposed testing could result in false positives. I've done no research, but I don't recall any outbreak of disease as a result of the present Agriculture administration. I certainly wouldn't want to see any, but I need more details before condemning "Bush" on this testing issue.

CBT, are you not aware that the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture is appointed by Bush's White House? And that all the Under Secretaries - for things like Rural Development, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, etc. - are nominated by the Bush White House and then confirmed by the Senate? Even underlings like Assistant Secretaries and Deputy Undersecretaries for the mission areas are appointed by the White House.

A decision like this would almost certainly have gone through USDA Office of General Counsel before reaching the desk of the Secretary - and I don't think I need to tell you that said Counsel is also a White House appointee. Here's proof, in fact.

(link...)

There's really no way for this decision not to have been approved, if not instigated, by Bush's political appointees. It's difficult to understand why any rational person would require "additional information" on that.

The GOP,in Senate committee,got the bill to the floor.
Even though it was for 1/2 of what the Governor ask
for.They knew the bill would be changed to the 42 cent increase because there were the votes to pass in both Senate & House.

I was for the 42 cents increase & the changes in BEP.
More money for Knox County schools.
No tax increase in Knox County.

CBT said: I grew tired of being the (almost) lone soldier trying to answer the posts of dozens who criticize everything Republican and everything Bush. Randy changed the rules which caused some more modertate or conservative voices to leave.

If everything Bush did wouldn't have such tragic results for our country, we could stop criticizing everything he did... and the entire republican party for their part in this farce.

And sir! Do you have no shame? Using the (misspelled) term "Moderate" in the same breath with "conservative"...

I realize the President appoints a lot of people. That doesn't mean the President makes every decision. That's the reason he appoints people, to make decisions and do the work. Of course, those people generally don't get identified in news stories. It's usually "the Bush Administration". My guess is the President was not directly involved in this Agriculture Department dispute over cow-testing.

Sorry for my spelling error on 'moderate'. Like a lot of things, who fits such definitions generally depends on the one being asked. Labels don't serve much purpose, but I suppose they can be good for generalizations. Lord knows I've been subjected to those.

I was for the 40 cent increase;per Governor.
Senator Kurita added 2 cents for hospital trauma care.

N-S says final vote will be Monday.
40 or 42 cents needs to pass.
More for Knox County schools per BEP.
No tax increase per Knox County.