I dunno, Randy--I have a somewhat different read on this one.

As a huge supporter of a state income tax in Tennessee, I'm certainly sensitive to the need to avoid an further forms of regressive taxation around here, at either the state or the local level. If we agree that Blount needs more revenue, though, and it sounds like you think so, then the problem to surmount is one of too few devices in existance locally to generate revenues of any real and lasting consequence.

Another move Cunningham might have proposed would have been to raise the local option sales tax by that last small amount available to local governments (at least I think Blount could bump that up--I didn't look to see), but that move would have been even more regressive.

Cunningham could also have suggested a property tax increase, but lots of folks seem not to understand that the sustainability of new revenues generated that way is hugely dependent on the locality's ability to sustain growth at a certain level.

That is, under the cap imposed on property taxes in our state constitution, that reassessment of property values the state requires of localities every four years often results in a *downward* adjustment of the property tax rate, even following any recent decision the locality may have made to increase rates, such that new revenues *over time* are only available if an adequate volume of new properties has become available to tax. An increased property tax rate, then, is an iffy solution to any need to produce new and constant revenues for the long haul.

Among the devices available to local governments that might fill the bill, then, the wheel tax is about the only device left that is able to generate revenues of any satisfactory and lasting degree. Consequently, the impact it has on the poor may be viewed as a sort of compromise solution in this context.

When the $30 increase in Knox County's wheel tax appeared on the ballot, friends who knew my support for a state income tax expressed surprise to learn that I voted for it. My support for the wheel tax, though, hinged on my understanding of how few devices local government has at its disposal for raising revenues of any substantial and lasting amount, so my task seemed to be one of choosing the device that could do so with the least *relative* effect to an already-regressive tax structure.

It's a catch-22 imposed on Tennesse localities by our state government's reluctance to correct problems in *their* tax structure, I think.

Cunningham's opponent in the last election and several other progressive types in the community support the idea of an adequate facilities tax that would directly finance the infrastructure buildout associated with growth and let the developers pay as they go.

Cunningham opposes the tax and says it will create a barrier to entry for first-time homebuyers. He suppports the idea of a real estate transfer tax, which would essentially be a sales tax on every real estate sale.

So there are alternatives.

Everyone hates any form of a wheel tax, no matter what county is trying to install it.

Tennessee needs a state income tax (even if Hal Hill is against it) and we also need to push the tax on cigarettes a dollar or MORE. Blount County sounds like they are having major problems paying their county lawmen and women and from their test scores their school system also needs some real work. A wheel tax is not the answer though!

Troll.

Maryville city does a good job with their tax dollars. Friend show own the small book store downtown (Southland..check it out for great old books) are always talking about the work being done on the greenways and the downtown area. Loved the cartoooon in the Big Paper showing the good ol boys in cock county talking about Knoxville commission! So true!