Phil Bredesen has a habit of distorting his accomplishments as Governor and today’s event in Jackson will be no different. Bredesen is preparing to tout his efforts implementing a sales tax holiday but the record tells a far different story.
Bredesen was actually responsible for cancelling a sales tax holiday in 2009. And he didn’t stop there. He also proposed lifting the sales tax cap, imposing a sales tax on cable boxes, increasing the cost of driver’s licenses and applying the full state and local sales tax to monthly cable TV bills.
Bredesen’s history of attempting to raise taxes and fees on Tennesseans as Governor is just a precursor to what he’d do if he’s sent to Washington. With Senator Chuck Schumer and Washington Democrats dead-set on repealing the GOP tax cuts letting Tennesseans keep more of their hard-earned money, folks should know they can’t trust Phil Bredesen.
“Just like the liberal Democrats he’s spent a career bankrolling, Phil Bredesen has never seen a tax hike he didn’t like,” said NRSC Spokesman Michael McAdams. “If Bredesen is sent to Washington, Tennesseans can kiss the tax cuts they just got good-bye.”
BACKGROUND:
Tennessee’s Planned April 2009 Sales Tax Holiday Was Canceled. (Andy Johns, “Back-To-School Shoppers Can Take Sales Tax Holiday,” Chattanooga Times Free Press, 8/1/08)
In April 2010, Bredesen Said That Lifting The Sales Tax Cup Would Prevent The Need To Cut Pay For All State Employees. (Erik Schelzig, “Tenn Gov: Lift Sales Tax Cap Or Cut State Salaries,” The Associated Press, 4/15/10)
In May 2009, Bredesen Made A Number Of New Tax Proposals, Including Both A New Tax And A Tax Hike. (Erik Schelzig, “AP Interview: Bredesen Urges Quick Budget Approval,” The Associated Press, 5/30/09)
In February 2010, The Bredesen Budget Proposal Included Fee Hikes For Driver’s Licenses And Tax Hikes For Cable TV. (Richard Locker, “’Difficult Cuts’ In Budget: $394M — Governor Eyes 1,223 Jobs, Hike In License, Cable Fees, Tuition,” The Commercial Appeal, 2/2/10)