Tenn. lawmakers talk of session

Cable, cig tax topics to Germantown-Collierville chambers

By Clay Bailey, Commercial Appeal
April 14, 2007

The controversial cable television bill in the state legislature will have trouble unless the bill is changed to retain local revenues and funding for public access channels, state Sen. Paul Stanley said Friday.

The comments by Stanley, R-Germantown, were part of the annual Legislative Breakfast sponsored by the Collierville and Germantown chambers of commerce.

Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and Reps. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, Steve McManus, R-Cordova, Reginald Tate, D-Memphis, and Curry Todd, R-Collierville, also spoke during the hour-plus forum at Ridgeway Country Club.
The legislators touched on an array of issues facing the General Assembly from tax relief for seniors to ethics and the proposed smoking tax. Those matters at times funneled into discussions about education.

The cable bill, known as the Competitive Cable and Video Services Act, has drawn heavy opposition from some local governments across the state. Germantown officials, for example, have taken unprecedented steps to mobilize public sentiment against the bill, which is supported by AT&T.

Part of the problem, they say, is losing local control, which could impact everything from rights-of-way to franchise fees to public access channels.

Proponents of the bill contend the legislation promotes competition, benefiting consumers.

"I am really committed that the municipalities and the stations don't lose any money if this moves forward," Stanley said.

Regarding the cigarette tax, the House Agriculture Committee this week passed the measure, shrinking the tax increase to 20 cents a pack with the revenues earmarked for education. But the committee's consideration also included funds designated for agricultural support programs and reducing the tax on some grocery items, Kelsey said.

"We want to fund education first, not last," Kelsey said referring to the House Republican Caucus.

Todd addressed the so-called Castle Doctrine, which softens the criteria necessary for people to protect their homes and property. It also protects them from civil suits by criminals or their families if an assailant is injured by a citizen.

"I would encourage you, if you don't have one, go out and get a handgun carry permit," Todd said. "This is not the Wild West; but, as a citizen you can protect yourself."