A resolution supporting Governor Phil Bredesen's proposals to increase the cigarette tax in Tennessee, and encouraging Governor Bredesen and the Tennessee General Assembly to increase the gasoline tax to provide funding for local governments.

WHEREAS, in his 2007 State of the State speech, Governor Phil Bredesen proposed an increase in the cigarette tax from twenty cents per pack to sixty cents per pack to pay for $220 million in education initiatives; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools would receive $10.7 million in increased funding for at-risk students if the Governor's proposal is approved by the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools are in great need of additional funding in order to ensure that the children of this city are given every available opportunity to succeed; and

WHEREAS, Governor Bredesen recently stated that the state's gasoline tax, currently set at twenty-cents per gallon, may need to be increased during the next four years to fund road construction projects; and

WHEREAS, over the past several years, the Metropolitan Council has memorialized the Governor and the Tennessee General Assembly to increase taxes on gasoline, liquor and tobacco to fund education and public safety functions of local governments; and

WHEREAS, copies of these previous memorializing resolutions are attached to and made a part of this resolution as though copied herein; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council desires to go on record as supporting Governor Bredesen in his proposal to increase the cigarette tax to generate additional funds for education initiatives, and requests that taxes on gasoline be increased to provide additional funding for local government police, fire and education functions.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as supporting Governor Phil Bredesen's proposals to increase the cigarette tax in Tennessee, and encouraging Governor Bredesen and the Tennessee General Assembly to increase the gasoline tax to provide funding for local governments.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Governor Phil Bredesen and to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ludye Wallace