Haslam Says Cutting Hall Tax Still Not Top Priority

Americans for Prosperity Tennessee collected the signatures of 92 lawmakers of the 132 members in the General Assembly. Credit: AFPTN via Facebook

Despite being targeted with a critical radio ad from Americans for Prosperity, Governor Bill Haslam says cutting the Hall income tax is not priority number one.

Under pressure from the conservative group, lawmakers have been trying to find a way to eliminate the Hall tax if revenue comes in above projections. The legislation is on the agendas in both chambers as the General Assembly tries to wrap up its business for the year this week.

Haslam says if there is more money in the budget than expected, he’d prefer to give state workers and teachers the raise he promised rather than cutting the state’s tax on investments.

“Saying that we’re going to put it in place basically as the first thing back if revenue increases over pay raises – that doesn’t feel like the right approach to me.”

The radio ads running on a dozen stations say two-thirds of the legislature supports cutting the Hall tax, while Haslam doesn’t.

Last month, Americans for Prosperity ran a similar campaign against GOP state senator Doug Overbey.