NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Voters have approved a change to the Tennessee Constitution that would prohibit lawmakers from imposing a state income tax.
The last serious attempt to impose a state income tax failed in 2002 amid raucous Capitol protests that included a brick thrown through the window of the governor’s office. The public backlash against the proposal led several supporters to retire from office or to lose their re-election campaigns.
Opponents of an income tax ban argued that it was unnecessary and would cut off future options.
State Sen. Brian Kelsey, a Germantown Republican, sponsored the resolution putting the amendment on the ballot.
He has said the income tax ban will appeal to businesses and bring jobs to the state.
