TN Legislature Used Veterans as Prop to Approve Massive Tax Increase

Arlington, VA – Last week, Governor Haslam’s $355 million gas tax increase was approved by both branches of the Tennessee state legislature. The Senate version of the bill still includes a property tax relief for veterans, which was used to help the image of the wildly unpopular measure.

Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) Executive Director Mark Lucas issued the following statement:

“Using veterans as a prop to hike taxes is unconscionable. There is no excuse for this massive gas tax increase or the way the Tennessee legislature went about achieving it. This measure will have a devastating impact on people who rely on affordable transportation in Tennessee.”

The use of veterans as a front for this measure has been adamantly opposed by groups like CVA and the Tennessee Veterans Caucus.

If signed into law, the gas tax increase will have a devastating impact on hardworking Tennessee families and veterans who rely on affordable transportation. Next year, the gas tax would be increased by 4 cents. In each subsequent fiscal year, it would increase by 1 cent.

The Tennessee state government is currently sitting on a $2 billion surplus.

###