Privilege Tax?

So Rep G. E. Hardaway of Memphis thinks Athletes and those in the Entertainment industry should pay a $400 special tax just because they make more than $50,000 a year and happen to work in those professions. Seems odd huh? This seems like the beginning of the "who's gonna pay for all these bailouts?". •

News links:
MKRN News story

• http://www.nashvillemusicpros.com/forum/topics/privilege-tax-for-musicians
• http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/26689/
• http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/2009/01/lawmaker_proposes_titans_tax.php

This means all hardworking studio musicians, road musicians, singers, artists, recording engineers (like me) will be penalized based solely on our job choice and our success. Isn't American working hard to equal rights? Didn't Nashville just shut down an English-Only bill which outraged more than half the population? How about equal liability? As a tax payer I'm gonna have to help bail out Ford, but also pay $400 more than my friend who works at a bike shop, or for a computer firm. Why? Why are entertainers being singled out? Why should an athlete pay more?

I received an email from councilman-at-large Megan Barry last week asking for my help is shutting down the English-Only bill. I replied to her and asked for her help in shutting down this privilege tax bill. Below is my email that I sent to my local councilman and also to all the councilman-at-large. I ask that you research this proposal and if you decide it is bunk also, email your councilman and tell them to vote it down.

I would like to ask in return for you to please vote against Rep. G.E. Hardaway of Memphis's proposal of a privilege tax on Athletes and entertainers. As a freelance recording engineer I am appalled by this proposal. We have all worked very hard to get to where we are professionally and to seek us out and punish us with a higher tax based on our occupation seems very un-American. We preach equal rights in this country and now have a president that many will look to continue this ideal. How can we separate out specific occupations and require them to pay more in taxes?

If the government is looking for people to pay for all these bailouts, why don't they look to the oil industry? Why are tax payers bailing out the auto industry while Exxon remains on the top of the earnings chart for another year. I'm sure Exxon would love for the auto industry to stay in business. I for one think you should lie in the bed you made. If you can't make it as a company why are you being bailed out. I'm trying to make it as an entrepreneur and am going to be taxed MORE because of it. I don't see any bail outs for my colleagues as CD sales plummet again and again. Not only are we punishing certain businesses with higher taxes, we are rewarding other businesses for poor results.

Thank for your time and attention on this matter!

Sincerely,
Greg Lawrence

EDIT:
I received word back from two metro councilmen and was told by Charlie Tygard that this was a matter of State legislature and not Metro Council. I have emailed my representative, Jim Cooper and am awaiting a reply. I urge you to contact your TN state legislators as well.

Here is a site to find your TN representative:
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/



Here is the letter I wrote to Representative Jim Cooper on 1/25/09

I would like to ask for you to please vote against Rep. G.E. Hardaway of Memphis's proposal of a privilege tax on athletes and entertainers. As a freelance recording engineer I am appalled by this proposal. We have all worked very hard to get to where we are professionally and to seek us out and punish us with a higher tax based on our occupation seems very un-American. We preach equal rights in this country and now have a president that many will look to continue this ideal. How can we separate out specific occupations and require them to pay more in taxes? What is the connection between athletes and entertainers and the Juvenile Courts System? Does G.E. Hardaway just see dollar signs when he looks at athletes and entertainers? I think everyone should be taxed equally.


Thank for your time and attention on this matter!

Sincerely,
Greg Lawrence

EDIT (1/29/09) :

I was informed by Congressman Jim Cooper that this is a matter of state legislator and to contact Gov. Bredesen and/or my state legislators. I sent them the same email I sent Congressman Cooper.

You can find your legislator at this link:
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/

Sen. Douglas Henry responded immediately with this email:

Thank you for this information. It will certainly be kept in mind if this bill every gets before a Committee on which I sit. Douglas Henry