1907

January–March

 * February 6, 1907

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE

The Legislature has already had a busy day. Among the issues under discussion: Tennessee's first dog registration law, a proposal to allow women to practice law, the appropriation of $35,000 to purchase a governor's mansion, a bill designed to prevent "the desecration of the Sabbath" by closing down skating rinks on Sunday, and a measure outlawing betting on horse races.

But all these agenda items serve merely as prologue for the day's main debate. A bill has been introduced to funnel more tax revenue to rural schools and less to urban districts.

Most lawmakers argue the system should be left as is, with each county allowed to keep the taxes it collects. Davidson County Rep. George Peay charges that the bill "takes $151,000 from a few of the counties, crippling the schools in those counties, and distributes this amount among the other counties, but not being enough for each of the latter to aid them."

Other representatives cite figures showing the inequities of the current system. Rep. R. C. McElroy notes that while Davidson County brings in enough tax to spend $1.90 per student, Claiborne County is limited to 35 cents per student. "Does Tennessee owe more to school children in one county than to those in another?" he asks.

The General Assembly adjourns without taking action.

--by Tom Wood

Sources: Nashville Banner, 2/6/07; Tennessee State Library and Archives, reference desk.

(Originally published in Nashville Scene, 2/4/93)