Tennessee’s Democrat Gov. Phil Bredesen, who has been a good governor, is winding up his constitutionally limited two four-year terms. There are seven significant Republican and Democrat candidates who have announced their aspirations to be elected this year to succeed him.
Tennessee, unlike our federal government, must operate with balanced budgets. Tennessee can’t run up debt irresponsibly the way our presidents and Congress unfortunately do in Washington.
Tennessee must “pay as we go.” So Tennessee’s next governor will have some major challenges.
Gov. Bredesen said, “We have cut things back so far at this point that if you get any kind of reasonable (economic) recovery, I think it gives the governor some room to do a few things on their own, just coming back. As you know, I’ve cut out a bunch of things.”
The next governor is going to have to do a good job managing the limited funds that will be available to him and our legislators, while promoting economic growth.
All Tennesseans should be pleased that all seven of the major candidates for governor agree that there should not be any effort to impose a state income tax. It would take a state constitutional amendment to permit one. Most Tennesseans surely do not want any kind of new taxes. All of the gubernatorial candidates agree the solution to our economic pinch should be creation of more jobs.
The candidates for governor, in alphabetical order, are Democrats Jim Kyle, Kim McMillan and Mike McWherter, and Republicans Bill Gibbons, Bill Haslam, Ron Ramsey and Zach Wamp.
Tennesseans should be very attentive as these candidates spell out their goals for growth and progress for Tennessee — avoiding tax increases and promoting economic recovery.
We should look forward to a vigorous, responsible and interesting campaign as we prepare to choose our next governor.