NASHVILLE - The head of a statewide conservative group who criticized Gov. Bill Haslam's first foray into new transportation funding in 2015 announced today the organization is launching a "Reform America" tour in Tennessee.
It comes as Haslam, a Republican, is expected by many state lawmakers to renew his effort on Wednesday to seek additional funds for Tennessee's roads, bridges and infrastructure needs.
In his news release, Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee Director Andy Ogles said the tour, which began last week in Kingsport, is focused on health care, regulations, taxes and spending at both the state and federal level.
Ogles plans on traveling across the state "building grassroots support for the Reform America agenda," according to the group's release.
"Officials need to hear from their constituents on important community issues. Our grassroots activists have helped us stop the gas tax, defeat Obamacare expansion (twice) and led the fight to repeal the Hall income tax," Ogles said of past initiatives the group has been involved in.
The group says its agenda is aimed at reform on both the state and federal level. It seeks to "highlight the critical role an average citizen plays in holding their government accountable. Ogles will be "talking to citizens and carrying their voices to the capitols in Tennessee and Washington D.C.," according to the release.
Ogles said that "while some legislators are busy trying to raise taxes, we represent the taxpayers - hard working individuals, families who want the government to spend their hard-earned dollars wisely.
"The power is in the hands of the people," Ogles added. "I am traveling the state to make certain their voices are heard and that together we preserve prosperity for future generations."
In a Times Free Press interview last week, Ogles said he was withholding judgment on Haslam's transportation funding proposal until it is actually unveiled by the governor, which he is expected to do at a news conference Wednesday involving state economic progress at the state Capitol.
"I think what we need to see is what is the spending plan, how are you going to use those dollars," Ogles said. "And then, at a time like this, this is when you look at ways to cut taxes versus raise them."
Tennessee is expecting a nearly $1.9 billion surplus in taxes that fall outside transportation funding. But Haslam and administration officials say fuel taxes remain relatively flat because of improved vehicle fuel mileage. But state costs have risen.
GOP leaders expect the recommendation will be to boost the state's 21.4 cent per gallon gas tax and 18.4 diesel levy, last raised in 1989. Figures cited openly by lawmakers include a 9-cent increase on gas, although some say it could be lower, and 12 cents on diesel.
Ogles said in last week's interview that he spoke with Haslam Wednesday night about fuel taxes and the budget, describing it as "a very, very good conversation.
"But again, we want to give him that courtesy, let him present his plan," Ogles added. "We'll look at the details. And then we'll make recommendations to the administration, the governor, and see if we can't come to kind of an agreeable solution that protects hard-working families."
Earlier, Ogles said "negative" when jokingly asked if he was all in for increases in fuel taxes.
AFP-Tennessee's parent organization is the highly influential Americans for Prosperity, founded by conservative billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch. The group advocates for low taxes and regulations and less government involvement generally.
In 2015, the state group, among others, successfully mounted opposition to Haslam's proposed Medicaid expansion program, Insure Tennessee, which died twice in Senate committees.
The group says tour events, which are free and open to the public, will be posted on the Americans for Prosperity – Tennessee webpage (www.afptn.org).
"This tour will provide opportunities for grassroots activists who are passionate about conservative issues to connect and take action," the news release says.
