Davidson delegation sets its priorities

From the Jan 10, 1983, Nashville Banner

If state lawmakers from Davidson County have their way this year, the Legislature will vote to tax video games, raise the limits on the tax breaks elderly property owners receive and establish a state autopsy program for victims of the mysterious Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

At least one Metro legislator—Rep. Charles Pruitt—says he’ll push for legalized prostitution and horse and dog racing in Tennessee.

And Sen. John Hicks wants to see an interstate exit built off Interstate 65 south between Wedgewood Avenue and Harding Place, which would provide easier access to 100 Oaks.

Whatever bills they propose, the Metro delegations four senators and 11 representatives are likely to make their voices heard when the 93rd General Assembly convenes Tuesday.

Most of them are longtime legislators, with two-thirds of the delegation having served a decade or more in the statehouse and all 15 re-elected to office last November. All are Democrats except Rep. John Chiles, who is a Republican.

Sen. Douglas Henry serves on more than one heavyweight committee, and Rep. Jim McKinney is caucus chairman for his party in the House.

McKinney also was elected chairman last week of the Metro delegation.

McKinney succeeds Rep. Steve Cobb, who said he expects the delegation to accomplish as much in the upcoming session as it did in the last.

“I think it’s worked very well together–we’ve been able to take the mayor’s plan and work with it,” Cobb said.

Other delegation officers elected were Hicks as vice chairman; Elmer Disspayne, secretary; and Victor Ellis, treasurer.

Already the delegates are studying Mayor Richard Fulton’s legislative wish list, discussions on which are slated to begin soon.

The Metro delegates work together when they’re trying to push through proposals designed to benefit the entire Davidson County. This year’s priorities—like last year’s—will be funding for the Cockrill Bend bridge in West Nashville and for a widened railroad underpass on Thompson Lane.

But when it comes to individual bills, the legislators usually work alone, Cobb said. There’s little discussion between them as to the kinds of bills each will propose.

So far, Metro delegates have filed only these:

• A proposal by Rep. Bill Covington that would raise from $4,800 to $8,000 the limit on Tennessee’s homestead exemption act, which provides yearly tax relief for elderly property owners who meet the income qualifications.

A legislative subcommittee has since voted to recommend a limit of $6,500, which would allow 17,000 additional property owners to qualify for the tax break.

• A bill by McKinney and Hicks designed to shed new light on the causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, more commonly known as crib death. The proposal calls for the establishment of a state autopsy program for SIDS victims, which is estimated to cost $50,000 a year.

• In defending his push for legalized prostitution in Tennessee, Pruitt referred to the current investigation of the practice in Nashville and said, “It’s going to be there, so we might as well tax it.”

Pruitt has been hospitalized more than six weeks for kidney failure, but he said he would be released Tuesday and planned on attending all legislative sessions.

Rep. Harold Love announced plans last month to propose a tax on video game machines, with revenues going to the state’s general fund. Finance and Administration Commissioner Bill Sansom echoed his approval of such a tax.

(Tennessee State Library and Archives)