Campfield wants the unemployed tested for "hardcore illegal drugs," like marijuana

Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, has said he plans to push three bills calling for drug testing in the 2012 legislative session.  One bill would address people on welfare, another for those drawing unemployment compensation, and another for those receiving workers' compensation benefits.

While Governor Haslum and House Speaker Beth Harwell are having reservations about the bill, Lt. Governor Ramsey has endorsed this effort saying, "I'm in favor of drug testing for people who are on any kind of benefits, whether it's unemployment compensation or worker's compensation, whatever it is, because I don't think we need to be supporting that lifestyle with government money," Ramsey said.(link)

I understand the concern. There are too many people for whom government handouts become a way of life and it becomes easier to lay around in a drug and alcohol induced stupor all day rather than get their act together.

Nevertheless, I am not on board.  If you start with welfare, unemployment benefits and workman's comp, what is next?  Food Stamps? TnCare? Hope Scholarships? Government guaranteed student loans? Small Business loans?  Crop price support payments? People who take the mortgage interest deduction on their income tax?

I don't want a government big enough to make me pee in a cup unless government has a warrant issued for probable cause. There is something about people being "secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures" that kind of resonates with me. I don't think you give up your forth amendment protections when you receive unemployment insurance.

My other concern is that it is simply not going to be cost effective and will catch very few drug users. Drug users know how to get clean for a drug test. To be effective at all, drug test have to be a surprise and random. The Florida experiment has caught very few users and has been expensive for the state. Campfield has said under his plan, the applicant would be required to cover the cost without state reimbursement. He estimated the costs could be kept to "only $4 or $5" by limiting the tests to "hardcore illegal drugs," such as cocaine, heroin and marijuana.

In recognition of Campfield's declaration that marijuana is a hardcore illegal drug, here is a little "Reefer Madness."

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Volunteer Cab "wins" approval, but may lose by delays. Update 2

Yesterday the Metro Transportation Licensing Commission approved an application from a group of taxi drivers wishing to start there own cab company called Volunteer Cab. However, the approval is contingent on a budget increase to fund more taxi cab inspectors. (link)

What? Would we prohibit new restaurants from opening because we do not have enough restaurant inspectors?  Would we prohibit new home construction because we do not have enough building inspectors. Would we prohibit the licensing of more vehicles because we do not have enough traffic cops? Would we prohibit the opening of new florist shops because we don't have enough florist shop inspectors? I think not.

Karen Johnson

Council Member Karen Johnson who has been a strong advocate for Volunteer Cab arguing for their right to start a new cab company said, "We are working on some things to address this.  Our preference is that they don't have to wait until this time.  We are working with Jerry Maynard to see what other options we have." 

I hope there are other options.  The next Metro Budget is not until June 1. According to the expanded version of this story in the print version of the Tennessean, the cab drivers are currently working for other cab companies and they fear retribution from their current employers due to this effort to start their own cab company. A delay could mean they are all out of work and financially ruined by the time they get final approval to go in business for this new driver-owned cab company. In Nashville most cab drivers own their own cab and pay all of their own expenses but pay a "lick" of between between $150 to $200 a week to the company they are associated with. If a cabbie is fired, his payments on his vehicle and some other expenses continue.

This delay is an injustice. There needs to be major reform of the way taxi cabs and limousines are licensed and regulated. It should not be the mission of the regulatory agencies to protect established businesses from competition.


Update: The City Paper does a much better job of reporting this story than the Tennessean, read here.
Update 2: For a more in-depth report from the Tennessean, see here.

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Davette Blalock: " I am sticking to my guns."

Davette Blalock

Davette Blalock, the sponsor of the legislation in the Metro Council which would undo Metro's limousine price fixing bill designed to protect the established luxury limousine companies, has agreed to defer the bill thirty days. 

"I was asked to defer this because several people wanted to make other limo changes and the council wanted it all on one bill," said Davette.  "The Budget and Finance Committee was going to defer it if I didn't.  So, I am sticking to my guns but I will give them another 30 days to figure out what else is wrong with the current legislation."

 While I am disappointed to see the bill deferred, this is not necessarily bad news. At least the bill has not been killed. In speaking with Davette, she told me that none of those calling for a deferral said they were against the bill, they just wanted more study and input. While I have been a cheerleader for this bill because it would essentially undo the limousine price-fixing imposed in a June 2010 bill passed by the Council, I myself do not think BL 2011-49 is a perfect bill.  I would prefer a bill that went further in deregulating taxi and limousine service.  There are several aspects of the bill I do not like, but have been supporting it because it much, much better than what we have.  One council member I spoke to said she was opposed to the bill because it did not go far enough. Maybe, even a better bill will emerge.

I think Davette had no choice but to defer the bill.  To go against a Committee's recommendation to defer and push for approval would have most likely led to the council following the recommendation of the Committees and deferring anyway. With a forty member council, the council has to have a strong committee system and individual Council Members have to respect that system. 

Davette said that some time in early January, there would be a public meeting to gather input from other interested parties. Please do not let down your guard. Please push your council member to support this bill or a modified version of this bill that is even better. It is simply wrong for Metro government to act in the interest of the luxury limousine providers and protect them from competition.

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Limo Bill deffered 30 days. No need to attend tonights Council meeting

BL 2011-49, the bill which would undo Metro's limo price fixing, was scheduled to be on second reading tonight but has been deferred. Previously I had urged supporters of this bill to show up at tonight council meeting. That is not necessary. More to follow.

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Please join me at the Council Meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 at 6:30PM.

Please join me at the Council Meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 at 6:30PM.

BL 2011-49 will be on second reading. This bill will undo the limo price fixing bill that was passed by the Council in June 2010. The full effect of the June 2010 bill does not go into effect until 2012, so the competitors to the big limo companies are still operating for now. Unless BL2011-49 passes however, the competitors will have lost and have to cease operation. There is a lot information on this bill on this blog, just scroll down and read.

I believe there are enough good Council members who will do the right thing that SB 2011-49 can be passed. However, too many Council members have to be encouraged to do the right thing. Please call your councilman today and ask them to support this bill. You may also email them.

For your councilman's email address and phone number, follow this link: http://www.nashville.gov/council.Then click on "Council Member Roster."  If you do not know who your council member is, then when on the page of the above link, look to the right and see "Quick Links"and under that, see "Where do I vote."  When you get to that page, enter your address and on the page listing your voting place it will list your Council district number. Then, go back to the council roster and find your councilman.

Council members also are more inclined to do the right thing if they have an audience who cares about the issue.  That is why we need butts in the seats.  You will be given a distinctive badge to identify that you are there for this particular issue.

If you attend, please follow proper decorum. No applauding or verbal outburst and no signs in the Council Chamber.  Since this is so late and we have little time to rally a crowd, please help by spreading the word.  

On Council meeting night, there is free parking.

This is one of those relatively rare issues that pit advocates of free markets and limited government against those who advocate more government control and see governments roll as protecting the special interest against competition. Please help get this bill passed!

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Nashville to Limit Number of Florist & Set Prices

Legislation had been introduced in the Metro Council to restrict the number of florist and to set prices for flowers. In explaining why he is sponsoring the legislation, Councilman Ben Bought told me, “The Professional Florist Association brought this bill to me and said it was good for their profession and was needed to protect the industry.  I signed it.” 

A florist associated with the PFA, Rosy Stems, explained the need for the bill. “We have seen all of these new florist “shops” spring up in places like Krogers and in little kiosk in shopping malls.  Many of these people aren’t even professional florist; they are just clerks selling flowers.  They operate with low overhead.  How is a professional florist with their free-standing shops and employees and delivery vans going to compete with these people?  It is unfair competition. They are going to drive the professional florist out of business. Many of these people don’t know an orchid from a daisy. It is a disgrace to our profession.”

$34.95

Daisy Flowers, owners of Daisy’s Sophisticated Floral Design Studio for Rich People in Green Hills said, “Last Valentine’s day, Whole Foods was selling two dozen roses for just $19.99. That is an outrage! A dozen good-quality roses can go for as high as $84.95! A dozen of my most popular roses sell for $34.95. You buy these cheap roses, many of them imported from China, and you don’t know what you are getting.  They may die before you get them home.”

The bill pending in the council would require all new florists to appear before the Florist Regulatory Board and show a need for a new florist shop before being allowed to open a new shop.  Also, all new florist shops would have to be in a dedicated space of at least 850 square feet. The new minimum price for a dozen roses would be $34.95.

“I believe is supporting our businesses,” said Councilman Protect Friends, another supporter of the bill. “This bill has the support of the Chamber and the established floral industry and I am going to support it.”

 

The above is not real, but it is no different than how the city fixes prices to benefit luxury limousine service and how they squash competition in taxis service.

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Nashville GOP Supports Ending Price Fixing for Limousine Services

Davette Blalock

Nashville, TN --- Metro Councilwoman Davette Blalock has introduced an ordinance (BL20ll-49) to undo the price fixing of limousine and sedan services in Nashville. The ordinance is set for a second reading this Tuesday evening.

In June 2010 the Nashville Metropolitan City Council passed legislation raising the minimum fee for limo and sedan rentals from $25 to $45. Drivers are prohibited by law from charging less. Further, new regulations forbid limousine firms from using leased vehicles, require the dispatch of cars from the place of business only, compel companies to wait 15 minutes before client pick-up, and ban parking in front of hotels and bars to wait for clients. More laws set to take effect in January 2012 will require companies to replace all sedans and SUVs over seven-years-old, and all limos 10-years-old and older. Vehicles older than five years may not enter into service.

Passed as an act of consumer protection, the resulting laws allow a significant advantage to larger, existing companies over smaller firms. Additionally, it may become prohibitive for new companies to enter the market.

Kathleen Starnes

Davidson County Republican Party Chairwoman, Kathleen Starnes, has released a statement in support of BL20ll-49. "We must let the city and members of the council know that, in accordance with our Core Values, the Davidson County Republican Party 'supports the free enterprise system as the primary way to grow the economy, provide jobs and encourage the creative power of the individual.' We proudly support limited government with less intrusion into the private affairs of individuals and business."

A Resolution in Support of BL2011-49

Whereas, in June 2010 the Nashville Metropolitan City Council passed legislation setting a minimum fee of $45 for limousine service, and;

Whereas, a publicly stated “Core Value” of the Davidson County Republican Party is, “We support the free enterprise system as the primary way to grow the economy, provide jobs and encourage the creative power of the individual,” and;

Whereas, another Core Value states, “We support limited government with less intrusion into the private affairs of individuals and business.” and;

Whereas, price fixing is contrary to the above stated Core Values, and;

Whereas, there is pending in the Metro Council a bill (BL2011-49) which would amend the Metro Code to remove the price fixing aspect of the regulation of limousine service,

We the Davidson County Republican Party urge the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County to pass BL20ll-49 and furthermore, we urge the Council to in the future avoid legislation, the effect of which is to restrict or curtail competition.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT http://davidsoncountygop.org/

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