The Clearest Sign Yet We Need a Balanced Budget Amendment

Phil Roe

by Phil Roe - Earlier this week, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an alarming projection about future budget deficits over the next 10 years. While CBO doesn’t always get it right, this warning cry should hit home for every American; it certainly does for me. If out-of-control spending is left unchecked, CBO predicts America’s deficit will surpass $1 trillion by 2020. To me, this is the clearest sign yet that we have to pass a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment, which the House considered this week.

First, let me dispel one of the biggest myths there is: that somehow last year’s tax cuts are responsible for our nation’s budget deficits. Last year, the federal government took in $3.3 trillion in revenue. That is the most revenue that has been collected – ever. In fact, since 2010, federal revenue has increased $1.1 trillion – a 53 percent increase, or just less than 8 percent annually. And we should expect revenue growth to continue because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act because as our economy grows and more jobs and prosperity are created, revenue to the federal government will grow, even at lower across-the-board tax rates.

Another myth that’s been put out there is that discretionary spending is responsible for our annual budget deficits. Discretionary spending is the funding Congress votes on every year, and funds our military, education, veterans programs, environmental programs, etc. This part of the budget – because Congress reviews it annually – has been well-controlled. Over the past 14 years, since 2004, our discretionary budget has only grown 34 percent, which is just over 2.4 percent growth annually. Even with the recently-passed Omnibus, discretionary spending is still growing at a manageable pace.
So what causes our budget deficits? Primarily, the deficits are driven by our mandatory programs that are on autopilot – programs like Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security and Medicare. Over the same 14 year time period, our mandatory program spending has doubled, growing at 7.5 percent per year. This is unsustainable. This will require hard choices, but Congress will only make those hard choices if it’s forced to.

That’s why, this week, I am proud to support H.J.Res. 2, a constitutional amendment that will require a balanced budget. If ratified, a balanced budget amendment would require the federal government to balance its budget annually, just like states and families do, unless the country is at war. I am a proud cosponsor of this legislation. A Balanced Budget Amendment is the only way we will ever tackle the growing threat caused by deficit spending. By passing this amendment, we can work together to repair the damage that’s been done over the years through out-of-control spending.
Forty-eight states, including Tennessee, have balanced-budget requirements. It’s time for Washington to live by the same rules and take this critical step to get our spending under control. Our children and grandchildren’s futures and the future of our democracy depends on it.

Phil Roe represents the First Congressional District of Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is physician and co-chair of the House GOP Doctors Caucus and a member of the Health Caucus. Prior to serving in Congress, he served as the Mayor of Johnson City, Tennessee.  

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Nashville has the lowest unemployment rate in the US

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nashville, Tennessee, had the lowest unemployment rate—2.7%—of any metropolitan area in the US with over one million people as of February 2018.

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House approves bill removing barriers to reentry for those convicted of a crime who have served their time

by Rod Williams - This week the Tennessee House of Representatives approved legislation that will remove barriers for Tennesseans who are seeking a fresh start in life.  House Bill 2248 — also known as the Fresh Start Act — is designed to further reduce Tennessee’s recidivism rates by providing a pathway to employment for citizens who are returning to their communities following incarceration.

 

Currently, Tennessee requires licenses for 110 different jobs; many impact those seeking manual labor or other industrial-related work. State licensing boards can deny a license for these professions to individuals with past criminal records, including lower-level forms of crime classified as misdemeanors.  It is bad enough that we license 110 occupations. While I am OK with surgeons and electricians being licensed, I would let hair braiders and those who massage horses and those engaged in many other occupations do it unlicensed. It is bad enough that so many people have to get a license to work in so many occupations, but it is unconscionable that people who have been convicted of a crime are prohibited from even getting the license. The crime maybe something as simple as a long ago DUI.

As passed, House Bill 2248 requires that denials and refusals for license renewals based on a prior criminal conviction are only allowable when the criminal offense directly relates to an individual’s ability to perform duties associated with the occupation or profession they are seeking a licensure for, excluding violent felonies.

 

Additional punishment for individuals who have paid their debt to society is wrong and this bill allows for a person to fix past mistakes and get on with their lives.  According to the Council of State Governments (CSG), nearly 10 million U.S. adults return to their communities following incarceration every year; upon their release, many face significant barriers to securing employment. CSG estimates that occupational restrictions can result in 2.85 million fewer people employed nationally and also raise consumer expenses by more than $200 billion.

Most people convicted of a crime, if sent to prison will get out. It is a fact.  It makes no sense to stack the deck against them so they cannot succeed once they have paid their debt to society. Nearly half of those leaving prison in Tennessee return within three years. This is making our communities less safe and costing taxpayers millions of dollars and it is ruining lives that could be salvaged.

Occupational licensure is only one of the barriers to success after incarceration. We should systematically be looking at those barriers to successful reentry and removing them. In today's hyper partisan environment, there are not many areas where conservatives and liberals can agree. This is one of those areas. Some of the most dedicated proponents of criminal justice reform are Republicans such as Governor Matt Bevins of Kentucky. Here in Tennessee, a group called "The Coalition for Sensible Justice" made up of The Beacon Center, the ACLU, Goodwill, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Tennessee County Services Association, is working together for criminal justice reform. It was this group which worked to pass House Bill 2248. 

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DCRP Reagan Day Dinner: Thursday, April 26th

Rand Paul

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

The Davidson County Republican Party’s Annual Reagan Day Dinner is set for Thursday, April 26th at the Nashville City Club, 201 4th Avenue North.

Senator Rand Paul will be this year’s honored speaker.

To order tickets, follow this link. 

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Southeast Conservative Breakfast Club meets April 21st. Carol Swain speaker.

Southeast Conservative Breakfast Club will meet Saturday, April 21st at the Shoney's on Thompson Lane. Breakfast will begin at 8AM and the meeting will be called to order at 9AM. The guest speaker will be Dr. Carol Swain, former political science professor at Vanderbilt University, political commentator, and candidate for mayor.

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School Board exposed attempting to negotiate budget deal behind closed doors.

Back when I entered the Metro Council, every year the members of the Budget and Finance Committee would get together at an informal private meeting and develop the Council's alternative to the mayor's budget. These meetings were not advertised and no records were kept. Those not on the Budget and Finance Committee had no input as to the alternative budget and were presented with the choice of voting for the alternative budget or not. Not voting for the alternative would have had the effect of voting for the mayor's budget. This was exposed a couple times by the press and by the time I left the council the practice had stopped and budget deliberations were done in public. I still suspect that some side deals were made in the hall or by phone but I don't know that. I did not serve on the Budget and Finance Committee so was not a party the private negotiations.

Over the years, legislative bodies have been exposed making decisions in private and one would think most legislators would have gotten the message. It looks like the school board has not. The school board had a retreat planned for April 13 and 14 and the agenda sent to board members said the board planned to discuss the ongoing budget controversy. The meeting was not advertised and was at a location other than the normal location of school board meetings. News Channel Five learned of the planned meeting, reported on it and the meeting was canceled.

It looks like the board then tried to play games by rescheduling the meeting, again without proper notice. It clearly appears that the school board was trying to violate Tennessee's Open Meetings Act. I know that it is easier and less embarrassing to make deals in private. No one knows what goes on behind closed doors. People can talk candidly when the press is not in the room and the cameras are not rolling. However, that is not an excuse for violating the law. In fact, the point of the law is that public business be conducted in public. Politics is bad enough when done in pubic; when conducted in secret it is dirtier. Sunshine is a good disinfectant.

Channel Five documents and explains what happened. To learn more follow this link. I commend Channel Five for exposing this attempt to violate the Sunshine law.

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Erica Gilmore switches sides, now opposes the transit plan.

by Rod Williams - Erica Gilmore, an at-large member of the Metro Council and candidate for mayor, who voted in the Council in favor of the $9billlion transit plan has switched sides and says she no longer supports the plan. She made the announcement on Monday April 9th, two days before early voting begins April 11. Brenda Gilmore had not only voted for the plan in the Metro Council, she sponsored the legislation that put the question on the May 1 ballot and had advocated for the plan's passage. She was the proponent of the plan in a WKRN News 2 debate that aired in February. As early as two weeks ago she was still advocating for the plan.

Erica Gilmore

Erica Gilmore is African-American and high profile. Her opposition could be a major blow to the transportation plan.  The Black vote is crucial to passage of the plan.  The election is May 1 and that is the Democrat primary, which in Davidson County is tantamount to the election. Courthouse officials, such as County Court Clerk, Juvenile Court Clerk, Sheriff  and some judges will be nominated in the Democrat primary to run in the August general election.  Since Republicans will not be fielding candidates, those who win the Democrat primary on May 1, will run unopposed in August. Traditionally, in the Democrat primary and off-elections in general in Nashville, Blacks turn out is higher than white turn out.

There has arisen serious opposition to the $9 billion transit plan in the Black community. Some  of the opposition is the same as in the larger community, that it is too costly and ignores modern technological changes that is changing the face of transportation. Of concern to many in the Black community is that a fixed rail system on major thoroughfares will not benefit them.  They see a greater need for a better bus system. There is also a concern that the transit plan will further the process of gentrification.

In the race for mayor, David Briley who was elevated to the office of mayor when Mayor Megan Barry plead guilty to a felony and resigned, is running for election to the office of mayor for a one year term to complete the unexpired term of Mayor Barry.  Ten other people are also seeking the office. Many will feel that Briley should be retained in the office for the remainder of Barry's term just so we do not have four different mayors in the span of a little over a year. With eleven candidates for mayor, I do not think Briley can win without a runoff. The way I see it, the person most likely to make the runoff is Erica Gilmore. While she is not my choice to oppose Briley, I think she is most likely to be the Briley alternative.

David Briley is an enthusiastic supporter of  the proposed transit plan. Weather Erica Gilmore has had her mind changed as the debate has brought new facts to light or if it is a calculated move to benefit her in her race against Briley, I don't know. Either way, it is welcome.

At yesterday's press conference Gilmore said the city's current plan is "unworkable." She also  said the plan before voters "distracts from the things that are most important," such as education funding, affordable-housing shortage and the city's increasing cost of living.

“I can no longer support this particular plan,"  she said. "As hopeful as I had been in the past to make this plan work, I recognize that it is too imperfect. I have concluded that salvaging this plan is currently unworkable. I was definitely trying to make this plan work. But as I talk to more and more citizens, they are not in favor of this plan."

For news coverage of this development see this link, this, and this. 

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55th Annual State of Metro Address May 4th.

Press release, April 13, 2018- The Mayor’s Office has filed a resolution with the Metro Council to hold the 55th Annual State of Metro Address in the Grand Reading Room of the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St., on Friday, May 4, at 10:00 a.m. 

“State of Metro is about laying out priorities and plans for the future. I look forward to discussing my proposed budget and exciting updates on the work of Metro Government on May 4,” said Mayor Briley. “Everyone is invited to attend, and I hope you will join me, the Metro Council, and other Metro officials for this event.”

Members of the public are encouraged to attend. For counting purposes only, attendees can RSVP at 55som.eventbrite.com. Seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Anyone requesting accommodations due to disabilities should contact Jerry Hall, ADA Coordinator, at 615-862-8960 or Jerry.Hall@nashville.gov.

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Nashville Mayor's Election May 24th: Early Voting May 4-May 19th.

Nashville mayoral election will be Wednesday May 24th. Early voting will run May 4 through May 19 and the runoff election, if required, will be June 28.

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Councilman Robert Swope introduces alternative transit plan: "Intelligent Transit for the It City Nashville."

Councilman unveils alternative plan for mass transit in Nashville 

Nashville Business Journal - Autonomous vehicles and double-decker highways: Those are the lynchpins of Metro Councilman Robert Swope's vision for mass transit in Nashville, which he unveiled Tuesday.

Dubbed "Intelligent Transit for the It City Nashville," Swope's plan — which was formed in coordination with Memphis-based The Digit Group — suggests implementing new technology to help alleviate the region's growing mobility problems. (read more)

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Tennessee Supreme Court moves up Nashville mayoral special election to May

Tennessee Supreme Court moves up Nashville mayoral special election to May

USA Today Network - Tennessee - ... In an unanimous 5-0 opinion written by Chief Justice Jeff Bivins, the court agreed with the plaintiff, Ludye Wallace, on the central issue of the case — that there's a distinction between a "general election" and a "metropolitan general election."  It came one day after oral arguments on the case.

"The next 'general metropolitan election' is the August 2019 election," the opinion reads. "Because the date of that election is more than twelve months from the date of the mayoral vacancy, (the Metro Charter) requires that a special election be set."

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Is a Democratic “Blue Wave” set to sweep the Tennessee legislature?

by Rod Williams - Is a Democratic “Blue Wave” set to sweep the Tennessee legislature? The website Washington Press says so. They point out that in recent years Tennessee Democrats didn’t even bother mounting a challenge  in nearly half of the races for open seats. This year however Tennessee Democrats are running candidates in 112 out of the state’s 117 legislative districts. 

Following the April 5th filling deadline, Democratic Party Chair Mary Mancini released the following statement:

We’re proud, motivated, and excited to have the largest class of Tennessee Democrats stepping up to run for office in recent memory. Tennesseans want a government that works for them, and with current leadership, that’s just not happening. These Democratic candidates are running to put our values into action. They want to stop more rural hospitals from closing, so parents are able to take their child to the hospital if they break an arm. They want everyone to be able to receive an education that fits their vision for the future; they want everyone to be able to find a good-paying job and retire in dignity and security. Now more than ever, we look forward to electing more Democrats who will work to make our state a place where all Tennesseans have the opportunity to create a better life for themselves and their families.

Not only are Democrats sounding confident, Republicans sound scared. Here is an excerpt from a recent Marsha Blackburn solicitation:

Rod,
A new poll has been released and it's not good news.
According to a survey of 600 registered voters, Democrat Gov. Phil Bredesen of Tennessee is leading Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn by double digits in the race to replace Sen. Bob Corker, who is quitting the Senate later this year.

The poll found that 45% of voters surveyed favored Bredesen, while 35% said they would back Blackburn. Another 17% are undecided.
Even if you don't live in Tennessee, the outcome of this Senate race will impact you.

Arguably, this Senate race is the most critical in the nation.
Democrats are focusing their resources on this race because they know... this seat will determine whether or not they take back the Senate.

Rep. Marsha Blackburn has always been one of the strongest voices in support of President Trump.  She's a rock-solid conservative who supports the President AND knows how to get things done in Washington.
She'll make a great Senator, but she needs our help in a BIG WAY to win.

For the record, I have contributed to the Blackburn campaign and will be voting for her. I am not sure however, that my modest contribution will turn the tide. I don't think this race is about who has the biggest war chest or spends the most money.

Tennessee is not the only Republican state that may flip to the Democrat column this year. Democrats have been winning races they shouldn't. Alabama, in my view, was not a bellewether of the coming wave. Moore was a seriously flawed candidate but there are other races Republicans should have won, but lost, In Ohio and Wisconsin Republicans lost seats they should have won. That does not bode well.

When Donald Trump won the presidency I was shocked. I believed the polls.  Of course the polls were right in that Hillary did win the popular vote. Pundits and pollsters however not only predicted Clinton would win the popular vote but that she would be elected president. Could the polls be wrong again? It is possible but unlikely. The polls not only show a Democrat edge but a wave of between 7 and 15 point advantage for the Democrats. Of course, a lot could happen between now and November. Unfortunately, I do not expect things that could happen to actually improve Republican chances. I doubt Trump is going to stop tweeting and doing dumb stuff. I don't think Trump will change his temperament and character between now and then.

Also, between now and then there is the potential for more bad news. The Mueller investigation may drip more incriminating evidence or even reach a conclusion of wrong doing. Stormy Daniels will be in the news for more months.  By November we may be feeling the effects of the looming trade war with China and the economy may be worse than it is today. Tensions with Korea could be even worse. The DACA issue may not be resolved and stories of Americanized Mexican youth living in fear or being deported may be a regular news item. Also, I predict that either Kelly, Sessions, Kudlow, or John Bolton will be gone. It looks like Trump is prepared to pull out of Syria and hand it over to Russia and Iran. I am sure that is not Bolton's advice. I will be surprised if Bolton makes it six months. Trump's inability to settle on a cabinet may please some of his base who for some reason seem to like chaos but I think most of the public would like to see some stability and boring presidential normalcy. 

Mid-term elections are often a referendum on the president and Trump is just not popular. Trump's current approval rating is a dismal 39%. Since the public can't vote against the president in November, they will vote against Republicans. With the economy booming and unemployment at almost record lows Trump's poll numbers should be positive. Usually, "it's the economy stupid," but not this year. Except for the die-hard base, people do just not like Trump.  Continued economic growth may make Americans feel more confident and content by November, but I doubt it. Unemployment at 4% can't get much lower and if Trump gets his trade war, we may see those unemployment numbers going the other direction.

If the Blue wave is as big as expected, Democrats may not only take the House, but possibly the Senate. Unfortunately, a wave election may be felt all the way down to the level of governorships, state houses, and in city council and school board races across America.

I don't want it to happen. I am financially contributing to Republican candidates and I am, of course, going to vote Republican. However, in a certain sense, I feel we need to lose. By electing Donald Trump we abandoned conservatism and elected a showboating, unprincipled, crude, intemperate, populist. And, Republican can't govern. After talking about repealing Obamacare for years, Republicans couldn't do it. Under the Obama  administration the national debt rose from $10 trillion to $19 trillion. Republicans condemned reckless spending and raged. Now, after a little over a year of Trump the debt has hit $21 trillion and even without a trade war it is estimated to grow by $2.1 trillion a year. That is not good news. That is not sustainable. There will be a day of reckoning. I don't think Democrats would do much worse.

I do not think everything Trump has done is wrong. I am pleased with the Gorsuch pick and other judicial appointments. I am delighted at the massive cuts to regulation and I am pleased with the tax cuts. I am pleased that Trump is finally standing up to Korea although Trump's recklessness in calling the leader of North Korea "little rocket man," and bragging about who has the biggest nuclear button concern me.

If Republicans do lose in November, life will go on. For Republicans there will be a period of soul searching and recrimination and reorganizing. If Republican loses are big in November, I do not expect Trump to win renomination without a serious primary challenge in 2020. I actually think Trump will be a one-term president, but what do I know; I didn't think he would win in 2016.

I still think Republicans should be the party of conservatism. I think America would again vote for a Ronald Reagan.  We do have challenges, of course. Many young people have a favorable view of socialism and American demographics have changed. However, many people after the Nixon scandal and the left wing radicalism of the late 60's thought society and culture and politics had changed forever, yet a few short years later we had the Reagan revolution.  Following the blue wave of 2018, if it happens, Republicans need to return to Republican conservative values.

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Councilman Robert Swope to unveil alternative transit plan

Robert Swope

Metro Councilman Robert Swope plans to unveil his own transit plan on April 10 as an alternative to the proposed $9 billion mass-transit plan which will be on the ballot as a referendum question on May 1.  Early voting for the May 1 elections starts April 11.

Swope told The Tennessean, his plan was “intelligent transit for the ‘It City.’”  He did not reveal any  specifics about his plan but said, "China, Dubai, New Zealand and a lot of other countries are scheduling implementation of a number of these transit options right now. So if we look at technology to assist and aiding the transit problems in this city, this isn't something that we have to 'wait five years for technology to get there.' It exists today." "Every single part of this, we're doing somewhere in the world right now," he said of his transit plan. 

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