Tennessee GOP leadership threatens Memphis sales tax revenue over gun-reform ballot measures

Tennessee's legislative Republican leadership on Monday threatened to create a new state law to withhold state sales tax revenue from Memphis and Shelby County, an unprecedented move to enact a heavy financial penalty if the city goes through with a ballot referendum on gun-related issues.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, issued a joint statement threatening the penalty on Monday, the latest salvo in an ongoing power struggle between the GOP and Memphis and Shelby County leaders over criminal justice policy.

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Karen Camper, D-Memphis, said the move would set a "dangerous precedent" and withholding sales tax revenue from the state's largest county would be "shortsighted and counterproductive."

The threat comes as Memphis voters could face three ballot questions, which city leaders say are not intended to restrict gun ownership but to signify support for safer gun handling policies.

The Memphis City Council earlier this year passed the referendum ordinance. Councilman Jeff Warren, who led the referendum's passing, said that the law would not be enforced without state approval.




https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/politics/2024/08/26/republican-leadership-cameron-sexton-randy-mcnally-threatens-sales-tax-memphis-shelby-county/74950595007/