Residents, Leaders and Groups
Call & Email before Tuesday 3/9/12
Friends Of Hamilton, working with community leaders and state representatives is requesting an IMMEDIATE CALL TO ACTION to support of House Bill – 475. This bill would provide residents the RIGHT TO VOTE FOR ANNEXATION of their properties. We need you to call & email each of the representatives listed below and request their support!
The Tennessee Municipal League (TML- see bottom), City of Chattanooga, Collegedale and other city leaders oppose this bill because it takes away their ability to FORCIBLY annex Tennessee resident’s properties to reap tax revenues. There are only 3 states in the country that allow FORCIBLE annexation (we are one). North Carolina recently adopted a bill similar to HB-475 to provide their residents the right to vote on annexation (both city residents and rural communities).
What is forced annexation and why are we fighting it?
Forced annexation allows a city to annex adjacent areas simply through a city council ordinance.
Annexed businesses and residents don’t get a choice. And their taxes skyrocket.
Since 1998, the State of Tennessee has operated a “forced annexation” regime driven by TML (2nd largest lobbing group paid for by tax payer dollars).
Prior to 1998, Tennessee citizens were able to consent or deny annexation by majority vote.
That right was a problem for city leaders looking to increase revenues without having to reduce spending or risk politically toxic tax increases.
Tennessee is one of only three states using forced annexation (Idaho and Indiana are the others; North Carolina recently revoked its forced annexation law).
Forced annexation discourages government accountability
Many cities use annexation as a way of avoiding desirable financial and budget reforms, like renegotiating unsustainable employee pensions and restructuring financing for needed infrastructure improvements.
This dishonest cost shifting is unfair to residents targeted for annexation and unfair to city residents desiring honest, responsible and accountable government.
Cost-shifting through forced annexation creates an arrogant attitude in city leaders similar to that of a welfare queen with an entitlement mentality, as if the city is entitled to tax residents in unincorporated areas just for living near the city.
We believe city leaders seeking to annex should follow the American Way and sell to targeted residents the benefits of annexation, demonstrating that services and other value offered are worth the increased taxes.
Forced annexation encourages burdensome taxes
Increased taxes from forced annexation are an unplanned burden many cannot afford.
Some are forced to sell their property for under fair market price just to unload their increased burden.
Newly-annexed residents and businesses must immediately pay their city taxes, but typically do not see service improvements, if any, for years.
Forced annexation often extends city infrastructure beyond capabilities
For many cities, water and utility infrastructure may not be designed to accommodate expansion brought by annexation, often requiring costly upgrades.
Many cities fail to appropriately increase their staffing to accommodate newly annexed areas.
Residents and businesses in unincorporated suburban areas already have the services they need and want to live and work comfortably, from utilities and trash pickup to fire and police protection.
No-Commitment/No-Response
Rep. Jimmy Eldridge (R-73) 615-741-7475 rep.jimmy.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Dale Carr (R-12) 615-741-5981 rep.dale.carr@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Sherry Jones (D-59) 615-741-2035 rep.sherry.jones@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Larry Miller (D-88) 615-741-4453 rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-50) 615-741-4317 rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Antonio Parkinson 615-741-4575 rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Mike Sparks (R-49) 615-741-6829 rep.mike.sparks@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Mike Stewart (D-52) 615-741-2184 rep.mike.stewart@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Matthew Hill (R-7) 615-741-2251 rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Joe Carr (R-48) 615-741-2180 rep.joe.carr@capitol.tn.gov
Rep .Jeremy Durham (R-65) 615-741-1864 rep.jeremy.durham@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Steve Hall (R-18) 615-741-2287 rep.steve.hall@capitol.tn.gov
Confirmed to YES VOTE on BILL (GREAT!)
Rep. Mike Carter
Rep. Andy Holt (R-76)
Rep. Richard Floyd (R-27)
Rep. Vince Dean (R-30)
Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-11)
Read more about FORCE ANNEXATION on FOH Website: Click Here
Who is TML? Why should you care?
The Tennessee Municipal League (TML) is a lobbing group funded by cities looking to extend their reach. These cities are using city tax payer dollars to fund TML’s lobbing efforts. Most city residents do not realize their taxes are being spent on lobbing efforts to take property rights from Tennessee residents. We strongly encourage city residents call their elected councilmen and mayors to demand DE-FUNDING TML.
Look who is on their board are they representing TN resident’s interest?
Ron Littlefield Chattanooga Mayor (past) Tom Rowland Cleveland Mayor David May Cleveland Council Member Madeline Rogero Knoxville Mayor Kari Dean Nashville Mayor Ken Wilber Portland Mayor Margaret Feierabend Briston Council Member Bo Perkinson Athens Vice Mayor Kevin Helms Oak Hill City Manager Vance Coleman Medina Mayor Bryan Atchley Sevierville Mayor Wallace Cartwright Shelbyvlle Mayor Ann Davis Athens Council Member John Holden Dyersburg Mayor Sam Tharpe Paris Mayor Bob Kirm Dyersburg Alderman Tom Beehan Oak Ridge Mayor Kay Senter Morristown Mayor Pro Tem A.C. Wharton Memphis Mayor Tommy Green Alamo Mayor Allen Barker Humboldt Mayor Curtis Hayes Livingston Mayor Dot Lamarche Farragut Mayor Norman Rone McMinville Mayor John Hickman Waynesboro City Manager David Gordon Covington Mayor Troy Beets Kingston Director Betsy Crossley Brentwood Council Member Jerry Gist Jackson Mayor Ron Washington Murfreesboro Council Member Tommy Bragg Murfreesboro Mayor Dale Kelley Huntingdon Mayor Angi Carrier Johnson City Development Services Director Charles Seivers TMBF President