11/16/2006
Election positive for Tennessee small businesses
The results are in, and small business in Tennessee is again a winner.
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NFIB members Bo Carey, left, and Jim Wakefield, were a big part of NFIB's endorsement event for Bob Corker, second from right, this fall. On behalf of NFIB/Tennessee State Director Gary Selvy, right, and NFIB's staff, thank you, Bo and Jim, for your activism for free enterprise. |
NFIB-endorsed candidates David Davis (Dist. 1), Jimmy Duncan, (Dist. 2), Zach Wamp (Dist. 3), Lincoln Davis (Dist. 4), Bart Gordon (Dist. 6), Marsha Blackburn (Dist. 7) and John Tanner (Dist. 8) easily won their House races. NFIB-endorsed Mark White, an NFIB member, lost to Steve Cohen in District 9.
At the state level, Gov. Phil Bredesen easily defeated State Sen. Jim Bryson. The governor has been a good friend to small business, having worked in his first term to reform workers' comp, rework health care and enact small-business regulatory reform, among several initiatives. NFIB looks forward to working with Gov. Bredesen and his administration in his second term. NFIB commends Sen. Bryson for his willingness to serve in a higher office and his outstanding service to small business as a state senator. Bryson has a bright future in Tennessee politics.
Overall, NFIB made 62 candidate endorsements this election cycle, with 52 winning. NFIB would like to thank each candidate, win or lose, NFIB-endorsed or not, for running for public office. It takes real commitment to run in these races, and small business thanks you for your dedication to service.
We would also like to thank several NFIB members. Thanks go to Paul Brian of Interworks in Jackson, who took the time to send a letter to the editor of the Jackson Sun expressing his support of NFIB-endorsed candidate Sen. Don McLeary. Thanks also to Jim Wakefield of in Knoxville-based Wakefield Corporation and his employees, who graciously hosted NFIB's endorsement event for Bob Corker. Finally, we appreciate Scott Hubbard of the McCann and Hubbard law firm in Brentwood, which hosted the NFIB endorsement event for Jack Johnson, who won his race in Senate District 23.
| Federal | TN-Sen | Bob Corker | R | W |
| Federal | TN-01 | (State) Rep. David Davis | R | W |
| Federal | TN-02 | Rep. Jimmy Duncan | R | W |
| Federal | TN-03 | Rep. Zach Wamp | R | W |
| Federal | TN-04 | Rep. Lincoln Davis | D | W |
| Federal | TN-06 | Rep. Bart Gordon | D | W |
| Federal | TN-07 | Rep. Marsha Blackburn | R | W |
| Federal | TN-08 | Rep. John Tanner | D | W |
| Federal | TN-09 | Mark White | R | L |
| State | HD-01 | Jon Lundberg | R | W |
| State | HD-03 | Rep. Jason Mumpower | R | W |
| State | HD-07 | Rep. Matthew Hill | R | W |
| State | HD-08 | Rep. Joe McCord | R | W |
| State | HD-09 | Rep. Mike Harrison | R | W |
| State | HD-11 | Charlotte Leibrock | R | L |
| State | HD-14 | Rep. Parkey Strader | R | W |
| State | HD-18 | Rep. Stacey Campfield | R | W |
| State | HD-19 | Rep. Harry Brooks | R | W |
| State | HD-20 | Rep. Doug Overby | R | W |
| State | HD-21 | Jimmy Matlock | R | W |
| State | HD-22 | Rep. Eric Watson | R | W |
| State | HD-25 | Rep. Eric Swafford | R | W |
| State | HD-26 | Rep. Gerald McCormick | R | W |
| State | HD-34 | Rep. Donna Rowland | R | W |
| State | HD-35 | Rep. Coach Roach | R | W |
| State | HD-36 | Rep. William Baird | R | W |
| State | HD-37 | Michelle Russell | R | L |
| State | HD-40 | Terri Lynn Weaver | R | L |
| State | HD-42 | Henry Fincher | D | W |
| State | HD-43 | Rep. Charles Curtis | D | W |
| State | HD-45 | Rep. Debra Maggart | R | W |
| State | HD-46 | John Dee Worley | R | L |
| State | HD-47 | Rep. Judd Matheny | R | W |
| State | HD-48 | Joe Carr | R | L |
| State | HD-49 | Oscar Gardner | R | L |
| State | HD-56 | Rep. Beth Harwell | R | W |
| State | HD-57 | Rep. Susan Lynn | R | W |
| State | HD-61 | Rep. Charles Sargent | R | W |
| State | HD-62 | Rep. Curtis Cobb | D | W |
| State | HD-63 | Rep. Glen Casada | R | W |
| State | HD-64 | Rep. Tom Dubois | R | W |
| State | HD-67 | Ken Takasaki | R | L |
| State | HD-68 | Rep. Curtis Johnson | R | W |
| State | HD-70 | Rep. Joey Hensley | R | W |
| State | HD-71 | Rep. Randy Rinks | D | W |
| State | HD-72 | Rep. Steve McDaniel | R | W |
| State | HD-73 | Rep. Jimmy Eldridge | R | W |
| State | HD-78 | Rep. Phillip Johnson | R | W |
| State | HD-80 | Rep. Johnny Shaw | D | W |
| State | HD-93 | Tim Cook | R | L |
| State | HD-94 | Rep. Delores Gresham | R | W |
| State | SD-01 | Sen. Steve Southerland | R | W |
| State | SD-03 | Sen. Rusty Crowe | R | W |
| State | SD-05 | Sen. Randy McNally | R | W |
| State | SD-07 | Sen. Tim Burchett | R | W |
| State | SD-09 | Rep. Dewayne Bunch | R | W |
| State | SD-11 | Sen. Bo Watson | R | W |
| State | SD-13 | Sen. Bill Ketron | R | W |
| State | SD-17 | Sen. Mae Beavers | R | W |
| State | SD-21 | Sen. Doug Henry | D | W |
| State | SD-23 | Jack Johnson | R | W |
| State | SD-27 | Sen. Don McLeary | R | L |
NFIB President speaks at Memphis meeting
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NFIB President and CEO Todd Stottlemyer, right, and National Ombudsman for the U.S. Small Business Administration Nicholas Owens, left, recently spoke to a 100-strong small-business crowd in Memphis. |
Stottlemyer used the occasion to encourage small-business owners and their employees to get to the polls and vote for candidates who support free enterprise.
"This is not a year to be complacent," Stottlemyer said. "I think many of us feel frustrated because of the way Congress has handled -- or ignored -- the many issues important to small business. But we need to stay involved, go to the polls [and] express that frustration in the voting booth."
Owens told the crowd, "Unfair regulations and the unfair enforcement of regulations cost business two of their most precious commodities -- time and money." He noted according to the SBA's Office of Advocacy, federal regulations alone cost small businesses with fewer than 20 employees an estimated $7,647 per year per employee, or 45 percent more than it costs a large company of 500 employees or more.
Tax 'holiday' saved shoppers $14.8 million
Shoppers took advantage of Tennessee's first sales-tax holiday in August to the tune of $14.8 million in uncharged sales taxes. The holiday allowed Tennesseans to buy certain school-related items while not paying local or state sales taxes.
Local governments that would have lost sales tax money from the holiday will be covered by extra money allotted to them in the state budget year, according to the governor's office. The preliminary payback is estimated at $3.7 million. Next year, Tennessee will have two tax holidays -- April 27-29 and Aug. 3-5 -- covering the same school-related items. We'll share more detail and reminders as these dates approach.
Don't forget your NFIB member benefits
Did you know about all the great member benefits you have as an NFIB member? Is your business looking to buy new computer equipment, for instance? If so, maybe you would be interested in learning more about Dell discounts available to NFIB members.
Being an NFIB member not only helps your voice to be heard in Washington and in Nashville, but also gives you access to benefits that save you money and time. NFIB's Member Benefits are designed to help with your critical business needs: insurance, health care, shipping, technology, financial services and more. For more information, please visit www.nfib.com/page/benefitsHome.
Sincerely,
Gary Selvy
NFIB/Tennessee State Director
gary.selvy@nfib.org
