NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Beyond the bail question, Tennessee voters are being asked to make two other changes to the state constitution on Nov. 3: a permanent ban on any statewide property tax and a rewritten, longer list of rights for crime victims.
The property tax measure grew out of House Joint Resolution 81 and Senate Joint Resolution 1. It would amend Article II, Section 28 so lawmakers could never levy or authorize a state tax on real, personal or mixed property. Counties and cities would keep their own property taxes. The state itself has not collected a property tax since 1949, but under current law the General Assembly could bring one back with an ordinary bill. If the amendment passes, it would take another vote of the people to do that.
The victims measure, from House Joint Resolution 94 and Senate Joint Resolution 9, would replace Article I, Section 35, which has spelled out crime victims rights since 1998. The new version runs to 13 rights.
Some of those are new. Victims would gain a right to fair treatment, a role in the parole process, protection from harassment and intimidation, notice of the shortest sentence an offender will actually serve and the expected release date, and a requirement that their safety and the public safety be weighed before any release.
Others carry over or are clarified, such as notice of court dates and of any release, transfer or escape, the chance to speak at sentencing and to meet with prosecutors, restitution and a speedy resolution. The attorney general summary says the change would not limit prosecutors or judges and would not let anyone sue the state for damages.
All three amendments sit on the ballot right after the governor race. Each needs more yes than no votes, plus yes votes equal to more than half of everyone who voted for governor. That second hurdle means skipping an amendment question has the same effect as voting no.
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Filed under: Nashville TN Politics News
