Who says Drug dealers won't pay taxes.

Shaun · 04-06-2004, 06:43 PM

Only in TN

Bill Would Tax Drug Deals

Posted: 4/6/2004 6:21:00 PM
Updated: 4/6/2004 6

36 PM

Next year's state budget could include a new tax that would generate a few million dollars, but don't worry, it's not the kind of tax most people would have to pay.

In Tennessee, a tax proposal can spawn protest.

But Tuesday , at the Capitol, there was no screaming, no yelling and no protesting--even with a new tax plan on the table.

That's because this tax is aimed solely at suspected drug dealers.

"You know the power to tax is the power to destroy," said Senator Randy McNally, who wants to destroy the drug trade. He got the idea from other states.

"This is simply a way of getting more revenue from people who are engaged in trying to sell drugs to our children," McNally said.

The proposed legislation actually puts a tax on illegal drugs.

For example, the tax on marijuana would be 40 cents on stems and stalks and $3.50 a gram for other forms of marijuana.

The cocaine tax would be $50 per gram. Methamphetamine would be taxed at $5 per dose.

"I'm sure there wouldn't be anybody that would attempt to pay the tax," McNally said. But if police catch drug dealers, the dealers would have to pay.

"The first time I read it, I thought he was over the edge. But after I read it, it really makes a great deal of sense."

Representative Charles Curtiss is now sponsoring the House version of the bill. "You study our history, the way they got Al Capone off the streets wasn't by the criminal code. It was the revenue code that actually took Al Capone off the streets," Curtiss said.

Sponsors said the bill could generate $3.6 million dollars and the money could go back to police and investigators to take more dealers off the streets.

The bill was up for discussion in the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday. They delayed voting on the issue for a couple of weeks.

Under the current bill, the most of the tax revenue would go to the TBI and local law enforcement, but some Senators would rather see it all go the general fund and then they can direct it to law enforcement.

Twenty-seven other states have similar laws.

MAX7.62 · 04-06-2004, 06:53 PM

Hmm? Govt. making money off of illegal drugs? Sounds like a Democrat idea to me?

SAAAAY? Isn't Al Gore from Tennessee?

Hmmmm?

Shaun · 04-06-2004, 07:09 PM

he says he is but he grew up in a DC Penthouse.

04-06-2004, 06:43 PM	#1
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,592 Images: 1	Who says Drug dealers won't pay taxes. Only in TN Bill Would Tax Drug Deals Posted: 4/6/2004 6:21:00 PM Updated: 4/6/2004 636 PM Next year's state budget could include a new tax that would generate a few million dollars, but don't worry, it's not the kind of tax most people would have to pay. In Tennessee, a tax proposal can spawn protest. But Tuesday , at the Capitol, there was no screaming, no yelling and no protesting--even with a new tax plan on the table. That's because this tax is aimed solely at suspected drug dealers. "You know the power to tax is the power to destroy," said Senator Randy McNally, who wants to destroy the drug trade. He got the idea from other states. "This is simply a way of getting more revenue from people who are engaged in trying to sell drugs to our children," McNally said. The proposed legislation actually puts a tax on illegal drugs. For example, the tax on marijuana would be 40 cents on stems and stalks and $3.50 a gram for other forms of marijuana. The cocaine tax would be $50 per gram. Methamphetamine would be taxed at $5 per dose. "I'm sure there wouldn't be anybody that would attempt to pay the tax," McNally said. But if police catch drug dealers, the dealers would have to pay. "The first time I read it, I thought he was over the edge. But after I read it, it really makes a great deal of sense." Representative Charles Curtiss is now sponsoring the House version of the bill. "You study our history, the way they got Al Capone off the streets wasn't by the criminal code. It was the revenue code that actually took Al Capone off the streets," Curtiss said. Sponsors said the bill could generate $3.6 million dollars and the money could go back to police and investigators to take more dealers off the streets. The bill was up for discussion in the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday. They delayed voting on the issue for a couple of weeks. Under the current bill, the most of the tax revenue would go to the TBI and local law enforcement, but some Senators would rather see it all go the general fund and then they can direct it to law enforcement. Twenty-seven other states have similar laws. __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

04-06-2004, 06:53 PM	#2
MAX7.62 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Classified Posts: 934	Hmm? Govt. making money off of illegal drugs? Sounds like a Democrat idea to me? SAAAAY? Isn't Al Gore from Tennessee? Hmmmm? __________________ The Second Amendment, it ain't about DUCK HUNTING! I feel more like I do now that I did when I first got here!

04-06-2004, 07:09 PM	#3
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,592 Images: 1	he says he is but he grew up in a DC Penthouse. __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/