Another Way We've Fallen Behind Arkansas

Tired of hearing that Tennessee now ranks lower than states such as Arkansas and Mississippi on various quality indicator rankings? Sorry, here's another one: Arkansas has a smarter governor than we do. Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican who sticks to his principles, understands what Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist doesn't: You don't raise taxes in the middle of a recession.

According to United Press International, Arkansas's governor challenged politicians and others demanding a tax increase to cover a revenue shortfall to "lead the way by contributing to the newly created Tax Me More Fund at the state Department of Finance and Administration." Huckabee says he created the fund so people who think they don't pay enough taxes can make a voluntary contribution to the state. Says Huckabee, "All money sent to the account will go to the state's general revenue fund to help offset the current revenue shortfall. ... There's nothing in the law that prohibits those who believe they aren't paying enough in taxes from writing a check to the state of Arkansas," the governor said. "Maybe this will make them feel better."

The fund likely won't get many donations, but it will expose the hypocrisy of Arkansas' pro-tax liberals because the names of contributors to the Tax Me More Fund, and the amount they contributed, will be made public record.