Bias Watch: Nashville Scene
The Nashville Scene looks at the future of "tax reform" and loads its story with pro-income tax quotes, stats and spin. You'll note that the Scene quotes two pro-income tax people, labeling one an "economist" (but not listing her credendtials), but provides comments from only one person opposed to the income tax, Further note that he is identified only as a "conservative radio personality," although WTN host Steve Gill also is a lawyer and former White House Fellow.

The story also cites uncritically a prediction by Dr. Bill Fox, a pro-income tax economist at the state of Tennessee, that the one-cent sales tax increase will cause $800 million in lost retail sales. What the Scene fails to provide is contect: Fox's abysmal record for accuracy in economic and revenue predictions for Tennessee in the past decade. Let's review: The State Funding Board, which makes revenue projections based in large part on Fox's reports, is almost always wrong and usually under-projects actual revenue. And Fox himself predicted three economic slumps in the 1990s in annual reports to the governor on the Tennessee economy. Each time, the economy grew faster.

One gem in the story: Jason Bell of the spectacularly misnamed Tennesseans for Fair Taxation, which favors a grossly unfair graduated income tax, says the inefficiency of Tennessee state government is because the state spends too little, not too much. Yes. And the alcoholic's problem is too little booze.