Beacon Center of Tennessee

Volkswagen layoffs loom amid questions of new “clawback” rules

editor — Tue, 28 May 2013 21:46:33 +0000

TNReport.com investigates how a new state law will fail to protect taxpayers from a recently announced layoff of 500 workers by Volkswagen. The auto manufacturer has received hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer money for its Chattanooga plant, and the state will likely be unable to recoup any of the money it handed the company to create jobs despite the layoffs. Beacon’s Trey Moore expressed concern about the effectiveness of the new clawback law.

“[W]hile the intent of the bill seems to be good, the final language appears to give ECD the discretion of whether to ‘clawback’ funds in the event a company reneges on its end of a deal. Since discretion is susceptible to political influence, a mandatory clawback provision is more appropriate when you’re dealing with taxpayer money.”

Read the entire article at TNReport.com.

June 12: Wall Street Journal’s Steve Moore

editor — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:56:33 +0000

The Beacon Center of Tennessee
and
Foundation for Economic Education

Cordially invite you to attend a special event
featuring Wall Street Journal Editorial Board Member

Steve Moore

“How the States & Free Markets Can Cure Our Woes”

Wednesday, June 12th
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel
623 Union Street, Davidson Room, Second Floor
Nashville, Tennessee 37219

While it is free to attend, space is limited, so please RSVP to Suzanne Michel at
(615) 383-6431, ext. 1002 or suzanne@beacontn.org by Friday, June 7th.

Steve Moore is a columnist and member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board. He is a contributing editor for National Review and frequent economics commentator on CNBC’s Kudlow & Company. He also appears on Fox News’ On the Record with Greta Van Susteren. Moore is the recent author of a new book titled “Who’s the Fairest of Them All? The Truth about Opportunity, Taxes, and Wealth in America.”

Florida policing for profit problems point to Tennessee solution

editor — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:40:08 +0000

In an Associated Press story, the problems of policing for profit in Florida are paralleled to those in Tennessee. The story notes the work of Beacon to curb the practice in our state. Read the entire story here.

TBD: Sign up to receive exclusive event invitations

editor — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:06:52 +0000

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Tri-Cities TV station covers Beacon’s welfare abuse reform efforts

editor — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:35:23 +0000

WJHL in the Tri-Cities covers Beacon’s investigation into EBT card abuse and notes the changes in state law that spawned from it.

“It’s really disheartening to see so much of this money going to things like liquor and to strip clubs when it’s designed to provide necessities to children of welfare recipients,” said Justin Owen, President & CEO of Beacon Center of Tennessee.

Watch the entire news report here.

“Nashville” TV show seeks more subsidies

editor — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:50:45 +0000

The Nashville Business Journal takes a look at the film incentives received by the TV show “Nashville,” and discusses whether those handouts should be renewed if a second season is cast. Beacon’s Director of Policy Trey Moore says no.

“If it’s successful enough to be picked up for another season you would think it could stand on its own two feet and not require taxpayers of Tennessee and Nashville to subsidize it.”

Read the entire article at the Business Journal‘s website.

When is no law better than a weak law?

editor — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:33:13 +0000

In a Choice Media “Ed Reform Minute” podcast, Beacon Center Director of Policy Trey Moore explains why Beacon had concerns with – and ultimately could not support – Gov. Haslam’s limited, failing school voucher bill this year. Visit buff.ly/15GvuiU to listen to the entire podcast.

Tennessee rejects Medicaid expansion…for now

editor — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:24:05 +0000

The Heartland Institute notes Gov. Bill Haslam’s decision to thus far reject a Medicaid expansion. The article quotes Beacon director of policy Trey Moore, who explains how this rejection does not mean Tennessee taxpayers will lose money to other states.

“The notion that money will go to other states if Tennessee refuses expansion is both a common refrain and a misconception,” Moore said. “The amount of Medicaid dollars California, Kansas, or Kentucky receive is based on the states’ respective federal matching payment (FMAP) rate and the amount of Medicaid enrollees within each state.”

FMAP is the rate at which the federal government matches state Medicaid spending, usually between 50 and 60 percent.

“States stand neither to gain nor lose federal Medicaid funds relative to another state’s decision on expansion,” Moore said. “This is no less true for Tennessee.”

Read the entire article here.

Beacon’s statement on the passage of policing for profit reforms

editor — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:26:56 +0000

Statement from the Beacon Center on Passage of Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill:

The Beacon Center of Tennessee today commended the unanimous passage of legislation to limit the controversial practice of policing for profit.

The Beacon Center has called for several reforms to these laws, which allow police officers to seize Tennesseans’ property even if they have no proof that a crime has been committed. This has led to disturbing seizures of cash and other personal property on highways across Tennessee.

Sponsored by Rep. Barrett Rich (R-Somerville) and Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald), HB1078/SB891 prohibits ex parte hearings when property is seized under the state’s civil asset forfeiture laws. Currently, court hearings to determine whether seizures were legal are conducted with only the police officer present, and often without the knowledge of the property owner.

“Policing for profit flies in the face of core constitutional principles,” said Beacon Center Director of Policy Trey Moore. “Allowing citizens who become ensnared in this questionable practice to have their day in court is a much-needed first step toward the protection of property rights.”

In March, the Beacon Center published a policy brief outlining the problems with policing for profit, offering several solutions including the one that passed the legislature this week. Read the entire brief, titled The Perils of Policing for Profit, here.

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Governor gets bill restricting use of welfare cards

editor — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:53:04 +0000

TNReport.com covers the passage of a bill that restricts the use of Electronic Benefits Transfer cards by welfare recipients. The online news bureau notes Beacon’s role in initiating the reform effort.

The legislation came after a report was released last summer by the Beacon Center of Tennessee, which documented numerous examples of suspicious card-use by welfare recipients. According to Beacon’s report, EBT cards were swiped at liquor stores, nightclubs, malls, retail outlets, and adult-entertainment establishments, as well as for a hotel stay and UPS services, among others. The free-market think tank reported one transaction at a liquor store totaling $790.

“We applaud Rep. Weaver, Sen. Tracy, Commissioner Hatter, and all those who supported this important effort to restrict the abusive use of EBT cards in our state,” said Beacon Center CEO Justin Owen.