2 JOHNSON CITY PRESS, Deaths MRS. NORA G. TAYLOR ELIZABETHTON Mrs. Nora G. Taylor, 79, Ivy Hall Nursing Home, formerly of Rt.
5, died Friday, June 25, 1999, at the home. Mrs. Taylor was a Carter County native and a daughter of the late Roy C. and Jettie Elliott Grindstaff. She was a member of Moore's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, Mrs.
Taylor was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Sycamore Chapter No. 163. She was a former member of the Carter County Equalization Board. Mrs. Taylor was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert T.
Taylor, in 1978, and three brothers. Survivors include two 'sons, Roy H. Taylor, Elizabethton, and Howard S. Taylor, Greensboro, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Cheri Cox, Joy Woods, and Jennifer Greene, all of Elizabethton, David Taylor, Clinton Taylor and Katrina Brown, all of Greensboro, and Denise Hamm, Winston-Salem, N.C.; and nine great-grandchildren. Tetrick (542-2232) MRS.
ADA A. HUMPHRIES KINGSPORT Mrs. Ada Atkins Humphries, 79, Hillside Manor, formerly of Rock Springs community, died Thursday, June 24, 1999, following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Humphries was a Rogersville native and had lived in Kingsport most of her life.
She worked at McKarem's Store. Mrs. Humphries was preceded in death by her husbands, C.B. Atkins and Hunter Humphries, three brothers and four sisters. Survivors include one sister, Christina Bernice Johnson, Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be conducted Saturday, June 26, 1999, at 2 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband, James L. Stanley, in 1997, and two sisters. Survivors include one son, Charles Lee "Tinker" Stanley, Jonesborough; one sister, Joy Gallaher, Richmond, and several nieces and nephews.
Dillow-Taylor, Jonesborough (753-0514) RICKY MULLINS BUTLER Ricky Mullins, 37, 178 Road, died Thursday, June 24, 1999, at his residence. Mr. Mullins was a Johnson County native and a son of the late Rhonda Robert and Modora Eliza Kyte Mullins. He was a millwright. Mr.
Mullins was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by one brother. Survivors include three brothers, Larry Mullins, Mountain City, Darrell Mullins, Lenoir, N.C., and Ronnie Mullins, Butler; five sisters, Jewell Mink, Mountain City, Joyce Cannon, Deltona, Janice Smith, Elizabethton, Linda Arnold, Butler, and Debbie Miller, Lincolnton, N.C.; one aunt; and several nieces and nephews. Percy-Hux, Mountain City (727-9221) MRS. EDITH STOCKTON ERWIN Mrs.
Edith Stockton, 86, 531 Gentry Mountain Road, died Thursday, June 24, 1999, at Unicoi County Memorial Hospital. She was a Unicoi County native and a daughter of the late James Anderson and Muncie Shelton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Stockton, five brothers, one half brother and one great-granddaughter. Survivors. include two daughters, Eugenia Lovada Tilson, Johnson City, and Gale Benton, Flag Pond; two sisters, Mavis Williams and Norma Shelton, both of Flag Pond; four grandchildren, Karen Bailey and Cedric Benton, both of Flag Pond, Kim Leach, Johnson City, and Anita Foster, Hendersonville, N.C.; and six great Valley (743-9187) DOROTHY K.
STANLEY Dorothy K. Stanley, 74, 746 Summitt Drive, Jonesborough, died Thursday, June 24, 1999, at North Side Hospital. Ms. Stanley was a Washington County native and a daughter of the late Charles and Nola Johnson Kelly. She was a homemaker and a retired seamstress from Fabrics.
Ms. Stanley attended Watauga Church of God. Hamlett-Dobson (378-3134) CORRECTIONS The Johnson City Press strives for accuracy in all its reports. Readers who notice factual errors in the newspaper should contact City Editor Brad Jolly, Night Editor Robert Pierce or Managing Sports Editor Kelly Hodge. The Telephone number is 929-3111 Saturday, June 26, 1999 RAY STEEPLES HIALEAH, Fla.
Gail "Ray" Steeples, 59, 329 Hidden Valley Drive, Bumpus Mills, died Tuesday, June 22, 1999, at Palmetto General Hospital. Mr. Steeples was a Lee County, Iowa, native and had lived in Bumpus Mills for 13 years. He was a son of the late Arthur and Ruby Warren Steeples. Mr.
Steeples was a Navy veteran, retiring as senior chief petty officer. He had worked for Birmingham Crane and Hoist Co. as an electrical service technician for the past 21 years. Mr. Steeples was a member of Bumpus Mills United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Jean Briggs Steeples; four daughters, Alicia Biggerstaff, Stephanie Steeples and Kelly Steeples, all of Burlington, and Beverly Treadway, Lakeland; two brothers, Duane Steeples, Quincy, and Ronald Steeples, Missouri; four sisters, Wilma Cummings and Vivian Stansbury, both of Fort Madison, Iowa, Cora Luder, Illinois, and Deanna Iverson, Salem, Iowa; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Ledford, Erwin, Tenn. (743- 1380 or 928-4595) MRS. JULIA R.
LEWIS Mrs. Julia Rice Lewis, 86, Holiday House Apartments 2B, Erwin, died Thursday, June 24, 1999, at Lakebridge Health Care Center. Mrs. Lewis was a Madison County, N.C., native and had lived in Unicoi County most of her life. She was a daughter of the late Spencer and Callie West Rice.
Mrs. Lewis was a homemaker. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church, Erwin. Mrs. Lewis was preceded in death by her husband, Dolph Lewis, in 1988, two sons, two brothers and two sisters.
Survivos include three sons, Glenn Lewis, San Antonio; Ted Lewis, Atlanta, and Rick Lewis, Gray; four daughters, Mabel Jenkins and Doris Durden, both of Atlanta, Shirley Bailey, Erwin, and Carolyn ter Kulle, Charlotte, N.C.; 12 grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Ledford, Erwin (743-1380 or 928-4595) MRS. DEOLA SHELL BANNER ELK, N.C. Mrs. Deola "Dee" Shell, 76, 232 Bear Branch Road, Roan Mountain, died Friday, June 25, 1999, at Cannon Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness, Mrs.
Shell was a Carter County, native and a daughter of late Hubert and Faithie Shell. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Shell was a member of Morgan Branch Free Will Baptist Church, Roan Mountain. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Shell, in 1995.
Survivors include three sons, Wayne Shell. of the home: Kenneth Shell and Richard Shell, both of Roan Mountain; three daughters, Sandra Johnson, Janice Oliver and Carol Oaks, all of Roan Mountain; three brothers, Conley Shell and Dale Shell, both of Roan Mountain, and Kell Shell, Shawnee Mission, four sisters, Shirley Perkins, Neil Roark, Arlys Higgins and Ruth Ponds, all of Roan Mountain; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Tetrick, Roan Mountain (772- 3928) KERMIT RANDOLPH Kermit Randolph, 90, 142 Woodland Drive, died Thursday, June 24, 1999, at Johnson City Medical Center. Mr. Randolph was a Sparta native and had lived in Johnson City since 1926.
He was a son of the late Walter and Clevia Hudson Randolph. Mr. Randolph was the owner and operator of Randolph's Garage and Parts, Milligan Highway, from 1942-96. He served as chairman of the Deacon Board and Building Committee of Pinecrest Baptist Church, Mr. Randolph was a deacon and deacon emeritus of Cedar Grove Baptist Church, where he was a member.
He was an active member of the East Tennessee Corvair Association. Mr. Randolph was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Helen Buckles Randolph, in 1986, three brothers and two sisters. Survivors include one daughter, Ruby Maxey, Maryville; three sons, John Donald Randolph, Johnson City, James "Jim" Randolph, Piney Flats, and Meldor.
Randolph, Kingsport; one sister, Mattie Pearl Ball Cole, Johnson City; seven grandchildren; five great one greatgreat-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. Morris-Baker (282-1521) MRS. SANNA B. ODOM ERWIN Sanna B. Odom, 83, Rt.
1, Unicoi, died Thursday, June 24, 1999, at Unicoi County Memorial Hospital. She was Unicol County native and a daughter of the late Isaac and Martha Riggs Birchfield. Mrs. Odom was a charter member of Limestone Cove United Methodist Church, Unicol. She was retired from Paty Lumber where she worked as a bookkeeper.
Mrs. Odom was preceded in death by her husband, Paul W. Odom, in 1994, one brother and one sister. Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Dawn Crowder, Johnson City, and Linda Sheridan "Sherry" Penley, Unicoi; one son, Randall Kent Odom, Knoxville; two sisters, Leona Hughes, Unicoi, and Gladys Owen, Rutherfordtown, N.C.; five grandchildren; four great gran children; and several nieces and ne nephews. Valley (743-9187) MRS.
RUBY L. WILLIAMS MURFREESBORO Mrs. Ruby Leonard Williams, 89, Murfreesboro, died Friday, June 25, 1999, at Middle Tennessee Medical Center. Mrs. Williams was a Johnson City native and a daughter of the late John W.
and Laura Rominger Leonard. She was a Baptist. Mrs. Williams was preceded i in death by her husband, John M. Williams, in 1963, and one daughter.
Survivors include two sons, George W. Williams, Murfreesboro, and John R. Williams, Pensacola, one brother, John W. Leonard, Johnson City; 12 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. Morris-Baker, Johnson City (282-1521) NICHOLAS R.
BAKER Baker, 14, 108 U.S. Highway 43 Lot No. 9, Tuscumbia, died Thursday, June 24, 1999, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Mr. Baker was a Carter County native and a son of Jeff and Tina Stonecipher Baker.
He had lived in Alabama for the past three years. Mr. Baker was a member of Parkway Community Church, Florence, Ala. He attended Covenant Christian School and was a member of the Scholars Bowl. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include two sisters, Christiana Baker and Rena Baker, both of the home; one brother, Heath Baker, of the home; maternal grandparents, Curtis and Bobbie Stonecipher, Elizabethton; paternal grandparents, Fred and Betty Baker, Clarksville; and several aunts and uncles.
Tetrick, Elizabethton (542- 2232) Stooge may be honored with mural The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk. Larry Fine, the frizzy-haired member of the Three Stooges who suffered never-ending abuse from Moe and Curly, is getting gentler treatment in his hometown. A wiseguy Philadelphia weekly is leading an effort to raise $25,000 to paint a mural of Fine on South Street, a funky stretch of restaurants and tattoo and tongue-piercing parlors. Is the money coming in? Why, soitenly. So far, the weekly has raised about $2,900 without once resorting to eye-poking or hair-pulling (or head-bopping, pie-throwing or administering a smack across three faces in a row).
The tentative design is a 20-by20-foot painting of the put-upon Stooge's face, his eyes wide in anticipation, on the bull's eye of a target. The artist who will paint the mural, David McShane, is a Three Stooge fan who spent his childhood re-enacting the boys' antics with his five brothers. "Although Larry was the local guy, he's probably the most overlooked. Most of the stuff we did was more Curly-isms," said McShane, launching into a recitation of Stooge lines Falls. Slowly I turn.
"He was always getting his hair pulled and Moe would be left with a big hunk of his hair." SEALCOATING CUSTOM ASPHALT SERVICES 926-2742 Funerals MORRIS-BAKER FUNERAL HOME Kermit Randolph Funeral services for Kermit Randolph, age 90, of 142 Woodland Drive, who died Thrusday, will be conducted 8:00 PM Saturday in the MorrisBaker North Chapel. Dr. W.D. Helsabeck and Dr. William Gwaltney will officiate.
Graveside services and burial will be 3:00 PM Sunday in the Monte Vista Burial Park where family and friends will meet for services. Pallbearers will be John Randolph, Jr. Clifton Gibson, Jack Street, James Vaughn, 11, Robert Ball, Walter Ball, Larry Hendrix and Phil White. Mr. Randolph is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Dr.
Jack and Ruby Maxey, of Maryville, Tennessee: three sons and their wives, John Donald and Lucille Randolph, Johnson City, James "Jim" and Linda Randolph, Piney Flats, and Meldon and Margaret Randolph, Kingsport: one siser, Mattie Pearl Ball Cole, Johnson City; seven grandchildren; five one great-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews. For those who prefer, the family suggests memorial contrubutions to The Gideons international-North Camp, P.O. Box 3695 CRS, Johnson TN 37602-3695. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM Saturday at the funeral home. Arrangements by MorrisBaker Funeral Home, 2001 Oakland Avenue.
MORRIS-BAKER FUNERAL HOME Johnson City, TN Alice Jane Taylor Sanders Alice Jane Taylor Sanders died June 23, 1999 In Johnson City. She was born June 17, 1923 at 172 East Highland Road, Johnson City, the daughter of James Blaine and Margaret Alice Kelly Taylor. Her husband, B. Frank Sanders, died July 17, 1989. She was the granddaughter of A.
Taylor, Former governor of Tennessee. She was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, Johnson City, and In recent years, a member of Memorial Presbyterian Church, Elizabethton. Mrs. Sanders also was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Monday Club. She is survived by four children, James Franklin Sanders, Nashville, Tennessee, Jane Taylor Sanders Morriss, Churchville, Virginia, Robert Alan Sanders, Fairfield, Ohio, and David Blaine Sanders, Charlotte, North Carolina; eleven grandchildren, Courtney, Isaac, and Nathan Sanders, Whit and Blaine Morriss, David, Adam and Catherine Sanders and Morpan.
Jane and Blaine Sanders; and a brother Alfred Summers Taylor, Johnson City. Visitation was at Morris Baker funeral home from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 25, 1999. The graveside service will be at Monte Vista Burial Park at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 26, 1999.
Mr. Gordon Littleford will officiate. Memorials may be made to the Gen. Nathanial Taylor Cemetery Fund, Dr. Harrison Taylor, 606 Cambridgeshire Court, Gray, TN 37615.
Arrangements by Morris-Baker, 2001 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City. LEDFORD FUNERAL HOME Erwin Ray Steeples Funeral services for Gall "Ray" Steeples, 329 Hidden Valley Drive. Bumpus Mills, who died Tuesday, June 22, 1999, will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 27, from the Ledford Funeral Home Chapel. Rev.
Calvin Reagan will officiate. Music will be provided by Inez Chandler. Interment and full military grave rites will be rendered by Kingsport VFW Post 3382 at 10 a.m. Monday from Upper Rice Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m.
Sunday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Clayton Briggs. Elton Briggs, David Briggs. Reed Mikels, Ronald Steeples and Duane Steeples and are requested to assemble at the funeral home by 7:30 p.m. Sunday and at the cemetery by 9:45 a.m.
Monday. in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bumpus Mills United Methodist Church in care of Marilyn Taylor, 804 Tobacco Port Rood, Burnpus Mills, TN 37028. Ledford Funeral Home. 720 Ohio Erwin, is in charge of the arrangements. DILLOW-TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME Jonesborouch Dorothy K.
Stanley Funeral services for Ms. Dorothy K. Stanley, age 74, 746 Summitt Dr. Jonesborough, will be 2:00 PM Sunday, June 27, 1999 at the DillowTaylor Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dan Smith officiating.
Interment will follow in the Eden Cemetery. The family will receive friends from pm Saturday evening at the funeral home and other times at the home of Ms. Stanlev. Pallbearers will be Everette Horton, Everette Horton, Jr. Oliver Constable, Gary Allen, Bill Ham, and Hobert Survivors include 1 son, Charles Lee "Tinker" Stanley, sister, Joy Gallaher, Richmond, V.A: Daughter-In-Law, Bonnie Stanley, Jonesborough, and a special friend.
Loulse Lewis. and several nieces and nephews. DillowTaylor Funeral Home in Jonesborough, TN is in charge of the arrangements. PERCY-HUX FUNERAL HOME Mountain City, TN Ricky Mullins Funeral services for Ricky Mullins, age 37, of 178 Rood, Butler, TN who died Thursday will be held 8:00 P.M. Saturday from the Chapel of Percy-Hux Funeral Home with Rev.
Harvey White and Rev. Dennis Peterson to officiate. Music will be under the Direction of the Fletcher Family, Graveside Services and Burial will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday from the Mullins Family Cemetery, Butler, TN. Pallbearers will be Nephews.
Honorary pallbearers will'be: Roy Clark. Bobble Whitehead, Mike Sellers, Wade McQueen, Jake Walsh, Boyd Peterson, Carroll Bowman. The family will receive Friends from 6 till 8 P.M. Saturday at the Funeral Home chapel. Friends may call at the Funeral Home or the Residence of HIs sister, Linda Arnold, 178 Rood, Butler, TN at anytime.
Percy-Hux Funeral Home, Mountain City, TN is In charge of the arrangements. TETRICK FUNERAL HOME Roan Mountain Mrs. Deola Shell Funeral services for Mrs. Deola "Dee" Shell, 76, 232 Bear Branch Road, Roan Mountain, who died Friday, June 25, 1999, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 27, 1999, In the Morgan Branch Free Will Baptist Church with Rev.
Keith Glyn and Rev. Tull Oaks officiating. Active pollbearers will be the following grandsons, Brian Shell. Todd Johnson, Brent Shell, Chad Oliver, Michael Oliver, David Davis, James Clark, Allen Markland, David Arnett, Danny Puckett and Aaron Baird. Interment will follow in the Richardson Cemetery, Roan Mountain, Tenn.
The family will receive friends Saturday, June 26, 1999, from 7.9 p.m. in the Rhododendron Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Roan Mountain, or you may call at the home of daughter, Mrs. Janice Oliver, Teaberry Road, Roan Mountain, at any time. Tetrick. Funeral Home, Rhododendron Chapel, Roan Mountain, is in charge of the arrangements.
VALLEY FUNERAL HOME Erwin, TN Sanna B. Odom Funeral service for Sanna B. Odom will be conducted at 8:00 P.M. Sunday June 27, 1999 from the chapel of Valley Funeral Home with the Rev. Estell Williams officating.
Graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Monday from the Bell Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be: Seth Penley, Michael Odom, David S. Odom, Matthew Crowder, Lisle Whitman, and Paul Berry. Honorary Pallbearers will be the men of Limestone United Methodist Church.
Those who wish to attend the service are requested to meet at the cemetery at 10:50 to attend the service. In lieu of Flowers the family hos requested that donations be made to elther the Limestone Cove United Methodist Church or the Gideons. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. in the chapel of Valley Funeral Home. Valley Funeral Home Is in charge of the arrangemets.
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Johnson City 928-5771 BIRCHETTE MORTUARY Billy Michael Goines Funeral services for Billy Michael Goines, 54, 1502 East Unaka Ave. who died Wednesday will be held at 7:30 p.m, Sunday, June 27, 1999 at Thankful Baptist Church, 1501 East Watauga Ave. with Rev. C. Danny Johnson officiating.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Affairs National Cemetery, Mountain Home. The family will receive friends from 16:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the church prior to the services and at other times at the residence.
Service entrusted to Birchette Mortuary, Inc. 219 East Millard St. "Caring For Families Since 1959" TETRICK FUNERAL HOME Elizabethion Nora G. Taylor Funeral services for Nora G. Taylor, 79, formerly of Rt.
5, Elizabethfon, who went home to be with her Lord. Savior Jesus Christ on Friday will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 27, 1999, at Tetrick Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel, with Rev. Stokes Rev. Kenneth Grindstaff officiating.
Music will be under the direction of granddaughters, Cheri Cox Jenniter Greene. Interment will follow at Grindstaff Taylor Family Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law. Honorary pallbearers will be Staff, Management Caregivers of Ivy Hall Nursing Home, Friends Neighbors. The family will receive friends from p.m.
Saturday evening at Tetrick Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel, or at the residence of a son, Roy H. Taylor, 188 Panhandle Road, Elizabethton, any time. For those who prefer, memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Alzeimers Northeast TN Chapter, 207 N. Boone Suite 1050, Johnson City, TN 37604. Tetrick Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
TETRICK FUNERAL HOME Elizabethton, Tn Nicholas R. Baker A memorial service for Nicholas R. Baker, 14, 108 Hwy, 43 South, Lot Tuscumbia, AL, will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 26, 1999 at Tetrick Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel, with Rev. Brian Smith officiating.
Final disposition will be held at a later date. Tetrick FUneral Home, Riverside Chapel, Is in charge of arrangements. VALLEY FUNERAL HOME Erwin, TN Edith Stockton Funeral service for Edith Stockton, 86, who died Thursday will be conducted at 8:00 P.M. day, June 26. 1999 in the chapel of Valley al Home with the Rev.
Edward Moll and Rev. Winfred Shelton officiating. Graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, June 27, 1999 from the Higgins Chapel Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be selected from the family.
Those who wish to attend the graveside are requested to meet at the cemetery at 1:50 to attend the service. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Saturday in the chapel of Valley Funeral Home. Valley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. MORRIS-BAKER FUNERAL HOME Mrs.
Ruby L. Williams Funeral services for Mrs. Ruby Leonard 89. Murfreesboro, who died Friday, will be held at p.m. from the Morris North Chapel.
Burial will be held Monday at Monte Vista Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Morris Baker, 2001 Oakland Johnson City. Three people killed in state vehicle crash The Associated Press PLEASANT VIEW State troopers suspect alcohol was involved in a one-vehicle crash Friday morning that killed three people and critically injured the driver and a teenage passenger.
Authorities were considering vehicular homicide charges against the 19-year-old driver, Johnnie Weems of Nashville, said Department of Safety spokeswoman Dana Keeton. Keeton said troopers smelled alcohol on the breaths of Weems and the other survivor. A friend told investigators that the group had been drinking earlier. Weems and Maximillian Moore of Clarksville, 19, were in critical but stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Killed were David Crenshaw, 17, and Donald Perry 19, both of Madison, and Kenneth Sunders, 20, of Nashville.
All but Sunders were thrown from the vehicle, including two who were wearing seat belts and died in the 1 a.m. crash. Sunders was also wearing a seat belt. Neither survivor was wearing a seat belt. The two survivors were taken by helicopter ambulance to Vanderbilt.
State tax revenues increase The Associated Press NASHVILLE Tennessee tax collections in May increased 8.6 percent over the same month last year, nearly $20 million more than expected, Finance Commissioner John Ferguson said Friday. The state's year-to-date revenue increased by 3.65 percent to $5.8 billion, Ferguson said. The state's current $15.6 billion budget is based on overall tax growth of 3.7 percent. May is the 10th month of the 1998-99 fiscalyear. The budget also includes federal dollars and other money.
May's revenues were $533.2 million, $19.8 million more than estimates that were revised upward the month before final legislative action on the budget. Sales tax collections, which account for 50 cents of every state dollar, were $16 million more last month 1 than estimated. Franchise and excise taxes on businesses, which account for 13 cents of every state revenue dollar, were $3 million higher than projected. But franchise and excise collections are $13.8 year million below last year, a 1.8 percent decline. State law has loopholes allowing many businesses to avoid paying the taxes.
That has put the state in a bind and provided fodder for Gov. Don Sundquist's push to reform the state tax system. He offered lawmakers a series of reform plans this year but none ever came to a vote in the House or Senate. The Legislature instead approved a patchwork of business taxes, sales tax increases and accounting changes. Sundquist has said the state's refusal to confront budget trends will mean cuts for vital state services.
The state had projected a $415 million shortfall for the new fiscal year when the budget is $16.6 billion. Tennessee's constitution requires a balanced budget, so revenues and expenditures must match. Johnson City Press ISSN 67-283 Vol. 79-No. 320 Published Daily and Sunday by Press Inc.
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