State Funding Board hears Laffer, others

Beginning today, the State Funding Board, which declares economic parameters for annual State budgeting, will hear from a series of outside experts, including Nashville-based supply-side economist Arthur Laffer on where they think we're headed. Chattanoogan.com has it. The Funding Board's meetings will be live-streamed on the Internet.

UT's Fox on corporate tax-shifting

University of Tennessee economist Bill Fox has reported the state may be losing tax revenue it is due, because of inappropriate shifting of corporate profits to tax-haven states like Delaware. Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr reportedly told The Tennessean he's concerned broad changes in state laws could scare-off industry prospects and jobs, but that the issues raised can be addressed in targeted ways. The Fox report was commissioned by State Comptroller Justin Wilson.

May Town Center at Bells Bend

[Updated April 8: Metro Council deferred a vote on this matter, according to today's City Paper report.] On Tuesday, Metro Council is set to vote on whether or not to accept a $125,000 grant from Bells Landing Partners LLC to the Metro Planning Commission, to defray the cost of services of UT-Knoxville Economist Bill Fox (at left) and Brentwood-based RPM Transportation Consultants LLC. Questions regarding bridge capacity and overall traffic volume helped sidetrack the proposed $4.2 Billion development. Our earlier story on the project is here.