Tennessee lawmaker wants to give state tax money back to cities and counties

NASHVILLE — Saying Tennessee cities are "struggling financially," a West Tennessee lawmaker announced Tuesday he hopes to provide them help next year by pushing to "shift" a half-cent of state sales tax revenue — worth more than a half billion dollars — over to local governments.

Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, announced the proposal during a public meeting earlier in the day with Shelby County legislators.

"Our cities are struggling financially," Kelsey said in a later statement. "The state has a surplus. The state should help our cities keep our property taxes low."

Kelsey's move comes as lawmakers eye last fiscal year's $900 million budget surplus with representatives and senators starting to offer how it ought to be used.

Read more: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/politics/state/story/2016/dec/20/tennessee-lawmaker-wants-give-state-tax-money-back-cities-and-counties/403926/