You think the weather is hot? I’ve got a story on a plan that would raise the sales tax to restore benefits to first responders that is about to catch fire.
All you’ve got to do is look at the signs to realize it’s election time.
The signs. Maybe you’ve seen them.
Memphis Police and Firefighter associations are supporting a plan to raise the sales tax by half-a-cent.
The money raised would restore pensions and health insurance benefits for retired workers.
Emotional? You bet, says Officer John Covington of the Memphis Police Association.
“We saw a retired fireman,” he says, “… in front of Bellevue Church, wearing his old turnout coat and his helmet. If that doesn’t tell you what this means, I don’t know what does.”
It is a big enough deal that the issue got former camera-shy Shelby County Sheriff Bill Oldham in front of one to express his support. In the ad, Oldham says, “I’m for the public safety referendum because it makes Memphis safer. The referendum will restore benefits to first responders.”