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Tennessee’s Grocery Tax Debate: Relief for Families or Business Burden?

Issue #273

16 Nov

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

⛅️ Columbia Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 65

📰 Tennessee’s Grocery Tax Debate: Relief for Families or Business Burden?

🥾 Sunday: National Take a Hike Day at Yanahli Park

🦷 11/22: Free Dental Day in Pulaski

🎬 VidAngel’s Biggest Discount of the Year Starts Now

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Saturday, November 16th

Sunday, November 17th

Monday, November 18th

Tuesday, November 19th

Tennessee’s Grocery Tax Debate: Relief for Families or Business Burden?

Tennessee remains one of 13 states that impose a grocery tax, though it offers a reduced rate compared to states that charge full sales tax on food. In 2023, state leaders provided temporary relief with a three-month suspension of the grocery tax, saving residents an estimated $288 million, or about $100 per family.

Discussions about permanent grocery tax relief have sparked debates among state lawmakers, with local leaders like Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell weighing in on the issue’s impact on their communities. O’Connell has expressed interest in supporting tax policies that benefit working families but must navigate funding challenges and competing legislative priorities.

At the state level, Democratic lawmakers, including Nashville’s Rep. Aftyn Behn, have pushed for eliminating the grocery tax entirely, proposing that corporations pay higher taxes to offset the cost. Behn and her colleagues argue this approach would shift the burden away from families struggling with high grocery costs. Republican leaders, such as Rep. William Lamberth of Portland, oppose increasing corporate taxes, warning that businesses might pass the added costs on to consumers through higher prices for goods and services.

The debate highlights the growing role of local leaders in advocating for tax reforms that directly impact their communities. As the state’s fiscal outlook tightens, the path forward remains uncertain, but the issue continues to be a priority for both residents and policymakers.

Sunday: National Take a Hike Day at Yanahli Park

“Let’s Hike!” Is a free program where Maury County Parks & Recreation invites participants to hit the trails across Maury County! Throughout the year, they guide participants along various trails to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us. 

“Grab your boots and hit the trails with us for National Take a Hike Day! Let’s gather together to enjoy some fresh air and beautiful views while exploring the trails at Yanahli Park. Will will make our way along a stretch of unpaved trail (about 2-miles in length, easy in difficulty) making stops at notable locations to take in the sights, look for wildlife, and learn about the history of the park.” 

Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. No pets please. 

Ages: All ages welcome *Children must be accompanied by a parent / guardian (18+)

Date: Sunday, November 17, 9:00 AM

Location: Yanahli Park - Meet at Trailhead

Address: 922 Iron Bridge Rd., Columbia

This is a FREE program, however, we do request that you pre-register. 

Questions? Contact us at 931-375-6103

11/22: Free Dental Day in Pulaski

The dental team of Dr. Tesa Jolly is excited to announce the date for Pulaski’s 15th Annual Free Dental Day! Friday, Nov. 22, dozens of caring volunteers will provide the highest quality dental care to our community — for FREE!  

Jolly began Free Dental Day in December 2009. Shortly after acquiring her dental practice, Jolly realized how great the need is for dental care. She met people almost every day who could not even afford to have an exam to determine why they were hurting. Jolly and her team decided to do something to help meet that need.  

Dentists, medical doctors, hygienists, dental assistants, nurses, churches and dozens of general volunteers will donate their time to provide dental care for people in  our community who need help. Many of our professional volunteers will come from other areas to serve with us.  

Patients will choose to have a cleaning or a routine extraction that day. There are no requirements for insurance and no charge for any of the services available. Patients will register and have a brief medical screening completed by volunteer nurses, to be sure they are healthy enough for treatment. Then, they will be directed to the appropriate treatment areas. 

Two local dental offices, Pulaski Dental and Dr. Tesa Family Dentistry, along with CB Outreach will host the event at their locations.  

Anyone who would like to receive dental services at Free Dental Day should register. Online registration will be posted on the Pulaski, TN Free Dental Day Facebook page.

We want to provide a comforting, calming, compassionate atmosphere for patients, as we realize many people have dental anxiety. Patients who take medication need to bring their medication with them to Free Dental Day. Extraction patients need to refrain from having caffeine prior to treatment that day.  

For more information, call the FDD Hotline: 931-292-2691. If you would like to watch  as details come together, check us out on Facebook! 

*The pre-screening appointments for teeth cleaning can be found here. At time of publishing, all spots have all been taken, but keep watching the link as more could become available. There are pre-screening registrations available here for tooth extraction appointments.

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🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Saturday, November 16th

Rick Armentrout "The Unforgettables", Puckett's, 10 AM-2 PM
TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 4-7 PM
Stevierock, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
The Turntables, The Rebel, 7-10 PM
Karli & James, Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
The Wentzel Brothers Band, Ember’s, 8-11 PM
Bald Kernal, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, November 17th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 1-4 PM
Kenny Durham, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM
Nicholas Duhe, The Rebel, 4 PM

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