TN Dem Gov Candidate Karl Dean Admits To Breaking Pledge On Tax Hikes

After facing criticism for misleading about his record on raising taxes, Tennessee Democrat candidate for governor Karl Dean admitted yesterday that he broke his pledge to voters and raised property taxes while in office as mayor of Nashville. In a statement calling claims that he raised taxes as Mayor “dishonest,” Dean claims he “kept his promise” in his first term but he “did raise property taxes” during his second term in 2012:

Nashville City paper reported in 2012 on Karl Dean’s property tax hike, calling it a “victory” for him:

“Mayor Karl Dean’s two-month sales pitch for continued government investment ended in victory Tuesday as the Metro Council voted by a commanding 4-to-1 margin to approve Davidson County’s first property tax hike in seven years…

Dean has framed the 13 percent property tax increase as a necessary move to stave off “draconian” cuts, while also ensuring investments: addressing long-neglected infrastructure, raising teacher pay and giving Metro employees a salary bump. On Tuesday, the council agreed with Dean’s case by a sizeable margin despite many calling it one of their most difficult votes.”

Karl Dean can try to distort his record of raising property taxes in an effort to mislead voters, but the fact is that he made a pledge that he would not increase taxes as Mayor of Nashville and then he broke it. Now he’s making the same pledge to Tennesseans hoping they will elect him to the highest office in the state. But unfortunately for Dean, Tennesseans now know his words don’t match his actions.