NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In Tuesday's Ransom Note: tourism backlash.
To help Tennessee rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, Tennessee tourism had the bright idea to give away 10,000 $250 airplane vouchers to give to folks who fly into one of four major airports in Tennessee, including Memphis International Airport. To qualify, visitors have to book a two-night hotel stay in the city they fly into. The campaign is called ‘Tennessee on Me,’ and Governor Bill Lee even put himself in the commercials with Brad Paisley. “Tennessee on Governor Lee.. and not on Brad Paisley... and not on Brad Paisley. That's it.’
Except Governor Lee isn't paying for the plane tickets or those commercials, taxpayers are, hence the backlash from both parties. They say it's wrong for the governor to put himself in the ads when they're paid for by the public and he's running for re-election.
Republican Lt. Governor Randy McNally said, “I would have preferred a more traditional approach rather than the direct transfer of Tennessee taxpayer dollars to out of state recipients.”
McNally added, “It is especially troubling that the promotion is limited to our major cities (when) at least two (of them) exacerbated the economic crisis with overly aggressive lockdown policies.”
Democrats are upset also, asking how the governor could cut unemployment benefits to Tennesseans the same week he's giving money to outsiders. It’s safe to say this tourism campaign wasn't well thought out. It may make the governor popular with tourists, but they're not the ones who vote for him.
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