Woolley Bully: TN Chamber of Commerce President & Rep. Hill Bah Humbug Against State Minimum Wage

Rep. Matthew Hill has most recently been running a series of display advertisements within the Johnson City Press featuring endorsements from Senators Rusty Crowe and Ron Ramsey, Rep. Bill Dunn, and one President Deborah Wooley of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce --- Hill, as the former owner of a failed Jonesborough "Hill of Beans" Coffee Shop that was opened during the 2004 campaign season, must have been especially soothed by the overly kind and generous Woolley Words:

Deborah Wooley
Member US Chamber of Commerce
President of Tennessee Chamber of Commerce

"Matthew Hill has demonstrated a true understanding of the issues that are vital to job creation and growth. He has worked closely with the chamber of commerce community to identify and support legislation that creates an atmosphere in which Tennesseeans in House District 7 have more and better job opportunities. It is sad when, during an election campaign, courageous votes such as the one Hill cast against a flawed minimum wage bill are turned into political fodder. He stood up for his constituents and protected them from a bad proposal. He should be thanked for it."

It appears that TNCofC President Woolley is attempting to pull the wool of the eyes of 7th House District voters with regard to Rep. Matthew Hill --- Woolley seems to have abandoned the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce stated position against union firefighters in order to lash out against Tennessee minimum wage earners.

You might also want to check out the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry [EIN 62-1236002] 2004 Form 990 "Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax" as filed with the Internal Revenue Service by TNCofC President Woolley. Wooley is listed within the 2004 IRS Form 990 as receiving $171,411 in compensation and an additional $38,657 for her expense account and other allowances. The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry is recoginized by the IRS as a 501(c)(6) tax exempt business league.

Another nugget found within the 2004 IRS Form 990 filed by TNCofC President Woolley pertains to the TNCofC Board of Directors Chair D. Lynn Johnson of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. --- while at least one TNCofCommerce newsletter of the period refers to Johnson as a "Consultant", Johnson is currently listed as a registered lobbyist for King Pharmaceuticals (#36580) at the U.S. Representatives Office of House Clerk web site...

This all makes me wonder just what is the training wage is for the position of TNCofC President...?