By Mark Luttrell, Special to Viewpoint

As a member of the Transition Planning Commission (TPC), I spent the last year working diligently with the group to develop a plan to merge our two school systems into one unified system.

One of our many recommendations was a commitment to pre-kindergarten programs for 4-year-olds to better prepare them for the academic challenges of elementary school. I endorsed this recommendation and fully embrace the concept that we must do more to prepare our children at an early age. However, at this time, I oppose increasing our sales tax by a half percent to fund the program. Asking voters to approve the tax referendum at this stage is both premature and poor budget management.

Read more: Guest column: Tax increase to support pre-k is premature

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (FOX13) - As election day draws near, a grassroots organization has emerged to oppose the County-wide sales tax referendum.

Organizers of the group contend that while supporters of the tax say the additional money will go to Pre-K funding, there is no guarantee.

County Commissioner Chris Thomas talks about the referendum and the recently formed opposition group.

Read more: Opposition mounting to sales tax increase

By Linda A. Moore

Opponents of the countywide sales tax increase created a Facebook page on Thursday, saying they are fighting a David-and-Goliath battle against supporters of the tax hike.

Proponents of the half-cent sales tax increase hope to raise $200,000 for an aggressive campaign to educate voters on why it is needed.

Organizers of the anti-tax grass-roots campaign are aiming for a budget of $40,000 to $60,000, said Memphian Steven Reid of Sutton Reid Advertising, who created "No More Tax Shelby County" page. By Friday, the page had 140 "likes."

Read more: Anti-tax increase campaign hits Facebook