There is a Metro Council Meeting tonight… An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. 

Black Lives do, indeed, matter!

Just think if we did not have cell phone footage today... For years injustices in America have been overlooked, overshadowed, and just blatantly covered up. Over the past several years, injustices on people of color have played out in the media via phone footage, body cameras, and other video-recording devices. George Floyd was killed in my old neighborhood in Minneapolis. This was the neighborhood where I often walked, ran, and biked. The neighborhood where I would try to "beat the yellow light" to get to work on time during busy mornings. A neighborhood I thought was safe. Unfortunately, the safety I thought was there, was not. 

You see, there are many situations where I could have been George Floyd, Tamir Rice, or Ahmaud Aubry. Where people saw me a threat simply because I am Black. 

The message in all of this is simple... I MATTER! I know that many of you are weary and just as tired as I am. You may be wondering what you can do to make a change.  If not, I hope you can find it, we need everyone in this fight.

I implore you to keep the passion for change beyond the next few weeks and months. So often, the hurt of these tragedies fades... at least until the next time. But if we want change, true change, that cannot happen. We all have to do our part, no matter how big or small. There is a poem, "The Race", that tells us no matter if you when or lose, you only really lose if you do not try.

The Budget is Here

We will be discussing the proposed budgets tonight. We've been having this conversation for quite some time now, and we are nearing the final decision on what Nashville's budget will look like next fiscal year. I explained that there are five proposed budgets that we will be considering. As of today, there are six, but we may dwindle back down to five as CM Benedict may withdraw her substitute budget. CM Mendes has introduced two budgets, one that would have a similar $1.00 proposed tax increase such as the mayors, but with different spending. The second proposes a $1.06 tax rate increase. Click here to see the difference in approach that CM Mendes is using for his two budget options. 

We also have CM O'Connell's proposal to increase taxes by $0.37. Again, his budget cites federal government assistance that will have to be secured to enact his budget. I presume, he will share more information with us tonight.

CM Glover also has a proposed budget. I don't know much about it, however, he has mentioned multiple times that he will be cutting spending. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how this will affect the current services (and many may think the lack thereof) that we are receiving now.

This may help you understand some of the decision making as we move forward through the process to our final vote on June 16. We have a choice to choose a substitute, either CMs Glover, O'Connell, Benedict, and the two from CM Mendes. However, we can only amend, make changes by law, to Mayor Cooper's current proposed budget, or to either option 1 or 2 from CM Mendes. The only amenable budgets are the Budget and Finance Chair or the mayors budget. I hope this helps you as we continue to walk (slowly) to the finish line.

I know that you have heard a lot about the proposed tax increases being due to the tornado and Covid-19 pandemic, but keep in mind the city was in need of an increase prior to these two disasters. Therefore, I strongly believe all substitutes will have an increase in the tax rate. As of now, each one that I know the most about will have a tax increase.

I will be encouraging my colleagues to choose a budget that will add investments directly in District 21 and nearby areas. Also, a budget that will help teachers and other MNPS employees. The Minority Caucus will be working to invest in the Community Oversight Board and activating MNPD body-worn cameras and using COVID-19 dollars to be spent directly with Nashvillians other than paying city expenses.

Tornado Relief 

FEMA has included a grace period for registration for the March 3rd tornado. You can call them at 1(800)-621-3362 or visit Fema.Gov. Also, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and several organizations rooted in North Nashville are helping with disaster and emergency relief from organizations that have received funds. Here are a few that are working now... Gideon's Army, Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship (IMF), Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership, Inc. (J.U.M.P.), Lee Chapel AME Church, New Covenant Christian Church, Greater Heights Missionary Baptist Church, NAACP Nashville, Northwest Family YMCA, Catholic Charities of Tennessee - McGruder Family Resource Center, Meharry Medical College, Tennessee State University Foundation, Rebuilding Together Nashville, The Equity Alliance, and Urban League of Middle Tennessee. These organizations jumped in on the ground floor and have committed to working until individuals in our communities are back to whole and better. If you or someone you know are in need of relief, of any kind, from the tornado, please reach out to one or several of these organizations to find the help you are looking for.

What to expect tonight: (Not much here other than budget)

BL2020-298 - The capital improvements budget will be on second reading and will have a public hearing.

BL2020-286 - This is essentially the initiation of the city budget. It's on public hearing tonight as well.