Latest news with #Democratic-leaning
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Tennessee court upholds law from Republican legislators to cut blue Nashville's council in half
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee appeals court on Tuesday upheld the constitutionality of a law passed by the state's Republican-controlled legislature to punish the Democratic-leaning city of Nashville by slashing the size of its council. The 2023 law aims to cut Nashville's consolidated city-county governing council in half, from 40 members to 20. Although it was written to apply broadly statewide to both city and consolidated city-county governments, Nashville is the only Tennessee city meeting that definition with a council of more than 20 members. The law was one of several targeting Nashville after the council's rejection of efforts to host the 2024 Republican National Convention in Music City. The Tennessee Court of Appeals 2-1 ruling on Tuesday overturns an earlier split decision by a panel of judges at the trial court level that ruled in favor of the city. The law has been on hold pending appeals. Nashville attorneys argued that the law is unconstitutional because a provision of the Tennessee Constitution that limits local legislative bodies to 25 members explicitly exempts municipalities organized under a consolidated city-county government. The city also argued the law violates another section of the Tennessee Constitution known as the Home Rule Amendment that prevents the General Assembly from making laws that apply to a single county or municipality. In ruling against the city, the majority wrote that nothing in the Constitution explicitly prevents the General Assembly from 'imposing its own limit on the voting membership of a metropolitan council.' Given the fact that the judges must start from the assumption that state statutes are constitutional 'we cannot condone interpreting the Tennessee Constitution's silence such that the legislature's power is curtailed in this manner." In his dissent, Judge Kenny Armstrong argued his colleagues are misinterpreting the word 'exempt." 'While the Article contains no language to enjoin the General Assembly from limiting Metro's legislative body to any number over 25, the Article clearly precludes the General Assembly from limiting Metro's membership to any number less than 25,' he wrote. Armstrong did not address the Home Rule Amendment. The majority there found that even though Nashville is the only city that the law actually effects, it was written as a law of general application. Nashville has been mostly successful in challenging some of the other state laws taking aim at the city, although many of the cases are still in appeals. In one, a judicial panel ruled the state cannot enforce a law making it easier to pass changes through the metro council to the local fairgrounds speedway, which is being considered for upgrades in hopes of drawing a NASCAR race. A court panel likewise ruled it was unconstitutional for Tennessee lawmakers to pass a state takeover of Nashville International Airport's board. Judges also temporarily blocked a law that would reconfigure the group overseeing professional sports facilities in Nashville by letting state leaders pick six of its 13 board members. Republcan House Majority Leader William Lamberth issued a statement on Tuesday praising the court's ruling on the size of Nashville's council. 'I applaud the court's decision today affirming the constitutionality of the Small Government Efficiency Act. This action reins in excessive government growth while ensuring local municipalities across the Volunteer State remain accountable and responsive to their constituents," he wrote. Nashville Vice Mayor Angie E. Henderson said in a statement that the decision fails to respect the will of Nashville voters, who created a 'highly representative, local legislative branch.' Henderson said they will discuss next steps with the city's attorneys.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Tennessee court upholds law from Republican legislators to cut blue Nashville's council in half
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee appeals court on Tuesday upheld the constitutionality of a law passed by the state's Republican-controlled legislature to punish the Democratic-leaning city of Nashville by slashing the size of its council. The 2023 law aims to cut Nashville's consolidated city-county governing council in half, from 40 members to 20. Although it was written to apply broadly statewide to both city and consolidated city-county governments, Nashville is the only Tennessee city meeting that definition with a council of more than 20 members. The law was one of several targeting Nashville after the council's rejection of efforts to host the 2024 Republican National Convention in Music City . The Tennessee Court of Appeals 2-1 ruling on Tuesday overturns an earlier split decision by a panel of judges at the trial court level that ruled in favor of the city. The law has been on hold pending appeals. Nashville attorneys argued that the law is unconstitutional because a provision of the Tennessee Constitution that limits local legislative bodies to 25 members explicitly exempts municipalities organized under a consolidated city-county government. The city also argued the law violates another section of the Tennessee Constitution known as the Home Rule Amendment that prevents the General Assembly from making laws that apply to a single county or municipality. In ruling against the city, the majority wrote that nothing in the Constitution explicitly prevents the General Assembly from 'imposing its own limit on the voting membership of a metropolitan council.' Given the fact that the judges must start from the assumption that state statutes are constitutional 'we cannot condone interpreting the Tennessee Constitution's silence such that the legislature's power is curtailed in this manner.' In his dissent, Judge Kenny Armstrong argued his colleagues are misinterpreting the word 'exempt.' 'While the Article contains no language to enjoin the General Assembly from limiting Metro's legislative body to any number over 25, the Article clearly precludes the General Assembly from limiting Metro's membership to any number less than 25,' he wrote. Armstrong did not address the Home Rule Amendment. The majority there found that even though Nashville is the only city that the law actually effects, it was written as a law of general application. Nashville has been mostly successful in challenging some of the other state laws taking aim at the city, although many of the cases are still in appeals. In one, a judicial panel ruled the state cannot enforce a law making it easier to pass changes through the metro council to the local fairgrounds speedway, which is being considered for upgrades in hopes of drawing a NASCAR race. A court panel likewise ruled it was unconstitutional for Tennessee lawmakers to pass a state takeover of Nashville International Airport's board. Judges also temporarily blocked a law that would reconfigure the group overseeing professional sports facilities in Nashville by letting state leaders pick six of its 13 board members. Republcan House Majority Leader William Lamberth issued a statement on Tuesday praising the court's ruling on the size of Nashville's council. 'I applaud the court's decision today affirming the constitutionality of the Small Government Efficiency Act. This action reins in excessive government growth while ensuring local municipalities across the Volunteer State remain accountable and responsive to their constituents,' he wrote. Nashville Vice Mayor Angie E. Henderson said in a statement that the decision fails to respect the will of Nashville voters, who created a 'highly representative, local legislative branch.' Henderson said they will discuss next steps with the city's attorneys. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Tennessee court upholds law from Republican legislators to cut blue Nashville's council in half
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee appeals court on Tuesday upheld the constitutionality of a law passed by the state's Republican-controlled legislature to punish the Democratic-leaning city of Nashville by slashing the size of its council. The 2023 law aims to cut Nashville's consolidated city-county governing council in half, from 40 members to 20. Although it was written to apply broadly statewide to both city and consolidated city-county governments, Nashville is the only Tennessee city meeting that definition with a council of more than 20 members.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Tennessee court upholds law from Republican legislators to cut blue Nashville's council in half
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee appeals court on Tuesday upheld the constitutionality of a law passed by the state's Republican-controlled legislature to punish the Democratic-leaning city of Nashville by slashing the size of its council. The 2023 law aims to cut Nashville's consolidated city-county governing council in half, from 40 members to 20. Although it was written to apply broadly statewide to both city and consolidated city-county governments, Nashville is the only Tennessee city meeting that definition with a council of more than 20 members. The law was one of several targeting Nashville after the council's rejection of efforts to host the 2024 Republican National Convention in Music City. The Tennessee Court of Appeals 2-1 ruling on Tuesday overturns an earlier split decision by a panel of judges at the trial court level that ruled in favor of the city. The law has been on hold pending appeals. Nashville attorneys argued that the law is unconstitutional because a provision of the Tennessee Constitution that limits local legislative bodies to 25 members explicitly exempts municipalities organized under a consolidated city-county government. The city also argued the law violates another section of the Tennessee Constitution known as the Home Rule Amendment that prevents the General Assembly from making laws that apply to a single county or municipality. In ruling against the city, the majority wrote that nothing in the Constitution explicitly prevents the General Assembly from 'imposing its own limit on the voting membership of a metropolitan council.' Given the fact that the judges must start from the assumption that state statutes are constitutional 'we cannot condone interpreting the Tennessee Constitution's silence such that the legislature's power is curtailed in this manner.' In his dissent, Judge Kenny Armstrong argued his colleagues are misinterpreting the word 'exempt.' 'While the Article contains no language to enjoin the General Assembly from limiting Metro's legislative body to any number over 25, the Article clearly precludes the General Assembly from limiting Metro's membership to any number less than 25,' he wrote. Armstrong did not address the Home Rule Amendment. The majority there found that even though Nashville is the only city that the law actually effects, it was written as a law of general application. Nashville has been mostly successful in challenging some of the other state laws taking aim at the city, although many of the cases are still in appeals. In one, a judicial panel ruled the state cannot enforce a law making it easier to pass changes through the metro council to the local fairgrounds speedway, which is being considered for upgrades in hopes of drawing a NASCAR race. A court panel likewise ruled it was unconstitutional for Tennessee lawmakers to pass a state takeover of Nashville International Airport's board. Judges also temporarily blocked a law that would reconfigure the group overseeing professional sports facilities in Nashville by letting state leaders pick six of its 13 board members. Republcan House Majority Leader William Lamberth issued a statement on Tuesday praising the court's ruling on the size of Nashville's council. 'I applaud the court's decision today affirming the constitutionality of the Small Government Efficiency Act. This action reins in excessive government growth while ensuring local municipalities across the Volunteer State remain accountable and responsive to their constituents,' he wrote. Nashville Vice Mayor Angie E. Henderson said in a statement that the decision fails to respect the will of Nashville voters, who created a 'highly representative, local legislative branch.' Henderson said they will discuss next steps with the city's attorneys.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Republicans target Nashville's mayor for his response to immigration arrests
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Congressional Republicans are investigating Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's response to federal immigration arrests during hundreds of traffic stops over several days in May. Rep. Andy Ogles is leading the charge, pitting the Republican who represents part of the Democratic-leaning city against a progressive mayor who has criticized immigration officials after they arrested nearly 200 people in the greater Nashville area. The dayslong presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents sent chills through well-known Nashville immigrant neighborhoods. Many Republicans, meanwhile, applauded ICE's enforcement focus in the city. Republicans have criticized Nashville officials for publicly documenting interactions between local authorities and federal immigration agents on an official city government website. Some of the entries included authorities' names before city officials removed them. They have also blasted O'Connell for promoting a fundraiser for families affected by the ICE activity. O'Connell has said the arrests caused long-lasting trauma for families and were led by people who don't share Nashville's values of safety and community. Here is a look at the ICE activity and its fallout. The arrests ICE has said that it arrested 196 people alongside the Tennessee Highway Patrol during a weeklong effort in and around Nashville. ICE said 95 had criminal convictions, were facing criminal charges or both, but didn't provide a more detailed breakdown, including the type of crimes. It said about 30 had entered the country after previously being deported, some of whom are included in the 95. The Highway Patrol said it made more than 580 traffic stops in the joint operation with ICE. ICE highlighted seven cases, including two gang members, one of whom was wanted in an El Salvador killing, and people with convictions such as drug offenses, rape or assault. Lisa Sherman Luna of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition criticized the effort as 'at a scale we've never seen before.' She said officers were arresting some people who were going home to their children or heading to work. The mayor's response Early into ICE's operation in Nashville, the mayor held a news conference to assure that Nashville's police force was not involved in the immigration crackdown. He said the immigration enforcement approach 'is not our understanding of what a Nashville for all of us looks like.' At the news conference, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee also announced the fundraising effort to provide child care, transportation, housing aid, food and more for families impacted by the ICE activity. O'Connell's administration has sent letters asking Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE to identify those arrested and their charges. He told the Nashville Rotary Club this week he still hasn't received that information. O'Connell is facing particular scrutiny because of a policy requiring city agencies to report communications with federal immigration authorities to the mayor's office. Nashville has had similar orders under two prior mayors, and O'Connell added quicker reporting deadlines last month. He said the goal is transparency. Republicans' investigation into O'Connell Congressman Ogles declared that House committees would be investigating O'Connell during a Memorial Day news conference at Tennessee's Capitol in Nashville — a venue that raised eyebrows because it's closed to the public on the holiday. Noise from protesters carried from outside the building. A subsequent letter signed by Ogles and three other House committee and subcommittee chairmen requests documents and communications about O'Connell's executive order and the ICE enforcement efforts. Ogles and others have also cried foul that the names of some immigration officials in the Nashville operation were made public. The agents' names were removed, with O'Connell saying it wasn't the intent of the executive order to release them. O'Connell has said Nashville isn't trying to obstruct federal or state laws, and has no reason to be concerned about the congressional investigation. Ogles first won his seat in 2022 after Republicans redistricted Nashville to flip a Democratic congressional district. Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, told Fox News last week that agents will 'flood the zone' in Nashville due to O'Connell's response. Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn is requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate O'Connell. Last week, the Trump administration listed Nashville among its so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, before the list was removed. O'Connell said he's 'puzzled' by the city's inclusion and that Nashville, by definition, is not a sanctuary city. Laws toughened over so-called sanctuary policies In 2019, sanctuary cities became illegal in Tennessee, threatening noncomplying governments with the loss of state economic development money. Tennessee economic development officials say they aren't aware of any warnings, denials or withholding of state money under that law to date. Early this year, lawmakers and Republican Gov. Bill Lee approved legislation to aid the Trump administration with immigration enforcement. It features a potential Class E felony against any local elected official voting for or adopting a so-called sanctuary policy. This could include voting in favor of local government restrictions that impede ICE efforts to detain migrants in the U.S. without permission. Critics believe the criminal penalty — effective July 1 — could be unconstitutional due to state and federal protections afforded lawmakers at various levels of government. The law also created a new state immigration division, but shielded its records from public disclosure.
