Some good bills passed by the state this year

Good afternoon, everyone.

In response to the Israel-Palestine protests on campuses across the country, the US House of Representatives voted to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act which, crudely put, expands the ability of the Department of Education to punish students for perceived anti-semitic activity. It's an expansion of universities’ power to enforce speech standards and a further attack on the First Amendment. All seven Tennessee House representatives voted in favor of the bill.

I thought this reaction on Twitter was the correct way to respond to the bill — edited for legibility:

Perfect example of what's wrong with this government. We get laws that take away rights instead of them just solving the problem.

JUST TAKE CARE OF THE PROTESTORS. GET RID OF THEM.

Instead, we get NONE of the advantages of government (such as removal of roadblocks and protection from people taking over public spaces) and all the disadvantages (such as loss of basic rights and widespread surveillance).

Oh, sorry. We can't get you a functional border or basic physical protection. Would you like your right to free speech taken away, though? We can do that as a compromise? Thoughts?

When Claudine Gay stepped down as President of Harvard, the next phase in the war on DEI in colleges was destined to either be its complete dismantling or the entrenchment of carve-outs for specific racial and ethnic groups.

This bill achieves the latter, further entrenching the neo-segregation that has emerged as racial and ethnic grievances have come to dominate political discourse. Full stop, this is a bad law.

Onward.

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New laws are written into Tennessee’s code every year, but most sail through without much fanfare. Below are a few important bills that caught our attention.

HOSPITAL VISITATION 
During the pandemic, a number of families were unable to visit their loved ones in the hospital. Even in cases wherein one held the power of attorney, visitation could be barred. A new law was passed to allow anyone who holds power of attorney privileges daily visitation rights without invasive health and safety protocols, including certain vaccinations.  “We want to follow all their safety protocols, but the main thing is we want non-invasive safety protocols,” said bill sponsor Sen. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon).”That means they can’t force us to take a shot. I don’t care if they put us in a hazmat suit, mask, whatever.” 

The bill was passed with an amendment allowing the patients themselves to reject the visitation. Senators Yarboro, Akbari, and Campbell voted against the bill, as did Representatives Behn, Camper, Chism, Clemmons, Freeman, Hakeem, Harris, Hemmer, Johnson G, Love, McKenzie, Mitchell, Parkinson, Pearson, Powell, and Thompson.

THE RECURRING AUTOPSY BILL
Remember the legislature’s autopsy bill? The legislation, which would prevent public access to juvenile autopsy reports for victims of violent crimes, has cropped up several times over the past few years. Despite current code already prohibiting anyone from publishing images from such reports, the General Assembly passed a bill further prohibiting this type of discretion, but added an amendment to permit in-person viewing of the autopsy paperwork. 

Interestingly, the bill never went through the Judiciary Committee of either body— one of the stumbling blocks that prevented its passage when it appeared during special session last fall. In the Senate, Bowling, Hensley, Pody voted against the bill. In the House, only Rep. Hulsey voted no. 

ZONING ENFORCEMENT
Also awaiting the governor’s signature is a bill that would require “municipal and metropolitan governments” to adopt at least four affordable “housing strategies” as outlined in the legislation. In alignment with some of Metro’s NEST and NashvilleNext initiatives, the bill recommends reducing size requirements for single units, permitting the use of alternative materials, and allowing for duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, etc. The bill only had two adversaries: Senator Stevens and Representative Haston.

DE-BANKING
Last week, Governor Lee signed a landmark bill into law prohibiting banks from jilting patrons based on social credit score, speech, political affiliation, or religious beliefs. Since most Americans bank with Chase and Wells Fargo, it’s unsurprising that the state legislature is considered “woke” on this issue. Sens. Akbari, Campbell, Kyle, Lamar, Oliver, and Yarbro voted against the bill, as did Reps. Behn, Camper, Clemmons, Dixie, Freeman, Glynn, Hakeem, Hardaway, Hemmer, Jernigan, Love, McKenzie, Miller, Parkinson, Pearson, Powell, Shaw, Thompson, and Towns. 

REDEFINING MONEY
Also awaiting the governor’s signature is a bill that would require “municipal and metropolitan governments” to adopt at least four affordable “housing strategies” as outlined in the legislation. In alignment with some of Metro’s NEST and NashvilleNext initiatives, the bill recommends reducing size requirements for single units, permitting the use of alternative materials, and allowing for duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, etc. The bill only had two adversaries: Senator Stevens and Representative Haston. MEGAN PODSIEDLIK

💰 Budget Season Commences Yesterday, Freddie O'Connell released his first-ever budget proposal as mayor. To the relief of Nashville homeowners, the $3.27 billion spending plan does not come with a property tax increase. In addition to costing $700,000 less than last year, the 2024-2025 proposal also attempts to fill in some of the gaps left by dwindling, short-term Covid funding. 

Councilmember Delishia Porterfield reminded Nashvillians that the final budget is subject to change. “This is the Mayor's recommended budget,” she posted on X. “I appreciate the Mayor & Finance giving us a good starting point!” 

The council will have until June 30th to propose an alternative budget. As is often the case during budget season, we’re already seeing some haggling over the allocation of funds. While the mayor’s plan includes a 3.5 percent cost of living adjustment and an increase in the minimum wage for Metro employees, the Banner reported on their disappointment. “HR recommended 3.5 percent, unions said that wasn't enough, then civil service commission recommended 4 percent,” Stephen Elliott posted on Twitter. Check out Freddie's full budget plan here. MEGAN PODSIEDLIK

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🎫 Ticket To Full-Ride Yesterday, Vanderbilt announced that, starting in 2025, the university will offer MNPS admittees full scholarships. The Nashville Vanderbilt Scholars program covers tuition, fees, housing, and meals, plus a one-time summer stipend of $6,000 for an internship. According to Vandy's website, MNPS graduates who apply must qualify for a Federal Pell Grant or have a household income of less than $100,000 and be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen—among other things. “Proud of my alma mater,” Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) posted on X. “Amazing announcement that Vandy will be giving MNPS students who qualify a full-ride with a stipend!” MEGAN PODSIEDLIK

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🏛️ The ACLU Wants to Operate on Children It's difficult to overstate the amount of power the ACLU has over which bills do and don't get written into law. If some piece of proposed legislation falls into their web of issues, the org springs into action. "Abortion care, trans people’s right to live freely, people’s right to vote – our freedoms are at stake and we need you with us," reads a donation prompt on their site.

After the state passed Senate Bill 1, a law banning gender-bending surgeries on minors, last year, the ACLU filed a suit shortly after on behalf of a couple and their 15-year-old transgender daughter in addition to other plaintiffs filing anonymously. The case, L.W v. Skrmetti, is now awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court. They will deliberate if the ban violates the 14th Amendment's equal protection and due process clauses. DAVIS HUNT

DEVELOPMENT

• Franklin-Area Restaurant Culaccino, To Open A New Location At Nashville Yards (Now Next)
• Hotel, apartment development slated for shuttered Macy's at RiverGate Mall (NBJ)
• Work to resume at site of west side luxury condo project (Post)

THINGS TO DO

View our calendar for the week here and our weekly film rundown here.

📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.

🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.

👨🏻‍🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide and yearly festival guide.

TONIGHT

🎸 Wine Lips @ The East Room, 8p, $19.98, Info
+ garage punk psych

🎸 Jesse Roper @ The Basement, 9p, $15, Info

🎻 Beethoven's Violin Concerto @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 7:30p, $29+, Info

🎸 Ryan Scott @ Dee's Lounge, 9p, $10, Info

🍀 Live Irish Music @ McNamara’s Irish Pub, 6p, Free, Info

🎸 Kelly’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info

🎸 Open Mic @ Fox & Locke, 6:30p, Free, Info
+ vet community here