Current:Home > reviewsJudges strike down Tennessee law to cut Nashville council in half -Quantum Capital Pro
Judges strike down Tennessee law to cut Nashville council in half
View
Date:2025-04-12 20:50:26
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A panel of judges has struck down a 2023 change approved by Tennessee Republican lawmakers that would cut the size of Democratic-leaning Nashville’s Metro Council in half.
The decision Monday marks another court defeat for a series of state laws passed last year to cut into Nashville’s autonomy, extending to its international airport and pro sports facilities. The wave of restrictions followed a decision by local Nashville leaders to spike a proposal in 2022 to bring the 2024 Republican National Convention to Music City.
In this week’s 2-1 ruling, the majority decided that state lawmakers designed a 20-member limit on the number of council members in metro governments to affect only Nashville, which has 40 people on its council. The law had previously been temporarily blocked in court so it would not affect the August 2023 council elections, prompting the attorney general’s office to decline to appeal and say the law would take effect for the 2027 elections.
The latest court decision halts the law permanently, declaring it unconstitutional under home rule protections in the Tennessee Constitution because it singles out Nashville and fails to require approval by local voters or two-thirds of the metro council.
It is unclear whether the state will appeal the ruling. Amy Lannom Wilhite, a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office, said officials there are reviewing the ruling and will decide their next steps shortly.
Nashville has operated as a combined city-county government under a 40-member council since 1963, when leaders were wrestling with consolidating the city with the surrounding county, and others were working to ensure Black leaders maintain a strong representation in the Southern city.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell applauded the ruling, noting that voters declined to reduce the council’s size nine years ago.
“The Metro Charter gives Nashvillians the right to determine the size of our Metro Council, and as recently as 2015, we decisively concluded we prefer 40 members,” O’Connell said in a statement.
The law would only apply to city or city-county governments, though no other Tennessee city or city-county government has more than 20 members. The lawsuit focused on city-county governments.
In dissent, one judge wrote that the law does not violate home rule protections because other governments would have to keep their numbers below the new limit.
Before 2023, Republican lawmakers had passed laws that upended policies they didn’t like in Nashville, in addition to in left-leaning Memphis. But the tense exchange over the Republican National Convention spurred the package of bills targeting Nashville last year. There was no similar slate of Nashville-centered bills during this year’s legislative session, with a new mayor in office and a growing number of court rulings against the new laws.
In one of the other lawsuits filed by Nashville officials, 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. The state declined to appeal that ruling.
A court panel likewise ruled it was unconstitutional for Tennessee lawmakers to pass a state takeover of Nashville International Airport’s board without approval from city officials or voters. The law let state officials appoint six of eight board members, leaving only two picks for the mayor, who has historically selected the seven-member board. The state is appealing the ruling.
Judges also temporarily blocked the law that would reconfigure the group overseeing professional sports facilities in Nashville by letting state leaders pick six of its 13 board members. The case is on hold while the state appeals the airport board ruling.
veryGood! (98448)
Related
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Sienna Miller Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 2
- Weakened Hilary still posing serious threat to Southern California and Southwest
- Judge blocks Georgia ban on hormone replacement therapy for transgender minors
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Julie Bowen Weighs In on Sofía Vergara's Single Life After Joe Manganiello Breakup
- Spanish Soccer Federation President Apologizes for Kissing Jenni Hermoso on Lips After World Cup Win
- 3 dead, 6 wounded in Seattle hookah lounge shooting; no word on suspects
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Woman gets 15 years to life in deaths of boyfriend, friend after 100 mph car crash into brick wall
Ranking
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- After second tournament title this summer, Coco Gauff could be the US Open favorite
- Arkansas education secretary says state to review districts’ AP African American Studies materials
- Canadian firefighters make progress battling some blazes but others push thousands from their homes
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Preliminary magnitude 5.1 quake shakes Southern California amid Hilary threat
- After school shooting, Tennessee lawmakers not expected to take up gun control in special session
- King Charles III carries on legacy of mother Queen Elizabeth II with Balmoral Castle ceremony
Recommendation
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
Flooding, mudslides, water rescues − and Hilary's destruction not done yet: Live storm updates
Miley Cyrus Is Giving Fans the Best of Both Worlds With Hannah Montana Shout-Out
Nobody Puts These 20 Secrets About Dirty Dancing in a Corner
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
The Surprisingly Simple Way Lady Gaga Gives Herself an Extra Boost of Confidence
Prosecutor releases video of fatal police shooting that shows suspect firing at officer
'Disgusting hate:' California shop owner killed over Pride flag