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# Boot-Strapped on Broadway
- URL: https://pamphleteer.co/newsletter/boot-strapped-on-broadway/
- Published: 2026-10-14T20:06:01.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-14T20:12:23.000Z
- Description: 🍺 Haslam throws cold water on bar bailouts · Hatley pours another $5M more into independent governor bid · Shoplifter with 40+ warrants arrested · Much more!
- Author: The Pamphleteer
- Tags: Newsletter

****Good afternoon, everyone.** Haslam throws cold water on bar bailouts as Broadway feels the property tax squeeze... Opinion: P**atients Shouldn't Have to Fail First*... Hatley pours another $5M into independent governor bid... Three shoplifters arrested Monday, one with 40+ warrants... And much more!  
  
****Voting & TN U.S. Congressional District lookup** Early voting begins today. Use your address to find your new congressional district [here](https://tn-cot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=2bd3c9b349634d2ba7153410c0930d27&ref=pamphleteer.co), find voting information and a sample ballot [here](https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/Sample%5FBallot%5FNovember%5F3%5F2026%5FState%5FFed%5FGen%5FMun%5FElections.pdf?ct=1790110765&ref=pamphleteer.co), and take a look at the Constitutional amendments [here](https://pamphleteer.co/newsletter/whats-on-your-ballot/).  
  
****ICE in Nashville, By the Numbers** Check out our new page that shows ICE arrests in Davidson County, including the 47 countries those people were deported to, how long they'd lived in the U.S., and a county-by-county map of the state. ([See all the charts](https://pamphleteer.co/nashville-ice/))  
  
****Big Council Watch Update.** Our council tracking tool is no longer just a campaign finance scorecard. Follow your councilmember, and we'll tell you what they actually do. ([Take a look](https://councilwatch.pamphleteer.co/?ref=pamphleteer.co))  
  
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#### Haslam throws cold water on bar bailouts as Broadway feels the property tax squeeze.

*From [Megan Podsiedlik](https://pamphleteer.co/author/megan/)*

During this year’s legislative session, state lawmakers passed a bill rearranging how surplus tax money collected from [Nashville’s Tourism Development Zone](https://pamphleteer.co/newsletter/the-tdz-tussle/) is controlled and spent. Originally created in 2009 to help pay off the Music City Center, the zone captures sales tax across a roughly 3-square-mile swath of downtown, and its surplus has piled up with nowhere to go.

The new law allows $300 million of that surplus to go to the East Bank for roads, bridges, utilities, and land. It also creates a nine-member Joint Capital Tourism Board to steer the ongoing surplus of at least $30 million a year. Many downtown business owners strapped with soaring property taxes hope that some of the excess will be used to help them out. 

And that seemed to be [part of the plan](https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/broadway-bars-benefit-from-tennessee-law-giving-property-tax-help-to-some-businesses-but-not-others?ref=pamphleteer.co). But when the board convened for its first meeting a few weeks ago, member and former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam [argued against](https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/10/12/while-nashvilles-downtown-bar-owners-seek-bailout-from-new-tourism-board-haslam-voices-concerns/?ref=pamphleteer.co) handing tourism tax money to individual bars. 

His main concern is fairness. “You’re going to have companies, one across the street that is eligible, and one that is not,” said Haslam, warning that the process would get messy. “I think when we get into this with individual businesses it’s going to be a nightmare.”

Bill Miller, a fellow board member who owns several Broadway bars, made the case that downtown businesses need relief to [survive](https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithinthewind/joint-capital-tourism-board-oconnell-state-city/article%5F81b1e583-c7f0-4532-b4a9-c6583d57ebd7.html?ref=pamphleteer.co). “The last straw was the property tax increase,” he said. “Minuscule margins. I’m not being dramatic.”

It’s worth noting that state lawmakers shifted power away from city officials when creating the board. The majority of appointments, including the chair, now belong to state leaders. At the time, Mayor Freddie O’Connell was [criticized ](https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/04/17/stockard-on-the-stump-democratic-rep-blasts-nashville-mayor-for-lapse-on-tourism-board/?ref=pamphleteer.co)for not securing the appointment power for the chairman.

“He’s just proven himself unwilling or incapable of making decisions on anything, so he’s more than happy to be a mere participator,” Representative John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, [said of O’Connell](https://pamphleteer.co/newsletter/from-surplus-to-skyline/). The mayor’s office countered that O’Connell never wanted the new board.

O’Connell had harsh words of his own for the state after the board’s first meeting earlier this month. 

“We are in an environment where the state is very often making decisions about cities that cities are not asking for themselves, and in that environment, we look to do the very best we can for Nashvillians, given the ways in which our hands are tied,” the mayor said during a media roundtable. 

“A piece of good news here is there is $300 million that is supported by some of this funding that will not show up on a capital spending plan, meaning it is not on Metro’s credit card, and that is a very good outcome for everybody given the urgent infrastructure needs on the East Bank,” he added.

✰ ✰ ✰

#### ✹ OPINION: PATIENTS SHOULDN’T HAVE TO FAIL FIRST

![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2026/10/steth-.jpg)

*Step Therapy Reform: Putting patients and doctors back in charge*

*From [Patsy Writesman](https://pamphleteer.co/author/patsy/)*

A doctor’s prescription should reflect what is best for the patient, not what checks the right box on an insurance company’s protocol. Yet for millions of Americans living with chronic and complex conditions, medical judgment is overridden by [step therapy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg6mjEnUMv0&ref=pamphleteer.co). This practice requires patients to first try insurer-preferred treatments before receiving coverage for the medication their doctor prescribed. These “fail first” policies force patients through unnecessary hurdles and delays before they can access the treatment the healthcare professional determined was right for them.

A new [national survey](https://steptherapy.com/blog/national-survey-of-likely-voters/?ref=pamphleteer.co) shows just how strongly voters want that system reformed. Among 1,400 likely voters, 70% oppose insurance companies enforcing step therapy mandates. Understandably, 90% also said they trust the advice of their own doctor before their insurance company to determine which medication is right for them.

Healthcare is personal. A physician knows a patient's medical history, previous treatments, how they might react to potential side effects and managing that individual patient’s chronic condition. An insurance protocol cannot fully account for every individual circumstance. Yet, insurance companies have the final say on prescription approval. According to [page five](https://steptherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Polling-Results-Executive-Summary.pdf?ref=pamphleteer.co) of the survey, 32% of participants said an insurer had either denied prescription drug coverage for them or a family member or required an alternative to the medication their doctor prescribed. For households where someone regularly takes prescription medication, that number rises to 37%.

[Continue reading...](https://pamphleteer.co/post/opinion-patients-shouldnt-have-to-fail-first/)

✰ ✰ ✰

#### HEADLINES 

- 💰 **Hatley pours another $5M into independent governor bid.** Independent candidate for Tennessee governor David Hatley lent his campaign another $5 million, bringing his self-funding to $12 million. He takes no outside contributions. Since entering the race in the spring he has spent $5.1 million, mostly on advertising ($4.2 million), and his campaign claims he’s polling at 19 percent. He faces Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn, Democrat candidate Jerri Green, and several other independents. ([TNJ](https://pro.stateaffairs.com/tn/elections/third-quarter-fundraising-tennessee-governor?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- 🛍️ **Three shoplifters arrested Monday, one with 40+ warrants.** On Monday, Metro police arrested three suspected serial shoplifters on 12th Avenue South, near the Green Hills Lululemon they are accused of stealing from. Jamonqueia Rucker, 29, had 43 outstanding warrants (27 felonies, 16 misdemeanors) tied to 27 theft charges over two years at stores like Lululemon, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, and Nike, and is being held on a $420,000 bond. The other two suspects, Tanashae McHaney, 20, and Kutelle Gullage, 29, were each charged with one count of theft and released on $5,000 bond. ([MNPD](https://www.nashville.gov/departments/police/news/three-shoplifters-arrested-monday-one-more-40-outstanding-warrants?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- 🚗 **Waymo expands service to Nashville airport.** Waymo is now offering driverless rides to and from Nashville International Airport (BNA), its fifth U.S. airport after Phoenix, San José, San Francisco and San Antonio. Access is rolling out gradually, starting with select local riders who get notified through the Waymo app once airport rides are available to them. Waymo has been running in Nashville since April, and Lyft riders have been matched with Waymo cars since September. The two companies are also opening an 80,000-square-foot depot near BNA that they expect to add more than 70 full-time jobs. ([NBJ](https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2026/10/13/waymo-bna-nashville-international-airport.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))

✰ ✰ ✰

#### ✹ **PAMPHLETEER TOOLS**

![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2026/09/Metro-in-english.png)

**Pamphleteer Tools** [Council Watch](https://councilwatch.pamphleteer.co/?ref=pamphleteer.co) tells you who funds your councilmember and how they vote. The [Property Tax Calculator](https://tax.pamphleteer.co/?ref=pamphleteer.co) tells you what that cost you.

✰ ✰ ✰

#### DEVELOPMENT

![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2026/10/batting-.webp)

****Via NBJ:** Batter Up Social plans Nashville flagship ([More info](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2026/10/13/batter-up-social-nashville-flagship-location.html&source=gmail&ust=1792075235498000&sa=E))

- Rooftop addition planned for downtown Moxy hotel overlooking Lower Broad ([Post](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nashvillepost.com/rooftop-structure-eyed-for-downtown-hotel/article%5Fe0f4278d-4425-46e7-8a10-dce0d62a485c.html&source=gmail&ust=1792075235498000&sa=E))
- Music Row building once owned by ZZ Top manager listed for $5.95M ([Post](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nashvillepost.com/music-row-building-once-owned-by-zz-top-manager-listed-for-sale/article%5Fffd9d971-a245-4152-ac36-1cc237714536.html&source=gmail&ust=1792075235498000&sa=E))
- Germantown parking lot to become 9-story, 75-unit mixed-use development ([City Now Next](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://citynownext.com/2026/10/13/germantown-parking-lot-to-become-9-story-development-in-nashville/&source=gmail&ust=1792075235498000&sa=E))
- TailGate purchases Yazoo Brewing Company's Madison facility ([Post](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nashvillepost.com/tailgate-purchases-yazoo-madison-brewery-news/article%5F9a6dbac6-b9f3-5912-abf0-31a2db1bae8b.html&source=gmail&ust=1792075235498000&sa=E))

![Entertainment](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2022/01/Group-27.png) 

#### THINGS TO DO

*View our calendar for the week* [*here*](https://pamphleteer.co/calendar/events-for-the-week-of-october-12th/)*.* 

📅 Visit our [On The Radar](https://pamphleteer.co/post/on-the-radar/) list to find upcoming events around Nashville.

🎧 On Spotify: [Pamphleteer's Picks](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/46Yds4VbS47NzRa4blrWUY?si=2040311a7d7f403f&ref=pamphleteer.co), a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.

👨🏻‍🌾 Check out our Nashville [farmer's market guide](https://pamphleteer.co/post/nashville-farmers-market-guide/). 

#### TONIGHT

🎸 Soccer Mommy & Snail Mail @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, 7p, $43, [Info](https://www.ticketmaster.com/soccer-mommy-snail-mail-the-sm-nashville-tennessee-10-14-2026/event/1B0064BBEDD5B136?ref=pamphleteer.co)

🎸 Chelsea Wolfe @ Marathon Music Works, 8p, $43.08, [Info](https://www.ticketweb.com/event/chelsea-wolfe-the-dark-world-marathon-music-works-tickets/14206684?ref=pamphleteer.co)

🎸 David Peterson @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, [Info](https://stationinn.com/event/david-peterson-20/?ref=pamphleteer.co)

💀 Tennessee Dead @ Tennessee Brew Works, 6p, [Info](https://www.tnbrew.com/livemusic?ref=pamphleteer.co)  
  
🎸 Kelley's Heroes @ Robert's Western World, 6:30p, Free, [Info](https://www.robertswesternworld.com/band-schedule?ref=pamphleteer.co)

🎸 The Cowpokes @ Robert's Western World, 10:30p, Free, [Info](https://www.robertswesternworld.com/band-schedule?ref=pamphleteer.co)

🪕 Bluegrass Night @ The American Legion Post 82, 7p, Free, [Info](https://www.instagram.com/bluegrasswednesday/?hl=en&ref=pamphleteer.co)

![In case you missed it...](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2023/01/Group-20.png) 

📰 *Check out the full newsletter archive [here](https://pamphleteer.co/tag/newsletter/)*. 

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*Today's newsletter is brought to you by* [*Davis Hunt*](https://pamphleteer.co/author/davis/)*,* [*Megan Podsiedlik*](https://pamphleteer.co/author/megan/)*, and* [*Camelia Brennan*](https://pamphleteer.co/author/camelia/)*.*