Redrawing the Power Map

From Megan Podsiedlik

Tennessee lawmakers will be back for a special legislative session tomorrow to formally review the state’s congressional map following the renewed nationwide action around congressional representation.

“We owe it to Tennesseans to ensure our congressional districts accurately reflect the will of Tennessee voters,” said Governor Bill Lee. “After consultation with the Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, I believe the General Assembly has a responsibility to review the map and ensure it remains fair, legal, and defensible.”

Last week, gubernatorial candidate and Senator Marsha Blackburn advocated for a redistricting map that would turn the state's only blue congressional district red. The urgency follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding a Louisiana district map that was determined to have relied too heavily on race. Democrats have also been aggressively frank about their desire to try and flip some of Tennessee’s red congressional districts blue. 

Despite some pushback, legislators will likely try to keep things short and sweet. Many state lawmakers are up for reelection this year, and special sessions always cost taxpayers some extra change. 

What people are saying:

“Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee Republicans have formally declared their willingness to light the Voting Rights Act on fire, along with the foundational principles of our democratic process. By again bending the knee to a corrupt, lame-duck president desperate for help, our weak-kneed governor is abusing his power to try and rig elections and silence the voice of Tennesseans." —House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville)

Tennessean and political commentator Michael Knowles says Republicans should take the win: “The Supreme Court win in Louisiana v. Callais was a really big deal because it said that the LIBS can't racially gerrymander. They would be violating the Constitution—the 14th and the 15th amendments—if they were to draw congressional districts based on racial discrimination.”

Tennessee’s Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) knows the political implications this election cycle: “Tennesseans have made it clear they want strong borders, a strong economy, and common-sense leadership—not the failed policies coming from Washington Democrats. We have been presented with a critical opportunity to send another Tennessee Republican to Washington who will support President Trump.”

What Horrors We Wrought In 1973, French writer Jean Raspail published one of the most controversial novels of the 20th century. His novel, The Camp of Saints, has been consistently censored throughout its history.

Vauban Books recently published a new translation of the French story, accompanied by a lucid introduction by writer Nathan Pinkoski. Join us as we discuss the legacy of this controversial novel and what it says about the West.

This event is for the benefit of The Pamphleteer, Nashville, and priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.

• 💸 MNPS Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle spent $20k for luxury travel over two years.

  Battle’s travel spending vastly outpaced her superintendent peers in Tennessee. Memphis Shelby County Schools’ superintendent spent $721 on travel in the same time period. Williamson County’s superintendent spent $8,120. Sumner County’s superintendent spent $1,021. Rutherford and Wilson County superintendents spent zero on travel.

  WSMV

• 🔌 NES under state, federal investigation for DEI practices.

  Nashville Electric Service is being investigated by both the offices of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee and the Tennessee Attorney General, who are determining whether its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies could rise to the level of discrimination, according to a source familiar with both investigations who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive legal matters.

  Tennessean

• 👀 Owner of goats killed by unknown animal in TN charged over disposal of remains

  . SBN reports that an affidavit from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture states that Billy Brown Jr., 62, was arrested and charged with failure to properly dispose of a deceased animal.

  WSMV

• 💰 TN Democratic lawmaker reportedly under federal investigation for questionable Kamala Harris PAC

  .  Seven sources involved in Tennessee Democratic politics confirmed that they had been aware of an investigation into Representative Torrey Harris (D-Memphis) since sometime toward the beginning of this year, but details were scarce on what agency was involved, what the accusations against Harris were and whether the investigation was ongoing. Banner)

• ✂️ HCA Healthcare confirms layoffs.

  HCA Healthcare confirmed to the Business Journal it has laid off "a small portion" of its U.S. workforce. Though an exact figure was not immediately available, two sources described the cuts as significant in scale.

  TBJ

New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)

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  Via Now Next: 33-Story Signia By Hilton Planned For Nashville Yards

  More info

• 12 South Taproom to Close After Property Sale

  Scene

• Lebanon family expands LEGO store into regional attraction

  Main Street

• Dealer's Choice Antiques & Auction will relocate from 8th Avenue to Old Hickory after 38 years

  NBJ

• 📅View our calendar for the week 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.

Tonight Mon, May 4

Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.