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# Our Governor the Riverboat Pilot
- URL: https://pamphleteer.co/newsletter/riverboat-pilot-lee-nl/
- Published: 2021-05-19T11:53:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-17T11:43:20.000Z
- Description: Bill Lee, property taxes, Biden jokes, Gates-gate, and more.
- Author: The Pamphleteer
- Tags: Newsletter, #Import 2026-08-01 20:40

🏞 **River of Doubt** Bill Lee's action to reduce pandemic-related unemployment benefits has drawn sharp criticism \[1\]. Betsy Phillips [saber rattled](https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pith-in-the-wind/article/21147381/gov-lees-idea-of-leadership?ref=pamphleteer.co) in the *Scene*, caricaturing Lee as a Mark Twain-esque riverboat pilot (every young boy’s dream) terrorizing Tennesseans with his devil-may-care snarl. Others write of the [stress](https://tennesseelookout.com/2021/05/12/stress-and-uncertainty-follow-gov-lees-decision-to-end-federal-unemployment-benefits/?ref=pamphleteer.co) many face as the COVID curtain pulls back. Despite the backlash, Lee is right to declare the stimulus funds “short-term, federal fixes."

Democratic governors disagree. With their eye on the 2022 mid-terms, which they intend to win by hook or crook, Democratic leaders are wary that lifting benefits may cause a recession that will reflect poorly on them and alienate their voter base \[2\]. Democrats are highly incentivized to belabor the pandemic.

Lee's decision to cut benefits as vaccines spread and businesses reopen expresses a forgotten ethic that advocates for personal responsibility, industry, and engagement. Some might say these are the pillars of a strong society. Free money is inflationary, penalizes businesses that wish to grow, denies citizens the dignity of finding value in work, and creates friction in the economy and in society.

☠️ **Biden Pulls a Trump** In another astounding display of physical fitness and health, Joe Biden test drove the new F-150 Lightning, Ford's first all-electric pickup. After a dazzling display of agility and Rayban-masculinity behind the wheel, Biden pulled to a stop in front of a gaggle of reporters eager to inhale the aroma of such a virile man. A flurry of eager questions met him, and one reporter tried to ask about the Israel situation to which Biden [replied](https://twitter.com/RiegerReport/status/1394734707645063171?ref=pamphleteer.co), "No you can’t. Not unless you get in front of the car as I step on it." An awkward silence followed. But, wait. We get it! Joe Biden was... joking! Silly Joe. Don't tax us too much there, big guy!

🛠 **Job Shuffle** Changing homes and changing jobs have been two large, cultural side effects of COVID. Industries like live music will have a [hard time](https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dbgdz/many-live-music-workers-wont-return-to-their-jobs-after-covid-pandemic-labor-shortage?ref=pamphleteer.co) luring employees back to sporadic work schedules and low pay after many have gotten a taste of working from home or fatted like a Thanksgiving turkey with [stimulus funds](https://www.bloombergquint.com/global-economics/companies-warn-of-u-s-labor-shortages-economists-call-temporary?ref=pamphleteer.co). People are leaving "vocational" industries like entertainment for cushy jobs in the tech industry.

🧛‍♂️ **"Bill Gates"-gate** The Microsoft maestro is in the news again and, no, it's not because he's trying to [blot out](https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2021/01/11/bill-gates-backed-climate-solution-gains-traction-but-concerns-linger/?sh=fdb5c59793b6&ref=pamphleteer.co) the sun so he can role-play as the Prince of Darkness. News of his pending divorce flew off the presses last week followed shortly by rumors of [sordid affairs](https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2021/01/11/bill-gates-backed-climate-solution-gains-traction-but-concerns-linger/?sh=fdb5c59793b6&ref=pamphleteer.co) and questions about his [liaisons](https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstein-gave-bill-gates-advice-on-how-to-end-toxic-marriage-sources-say?ref=pamphleteer.co) with the late Jeffrey Epstein. Expect Gates to employ his tried and true display of fitness as he re-enters the dating pool: [jumping over office chairs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxaCOHT0pmI&ref=pamphleteer.co).

### New This Week

[Burt Reynolds’ Southern VisionHow a Legend Chronicled the Region’s Potential![](https://pamphleteer.co/favicon.png)The PamphleteerJerod Ra’Del Hollyfield![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2021/05/https___cdn.cnn.com_cnnnext_dam_assets_151030143154-burt-reynolds-smokey-and-the-bandit.jpg)](https://pamphleteer.co/post/burt-reynolds-southern-vision/)

#### In case you missed it:

- The Last Action Heroes: *'Nobody' and 'Fatman' Face the Twilight of the Genre Star* ([Read](https://pamphleteer.co/post/last-action-hero/))
- Ordinary People, Pt. I: *On Artistry and Hollywood’s Insular Diversity* ([Read](https://pamphleteer.co/post/ordinary-people/))
- Ordinary People, Pt. II: *An Oscars Postmortem* ([Read](https://pamphleteer.co/post/ordinary-people-ii/))

### Nashville Taxes

![money-70256-wo](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2021/05/money-70256-wo.jpg)

**1) Opposition to property tax referendum picks up support**  
Save Nashville Now, a coalition opposing Metro charter amendment referendum, unveiled ([Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/2021/05/18/save-nashville-now-a-coalition-opposing-metro-charter-amendment-referendum-unveiled/?ref=pamphleteer.co))  
*\+ Group threatens that if citizens don't pay more taxes, school conditions will get worse, policing will diminish, and city's quality of life will decrease*  
*\+ Can school conditions get worse? Aren’t we supposed to defund police?*  
*\+ These are the types of threats one would hear from a vendor selling indulgences in the 15th century*

**2) Where does Nashville get its revenue from?**  
Most of Nashville's revenue comes from property taxes ([WPLN](https://wpln.org/post/nash-in-the-know-so-did-last-years-tax-hike-solve-nashvilles-financial-woes/?ref=pamphleteer.co))  
*\+ State, Local, Business Tax: *17.18%**  
*\+ Grants and other: *17.17%**  
*\+ Property Tax: *56.86%**  
*\+ Other revenue: *9.68%**

**3) City claims, property tax increase long overdue**  
How much debt Nashville has, and why city residents should care: Breaking down the numbers ([Tennessean](https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2021/05/17/nashville-debt-city-budget-education-public-services/4961511001/?ref=pamphleteer.co))  
*\+ Metro has the most control over property tax*  
*\+ Cites city's growing infrastructure needs as motive for higher rate*  
*\+ Proposed projects that tax increase would fund include a new Metro police precinct, pay raises for teachers, and cost-of-living raises for government staff.*

### Nashville Politics

- Gov. Lee Says Masks, Vaccines Shouldn’t Be Required For Schoolchildren ([WPLN](https://wpln.org/post/gov-bill-lee-says-masks-vaccines-shouldnt-be-required-for-tennessee-schoolchildren/?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Williamson County Schools Rescinds Mask Mandate ([Tennessee Star](https://tennesseestar.com/2021/05/17/williamson-county-schools-rescinds-mask-mandate-after-saying-judge-didnt-rule-against-their-authority-to-impose-it/?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Lawyers urge Gov. Bill Lee to veto bill changing how state laws are challenged in court ([Tennessean](https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2021/05/12/tennessee-courts-lawyers-urge-bill-lee-veto-bill-changing-how-laws-challenged/4973963001/?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Legal Director Bob Cooper to leave mayor’s office ([Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/2021/05/14/legal-director-bob-cooper-to-leave-mayors-office/?ref=pamphleteer.co))

### Nashville News

- Gas prices rise 18 cents in response to pipeline shutdown ([WSMV](https://www.wsmv.com/news/tennessee/gas-prices-rise-18-cents-in-response-to-pipeline-shutdown/article%5F1bdff5de-b727-11eb-8c77-431c6e69a07d.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- How are bridges inspected in Nashville? ([WSMV](https://www.wsmv.com/news/how-are-bridges-inspected-in-nashville/article%5F7942fbd0-b7be-11eb-9f0f-87e3dc228a71.html?ref=pamphleteer.co#utm%5Fsource=wsmv.com&utm%5Fcampaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Flists%2Fheadlines%2F%3F-dc%3D1621346407&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcontent=headline))
- The Fairlane Hotel and Germantown Inn make Trip Advisors' list of best hotels in the US ([Biz Journal](https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2021/05/17/fairlane-hotel-germantown-inn-tripadvisor-awards.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))

### Nashville Development

- Chestnut Hill properties offered for about $3.1M ([Post](https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/chestnut-hill-properties-offered-for-about-3-1m/article%5Fcf043374-b4ec-11eb-ab3a-c7ad972d7dcb.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Modernist residential building planned for West End ([Post](https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/modernist-residential-building-planned-for-west-end/article%5F8c0df0ee-b4ee-11eb-ad38-ff1cd4bd4f68.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Historic east side building could land brewery ([Post](https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/historic-east-side-building-could-land-brewery/article%5F463ec73a-b734-11eb-a5bd-7b447b0b98c2.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Music Row building sells for more than $1.6M ([Post](https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/music-row-building-sells-for-more-than-1-6m/article%5Fc8a64f10-b74b-11eb-a37e-27f9741e4717.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- More Whataburger locations headed for Middle TN ([Biz Journal](https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2021/05/17/whataburger-adds-middle-tennessee-locations.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Firearms mfr. Troy Industries relocating to Clarksville ([Biz Journal](https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2021/05/13/troy-industries-clarksville.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- New York firm adds to Gulch footprint to the tune of $16 million ([Biz Journal](https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2021/05/17/gulch-site.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Belmont sells Watkins campus for $22.5M ([Post](https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/belmont-sells-watkins-campus-for-22-5m/article%5F931a2b5c-b7df-11eb-bacb-1788a1dcd70a.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Preds reach deal to build ice center in Sumner County ([Post](https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/predators-reach-deal-to-build-new-ice-center-in-sumner-county/article%5Feb1f9ef6-b80a-11eb-8dcb-e3b6446db920.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Small south side ex-bar building sells for $1.2M ([Post](https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/small-south-side-ex-bar-building-sells-for-1-2m/article%5Fb833baec-b7fe-11eb-b719-db5622f3fb2f.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Ascent Buildings formally debuts Middle Tennessee HQ, aims to hire 120 in two years ([Biz Journal](https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2021/05/17/ascent-buildings-portland-hq.html?ref=pamphleteer.co))
- Melvil Arnt, Once Upon a Time in France, Plans Another Project Inspired by France ([Scene](https://www.nashvillescene.com/food-drink/bites/article/21147376/melvil-arnt-plans-another-project-inspired-by-france?ref=pamphleteer.co))

### Nashville Events

[Events for week of May 17th, 2021With COVID fading into the background, now is as good a time as any to find yourself a beat up Mazda Miata to rip around town.![](https://pamphleteer.co/favicon.png)The PamphleteerThe Pamphleteer![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2021/05/the-sparta-drive-in.jpg)](https://pamphleteer.co/post/events-for-week-of-may-17th-2021/)

### One Good Read

🏙 Mark Pulliam, writing for the City Journal, talks about Tennessee as a new type of American state ([Read](https://www.city-journal.org/nashvilles-draw-for-blue-state-refugees?wallit%5Fnosession=1&ref=pamphleteer.co))

### Footnotes

**\[1\]** *Tennessee is not alone. It joins 21 other states ending federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming*  
**\[2\]** *Such are the concerns of a party built on the purchase and importation of votes.*