The Zone of Interest

Last night, a zoning battle over a proposal in Councilmember David Benton’s district revealed a bit about the political landscape in Metro Council. A handful of council members—predominantly those who called for Benton’s ouster after he appeared alongside Representative Andy Ogles during the “Stop The Invasion” press conference on illegal immigration—attempted to tank, or at least delay, the passage of one of Benton’s bills on second reading.

The proposed legislation would rein in the uses of an industrial property on Franklin Limestone Road. Benton’s rezone would restrict mineral extraction on the property; ensure that there is no stream buffer disturbance, blasting, or hazardous operations; and establish landscaping and trees. The developer will also have to comply with the findings of a Metro-conducted traffic study and agree to widen the road and set up a single-direction exit that sends out vehicles toward Antioch Pike. 

A few people came forward during the public hearing in opposition to the bill, but it was the disproportionate pushback from council members that seemed suspect. Councilmember Tasha Ellis recognized the politics at play during discussion. “I think that it's a good, thoughtful, and strategic rezoning bill,” she said, explaining how she had extensively researched the proposal. “I would hate for the things that have transpired outside of the body to impact this.”

The hour-long deliberation on the legislation felt like an extension of the political chastisement Benton received after his appearance at the Capitol in support of immigration enforcement. At one point, Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda held Benton’s feet to the fire and inquired about whether he sent out proper notifications. Later, she asserted that he had no intention of taking his entire community into account regarding this proposal. 

The council ultimately passed Benton’s zoning bill on second reading, and the breakdown of the votes tells its own story. Only 33 of Nashville’s 40 council members were present last night, and 19 of them voted Benton’s proposal through. Eleven voted against the bill, including Councilmembers Suara, Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Parker, Benedict, Harrell, Vo, Preptit, Sepulveda, Styles, and Ewing. Three other members abstained, perhaps hinting at how different factions within the council hold sway over voting habits. MEGAN PODSIEDLIK

🖋️ Edited by Megan Podsiedlik.

📚 Stack ‘Em Up The White House sent a list of nominations to the Senate that included several Tennesseans. The Trump administration nominated Nashville businessman Lee Beaman, Memphis utility commissioner Mitch Graves, and Knoxville lawyer Jeff Hagood to be members of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. As we’ve mentioned before, the TVA has been inoperable since Trump fired two members of the board in March, leaving the utility without a quorum.

The nominations come on the heels of calls from Senators Blackburn and Hagerty to reform leadership at the TVA to “spearhead America’s nuclear revival.” Adding fuel to the fire, earlier this week, Governor Bill Lee penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal urging Trump to appoint members who aligned with his nuclear ambitions.

“The TVA of tomorrow, with a new board and a clear, aggressive mission,” wrote Lee, “will be Mr. Trump’s greatest asset. His executive orders set the goal of quadrupling America’s nuclear fleet by 2050. That will only be possible if the TVA leads the way.”

In other Tennessee-person-doing-something-in-politics news, attorney Braden Boucek, a former federal prosecutor and VP at the Beacon Center, was nominated as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Additionally, state Rep. Jay Reedy announced yesterday that he’d be entering the race for the state’s seventh congressional district, which Mark Green will vacate after the Big Beautiful Bill business is settled (it’s waiting on the House).

⚖️ The AG Takes Over Yesterday, the Tennessee Attorney General’s office announced the opening of the new Civil Rights Enforcement Division. During this year’s General Assembly, the legislature passed a bill that replaced Tennessee’s Human Rights Commission with the new division under the purview of the AG. According to bill sponsor Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville), unresolved discrimination cases piled up under the commission, and adding the authority of the AG’s office will help. 

Democrats pushed back on the decision to dissolve Tennessee’s independent civil rights watchdog agency. The AG’s office is now accepting discrimination complaints under the Tennessee Human Rights Act and the Tennessee Disability Act. “The Division will serve as a specialized unit committed to combating illegal discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education in Tennessee,” reads the press release.

🎇 Road Closures for the Fourth An exhaustive rundown of road closures leading up to Fourth of July festivities downtown can be found here.