TN's Immigration Agenda Advances
📜 TN immigration agenda advances · State lawmakers representing Nashville duke it out · Titans show off new uniforms· Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. TN immigration agenda advances... Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) calls Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville) a "misogynistic punk ass b*tch"... Titans unveil new uniforms... And much more!
The Battle for Nashville's Soul Join us Thursday, March 26th for a discussion with developer and advocate Chris Remke as we dig into the city's actions around zoning and property taxes. (Buy Ticket)
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In Tennessee, GOP lawmakers continue to advance an immigration agenda drawn up with the help of the Trump administration.
From Megan Podsiedlik
Various Senate and House committees will hear every immigration bill next week as the General Assembly approaches final agendas, with two exceptions: The legislation that would create a Class A misdemeanor for illegals who fail to self-deport after a removal order has stagnated in the Senate. Meanwhile, the bill that would require public schools to gather data on undocumented students has passed the Senate and will be heard on its final reading in the House.
From enforcing proof of legal status for SNAP benefits to requiring English proficiency when obtaining a license, here are the rest of the immigration bills still moving through the General Assembly.
Criminal penalties for illegals While a bill could make it a felony to dox an ICE agent, HB1711 could require law enforcement and local governments to report individuals unlawfully present in the state. The same legislation also requires departments of finance and administration to annually report on the cost incurred by the state for public schools (including public higher education institutions), prisons, hospitals, and social services agencies for benefits and services provided to those unlawfully present in the United States.
Driver's Licenses Individuals trying to operate commercial motor vehicles without being able to verify their legal status could get charged with a Class A misdemeanor. If passed, the same bill would also mandate ICE notification.
HB1708 / SB1889 would require restricted licenses for lawfully present applicants lacking English proficiency. Another bill, not officially bundled in with the immigration agenda, could require the issuance of out-of-service orders for CDL drivers unable to read/speak English, with penalties for those who employ the driver.
Sanctuary Cities If passed, HB1707 / SB1952 would require local governments to comply with court orders if an unlawful sanctuary policy is put in place. You may recall that Nashville Metro Council members, represented by the ACLU, won a lawsuit over a Tennessee law criminalizing local officials who support sanctuary-city policies.
Professional License Eligibility Another bill would require all who apply for professional certifications issued by the state to be a U.S. citizen or “qualified alien.” This applies to a wide range of professions, including child and elder care providers, educator licenses, alcoholic beverage providers, court reporters, and more.
Government Employment HB1705 / SB1922 would require all state and local governments to use the federal E-Verify program when vetting employees. If an entity does not comply, this bill would allow the state to withhold funding.
SNAP recipients, public housing, and more HB1710/SB1915 expands requirements to verify legal status when awarding a number of public benefits, including programs like SNAP, TANF cash assistance, city- or county-funded rental or housing assistance, and more. If passed, the bill would also authorize the attorney general to enforce the law, and local governments that do not comply could lose state funding.
Other bills
- SB1486 would require law enforcement memorandums of understanding with federal agencies to honor immigration detainers and hold individuals for up to 48 hours.
✹ DOES NASHVILLE WANT YOU TO STAY?
The Zoning Phantom Leadeth the Taxman Zoning, land use, and property tax disputes have animated political discussions in Nashville since Mayor Freddie O'Connell first took office in September 2023.
Through his Substack, Built to Think, and organization, Save Our Nashville Neighborhoods, Chris Remke has emerged as the city’s most potent critic of the Metro agenda. He's effectively drawn attention to everything from Nashville’s inflated growth projections to the smoke-and-mirrors assurances given to homeowners about how upzoning would affect them, and most recently, the betrayal of local businesses now saddled with unwieldy tax bills.
Join us Thursday evening, March 26th, for a wide-ranging discussion on what Metro is trying to achieve and where they've gone wrong.
This event is for the benefit of The Pamphleteer, Nashville, and priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.
LOCAL COLOR
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
Who bankrolls your councilmember? We analyzed every donation to every council member to show you whether they're funded by their constituents or someone else. Higher grades go to those who raise more money locally. (Take a Look)
HEADLINES
- 🎵 Music City Bowl officials report $38.2M in economic impact. According to a release, this year’s economic impact increased 43.5 percent over last year’s $26.6 million figure and “reflected strong visitation,” with 89 percent of attendees traveling from outside Nashville. (Post)
- 📹 Nashville schools reject license plate reader safety recommendation. MNPD recommended the installation of LPRs and other surveillance technology on school campuses in its recent school safety report conducted in the wake of last year’s school shooting at Antioch. School leaders have since indicated they won’t be adding LPRs. (Tennessean)
- 🧊 ICE says agents had warrant for journalist Estefany Rodríguez’s arrest. Over the weekend, attorneys filed an amended complaint alleging that Rodríguez’s detention was retaliation for critical stories she had reported on ICE as a journalist. (Banner)
✹ QUOTE OF THE DAY
"F*CK YOU, Bo Mitchell. You a low down, backstabbing, misogynistic punk ass b*tch."
Charlane Oliver, TN state senator representing Nashville, called out Representative Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville) in a spat on Facebook claiming he killed a bill to spite Representative Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville).
DEVELOPMENT
- Downtown church property listed for sale (Post)
- Main Library building set for Jersey Mike’s (Post)
- New WeGo transit center planned for Donelson (WeGo)
THINGS TO DO
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
🎸 The Hives @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, 8p, $113, Info
🎸 Foy Vance @ Vinyl Tap, 7p, Free, Info
🪕 Kenny and Amanda Smith @ Station Inn, 9p, Info
🪕 The Cowpokes @ Acme Feed & Seed, 12p, Free, Info
🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
SATURDAY
🎸 Cat Power: The Greatest Tour @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, 8p, $56.20, Info
🎸 Shawn Camp @ Station Inn, 9p, Info
🪕 East Nash Grass @ The Basement East, 8p, $29.83, Info
🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
SUNDAY
🎸 Wednesday @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, 8p, $39.40, Info
🎵 Diana Ross @ Grand Ole Opry House, 7p, $104, Info
🪕 Bluegrass Jam @ Station Inn, 7p, Free, Info
+ a night for musicians and singers from all over the world to gather and enjoy making music together
🪕 Sundays Between with Easy Green @ Tennessee Brew Works, 1p, Info
+ a bluegrass celebration of the music of the Grateful Dead
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.