Local leaders call for lifting harmful state laws

December 30, 2020
NEWS, PREEMPTION

Dear Governor Lee and Members of the Tennessee General Assembly,

As local elected officials from cities across our state, we understand how critical it is for state and local governments to work together collaboratively, especially in times of crisis. While the state has an essential role to play in protecting the health and well-being of all Tennesseans during this pandemic and recession, local leaders also need the freedom to use every available tool to address the unique and ever-changing impacts of this crisis on our local communities. As Governor Lee remarked during his press briefing on March 17th, “Local governments know better than we do what is needed in their local communities.”

Unfortunately, as we seek to navigate these difficult times and weigh the various options to protect our communities, we have found that our hands are tied on a range of important issues. Over the past several years, the state has restricted our ability to take action on broadband access, paid leave, affordable housing, and more. As a result, we have struggled to fully address the urgent health and economic needs of our constituents during this emergency.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis have taken a serious toll on working families in our cities. Families without access to broadband internet are struggling to keep up with education and work as life has moved online. Without paid sick leave, workers are faced with an impossible choice between protecting their health and paying their bills. The shortage of affordable housing, a problem we grappled with long before this crisis, threatens to destabilize our communities as unemployment benefits run out and evictions loom.

The consequences of this unprecedented crisis will last for years to come. As local leaders, we face our own unique challenges, but we are united by the belief that we need greater flexibility and autonomy to make decisions that are best for our communities, during COVID-19 and beyond. We urge you to consider all possible executive and legislative actions to restore authority to local governments. We look forward to continuing to build a cooperative partnership with the state as we navigate these challenging times together.

Signed,
Craig Fitzhugh, Ripley Mayor
Tony Gross, Kingston Springs Mayor
Lee Harris, Shelby County Mayor
Indya Kincannon, Knoxville Mayor
Andy Berke, Chattanooga Mayor
Joshua Anderson, Anderson County Commissioner
Bob Mendes, Metro Nashville Council Member
Seema Singh, Knoxville City Council Member
David Sharpe, Hamilton County Commissioner
Sean Parker, Metro Nashville Council Member
Zulfat Suara, Metro Nashville Council Member
Delishia Porterfield, Metro Nashville Council Member
Helen Stapleton, Franklin County County Commissioner
Russell Gilbert, Sr., Chattanooga Council member
Erin Evans, Metro Nashville Council Member
Sandra Sepulveda, Metro Nashville Council Member
Tami Sawyer, Shelby County Commissioner
Amelia Parker, Knoxville Council Member
Gwen McKenzie, Knoxville Council Member
John Rutherford, Metro Nashville Council Member
Burkley Allen, Metro Nashville Council Member
Chris Rasnic, Montgomery County Commissioner
Rashidah Leverett, Montgomery County Commissioner
Stacey Streetman, Clarksville Council Member
Tangi Smith, Clarksville County Commissioner
Lisa Prichard, Montgomery County Commissioner
Demetrus Coonrod, Chattanooga Council Member
Jodi Jones, Washington County Commissioner
Rebecca Goff, Murfreesboro School Board
JB Smiley Jr., Memphis Council Member