Dan Conaway’s weekly column in The Daily News and The Memphis News on all things Memphis:
Unless we start paying attention, the largest city in Tennessee will officially become the isolated island many in the state consider it to be. Our own suburban state legislators are setting Memphis adrift, blinded by their ambition and working in the interest of a political party rather than the people of Shelby County.
If you do big harm to 70% of yourself, the other 30% is in for a big hurt.
IN THE NEW MATH, 30% IS MORE THAN 70%
Fellow I know who worked for S.C. Toof & Co. back in the sixties told a good story about the use of power. Then the company was family owned and the largest printing operation around these parts. Mr. Toof fancied himself a broad-minded leader, open to suggestion and reform. The company’s leadership would meet weekly to discuss issues and vote on policy. In one such session, Mr. Toof proposed a change. During discussion, it became apparent that everyone else hated the idea. He called for a vote. “All in favor,” he said, and his hand was the only one raised. “All opposed,” he followed, and every other hand went up. “Now,” he said, sternly surveying the room, “let’s weigh the votes.”
Shelby County’s suburban Republicans have decided if the vote on city school charter surrender doesn’t go their way, they’ll weight the votes.
In an unprecedented show of special interest legislation and narrowly targeted repression, they have marshaled the forces of an entire state to stomp Memphis. The interests of 30% of Shelby County residents will supersede those of 70% of the population, and the state laws they are passing will apply only here, and will only become law if city voters surrender the charter.
The new law calls for special school districts in Shelby County, and only Shelby County, the avoidance of which was the very reason the city school board voted to surrender the charter.
Further, the law will establish a 21-member transition commission, 15 of whom will be appointed by Republicans or suburban officials. While the Governor and the speakers of the Senate and House will appoint seats, the Mayor of Memphis won’t have one.
Every citizen of Tennessee should be outraged when the minority of elected officials from any one county can manipulate state law to hammer the majority interests of that county into submission.
This isn’t just about schools; this is about the burying of your rights by the heavy hand that holds the shovel.
And the rich irony is that the party doing this is all about smaller, less-intrusive government, unless, of course, you’re up to something the rich don’t like.
I can’t think of any more dangerous precedent for this new legislature to set than the micromanagement of one county’s affairs to suit a political agenda. If they can do that to us, they can do it to any county that dares to differ with that agenda.
With all the problems Tennessee faces, the most coordinated, rapid response effort our legislature has come up with is to rewrite state law to favor suburban voters in just one county. Couldn’t education as a whole in Tennessee – pre-school through reform of the regents system in higher education – benefit more from that kind of concentrated legal brainpower rather than just the well-heeled in Shelby’s burbs?
There are 95 counties in Tennessee, and right now it’s 94 against 1. That’s not a fair fight.
I’m a Memphian, and we shouldn’t stand for this.
Agreed. What would you propose we do?
I have placed calls to both the Shelby County Republican office as well as the State GOP office and have received no response and I am an independent. I cannot imagine the response to anyone who happened to be registered as a democrat.
John- I would never condone outright violence, but if ever there was an event that would force me to be part of a “threatening” protest in front of the state building downtown, this is it.
Remember when Marsha Blackburn was a state rep and marshalled via talk radio a violent protest, with assaults and broken windows at the state capitol over a possible income tax? Wonder how those folks would like to see a few thousand Memphians doing the same thing right now at the capitol building? All exercising their 2nd Amendment rights to carry firearms at the same time? Bet they wouldn’t like it very much….
This has become so convoluted, I am not even sure what to demand if we did protest. What, seriously, is there to ask for? I’m ready to load the buses and rush the Capitol in Nashville. But what does victory look like? What taxes do we withhold? What do we really do to make our presence known from Memphis in a meaningful way that hurts the State as a result of this?
I do believe that long term planning for the future needs to begin now. Are we willing to put substantial money behind opponents of the anti-Memphis group? Even if we can’t vote in their districts? Are we willing organize and become visible at election time? Even if we are Memphis republicans? Especially if we are Memphis republicans?
This one has headed to the courts. I know I sound like a baby but what do we do to make sure it never happens again, throws a big mess of kinks in the works on other issues and makes sure we aren’t ignored anymore? Or is hoping for victory in the courts enough?
Stop voting republican in Shelby County, that’s one thing we can do. Punish any and all Republican officeholders in this city and county; make them pay a political price for their anti-Memphis stances. If we all did that, do you think any republicans would have been elected to countywide office last time? Nope. In the past I frequently voted for GOP candidates for local office. No more. Luttrell, you’re a one-termer as far as I’m concerned. Look out, all fence-straddling republicans, you’re history around here. Move to nashville and run for office.
If Egypt can do it, surely Memphis can. Hit the streets, people!
Amen, Karen.
Tell the whole truth Dan. The law as written allows for the county to ask for special district status only after the planning process ends. The request must be made to the legislature. At the end of the planning period who knows who will control the statehouse, you?
Do you honestly believe a planning process is the wrong approach to a final solution? Do you honestly think the city mayor should have a voice after the city council and the city special school district have admitted to their failure at running a school district?
Why not suggest each mayor of each city in the county have an equal number of picks? My guess is you would suggest 70% of the picks be from Memphis.
We all must pay for our decisions. Memphis is now paying the price for years of bad political choices. Deal with it.
Anon-
I’m sure it was a simple oversight on your part, but I feel compelled to point out that the city- including the office of the mayor- has very little to do with operating the MCS.
Anon, since 70% of Shelby Countians are also Memphians, yes, that would be proportional and fair. Thanks for pointing that out.
Boy, Memphis is one screwed up city
Boy, Shelby County is one screwed up county.
I will point out that the county is only screwed up because of Memphis.
SHelby County without Memphis would be Hardeman County.
Anonymous 2:44: That’s so ludicrous we’re tempted to ignore it. Since 70% of the people outside Memphis drive in to their jobs, since Memphians pay for the amenities like museums, greenline, etc., since Memphians have subsidized your lifestyle in suburban sprawl for 30 years, and since Shelby County blows away without Memphis, we can only assume you were being facetious. Unless you are Terry Roland.
Terry Roland might as well be living in Hardeman County.
Memphis is doomed
If Memphis is doomed then so is Germantown, Collierville, Fayette County, Tipton County, Desoto County. Try selling all those 5-6000 s.f. houses when Fedex moves its headquarters to Indianapolis or Dallas.