🏙️ Is Nashville on the right track?

🦝 Would You Want a Pet Raccoon?

The latest Vanderbilt poll was released yesterday, revealing that 56% of Nashville residents think the city is on the wrong track. On today’s podcast, we’re chatting about the poll and more news from the week, from what bills died in the Tennessee General Assembly to whether owning a pet raccoon would make everyone feel better. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏛️ Proposed Bills for More Power Over Nashville

A Republican proposed bill would create a joint capital tourism board to control excess revenue generated by Nashville’s downtown tourist development zone and surplus funds held by the Nashville Convention Center Authority. While the board would use some of those funds for East Bank developments, freeing Nashville dollars for other improvements, it’s also part of a pattern of state Republicans trying to assert more control over the city. [Tennessee Lookout; 📰 City Cast Nashville]

• Another proposed bill would take over our airport authority board. [WKRN]

🏘️ Housing Development Fights To Keep Residents

The Cottages at Drakes Creek is Nashville’s first publicly funded cooperative housing development, and receives $7 million from the Barnes Housing Trust Fund to operate. Only affordable housing projects serving households earning 50% or less of Nashville’s area median income can use money from the fund. When residents discovered 15 of its members made over 50%, they rallied together to keep them in the co-op. While they’ve received a one-year extension, they still need to find a way to amend the contract so those 15 members can remain. [Nashville Banner]

• Listen to our episode about how the Cottages at Drakes Creek got started. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
• To fall under 50% of Nashville’s AMI, a one-person household would need to make $40,200 or less. [Nashville.gov]

🏫 The Future of School Vouchers

The state bill to double school vouchers might be in trouble. It’s been placed “behind the budget” along with other bills that would cost the state money, meaning it’s on hold for the remainder of the session unless specific funding can be found for it. [NewsChannel 5]

• Lawmakers have also proposed dropping the TCAP test requirement for participating private schools. [Chalkbeat Tennessee]
• The average income for families applying to our private school voucher program is more than $96,400, about $20,000 above the state’s median family income. [🔐 The Tennessean]
• Find out more about the state’s school voucher program. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

The results are in for Vanderbilt’s annual Nashville poll, and most respondents feel like Nashville is on the wrong track, and Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s approval rating has dropped. Here are some of the questions from Vanderbilt’s poll. I’d love to hear what y’all think!

1. Do you believe Nashville is on the right track?

Share this poll with friends so we can get even more responses!

Granny was rescued and adopted from Metro Animal Care and Control in September 2024. She’s a senior pup who loves stroller rides, long naps, and cheering on the IU Hoosiers. She’s a Nashvillian by address, but a Hoosier at heart.

We’ll forgive you, Granny. It’s hard to take offense at a face (and name) that cute!

After taking in dozens of dogs from multiple hoarding cases, MACC is over capacity. Consider adopting or fostering, if you’re able! You might end up with a Granny of your own 🫶

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