🛣️ The plan for this dangerous Nashville road

⛺ Will New Laws Impact Our Unhoused Community?

The “Homeless Busing Bill” has passed the state legislature and heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk to be signed into law. The bill says local governments must coordinate the transportation of unhoused people with the receiving jurisdiction. This comes after state Rep. Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro) claimed that Nashville was busing its unhoused folk to Murfreesboro, though local officials deny those claims. The Nashville Downtown Partnership, a private nonprofit corporation that oversees many downtown services, sometimes buys bus tickets outside the city for unhoused people. But India Pungarcher, associate director of advocacy at Open Table Nashville, says that person must have confirmation via phone that they have somewhere to stay once they reach their destination. [Nashville Scene]

• A more worrisome bill: Pungarcher is more concerned about a bill state lawmakers are still considering that allows the use of deadly force for trespassing, though a House amendment removes the trespassing language. “[Trespassing] just happens so often if you’re living outside,” Pungarcher says. [Nashville Scene]
• Programs that help: While the state legislature considers bills that harm or dismiss the needs of unhoused folk, several local programs are providing aid to the community. A recent study of our Eviction Right to Counsel program shows it helped hundreds of people avoid experiencing homelessness while saving the city money. The Home Together Nashville program helps keep MNPS students and their families in housing. [🔐 The Tennessean; NewsChannel 5]
• Our affordable housing problem: While local nonprofits like Trinity Community Commons are coming up with creative ways to build affordable housing, homelessness is increasing in Nashville, and local advocates worry that the Office of Homeless Services isn’t doing enough. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏗️ Will the Music City Loop Go the Way of the Hyperloop?

In 2017, Elon Musk announced the Hyperloop, a 35-mile tunnel that would connect Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, carrying passengers at speeds of up to 700 miles per hour. While the Hyperloop never happened, on today’s podcast, tech journalist Matt Ribel explores what the rise and fall of this early Boring project can teach Nashville about our Music City Loop. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• And here’s how similar tunnels are faring in Las Vegas. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🛣️ Improvements Coming to Nolensville Pike

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced a 10-year plan to improve Nolensville Pike, one of Nashville’s most dangerous roads. The plan includes adding turn lanes, sidewalks, and bike lanes as TDOT expands the road from two to five lanes. TDOT says it will work with Nashville to ensure the changes align with our Choose How You Move transit plan. [NewsChannel 5]

• Franklin has also proposed a 10-year plan to improve the city’s public transportation. [NewsChannel 5]

🏙️ State Wrests More Control Over Tourism Districts

A bill that tightens control over Tennessee’s tourism development zones — which includes the Nashville Convention Center Authority — has passed the state legislature and heads to Gov. Lee’s desk to be signed. “This is one of the most egregious interferences with local government that we’ve ever considered,” said Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville). [WKRN]

🧑‍⚖️ Criminal Court Judge Candidates Make Their Case

All three criminal court judge candidates on the Davidson County Primary Election ballot are Democrats, and who wins the primary could come down to just a handful of votes. Judge Jim Todd is the incumbent and has the most experience. Dawn Deaner is a public defender known for her zealous advocacy work. Ron Dowdy is the youngest, and the former assistant district attorney. [Nashville Banner]

• Early voting starts Wednesday. Here’s the ballot. I’ll have a full guide later this week. [Nashville.gov]
• We have elections happening all year long. [📰 City Cast Nashville]