🛒 Why this grocery tax bill excludes Nashville

🛒 Grocery Tax Bill Targets Nashville

A bill allowing local governments to reduce their sales tax on groceries has passed the state legislature and heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk. However, a section of the bill singles out Nashville, requiring us to shrink the size of our Metro Council to reduce the city’s grocery tax. We’re chatting about this and more news from the week on today’s podcast. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• The bill to expand Tennessee’s private school voucher program narrowly passed both the House and Senate. Vouchers will be expanded from 20K to 35K and will include a provision allowing public schools to receive funding for students who disenroll only if they provide a Social Security number. [Nashville Scene]
• The state has also passed a resolution declaring June “Nuclear Family Month.” [Tennessee General Assembly]

💰 What’s in the State’s Proposed Budget?

Tennessee lawmakers have released a $58.3 billion state budget proposal that includes 50 additional state troopers, bridge improvements, and renovations to all state welcome centers and rest areas. The proposed budget also sets aside funds for bills that have yet to pass, like a measure to align city elections with state election dates. [NewsChannel 5]

🎵 Jury Rules Against Live Nation

After four days of deliberation, a jury has ruled that Live Nation and Ticketmaster had an unfair monopoly over concert venues and ticket sales that was driving up prices. Tennessee was one of 33 states suing Live Nation Entertainment. Next, a judge will determine the damages the company owes and whether Live Nation should split from Ticketmaster. “This is the worst monopoly, I think, in our lifetimes,” said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. [NewsChannel 5]

• This ruling could be a boon to our local indie venues. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏠 Affordability Challenges for Black Nashvillians

A new report highlights economic disparities for Black Nashvillians. While nearly half of local renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, that number is even higher for Black renters — 61.9%. Black households are also more likely to be denied a home mortgage, and more than 50% of employed Black Nashvillians earn less than $50,000 a year. Mayor O’Connell says Metro is working to address these disparities by investing in Black communities, but noted it’s an uphill climb due to federal and state efforts to scale back funding. [Nashville Scene via Nashville Post]

From left to right, say hello to Little Black Kitty, Gray Kitty, and Extra Kitty! For the past six years, these feral cats come to their humans’ home for dinner, spend the night, and then leave early in the morning to check out the neighborhood. Grey Kitty is the oldest, and Extra Kitty is his caretaker — nudging him through the door to supper. Little Black Kitty is a loner and stays in the background. She loves her milk, though! Their humans consider themselves so lucky that the kitties chose them 🥹

Do you have pets you’d like to share with readers? Email me pictures!