Political Animals

Emanuel: Big dollars coming for community colleges

Amy Griffith — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:08:17 +0000

As we in Nashville devote our energies to charter schools and No Child Left Behind, transformational changes are happening nationwide in higher education. President Obama’s chief of staff says increased funding is coming for community colleges.

Metro Council giving Mayor Dean a reason to smile

Nate Rau — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:17:53 +0000

There’s a reason Mayor Karl Dean goes home happy 80 percent of the time. In his 23 months as the mayor of Nashville, Dean has pushed 100 percent of his legislation through Metro Council. Even on controversial issues, like buying land for the convention center before a financing package is ready to be presented, Dean wins [...]

Convention Center: The Debate

Nate Rau — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:47:04 +0000

Nashville has seen its share of historic debates the past few years. There was Obama v. McCain at Belmont as part of the presidential debate series last year. There was the infamous Dean v. Clement debate where, depending on your perspective, Dean was either duped into promising never to raise property taxes, or he merely [...]

Crafton’s brilliant, never-gonna-happen idea

Nate Rau — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:07:33 +0000

Councilman Eric Crafton has filed a resolution stating Council’s intention to fund the new Convention Center only with the tourism revenues created last year. For reasons that are still unclear, Music City Center supporters are against Crafton’s resolution, even though they’re quick to point out the Dean administration’s promise to not use property taxes. Question: if [...]

Crafton’s full Convention Center diatribe

Nate Rau — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:16:06 +0000

Last night Councilman Eric Crafton pulled the Music City Center land acquisition bill when it was on first reading. Here is his entire five-minute speech on the topic, unedited, not fact-checked and complete with an inexplicable interruption from Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors. Not found in the transcript are the hilarious looks of, ‘Oh no, what’s [...]

Convention Center chatter on Metro Council

Nate Rau — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:37:37 +0000

Here is what two other Council members had to say about Phil Ryan's Music City Center e-mail and the eager anticipation as to how the center will be funded. Also, entire email exchange with Ryan is after the break.

San Diego joins Convention Center arms race

Nate Rau — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:41:33 +0000

In a matter of mere weeks, Nashville will have a firm proposal on how to finance a 1 million square foot convention center and attached hotel. Observers conservatively estimate the combined cost of the two projects will be $800 million. Joining Nashville in considering an expensive upgrade to its Convention Center is San Diego, already one [...]

A future proponent of the ERU stormwater fee structure?

Nate Rau — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:32:43 +0000

Margaret Holleman, a Metro attorney for the Airport Authority and wife of Councilman Jason Holleman, gave birth to the couple’s second child, Walter Daniel Carr Holleman, on Tuesday evening. The couple’s arrival at Vanderbilt University Medical Center only beat Walter’s debut by six minutes, a close call. Mom and baby are doing well, sources say. It’s still [...]

Analysis of water rate increases, stormwater fee

Nate Rau — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:20:33 +0000

With rate increases for Metro Water customers about six weeks away, here is the Council analysis of the legislation for those who are interested. The analysis includes the stormwater fee structure, although customers won’t see the new fee on their bill until July 1.

Gotto v. Holleman

Nate Rau — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:10:44 +0000

For whatever reason, District 24 Councilman Jason Holleman continues finding himself at the center of awkward exchanges during Metro Council meetings. The latest came during Tuesday’s meeting and the debate on whether Council should strike down menu labeling. District 12 Councilman Jim Gotto took the floor and, taking an uncharacteristic turn towards being cryptic, asked Council [...]