vibinc

Category: Memphis Politics

  • Funding Education 101 – Part 2 – Where the Money Goes

    Last time, we looked at where the money for public education in Shelby Co. came from. As a reminder, this wasn’t the full budget of the two systems, but the “General Fund”, which is where the money for the nuts and bolts of education comes from. This time, we’re going to look at something a…

  • Funding Education 101 – Part 1 – Where the Money Comes From

    I’m going to be very honest. I haven’t been following the blow by blow with the School Board. Too many meetings, too little information, in writing, too much speculation. I like hard facts. I’m not interested in drama unless that drama furthers something relevant. For a whole host of reasons, some of which I covered…

  • How the County Commission played the School Board for the fool

    There are five simple rules that Kenny Rodgers taught me about life, politics, and the budget process: Know when to hold ’em. Know when to fold ’em. Know when to walk away. Know when to run. Never count your money, while you’re sittin’ at the table. There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s…

  • Mr. Ross goes to City Hall

    So yesterday, I spoke to City Hall about the redistricting ordinance. I thought about doing a lot of things like showing up with 9 petitions and asking which ones applied to me, bringing a horde of people as “supporters”, all kinds of theatrical stuff. In the end I decided against it for a couple of…

  • Ramsey: “I’m from the Government and I’m Here to Help”

    TN Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey is one attention seeking son of a gun. Since his elevation to the Speaker of the Senate in 2007, Ramsey has used his bully pulpit to spout off all kinds of nonsense, most of which has gone unchallenged. Yesterday, the Lt. Governor had another “event”. He declared that the Memphis…

  • Realizing Hope Requires Action

    Ed. Note:This is not a “Bash Obama from the Left” post. All told, I feel his administration has accomplished a lot, some things better than others. Rather, this post seeks to address the particular problems surrounding perception and reality, idealism and the circumstances one finds one self in while seeking that idealistic end, as well…