vibinc

Progressive Politics from Memphis

  • Primum non nocere (First, do no harm)

    There are few maxims in the western tradition that are more misunderstood than this one: “First, do no harm” I say misunderstood because it is often difficult for people, in their haste or excitement, to see the impact of their actions beyond the immediate thrill. It is, of course, most prevalent in the “gotcha” politics…

  • Sen. Kyle Defends The “UnDo Can’t Do” Bill – #SB2762

    One of the more onerous bills that passed out of last year’s session was HB0600 dubbed the “Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act”. Sponsored by Glen Casada (R) of Franklin, the bill sought to remove the ability of a local government to set certain ground rules in contracts. That’s shorthand for enacting non-discrimination ordinances. Here’s…

  • Delay Tactics #EndMTR – Updated

    Update: Please contact the members of the House Environment committee and tell them you support the Scenic Vistas Protection Act. Contacts to the House Environment Committee: House Environment Committee E-Mails – Email contacts – Phone Numbers via TNLEAF Tennessee General Assembly – House Environment Committee Link Original Post follows… As reported by the AP, yesterday…

  • Bridges v. Walls – Annexation Edition

    This week’s big story locally has been the fight between the State legislature and the City of Memphis over the Gray’s creek annexation area. The two biggest issues revolve around A) a city’s right to annex area to expand its borders, and B) the desires of the residents of that area to remain autonomous. There’s…

  • Why Would Anyone Want to Teach in Tennessee?

    Track HB 740 here This is a question I keep asking myself as bill after bill slides right through the state legislature. Last year it was the right to have a seat at the table when negotiating salary, class sizes, and all sorts of other things. This year its tenure and perhaps most egregious, payment…

  • $15,000,000 For Fewer Than 900 People a Year

    For as long as I can remember, Republicans have been kicking and screaming about the “DEATH TAX”, also known as the inheritance or estate tax. The estate tax is one of those taxes you hear about a lot, but probably won’t ever have to pay, unless your family is fabulously wealthy. Even then, there are…