vibinc

Progressive Politics from Memphis

  • Memphis’ Travel Troubles Aren’t Limited to Airfare

    Over the past week, much of the conversation here in Memphis has revolved around transportation and tourism. The week started with Mayor Wharton’s trip to St. Louis to try and lure COGIC back. Just a week before came news that the National Folk Alliance was moving to Kansas City. In each case, the cost of…

  • On My Impending Tuition Increase

    The Commercial Appeal reported yesterday that tuition at state schools next year will increase by 3-8% next year. This marks the 5th year consecutive year of tuition increases totaling as much as a 50% increase over that time period. In my time in school, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing these tuition increases, and I’ve…

  • What About the School Board?

    Ed. Note: For a fuller discussion of the current proposals on County redistricting, check out this post. Another issue, which is perhaps secondary to the debate on County redistricting, is that of the School Board. In the consent order from Judge Mays, the Unified School Board will go to 7 member after the unification of…

  • Redistricting the County Commission

    Yesterday, the Shelby County Commission again took up redistricting in committee. It was an interesting discussion, interrupted by an Executive Session, and a whole lot of questions about this and that. I’m not going to report on the meeting itself. In the end, the committee voted 6-4 to affirm the plan pictured to the left.…

  • Several Things, and Prolly More

    I’ve been working on a series of special projects over the past week that are likely to continue for some time to come, so blogging will likely be light over here for a while. However, there are several things that have attracted my attention that need to be dealt with, so, here goes. Bill Moyers…

  • Perception, Reality and Role Conflict

    I’ve been thinking a lot about that MTSU poll released last week. One writer called it schizophrenia, I think it’s something more akin to role conflict. Tennesseans should be scratching our heads. On the one hand, we’ve got these very vocal folks who are screaming that if we don’t lower taxes, as long as its…