Grand Divisions Episode 74: Breaking down Metro Nashville’s budget woes with Deputy Comptroller Jason Mumpower – Tennessean
Nashville is often out-of-step with state government and officials. But last week, Metro Nashville faced scrutiny in a new way, when Comptroller Justin Wilson offered a dire warning to the city council.
He essentially told council to get its financial affairs in order or face the threat of a takeover. The unusual maneuver, which is infrequently used, comes thanks to a provision in state law that gives the comptroller broad authority in terms of municipalities finances.
On this week’s episode, we talk about the state of Metro’s finances with deputy comptroller Jason Mumpower and The Tennessean’s Metro reporter Yihyun Jeong.
They discuss the ins-and-out of this ongoing issue that must be addressed before the early part of 2020 or face the comptroller’s office taking over. They also delve into calls for making changes to Nashville’s financially distressed water department, which officials say will require a multi-year rate hike.
We also break down a recent opinion from Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery regarding an opinion related to Rep. David Byrd, who is facing allegations of sexual assault from three women dating back to the 1980s.
And as always we highlight the latest developments in Tennessee politics and policy.
Related articles
- What you need to know about Nashville’s budget crisis
- Comptroller’s Office: Nashville’s water system ‘down the drain’ under city’s watch
- What power does the state comptroller have over Nashville’s finances? A lot, actually. Here’s why
- State comptroller: Nashville must fix budget or risk government shutdown
- AG: Expelling Rep. David Byrd over sex assault allegations legal, but ‘constitutional restraints counsel against’ it
- Legislature convenes special group to tackle unspent TANF funding, study solution
- Glen Casada agrees to plan to drop assault charges against activist Justin Jones
- Activist Justin Jones to challenge U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper; progressive group ‘ecstatic’ to see competitive primary
- Former House Speaker Glen Casada has provided few receipts for audit, which could result in multi-million dollar fine
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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.
Published 11:45 AM EST Nov 19, 2019
