Latest news with #FreddieO'Connell's
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nashville Council budget chair releases substitute budget proposal. Here's what's in it
Delishia Porterfield, at-large Metro Nashville Council Member and chair of the group's budget and finance committee, has filed her substitute budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year. Porterfield announced the substitute budget in a June 12 news release. This is a key part of Nashville's budget process, which starts when the mayor releases a recommended budget in May. From there, council members gather community feedback during public hearings, hear directly from city departments with supplementary budget requests and come up with wish list asks of their own, all of which informs the alternative council proposal. 'My goal throughout this process has been to craft a fiscally responsible yet equitable budget that truly serves Nashville,' Porterfield said in the release. 'We've listened to our residents, community organizations and Metro departments to ensure that this budget reflects our city's immediate needs and long-term goals. I'm also proud that we were able to achieve these investments without cutting funding to Metro departments and agencies — ensuring that essential services and operations remain intact for the people of Nashville.' Council members will decide whether to stick with Mayor Freddie O'Connell's proposal, back Porterfield's substitute or go with another budget option entirely in less than a week. Before then, here's a look at how the two proposals compare. Broadly speaking, Porterfield's substitute and Mayor Freddie O'Connell's recommended budget both stick to the same overall price tag of around $3.8 billion. About a third of the total in both budget proposals, roughly $1.4 billion, goes toward Metro Nashville Public Schools. Since Porterfield's substitute arrives at the same total, that means it also keeps the same overall property tax rate as what O'Connell has proposed. Behind the scenes, some council members have an appetite to cut the 2.814 rate. The main difference between Porterfield's and O'Connell's proposals lies in the areas where the substitute proposes diverting funding. Perhaps the most notable example is listed in Porterfield's release as a key highlight of the substitute budget — an additional $8.2 million toward an across-the-board wage increase for city employees. O'Connell's budget already called for a 1% wage increase, which some community members have said doesn't go far enough. This additional allocation would bump that raise up to 2%. The release also highlights the substitute budget's priorities toward investing in youth safety, buoying support services like emergency food assistance and maternal health programs, and maintaining full support for city departments and agencies. Looking closer at those items, Porterfield's proposal sets aside $175,000 to expand food assistance programming through Metro Social Services, $250,000 to support maternal health and doula programming via the Metro Health Department's Strong Babies initiative and $100,000 to explore additional public-private housing partnerships. The substitute budget also includes support for developing a community-driven safety plan under the health department and funding flexibility, which would allow the Office of Youth Safety to access unused funds from the current fiscal year. That reflects the top priorities Nashvillians have raised during public hearings, Porterfield said in the release. 'Residents asked us to prioritize youth violence prevention through the Varsity Spending Plan, ensure fair compensation for Metro employees in line with Civil Service Commission recommendations and expand our tools to increase affordable housing,' Porterfield said in the release. Austin Hornbostel is the Metro reporter for The Tennessean. Have a question about local government you want an answer to? Reach him at ahornbostel@ Get Davidson County news delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Council budget chair releases substitute budget proposal
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Republicans target Nashville's mayor for his response to immigration arrests
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Congressional Republicans are investigating Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's response to federal immigration arrests during hundreds of traffic stops over several days in May. Rep. Andy Ogles is leading the charge, pitting the Republican who represents part of the Democratic-leaning city against a progressive mayor who has criticized immigration officials after they arrested nearly 200 people in the greater Nashville area. The dayslong presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents sent chills through well-known Nashville immigrant neighborhoods. Many Republicans, meanwhile, applauded ICE's enforcement focus in the city. Republicans have criticized Nashville officials for publicly documenting interactions between local authorities and federal immigration agents on an official city government website. Some of the entries included authorities' names before city officials removed them. They have also blasted O'Connell for promoting a fundraiser for families affected by the ICE activity. O'Connell has said the arrests caused long-lasting trauma for families and were led by people who don't share Nashville's values of safety and community. Here is a look at the ICE activity and its fallout. The arrests ICE has said that it arrested 196 people alongside the Tennessee Highway Patrol during a weeklong effort in and around Nashville. ICE said 95 had criminal convictions, were facing criminal charges or both, but didn't provide a more detailed breakdown, including the type of crimes. It said about 30 had entered the country after previously being deported, some of whom are included in the 95. The Highway Patrol said it made more than 580 traffic stops in the joint operation with ICE. ICE highlighted seven cases, including two gang members, one of whom was wanted in an El Salvador killing, and people with convictions such as drug offenses, rape or assault. Lisa Sherman Luna of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition criticized the effort as 'at a scale we've never seen before.' She said officers were arresting some people who were going home to their children or heading to work. The mayor's response Early into ICE's operation in Nashville, the mayor held a news conference to assure that Nashville's police force was not involved in the immigration crackdown. He said the immigration enforcement approach 'is not our understanding of what a Nashville for all of us looks like.' At the news conference, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee also announced the fundraising effort to provide child care, transportation, housing aid, food and more for families impacted by the ICE activity. O'Connell's administration has sent letters asking Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE to identify those arrested and their charges. He told the Nashville Rotary Club this week he still hasn't received that information. O'Connell is facing particular scrutiny because of a policy requiring city agencies to report communications with federal immigration authorities to the mayor's office. Nashville has had similar orders under two prior mayors, and O'Connell added quicker reporting deadlines last month. He said the goal is transparency. Republicans' investigation into O'Connell Congressman Ogles declared that House committees would be investigating O'Connell during a Memorial Day news conference at Tennessee's Capitol in Nashville — a venue that raised eyebrows because it's closed to the public on the holiday. Noise from protesters carried from outside the building. A subsequent letter signed by Ogles and three other House committee and subcommittee chairmen requests documents and communications about O'Connell's executive order and the ICE enforcement efforts. Ogles and others have also cried foul that the names of some immigration officials in the Nashville operation were made public. The agents' names were removed, with O'Connell saying it wasn't the intent of the executive order to release them. O'Connell has said Nashville isn't trying to obstruct federal or state laws, and has no reason to be concerned about the congressional investigation. Ogles first won his seat in 2022 after Republicans redistricted Nashville to flip a Democratic congressional district. Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, told Fox News last week that agents will 'flood the zone' in Nashville due to O'Connell's response. Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn is requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate O'Connell. Last week, the Trump administration listed Nashville among its so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, before the list was removed. O'Connell said he's 'puzzled' by the city's inclusion and that Nashville, by definition, is not a sanctuary city. Laws toughened over so-called sanctuary policies In 2019, sanctuary cities became illegal in Tennessee, threatening noncomplying governments with the loss of state economic development money. Tennessee economic development officials say they aren't aware of any warnings, denials or withholding of state money under that law to date. Early this year, lawmakers and Republican Gov. Bill Lee approved legislation to aid the Trump administration with immigration enforcement. It features a potential Class E felony against any local elected official voting for or adopting a so-called sanctuary policy. This could include voting in favor of local government restrictions that impede ICE efforts to detain migrants in the U.S. without permission. Critics believe the criminal penalty — effective July 1 — could be unconstitutional due to state and federal protections afforded lawmakers at various levels of government. The law also created a new state immigration division, but shielded its records from public disclosure.
Toronto Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Republicans target Nashville's mayor for his response to immigration arrests
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Congressional Republicans are investigating Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's response to federal immigration arrests during hundreds of traffic stops over several days in May. Rep. Andy Ogles is leading the charge, pitting the Republican who represents part of the Democratic-leaning city against a progressive mayor who has criticized immigration officials after they arrested nearly 200 people in the greater Nashville area. The dayslong presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents sent chills through well-known Nashville immigrant neighborhoods. Many Republicans, meanwhile, applauded ICE's enforcement focus in the city. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Republicans have criticized Nashville officials for publicly documenting interactions between local authorities and federal immigration agents on an official city government website. Some of the entries included authorities' names before city officials removed them. They have also blasted O'Connell for promoting a fundraiser for families affected by the ICE activity. O'Connell has said the arrests caused long-lasting trauma for families and were led by people who don't share Nashville's values of safety and community. Here is a look at the ICE activity and its fallout. The arrests ICE has said that it arrested 196 people alongside the Tennessee Highway Patrol during a weeklong effort in and around Nashville. ICE said 95 had criminal convictions, were facing criminal charges or both, but didn't provide a more detailed breakdown, including the type of crimes. It said about 30 had entered the country after previously being deported, some of whom are included in the 95. The Highway Patrol said it made more than 580 traffic stops in the joint operation with ICE. ICE highlighted seven cases, including two gang members, one of whom was wanted in an El Salvador killing, and people with convictions such as drug offenses, rape or assault. Lisa Sherman Luna of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition criticized the effort as 'at a scale we've never seen before.' She said officers were arresting some people who were going home to their children or heading to work. The mayor's response Early into ICE's operation in Nashville, the mayor held a news conference to assure that Nashville's police force was not involved in the immigration crackdown. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW He said the immigration enforcement approach 'is not our understanding of what a Nashville for all of us looks like.' At the news conference, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee also announced the fundraising effort to provide child care, transportation, housing aid, food and more for families impacted by the ICE activity. O'Connell's administration has sent letters asking Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE to identify those arrested and their charges. He told the Nashville Rotary Club this week he still hasn't received that information. O'Connell is facing particular scrutiny because of a policy requiring city agencies to report communications with federal immigration authorities to the mayor's office. Nashville has had similar orders under two prior mayors, and O'Connell added quicker reporting deadlines last month. He said the goal is transparency. Republicans' investigation into O'Connell Congressman Ogles declared that House committees would be investigating O'Connell during a Memorial Day news conference at Tennessee's Capitol in Nashville — a venue that raised eyebrows because it's closed to the public on the holiday. Noise from protesters carried from outside the building. A subsequent letter signed by Ogles and three other House committee and subcommittee chairmen requests documents and communications about O'Connell's executive order and the ICE enforcement efforts. Ogles and others have also cried foul that the names of some immigration officials in the Nashville operation were made public. The agents' names were removed, with O'Connell saying it wasn't the intent of the executive order to release them. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW O'Connell has said Nashville isn't trying to obstruct federal or state laws, and has no reason to be concerned about the congressional investigation. Ogles first won his seat in 2022 after Republicans redistricted Nashville to flip a Democratic congressional district. Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, told Fox News last week that agents will 'flood the zone' in Nashville due to O'Connell's response. Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn is requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate O'Connell. Last week, the Trump administration listed Nashville among its so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, before the list was removed. O'Connell said he's 'puzzled' by the city's inclusion and that Nashville, by definition, is not a sanctuary city. Laws toughened over so-called sanctuary policies In 2019, sanctuary cities became illegal in Tennessee, threatening noncomplying governments with the loss of state economic development money. Tennessee economic development officials say they aren't aware of any warnings, denials or withholding of state money under that law to date. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Early this year, lawmakers and Republican Gov. Bill Lee approved legislation to aid the Trump administration with immigration enforcement. It features a potential Class E felony against any local elected official voting for or adopting a so-called sanctuary policy. This could include voting in favor of local government restrictions that impede ICE efforts to detain migrants in the U.S. without permission. Critics believe the criminal penalty — effective July 1 — could be unconstitutional due to state and federal protections afforded lawmakers at various levels of government. The law also created a new state immigration division, but shielded its records from public disclosure.
Winnipeg Free Press
03-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Republicans target Nashville's mayor for his response to immigration arrests
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Congressional Republicans are investigating Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's response to federal immigration arrests during hundreds of traffic stops over several days in May. Rep. Andy Ogles is leading the charge, pitting the Republican who represents part of the Democratic-leaning city against a progressive mayor who has criticized immigration officials after they arrested nearly 200 people in the greater Nashville area. The dayslong presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents sent chills through well-known Nashville immigrant neighborhoods. Many Republicans, meanwhile, applauded ICE's enforcement focus in the city. Republicans have criticized Nashville officials for publicly documenting interactions between local authorities and federal immigration agents on an official city government website. Some of the entries included authorities' names before city officials removed them. They have also blasted O'Connell for promoting a fundraiser for families affected by the ICE activity. O'Connell has said the arrests caused long-lasting trauma for families and were led by people who don't share Nashville's values of safety and community. Here is a look at the ICE activity and its fallout. The arrests ICE has said that it arrested 196 people alongside the Tennessee Highway Patrol during a weeklong effort in and around Nashville. ICE said 95 had criminal convictions, were facing criminal charges or both, but didn't provide a more detailed breakdown, including the type of crimes. It said about 30 had entered the country after previously being deported, some of whom are included in the 95. The Highway Patrol said it made more than 580 traffic stops in the joint operation with ICE. ICE highlighted seven cases, including two gang members, one of whom was wanted in an El Salvador killing, and people with convictions such as drug offenses, rape or assault. Lisa Sherman Luna of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition criticized the effort as 'at a scale we've never seen before.' She said officers were arresting some people who were going home to their children or heading to work. The mayor's response Early into ICE's operation in Nashville, the mayor held a news conference to assure that Nashville's police force was not involved in the immigration crackdown. He said the immigration enforcement approach 'is not our understanding of what a Nashville for all of us looks like.' At the news conference, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee also announced the fundraising effort to provide child care, transportation, housing aid, food and more for families impacted by the ICE activity. O'Connell's administration has sent letters asking Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE to identify those arrested and their charges. He told the Nashville Rotary Club this week he still hasn't received that information. O'Connell is facing particular scrutiny because of a policy requiring city agencies to report communications with federal immigration authorities to the mayor's office. Nashville has had similar orders under two prior mayors, and O'Connell added quicker reporting deadlines last month. He said the goal is transparency. Republicans' investigation into O'Connell Congressman Ogles declared that House committees would be investigating O'Connell during a Memorial Day news conference at Tennessee's Capitol in Nashville — a venue that raised eyebrows because it's closed to the public on the holiday. Noise from protesters carried from outside the building. A subsequent letter signed by Ogles and three other House committee and subcommittee chairmen requests documents and communications about O'Connell's executive order and the ICE enforcement efforts. Ogles and others have also cried foul that the names of some immigration officials in the Nashville operation were made public. The agents' names were removed, with O'Connell saying it wasn't the intent of the executive order to release them. O'Connell has said Nashville isn't trying to obstruct federal or state laws, and has no reason to be concerned about the congressional investigation. Ogles first won his seat in 2022 after Republicans redistricted Nashville to flip a Democratic congressional district. Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, told Fox News last week that agents will 'flood the zone' in Nashville due to O'Connell's response. Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn is requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate O'Connell. Last week, the Trump administration listed Nashville among its so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, before the list was removed. O'Connell said he's 'puzzled' by the city's inclusion and that Nashville, by definition, is not a sanctuary city. Laws toughened over so-called sanctuary policies In 2019, sanctuary cities became illegal in Tennessee, threatening noncomplying governments with the loss of state economic development money. Tennessee economic development officials say they aren't aware of any warnings, denials or withholding of state money under that law to date. Early this year, lawmakers and Republican Gov. Bill Lee approved legislation to aid the Trump administration with immigration enforcement. It features a potential Class E felony against any local elected official voting for or adopting a so-called sanctuary policy. This could include voting in favor of local government restrictions that impede ICE efforts to detain migrants in the U.S. without permission. Critics believe the criminal penalty — effective July 1 — could be unconstitutional due to state and federal protections afforded lawmakers at various levels of government. The law also created a new state immigration division, but shielded its records from public disclosure.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Homeland Security identifies Nashville as sanctuary city
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nashville now finds itself on a list that includes Los Angeles, Chicago and a handful of states as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified Music City as a sanctuary city. The list was 'created to identify sanctuary jurisdictions, which are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens,' according to DHS. Metro Nashville appears to quietly remove names from immigration report following GOP criticism The determination by DHS could lead to a felony charge because there is a Tennessee law that criminalizes sanctuary city policies. DHS is putting politicians on notice to comply with federal law as 'sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.' Nashville is the only Tennessee city on the list with Shelby County as the only county to make the list. Each jurisdiction on the list will reportedly receive formal notification of its non-compliance with federal statutes. DHS is demanding these jurisdictions immediately review and revise policies to align with federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens. A metro document released this week detailed 35 immigration-related interactions between Metro police and federal agencies. As of Thursday, all names have been removed from the public version of the report TN congressman criticized for social media post about Nashville Community Review Board The move to make that information public is criticized by some Tennessee lawmakers. News 2 reached out to Mayor Freddie O'Connell's office for comment on the document changes and the growing controversy. We have yet to hear back. News 2 has also reached out to Metro Legal and the Tennessee Attorney General for comment on Nashville's appearance in Homeland Security's list, but there has been no response yet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
