US Edition
Metro Nashville Council can be cut in half, Tennessee Court of Appeals rules
- On June 3, 2025, a majority decision from the Tennessee Court of Appeals upheld a 2023 state law allowing the reduction of Nashville's Metro Council membership from 40 to 20.
- This decision follows a legal challenge by the Metro Council claiming the law violates the Home Rule Amendment, though the appeals court reversed a lower court ruling that had blocked the law.
- The Small Government Efficiency Act aims to cap metropolitan councils statewide at 20 members, primarily affecting Nashville as the only city exceeding that size, and was seen as political payback.
- In a 2-1 ruling, judges stated state statutes are presumed constitutional, with Majority Judge Stafford affirming legislative authority despite Nashville's home rule claims, while dissent argued the meaning of 'exempt'.
- The ruling may take effect in 2027 and prompts Nashville to consider further appeals, highlighting ongoing tension between state power and local voter control over council size.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Court Rules Metro Nashville Council Must Reduce Its Size
Image Credit: Canva The Center Square [By Kim Jarrett] – A ruling by the Tennessee Court of Appeals could force the Metro Nashville Council to reduce its size from 40 to 20 members. Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill in 2023 that limited metropolitan councils to 20 members. The Metro Nashville Council challenged the law, saying the Home Rule Amendment of the Tennessee Constitution gives Nashville voters the decision on its size. A chancery court …
Daily Journal
Tennessee court upholds law from Republican legislators to cut blue Nashville's council in half
A Tennessee appeals court has upheld the constitutionality of a law passed by the state’s Republican-controlled legislature to punish the Democratic-leaning city of Nashville. The 2023 law upheld 2-1 Tuesday would cut the size of Nashville’s consolidated city-county governing council…
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