Illustrated by Ally Karl/Axios
The Metro’s chief attorney says a proposal from Republican state legislators to reduce the size of the Metro council would undermine the city’s stability.
State of play: Lawyer General Wally Dietz said the city was prepared to “explore all possible legal avenues” if necessary. He says residents, not parliament, should decide on major governance changes such as council size.
what he says: In a memo shared Monday, Dietz said the proposal “poses an existential threat not only to Nashville’s autonomy, but to the constitutional rights of all local governments statewide.”
- “The 40-member council protects minority representatives in government by increasing opportunities for diverse opinions and perspectives to serve,” Dietz added.
Catch up soon: Republican Rep. William Lamberth and Sen. Bo Watson are proposing legislation to limit the size of the metropolitan legislature to 20 members. Nashville has 40 councils, her third largest in the nation, and also has an elected deputy mayor.
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