English Language Resolution Passes

After several months of contentious debate over Councilman Eric Crafton’s English-first bill, the Metro Council last night passed a second proposal stating that English is the official language of Metro Government.

This time though, it’s a resolution, which means it is non-binding.

Sponsor Jim Hodge says he thought Crafton should have proposed a resolution to begin with. Hodge says the resolution makes a “positive” statement, but says the debate over Crafton’s English-first idea has raised other issues.

“One of the things this has done, at least to me, it’s revealed that we don’t have enough opportunities for people to learn English. All of the programs I’ve talked to, most of them are church-oriented with volunteers. They have a waiting list of people trying to get into the classes to learn English. So that’s the positive out of it, and hopefully we can get some money out of that.”

Crafton did not support Hodge’s resolution and says teaching English shouldn’t be the government’s responsibility. His English-first ordinance has been deferred until February.

In other legislation, the bill allowing waterless urinals was deferred, as was Council Lady Diane Neighbors’ bill regulating car washes.