Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced Monday that the city will be suing the state over a new law that slashes the size of Metro Council. The lawsuit alleges that the requirements written in the law violate several parts of the Tennessee Constitution.
Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill on Thursday shortly after it was passed. Republicans in the legislature moved the bill swiftly, citing the need for smaller government and more efficiency.
However, city officials have claimed the move was retaliation after the city rejected a proposal to host the 2024 Republican National Convention. Tennessee Democrats, like Sen. Jeff Yarbro, warned that the issue would end up being litigated.
“It doesn’t matter who’s going to win in court. It matters that everyone’s going to lose from this,” Yarbro said. “It’s a negative-sum conflict.”
In Monday’s filing, the city is asking for a temporary injunction. The city says implementation of the “hurried timeline” would cause chaos and confusion ahead of the Aug. 3 election.
“The election is already underway,” said Wally Dietz, Metro’s law director. “It is simply too late to change the rules.”
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