By Erik Schelzig | TNJ
Nashville filed its latest lawsuit Wednesday against what it calls overreach by the General Assembly into local affairs. The case challenges a state law vacating the 13-member Nashville Sports Authority appointed by the mayor and replacing it with seven previous directors and six named by the governor and speakers of the House and Senate.
New Mayor Freddie O’Connell has expressed hopes of repairing the tattered relationship between the liberal city and the conservative legislature.
“We do not enjoy filing lawsuits against the State and in fact hope for an improved relationship”, Metro Law Director Dietz said in a release. “But this statute affects only Nashville, not any other sports authority in Tennessee. We cannot sit idly by and let the State deprive the Metropolitan Government and the people who live here of their rights under our Tennessee Constitution.”
The sports authority law is one of several the city is challenging based on the home rule amendment ot the Tennessee Constitution, which bars the Legislature for passing legislation affecting specific counties or cities without getting approval from local governments or voters.
“Since its creation in 1995, the Sports Authority’s board members — Nashvillians appointed by the mayor of Nashville — have guided the incredible growth of our city’s professional and amateur sports and recreational activities,” O’Connell said in a release. “Their able oversight is evident at every stadium, arena, and ballpark event we all enjoy.”
