James Coleman

With deadlines looming, Memphis City Council members Tuesday (June 27) shot down a proposed property-tax increase and approved a fix of district lines before the upcoming city elections to close out this year’s budget season. Council Chairman Martavius Jones’ proposed 29-cent property tax (the current...

Following several setbacks and obstacles, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ proposal for a $25 increase in the wheel tax rolled through the Shelby County Commission on an 11-0 vote during an unusual regular meeting Wednesday (June 28). In a statement released after the commission vote,...

A second reading of a resolution to hike Memphis’ property tax rate from $2.71 to $3 per $100 assessed value to fund MATA operating costs and other priorities met a chilly reception this week from members of the Memphis City Council Budget Committee. “I’m receiving...

Shelby County Commissioners are scrambling for new revenue sources for capital projects after they nixed county Mayor Lee Harris’ bid to double the county’s wheel tax to fund a rebuild of Regional One Health hospital and other construction projects. The rejection came during a marathon...

A trio of new ordinances crafted to stem the proliferation of guns in Memphis received across-the-board approval on a voice vote from members of the Memphis City Council Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee during its Tuesday (May 16) meeting. The proposed ordinances will now...

The already-serpentine pending lawsuit over how long a person must live in Memphis to be eligible to run for mayor took another loop this week when the Shelby County Election Commission was dropped as a defendant. The subtraction leaves the city administration and Memphis Mayor...

Following recent gun-related incidents, including a shooting on South Highland Tuesday (May 2), the Memphis City Council may be ready to explore ordinances to ban assault weapons and permitless carry within city limits.  Councilmember Jeff Warren suggested the ordinances Tuesday during council meetings. Warren, a...

Memphis City Council members Tuesday (May 2) passed the first of three votes on a proposed set of new district boundaries before the upcoming Oct. 5 city elections. Delayed for weeks, the consent agenda item passed on an 8-0-2 vote. It has the backing of...

To no one’s surprise, members of the Shelby County Commission Wednesday (April 12) voted to reappoint recently ousted Tennessee State representative Justin Pearson back to his District 86 House seat. The 7-0 vote came during a specially called meeting. Voting to reappoint Pearson were Henri...

After several weeks of crafting, debate, protests and delays, the Memphis City Council Tuesday (April 11) passed a long-awaited ordinance to end pretextual traffic stops by the Memphis Police Department. Among the council’s other actions Tuesday, members once again postponed, until April 25, the first...