Middle Tennessee DSA

Votes: 26 yes : 7 no : 4 abstain

CM Horton’s bill on the Nations passes.

Several no vote CMs leaving before companion bill votes.

CM Welsch notes that the third reading allows more time for amendment.

Motion to end debate has passed after CM Benedict calls the question.

CM Welsch says that objections have been addressed, there’s no way to notify every single person, and the twenty meetings held were sufficient.

CM Weiner objects on similar grounds to other objecting CMs: wants more from constituents.

At this point, I believe that deferrals are off the table.

CM Evans Segall mentioning the repeated ways in which people were notified.

CM Ellis tried a motion (turned down) that she was insulting antis.

Evans Segall asks for CM Horton to have time to talk about it.

CM Parker: “Some ppl don’t care about skyrocketing prices. I commend the Nations for doing something about it.”

Notes that were not going to constructively get debate on details on the floor.

Notes that this can be amended on 3rd reading and will be in front of committee (Monday before next council meeting). Says best place for amendments is there.

CM Parker notes parallels between what’s happening in The Nations and his district (5) with a formerly working class community developing into something not accessible.

Hearing a hiss behind me.

CM Sepulveda noting that she’s a renter. Notes the size of her district and the walkability.

“There are a lot of people who deserve to live in an affordable place.”

“We have to get serious about our housing issue. We have several generations living under the same roof [b/c of price].”

Tries to do a 3 meeting deferral (check your Robert’s Rules, folks).

CM Eslick implies tnat the groups with shirts and that showed up for other issues aren’t “real people” but somehow the people with stickers and lanyards are real people (ignoring the people who showed up in support with no shared merch).

Parliamentarian advising (Vice Mayor ruling) that the motion isn’t proper as it isn’t sufficiently different.

Back to the debate.

CM Gamble says that she likes it, but that it needs more community discussion.

Vice Mayor and Parliamentarian discussing whether another deferral motion is an option. CM Parker calls to table.

Gamble says diff reason and timeframe (2 meeting) should mean it’s a new motion.

CM Huffman notes that we need housing. Pushed back that it’s not well thought out. Calls it “Proactive solution to smart growth.”

More loud commentary from antis.

CM Druffel speaking against. Highlighting arguments about increased traffic.

By voice vote, CM Benedict’s tabling of CM Styles’ deferral carries.

Now we’re back to debating the bill itself.

Votes coming up for Benedict’s tabling of Styles’ deferral.

CM Styles notes that bill isn’t moving smoothly, people have stickers, and says she supports public housing but that we should listen to “people who moved to a district for a specific reason.”

CMs Bradford, Gregg, Parker, Porterfield, Preptit, and Sepulveda lined up on the side, watching the action.

Looks like support for Horton’s bill/Benedict’s deferral may be lining up together? Or this is where people like to stand to see the debate better.

Shoutout to Robert’s Rules, folks. We’re getting into it. CM Benedict moves to table the motion to defer.

Notes that the original bill has gone through the full process and already been deferred. “Hasn’t seen anything” like a 6mo deferral before.

Antis laughing, commenting dismissively.

CM Styles calling for a deferral, saying that CM Horton needs to hear from more of his community. Suggests six meetings or so.

Parliamentarian noting that planning commission wouldn’t be able to hear it again.

Antis happy, vocal.

CM Pretit confirming with a parliamentary inquiry that the bills on The Nations can be amended in third reading.

CM Horton describes his substitution bill. Antis in the crowd are scoffing and providing angry commentary.

08/05/25 Metropolitan Council Meeting YouTube video by Metro Nashville Network

Live stream here: www.youtube.com/live/uj7Ie4-...

The people speaking in support of the bill keep coming!

Thoughtful, researched, and personal comments. Worth taking a look at the YouTube stream (for a point of reference, we’re at 7:41, but well into comments).

Listening to the speakers supporting CM Horton’s bills to allow for more affordable homes and make improvements.

Lots of dismissive snickering and huffing in the audience from the “anti” crowd, particular to people speaking up for working class Nashvillians.

CM Benton has indefinitely deferred his bills to rezone 23 acres on Franklin Limestone Rd from agricultural to industrial after massive community pushback and pressure from folks like those at Sunrise Movement Nashville.

Love to see it.

Yesterday, in a vote of 221 to 209, Congress approved a staggering $831.5 billion to the Pentagon.

This will be used to fund militarism abroad and Israel’s ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, instead of the services and protections that working people desperately need.

Our statement:

Tonight’s ordinance (BL2025‑846) before the Metro Nashville Council consolidates more money and influence over an unaccountable body.

Click the link below and open the tool on the page for a very approachable walkthrough. Civics nerd credentials not required.

Even here in Middle Tennessee, socialists can and have won elected office. It starts in the community. Wherever yours is, join us in making it better for all of us.