NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It's not clear what happens now with a set of maps meant to redraw the Metro Council boundary lines, shrinking seats from 40 to 20.
This comes from a new law that would prevent any Tennessee city from having a legislative body with more than 20 members. But that specifically targets Nashville, because it's the only Tennessee city with more than 20 members. However, other county governments, which the bill wouldn't affect, does have more members than 20. The state law directs the planning department to draw maps within 30 days.
The law then says that the council has until May 1, 2023, to adopt recommended maps from the planning commission. If they don't do that, that triggers a fifth-year term for council members, and Metro legal believes it's unconstitutional.
Nashville has the third largest city legislative body in the United States — just behind Chicago and New York City. Republicans argued that's wasteful and want to reign that in.
The withdrawal came after tearful, angry and passionate pleas for the council to not take up the measure at all, especially in the wake of The Covenant School mass shooting. A new map was released Tuesday.
Council member Emily Benedict said the state could go ahead and sue Nashville.
"Let them sue us for once," she said.
Right now, Metro legal is arguing before the chancery court that the step to reduce the council seats is unconstitutional.
