What could $10 Billion do?: Weekly Policy Update
In early June, Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright sponsored a nonbinding resolution requesting that the federal government designate Memphis and Shelby County as a “priority community” when considering federal funding allocations for localities.
Wright’s resolution follows the logic of decades of research on the causes and effects of crime: Violence is high in places with persistent poverty due to a lack of opportunity, creating a cycle of poverty and crime that persists through generations.
You can read more about it in the Justice & Safety portion of the More For Memphis strategic plan.
Shelby County Budget: Weekly Policy Update
The Shelby County Commission faces a June 30th deadline to approve the tax rate for FY26 and pass the entire budget for the county. The tax rate ordinance requires three readings, and the commission has already passed it on the first two readings with the tax rate left blank. This is typical, as debates reach into June before the body settles on a tax rate on the third reading.
Refresher on Community Schools: Weekly Policy Update
A community school is a public school that acts as a hub for the neighborhood, offering both educational services and broader community resources. It integrates academic learning with supports for student and family well-being, like health care, social services, and expanded learning opportunities. What has this model looked like in practice in Shelby County over the last couple of years, and what measurable outcomes are we seeing?
Budget Season: Weekly Policy Update
Budget season for Memphis and Shelby County has entered full swing! Mayor Paul Young presented his proposed budget to the Memphis City Council for fiscal year 2026 in April, while Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Interim Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Rod Richmond presented their respective budgets to the Shelby County Commission last week.
A Very Early Look at the 2026 Elections: Weekly Policy Update
Following the passage of a bill in the General Assembly which would allow for certain changes to county level elections, Shelby County Commission Chairman Michael Whaley announced this week that he will soon be introducing an ordinance to formally adopt the state’s recommendation.
The bill, which has not yet been signed into law by Governor Bill Lee, would allow the county to align school board elections to be on the same schedule as general county elections. If adopted, this will make several changes to our county elections. We explore those changes in this edition of the Weekly Policy Update.