xAI, Head Start, and How to Read the Law | Weekly Policy Update
Porter-Leath has been awarded federal funding to expand its Head Start services for Shelby County and will serve an additional 2,920 children ages 3-5 years old in partnership with First 8 Memphis and dozens of local providers. Porter-Leath is now enrolling children at over 30 locations and hiring staff to serve children and families.
xAI, the company at the center of several news stories related to air pollution in South Memphis, is donating millions to facility upgrades to be used in four high schools in xAI’s surrounding area.
Also in this edition: learn how we review upcoming legislation!
School Board Elections Might Look Different | Weekly Policy Update
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners has voted to advance a resolution to change Memphis-Shelby County school board elections to align with those of the Shelby County Commission. This would put all nine MSCS board seats on the November 2026 ballot and truncate the terms of those elected in 2024.
The change is expected to increase voter turnout in school board elections. In the previous August 2024 election, only 13% of registered voters cast a ballot. Memphis school board elections have had turnout as high as 39% in 1980, but 13% in 2024 is a near-all-time low, edged out only by the 12.2% turnout in 2004.
A Critical Budget Hearing | Weekly Policy Update
On May 13, 2025, Memphis City Council convened during a critical budget hearing to discuss the launch of a new Community Enhancement Division.
This division aims to improve environmental and neighborhood conditions by addressing “blight” or problem property-related issues. Ultimately, these efforts will work toward bettering the quality of life, public health, and safety for Memphians.
TCAP Scores Show Growth, Pre-K Funding, and xAI Tax Dollars | Weekly Policy Update
The Tennessee Department of Education released state and school district-level data for this year’s Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). While the results are not ideal, there are several positives to glean and build upon.
Statewide, the assessment shows growth in proficiency for most grade levels in English Language Arts (ELA), an increase in proficiency for every grade level in math, and two to four percentage point increases in proficiency in science and social studies.
Exciting News: Pre-K For All Passes | Weekly Policy Update
The Memphis City Council passed the third and final reading of the “Pre-K for All” ordinance this week, joining the Shelby County Commission in creating the state’s first ever local, universal pre-kindergarten program.
Additionally, the council advanced a proposal which would add $1.5 million in funding for the first year of implementation of Pre-K for All. This followed an additional $2 million provided by the Shelby County Commission this week for the same purpose. This will bring the total annual local funding for pre-K to approximately $21 million.