Truth-telling songstress Toni Green emerges with new music project, video. Entertainment, Page 7
The ‘Classic’ is on the way back; Tickets now on sale for No. 32. Sports, Page 9
May 27 - June 2, 2021
VOL. 70, No. 21
www.tsdmemphis.com
ANALYSIS
Property tax hike?
How Biden grants, parents’ ‘indoctrination’ concerns spurred Tenn. Republicans to limit how race, racism are taught by Marta W. Aldrich Chalkbeat Tennessee
For months, Tennessee Republican lawmakers were hearing from dozens of parents concerned about how educators were trying to make their lessons more inclusive in response to the nation’s racial reckoning. One mom even reported that her 7-year-old daughter, who is white, was having suicidal thoughts because
of uncomfortable conversations about race in her classroom. Simultaneously, GOP leaders were tracking bills that would restrict how race and racism are taught in other states. But they hadn’t planned to push their own version until the week of April 19, when President Joe Biden’s administration announced a new grant program for history and civics education. The grant program – prioritizing instruction on diversity, anti-racism,
County Commissioners weigh need, possibility by James Coleman Flanked by Republican leaders in the House and Senate, Gov. Bill Lee speaks with reporters about legislation that passed as the Tennessee General Assembly finished its session on May 5, 2021. (Photo: Courtesy of State of Tennessee via Chalkbeat) and the legacy of slavery – unleashed a torrent of backroom discussions just 2½ weeks before Tennessee’s General Assembly adjourned on May 5.
SEE RACE ON PAGE 2
Shelby County Commissioners vote on critical race theory bill. Story on Page 3.
Graduation amid pandemic, season 2... The second graduation season under the veil of COVID-19 is underway, with Memphis Theological Seminary having held its 2021 commencement this past Saturday (May 22). Now a masters of divinity graduate, Pastor Darell Harrington of New Sardis Baptist Church is surrounded by support as his daughter, Essence Rankins, captures the moment. On the left is his wife, Shayda Harrington, and on the right is their daughter, Jasmine Rankins. (See Religion, Page 5.) (Courtesy photo)
COVID-19 UPDATE:
Taking stock of where we are now and what’s next by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Despite the plummeting number of new daily cases of COVID-19 and the lifting of a mask mandate in Shelby County, Mayor Jim Strickland is not ready to give a complete “allclear” to the city of Memphis. Strickland on Tuesday (May 25) released an executive order – effec-
tive that day –extending a “limited state of emergency.” He acknowledged that the state of emergency is only enforced for a seven-day period and will be renewed as he deems necessary. Meanwhile, the Shelby County Health Department continues to report noticeably low numbers of new cases of the coronavirus. On Wednesday, there were 70 cases reported and
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Living Through COVID-19, Part XVIII. See Community, Page 6.
zero deaths. The health department is reporting more days with less than 100 new daily cases. There are currently 1,032 active cases in the county. Shelby County has reported a total of 98,368 cases and 1,668 deaths since the start
of the pandemic. “The fact that our numbers continue to be so encouraging speaks to the level of personal responsibility individuals are taking in safeguarding their own health,” said Dr. Bruce Randolph, medical officer of Shelby County Health Department. “Although the county mandate has
SEE COVID ON PAGE 3
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Shelby County Commissioners discussed a possible tenth-of-a-percent property tax increase during their Monday (May 24) meeting to square budget priorities with the state’s accounting demands. At question is the county’s proposed certified property tax rate of $3.451 per $100 assessed value. An additional tenth of a cent would bring the increase from $3.45 to $3.46. “I got an email stating this morning (that) when we pass the third and final reading that we can only round it to two decimal points, which would make it $3.45. We would lose the .001,” said commissioner Edmund Ford, Jr., chair of the commission’s Budget Committee. Chopping off the dangling one thousandth from the current rate would have consequences. For starters, revenue from the tax would drop from $1.88 million to $1,651,365. “Commissioners, when we start looking at amendments and everything next week, that .001 is $229,000. I think that when we start looking at what the revenue is – even though someone may think .001 is nothing – we are going to start looking at possibly knocking off things on the wish list. I think there are some items that could easily require the $229,000...or less,” said Ford. The current rate of $3.451 isn’t factored to the penny. During earlier budget discussions between the administration and commissioners $3.45 was the agreed upon rate. However, the extra decimal point that made it into the final number won’t register. “We discussed the $3.45 because, in adopting the certified rate, the state requires that you round down if any changes are made. The 3.451 rounds down,” said Mathilde Crosby, director of Administration and Finance for Shelby County. “Our billing system can only do to-the-penny. So, we can’t have it be that part of a penny.” The old rate was $4.05. Property values in the county have risen more than 20 percent. The proposed $3.45 was calculated to reflect the new values without creating a windfall for a county o municipality. State law requires the new rate
SEE TAX ON PAGE 3