Nashville sues Tennessee over law giving state power on airport board
Published by The Tennessean, Reporter Evan Mealins – June 12, 2023
Metro Nashville on Monday sued Gov. Bill Lee and the speakers of both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly over a new law giving the state the power to appoint the majority of the city’s airport authority board.
The lawsuit, the latest in Nashville’s ongoing legal fight with the state, argues the law violates the Tennessee Constitution’s home rule and equal protection clauses.
The Home Rule Amendment prevents the state legislature from passing laws that impact the governance of only a particular county or city without the approval of local voters.
Under the previous law, Nashville’s mayor appointed and the Metro Council confirmed all seven members of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s (MNAA) board of commissioners. Under the new law, signed by Lee on May 19, the board will consist of eight members, with two appointed each by the governor, the speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, the speaker of the Tennessee Senate and the mayor.
