NASHVILLE - A statewide network of faith, community and labor organizations is urging Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to invoke his emergency powers and suspend what it is calling "overly restrictive state laws" on local government officials to give them more authority to address the coronavirus pandemic.
The group, which includes the Chattanooga Area Labor Council AFL-CIO, said in its open letter on Monday to the Republican governor that local governments "need to have every tool in the toolbox available in this critical time" and also said over the past decade "more and more state laws have been passed that restrict the freedom of local governments on a range of issues.
"These laws are now limiting the ability of local governments to address the ever-changing needs of their communities in this state of emergency," the letter says.
Groups are requesting Lee use powers he has under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 58-2-107 to suspend laws limiting local governments' ability to ensure employees have access to paid sick time as well as expand eligibility for property tax freezes and "ensure immigrants feel safe interacting with local health departments."
And they warn Tennesseans "who feel sick or are exhibiting symptoms are less likely to inform employers they are sick and stay home if they have no paid leave. The choice for many hardworking Tennesseans is either to risk their health and the health of others or face financial ruin, including the loss of their homes."
After days of urging by frantic Tennessee physicians, Lee on Thursday issued a stay-at-home order for Tennessee, citing measurably worsening social mobility trends he said showed too many residents weren't taking the pandemic seriously enough.
With local governments heavily dependent on sales taxes, especially those reliant on the now-decimated tourism industry, the group said "many of these counties could be forced to choose between raising property taxes or laying off teachers, public health professionals, police officers, firefighters and other essential public employees.
"Current state laws prevent local governments from expanding the criteria for who is eligible for property tax freeze programs, making it impossible to provide temporary relief to those out of work from the COVID-19 response," the network's letter stated.
Regarding public health, the letter said that because of what it calls "punitive" state laws, "immigrant communities have come to fear government agencies and places that are meant to keep them safe and may hesitate to access testing and treatment for fear of encountering immigration enforcement and being separated from their families."
The group also said local governments "can provide needed stability and stimulus and will continue spending on essential projects" by prioritizing the hiring of out-of-work local residents "to provide the most targeted relief, but state law currently prohibits that practice."
They're also advocating for automatic voter registration and voting by mail, allowing municipal courts to suspend eviction proceedings and asking Lee to direct emergency funds toward rent and mortgage relief for affected Tennesseans and a freeze on utility shut-offs.
In addition to the Chattanooga Area Labor Council, other groups joining in the letter include the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, the Tennessee Justice Center and a number of community groups and labor organizations in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow him on Twitter @AndySher1.