March 2025

We’ve refreshed the look of The Voter to make it more vibrant and engaging for our members! Expect a streamlined design, fresh colors, and easy navigation to keep you connected with all the latest updates and events. Let us know what you think of the new style—we’d love to hear your feedback!

Virtual Event
Speakers: KJ Garner, BPAC Commissioner
Time: Friday | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT

Ride into Spring with LWVN as we explore the work of the Metro Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and the fun, inclusive programs offered by Bike Fun! We will learn about transportation and recreation initiatives happening throughout Metro Nashville and Davidson County. You’ll also learn about the upcoming Nashville Bike Festival and other exciting events on their calendar. Bike Fun provides bicycle instruction for people of all ages and abilities, along with group rides, repair workshops, and plenty of opportunities to connect with the cycling community. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just getting started, this is a great chance to get involved and ride into spring with purpose!

REGISTER HERE

Virtual Event
Speakers: Gary Cohen of Reimagine Packaging Tennessee, Sandra Goldmark of the Columbia Climate School, and Danielle Azoulay, a sustainability expert and professor
Time: Tuesday | 7:00 PM CT

LWVTN presents the “Talking Trash” webinar, exploring the ongoing waste crisis and the need for structural change. Despite years of promoting recycling, reusing, and reducing, trash remains a major issue. We'll learn about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), circular economy, and industry-driven solutions. Join us to learn about the challenges and the path toward meaningful, business-oriented change.

REGISTER HERE

In Person Event
Speakers: Logan Ebel, Interim Executive Director of the Tennessee Health Care Campaign (THCC)
Time: Wednesday | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT

The League of Women Voters of Williamson County invites you to a presentation with Logan Ebel, Interim Executive Director of the Tennessee Health Care Campaign (THCC). THCC, a coalition partner of LWVTN, advocates for affordable, high-quality, and equitable health care for all Tennesseans. Ebel has served on the THCC board since 2020 and brings a wealth of experience in community organizing, fundraising, and program design. 

REGISTER HERE

The Public Health Committee is hard at work tracking and engaging with important legislation impacting women’s health, healthcare access, and gun violence prevention (more on that below). After a packed session, the committee is turning its focus to an upcoming Hot Topic webinar exploring the social drivers of health (SDOH)—factors like housing, education, and income that influence well-being. Read more here.

Stay tuned for an official announcement with details—you won’t want to miss it!

As we move into spring, the League of Women Voters of Nashville is focused and motivated by the work ahead and proud of the meaningful progress we’ve made so far this year. We want to thank each and every one of our members for your incredible dedication, passion, and commitment to strengthening democracy in our community. Your efforts are felt throughout Nashville—from voter education and public health advocacy to sustainability initiatives and beyond.

As we prepare for a new League year, our Nominating Committee is hard at work identifying new leaders to serve on the Board. If you've ever considered stepping into a leadership role or simply want to get more involved, this is a wonderful opportunity to join a committee or lend your voice to our mission. Together, we’ll continue to encourage informed and active participation in government and influence public policy through education and advocacy. If you're interested, please email lwvnash@gmail.com.

We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events this month—whether you’re riding into spring with Bike Fun, learning more about equitable health care, or diving into waste solutions with our “Talking Trash” webinar, your engagement is what keeps the League strong.

Legislative Update: Challenge to Immigrant Education Rights Advances

A controversial Tennessee bill that would allow public schools to refuse enrollment to undocumented students has advanced in the legislature, sparking strong opposition from faith leaders, educators, and community advocates. Sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, the bill aims to challenge the 1982 Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe, which guarantees all children the right to a public education regardless of immigration status. Opponents argue the bill targets vulnerable children and could result in costly legal battles for the state, while proponents frame it as a financial issue for local school districts. The bill now moves to the House Finance Committee and has a Senate Finance hearing scheduled. Critics continue to speak out, emphasizing the moral and economic implications of denying children access to education. Read more here.

Join the Planning Team for the ‘Environmental Justice for All’ Summit

A strategic planning group is coming together to organize the Environmental Justice for All Summit, in partnership with environmentally focused organizations such as the NAACP, Sierra Club, and Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light. This summit will be a powerful opportunity for League members to get involved in advancing environmental justice and sustainability efforts across Middle Tennessee. Jack McFadden and I also hope this initiative will serve as a training ground for future leadership within the LWV Environmental Committee. If you're passionate about protecting our planet and promoting environmental equity, we’d love to have you on board. To express interest or learn more, please contact Russanne at 615-715-1936.

Trash and Recycling Services in Nashville

The Nashville Department of Waste Services provides convenient ways for Davidson County residents to dispose of residential trash, recyclables, and other waste items that require proper disposal. Residents that live in a single-family home in Nashville’s Urban Services District (USD), are eligible for curbside trash and recycling collection. All Nashville and Davidson County residents can use our Metro Convenience Centers and Metro Recycling Drop-off Sites. Click here to learn more.

The Public Health Committee is actively tracking and engaging with several key bills related to women’s health, healthcare access, and gun violence prevention:

Reproductive Health: The committee is supporting legislation that protects access to fertility treatment and contraception, decriminalizes medically necessary abortions, and ensures insurance coverage for 12-month contraceptive refills.

Maternal & Family Support: Members are advocating for a TennCare pilot program to remotely monitor high-risk pregnancies in rural areas and backing a bill that formalizes the role of qualified family caregivers in Medicaid-supported services.

Healthcare Access: A bill to expand temporary TennCare coverage for low-income individuals failed in committee.

Gun Safety: The committee is monitoring legislation that would limit healthcare providers from asking about firearms, and supporting MaKayla’s Law, which holds adults accountable for unsecured firearms that harm children.

Metro Council Recap (3/4/25, 3/18/25)

Metro Council Updates: March 4 & 18, 2025

HEALTH & MEDICAL

The Council approved a resolution to accept a $1,840,200 grant from the Tennessee Department of Health to the Metropolitan Board of Health. The grant, which requires no cash match, will fund oral disease prevention services for K-8 students in qualifying public schools. The grant term runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026.

PUBLIC SAFETY, TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

On March 18, the Council passed a bill (No. 690) on third reading—commonly known as the FUSUS bill—along with four amendments. This legislation allows Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) to enter into an agreement to participate in a community safety camera network, providing access to a live and recorded video management system. Council retains the authority to approve any contract with FUSUS or other vendors.

Key guardrails added to the bill include:

MNPD may only access donor cameras in alignment with the owner's restrictions and solely for public health/safety emergencies or auditing purposes.

Cameras may only be accessed from within the Community Safety Center.

The Center’s commander must perform quarterly audits of the network.

A detailed access log must be maintained for three years, including dates, usernames, access purpose, and outcomes.

Any ordinance amending this section will require a public hearing before Council approval.

The Council also elected five members to the Advisory Committee on Transportation: Kalen Russell, Dr. Claudio Mosse, John Wesley Smith, Dr. Morgan Rehnberg, and David Harris.

Additionally, a resolution passed appropriating $59.3 million to support the “Choose How You Move” Transportation Improvement Program. Funding will benefit the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure, the Department of Information Technology Services, and the Mayor’s Office.

ENVIRONMENT

Bill No. 687, aimed at protecting trees during construction, passed on third reading. It mandates a designated tree protection zone—proportional to the tree's height and diameter—clearly fenced and marked with bilingual signage (English and Spanish). Excavation and trenching are prohibited within this zone.

GENERAL

Cumberland Park has been officially renamed Wasioto Park, honoring the original Shawnee name for the Cumberland River.

A resolution also passed recognizing March 31, 2025, as Transgender Day of Visibility in Nashville and Davidson County.

Co-Presidents: Lara Webb & Ophelia Doe

1st Vice Presidents: Melissa Hanson & Karen Weickert

Secretary: Ethel Detch

Treasurer: Susan Mattson

Nominating Committee Members:

Betsy Walkup

Constance Caldwell

Hasina Mohyuddin

June Bond

Brenda Wynn

Portfolio Chairs

Communications: Yolonda Beech

Community Connections: Sabina Mohyuddin & Leona Edwards

Education: Dr. Patricia H. Brock, Dr. Leslie Cowell, and MaKenzie Mosby

Environment: Russanne Buchi-Fotre & Jack McFadden

Health Care/Public Health:  Harper-Grace Niedermeyer & Dr. Patti Scott 

Membership: Reba Holmes & Cindee Gold

Metro Government:  Pat McCauley & Karen Hernan

Voter Services: Kathryn Anderson & Kalen Russell

Williamson County Representative:  June Bond

Nominating Committee Chair: Senator Brenda Gilmore 

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS NASHVILLE
Box 158369, Nashville, Tennessee 37215

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contact@lwvnashville.org

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