MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Normally, I cringe a bit whenever the Tennessee legislature goes into session. Because invariably, this group will pass two or three bills that are regressive and deeply partisan. But all Tennesseans – particularly those in Shelby and neighboring counties – should welcome the special legislative session scheduled to start Monday in Nashville.
That is when lawmakers are expected to approve a $500 million incentive package for what will be known as Blue Oval City. It’s all part of the agreement for Ford Motor Company – and a South Korean partner – to build a massive electric truck and battery assembly complex at the Memphis Regional Mega Site in Haywood County.
The legislature is being asked to sanction the payment in the form of a direct grant to Ford. Lawmakers also will set up an authority to oversee the project’s development. And both bills will get bipartisan support – as they should.
One wrinkle, particularly for me, is that lawmakers will also likely consider a proposal to exclude certain information about the project from public scrutiny under the state’s open records law. I just believe when this much taxpayer money is involved, transparency should be the rule – not the exception.
Still, that should not dampen our enthusiasm for this $5.6 billion dollar project – that will greatly benefit Memphis and significantly transform the West Tennessee economy. So this is one time when lawmakers gathering at the capitol – is a good thing.