money Memphis is the guinea pig as Gov. Bill Lee, Speaker Sexton offer different visions on crime
Two of the most powerful people in Tennessee came to Memphis Thursday and used a pair of news conferences to offer different visions on fighting the violent crime that plagues the city.
One, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, offered the stick to violent criminals. He stood next to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and touted a bill that would lengthen prison sentences for 14 violent felonies and goes by the 1990s catch phrase truth-in-sentencing.
The other, Gov. Bill Lee, is offering Memphis a financial carrot — a proposed 20 new Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers on Memphis interstates as well as funding for police recruitment and violence intervention programs.
Lee does not appear to be a fan of the truth-in-sentencing legislation. He did not say whether he would sign the bill Thursday and said there would be further dialogue on the it before its passage.
"I don't look at the details of legislation until it's a lot closer to my desk. It's got a long way to go so I can't say anything until that bill becomes final. I think there's an opportunity for changes," Lee said.
When asked what changes he would offer, he touted his administration's initiatives such as Reentry Success Act of 2021, a bill that passed last year that incentivizes evidence-based recidivism programs at county jails.
"Those are things that I believe that will lower the crime rate, lower recidivism, lower the cost to taxpayers," Lee said. The viewpoint he articulated Thursday was one he outlined in a letter to Strickland — he believes more police on the street will reduce crime and does not want to focus on sentencing.
Sexton, for his part, sought to downplay the differences between his views and that of the Lee administration.
"Well we've had many conversations with Governor Lee about violent crimes and violent criminals. And we've talked about his direction, which is very valid," Sexton, R-Crossville, said.
"That's why I mentioned in my comments that rehabilitation, re-assimilation [and] intervention programs are all worthy things. If we'd had them 10 years ago, we'd probably have less crime today. And so we're going to continue to talk through with him and work through the issue. I mean, we're having good conversations, there's nothing hostile about it... I don't think it's as adversarial as people might think."
In the end, both need the other to achieve their objectives and they belong to the same party. Lee could, perhaps, veto the truth-in-sentencing legislation. Sexton and the Tennessee House could adopt different proposals in the state's budget — where Lee has proposed the troopers for Memphis and funds for violence intervention and police recruitment.
Either move to block the other could prove unpopular in an election year and leave the person who did it — the governor or the speaker — open to the attack that they are 'soft on crime.'
Crime, clout bring state heavyweights to Memphis
The dueling appearances by Sexton and Lee brought heavy state political firepower to a city and populace that often feels neglected by state government.
Their appearances show how much Nashville-based attention the Strickland administration has garnered throughout the past several years as it has made trip-after-trip to Nashville to meet with lawmakers.
Strickland, a moderate Democrat who holds a nonpartisan office, has long sought help — particularly financial aid — from the Republican super-majority.
Sexton, Strickland, Memphis Police Department Chief CJ Davis and Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich all met to discuss the truth-in-sentencing legislation in August. The mayor watched the bill's introduction in Nashville with great interest this winter.
For subscribers: Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland supports GOP push for longer prison sentences. Not every Memphis leader agrees with him
The fact that Lee and Sexton saw fit to hold dueling news conferences in the city shows that Strickland, and Memphis, have the state's attention. At least for now.
Regardless of what happens in the Republican-tussle over the truth-in-sentencing legislation, Strickland is likely to get something he wants — longer sentences on felonies such as aggravated assault and attempted murder.
The funding for recruitment and violence intervention could breath fresh fiscal air into Strickland administration efforts to bolster police ranks and get a community-based violence intervention program off of the ground.
While Strickland appeared with Sexton Thursday, he did not make an appearance with Lee. The two met privately Wednesday. Davis, the still-new police chief, went on a ride-along with Lee and thanked him for 20 new troopers, calling them a "welcome surprise."
After a news conference, with a few cameras around, Davis could be heard asking Lee and THP leadership for what appeared more cooperation on technology and communication between law enforcement systems.
Samuel Hardiman covers Memphis city government and politics for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached by email at samuel.hardiman@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Cameron Sexton Bill Lee Jim Strickland Truth in Sentencing CJ Davis Memphis
