Following the Shelby County Commission’s decision to borrow more than $100 million to meet its payroll expenses, State House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) questioned whether Memphis voters were “tired of being blue” in a social media post.
“This is what happens when liberals are in charge: higher taxes, more debt, and budgets so poorly managed they have to borrow money just to make payroll,” Sexton wrote in a post to social media.Â
Sexton wrote in his post to X, “Memphis are you tired of being blue yet? They have given you failing schools, high crime and mismanagement!”
This is what happens when liberals are in charge: higher taxes, more debt, and budgets so poorly managed they have to borrow money just to make payroll. Memphis are you tired of being blue yet? They have given you failing schools, high crime and mismanagement! https://t.co/BvSaSTGlM3
— Speaker Cameron Sexton (@CSexton25) July 29, 2026
Sexton made the comments after the Shelby County Commission, for the second time since November, voted to take loans of $25 million and $100 million in Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRANs), which are temporary loans that must also be approved by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Division.
Now approved by commissioners in a 9-3 vote and awaiting approval by the Comptroller, the loans are anticipated to be repaid by March 2027. The short-term financing would reportedly see Shelby County taxpayers saddled with up to $3 million in interest and fees.
Sexton’s comments come after Governor Bill Lee signed a new law to establish a state-appointed oversight board to oversee Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) following years of poor performance.
The district was recently the subject of a “deeply disturbing” comptroller’s audit that identified more than $100 million in suspicious spending, including $54 million on potential fraud. Among the questionable outlays was $48 million paid to a single janitorial company.
The latest development in Shelby County follows last month’s news that Shelby County General Sessions Clerk Tami Sawyer was indicted by a grand jury in a “significant public corruption case” alleging she stole or misdirected almost $45,000 from the county.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Cameron Sexton” by Cameron Sexton.Â
