Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, and Michael Patrick Leahy, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Tennessee Star, praised the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 which is a conservative playbook with the goal to “take back our government” by “paving the way for an effective conservative administration” beginning in January 2025.
Read the full story
The Metro Nashville Council passed Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s multi billion-dollar transit plan on its first reading during Tuesday’s meeting.
Read the full story
Eighty-three percent of people who answered a Fox 17 News online survey said they do not feel safe on Metro Nashville’s WeGo public buses.
Fox 17 posted the survey to X after a recent string of violent incidents at WeGo locations in Nashville and criticism of Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s efforts to invest in the city’s public buses.
Read the full story
A man was shot three times at a WeGo bus stop in Nashville on Friday, marking the third violent crime related to the city’s bus system in under 10 days.
Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) confirmed the shooting and arrest of 19-year-old Dejuan Prime in a post to the social media platform X, explaining the crime happened on the steps of 4th Avenue North.
Read the full story
A report out of Los Angeles regarding the city’s crime rates on its public transportation services is being flagged by a local watchdog in Nashville as a glimpse of what Music City’s future may look like if Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s multi-billion-dollar transit plan is implemented.
O’Connell’s transit plan, “Choose How You Move: An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety,” would be funded by a half-cent increase in the city’s sales tax to construct miles of new sidewalks, bus stops, transit centers, parking facilities, and upgraded traffic signals around Nashville.
Read the full story
Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, is speaking out about multiple concerns with Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s multi billion-dollar transit plan unveiled last month.
O’Connell unveiled his billion transit plan, “Choose How You Move: An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety,” last month.
Read the full story
An independent accounting of the costs associated with the transportation referendum put forward by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell on Thursday claims the true cost of the mayor’s goals will swell to $6.93 billion over the 15-year life of the project.
O’Connell originally announced the cost of building the transportation improvements in his referendum would amount to about $3.1 billion, with additional annual operating costs of about $111 million.
Read the full story
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell announced in his first State of Metro address on Tuesday that his Choose How You Move mass transit plan passed a required independent audit.
O’Connell’s mass transportation plan Choose How You Move includes public transportation available 24/7, almost 600 upgraded traffic signals, 86 miles of sidewalks, and other features, all proposed to be funded by a half-cent sales tax. The plan must meet certain requirements under Tennessee’s IMPROVE Act, like the independent audit, before being considered by Nashville voters on a November ballot.
Read the full story
Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, said the Nashville Mayor’s $3.1 billion transit referendum is a “ripoff” of the taxpayers who are not given a proper voice in the media to express opposition to the transportation plan.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell unveiled his $3.1 billion transit plan, “Choose How You Move: An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety,” last month.
Read the full story
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell described his “Choose How You Move” transportation referendum as “very progressive” in a Wednesday interview, highlighting the endeavor as one of the most progressive acts of his administration.
O’Connell was asked by The Guardian, which describes itself as “the world’s leading liberal voice,” to what level he views himself “as a progressive leader in a state that is not politically progressive” following the 2022 redistricting process that split Nashville between multiple congressional districts.
Read the full story
Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, said not only does Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s $3.1 billion transit referendum, which is expected to be presented to Davidson County voters on the November ballot, appear illegal under the 2017 IMPROVE Act, but its implementation would inevitably raise property taxes for residents.
O’Connell unveiled his transit plan, “Choose How You Move: An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety,” last month.
Read the full story
Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, continues to scrutinize the legality of the Nashville mayor’s $3.1 billion transit referendum expected to be presented in front of Davidson County voters on the November ballot.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell unveiled his $3.1 billion transit plan, “Choose How You Move: An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety,” last month. The plan would be funded through a half-cent increase in the city’s sales tax to construct miles of new sidewalks, bus stops, transit centers, parking facilities, and upgraded traffic signals.
Read the full story
Metro Government has responded to a criticism that Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s proposed transportation plan is not legal under state law.
Nashville Tea Party founder Ben Cunningham recently called O’Connell’s referendum illegal because it would increase taxes to fund projects he argues are not covered by the IMPROVE Act, like sidewalks and traffic signals.
Read the full story
Americans for Prosperity – Tennessee (AFP-TN) released a statement Thursday in response to Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s proposed $3.1 billion transit referendum that will be presented to Davidson County voters on the November ballot.
AFP-TN State Director Tori Venable, noting how Nashville voters rejected then-Mayor Megan Barry’s $9 billion transit plan six years ago, acknowledged the dramatic cost difference in O’Connell’s plan while also pointing out the half-cent increase in the city’s sales tax that will be used to fund the plan.
Read the full story
Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, said not only does Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s transit referendum appear to be illegal under the IMPROVE Act, but the transit plan’s overall vision of commuters suddenly switching over to public transport is “absurd.”
O’Connell unveiled his $3.1 billion transit plan, called “Choose How You Move: An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety,” last week, which would be funded through a half-cent increase in the city’s sales tax.
Read the full story
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell released the details of his transit referendum that is expected to go before voters in November, revealing his plans will cost $3.1 billion and be partially financed through a half-cent sales tax increase.
In a statement, O’Connell called his transit referendum “the best opportunity we’ve ever had to build out our priority sidewalks, to synchronize signals so you’re spending less time at red lights, and to connect neighborhoods via a better transit system that doesn’t have to come downtown just to go somewhere else.”
Read the full story
Roger Simon, the co-founder of PJMedia and current columnist for The Epoch Times, and Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, discussed the ongoing legal battle over the release of the Covenant School shooter’s manifesto, agreeing that the “lives of others” are at stake as long as the manifesto’s contents are kept under wraps.
Read the full story
Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, said Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s transit plan, which is expected to be on the November ballot, is likely illegal under the IMPROVE Act, which passed the Tennessee General Assembly in 2017.
The 2017 IMPROVE Act, signed by former Governor Bill Haslam, permits local governments to seek a dedicated funding source via surcharge to support mass transportation projects through local referendum.
Read the full story
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell will reportedly announce the full contents of his transit referendum, called “Choose How You Move,” on April 19.
O’Connell will outline his full plans for the future of transit in Nashville next week, with both the Nashville Post and the Nashville Business Journal confirming the April 19 unveiling will be held one week from Friday at the Southeast Community Center in Antioch.
Read the full story
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell claimed on Thursday that his transit referendum will include plans for approximately 600 new traffic signals, and that new technology will be used to streamline the flow of vehicle traffic in the Music City.
O’Connell addressed Nashville drivers in a series of posts to the social media platform X, writing, “one of the most important elements” to his “transportation improvement program” involves “how it improves how everyone moves, including people driving.”
Read the full story
Nashville Tea Party founder Ben Cunningham warned that the half-cent sales tax increase being considered to fund Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s transit reform plan will be “just a small down payment” from Nashvillians.
Cunningham posted to X, formerly Twitter, in response to a piece by Tennessean reporter Cassandra Stephenson.
Read the full story
Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, said Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s transit plan, which will be on the November ballot, will inevitably lead to property tax increases.
Last month, O’Connell officially announced that his long-awaited transit plan will be on the November 5 ballot, however, he did not release any information regarding what the plan entails.
Read the full story
Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, said it’s “pathetic” that advocates of Governor Bill Lee’s universal school choice voucher program are not being given a voice through local news outlets across the Volunteer State.
Read the full story
All-star panelist Ben Cunningham joined Friday’s edition of The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy where he discussed what may be included in Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s anticipated transit plan.
O’Connell, who was elected mayor in last year’s runoff election, vowed during his campaign to address Nashville’s “infrastructure and transit concerns.”
Read the full story
All-star panelist Ben Cunningham joined Friday’s edition of The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy to discuss Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s anticipated transit plan and how it may clash with the overall preference among Nashvillians when it comes to transportation.
Read the full story
Members of the Tennessee General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a bill Thursday that acknowledges that the growth in state government this year exceeds the growth of Tennessean’s income by $3 billion, or 16 percent.
The action by the legislature is mandated by the Tennessee Constitution in Article II, Section 24 when state spending grows faster than its economy.
The measure, commonly known as the Copeland Cap, was named for its House sponsor of the constitutional amendment, the late Republican State Representative David Copeland of Ooltewah, who passed away in 2019.
Read the full story
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Ben Cunningham to discuss the tyranny of social media companies and their censorship of conservative voices.
Read the full story
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Ben Cunningham in studio to discuss the four candidates that have been removed from the GOP primary ballot due to Tennessee Republican party bylaws.
Read the full story
Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed guest host Ben Cunningham in studio to recap last night’s Trump Day Dinner in Wilson County, Tennessee.
Read the full story
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Henry welcomed Pamela Provost of Truthbetoldtennessee.com to the newsmakers line to talk about their upcoming conference on October 2nd.
Read the full story
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest hosts Grant Henry and Ben Cunningham talk in studio about the need for Tennessee’s General Assembly to have a special session and Lt. McNally’s hesitancy.
Read the full story
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest hosts Ben Cunningham and Grant Henry joined in studio to discuss big government and questioned the role it plays in individual lives.
Read the full story
Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham and all-star panelist Crom Carmichael express putting educational dollars back in the hands of parents.
Read the full story
Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed all-star panelist Crom Carmichael in studio to discuss morally corrupt school boards and teachers’ unions.
Read the full story
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Women for Trump’s Amy Kremer to the newsmakers line to discuss her activism and the positive enthusiasm on January sixth during Trump’s speech at the Ellipse.
Read the full story
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cuningham welcomed Senior Reporter for The Star News Network, Laura Baigert in studio to discuss her reporting on Dekalb County, Georiga’s election discrepancies.
Read the full story
Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed 400-meter runner and Team USA member Cynthia Monteleone to the newsmakers line to talk about running against transgender males and what she’s doing to fight it.
Read the full story
Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Grant Henry in studio to discuss the excellence of the Tennessee legislature and the importance for citizens to become involved.
Read the full story
Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed The Star News Network’s Washington Correspondent Neil McCabe to the newsmakers line to illustrate the dynamics of anti-Trump Republican Senators and infrastructure spending.
Read the full story
Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Mom’s for Liberty-Williamson County Robin Steeman to the newsmakers line to give examples of Wit and Wisdom’s propagandizing curriculum and how they are fighting back.
Read the full story
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Davidson County GOP Chair Jim Garrett to the newsmakers line to discuss the 2022 election and his decision to push back on MNPS mask mandates.
Read the full story
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton to the newsmakers line to reiterate Monday’s press conference as Tennessee stands united on COVID and education.
Read the full story
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Mayor Andy Ogles and Grant Henry in studio to discuss Tennessee’s failing education levels and the silver linings of COVID.
Read the full story
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles in studio to discuss the tremendous growth all over Middle Tennessee and the large crowds showing up for the Freedom Matters Tour around the state.
Read the full story
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Mayor Andy Ogles and Grant Henry in studio to discuss the indoctrination of young children and reversing the woke America.
Read the full story
Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Chief Technology Officer for the Star News Media Network Christina Botteri in studio to discuss social media platforms’ censorship and the role as platform or publisher.
Read the full story
Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Washington Correspondent Neil McCabe to the newsmakers line to weigh in on the definition of infrastructure, budget reconciliation process, and the filibuster.
Read the full story
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed newly elected GOP chair for the Davidson County Republican Party Jim Garrett to the newsmakers line to weigh in on what it’s like being chair in a blue county and his mission moving forward.
Read the full story
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed AFC’s Shaka Mitchell to the newsmakers line to further describe the mechanics of ESA and school choice and announced a rally will be held on Thursday, June third at 8 am at Legislative Plaza to show support.
Read the full story
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Grant Henry in studio to discuss human nature’s need for purpose and how Marxism has fueled that desire to the detriment of America.
Read the full story