KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers have approved legislation that would overhaul the governing boards of the state’s largest airports, giving the state majority control over appointments in Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga.
The bill, passed during the recent legislative session, would allow the state to appoint six of the nine members serving on each airport’s board. Currently, local governments hold that authority. In Knoxville, for example, the mayor and City Council have historically selected all nine members of the McGhee Tyson Airport Authority board.
Supporters of the measure say the shift reflects the state’s financial investment in airport infrastructure…