A Tennessee Democratic lawmaker is criticizing Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, saying he abdicated authority on a new state-controlled task force designed to divvy up excess tax revenue from the Nashville Convention Center.
State Rep. John Ray Clemmons, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, was miffed this week that the mayor won’t serve as chairman of a new capital tourism board, enabling a governor’s appointee to take a stronger role in directing Music City money.
Some Metro Council members believe O’Connell is bending over backwards to stay out of trouble with the legislature, which spends an inordinate amount of energy micromanaging Nashville. They think he’s been failing to lead on several important issues, as does Clemmons…