Regressive Industrial Water Rates Thwart Conservation Ethos
Despite MLGW’s protests to the contrary, common sense suggests that residential customers are...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | May 26, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development | 0
Despite MLGW’s protests to the contrary, common sense suggests that residential customers are...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | May 18, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Criminal Justice | 0
Memphis is still on the list for major cities and crime. This time, however, Memphis is listed...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | May 11, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Federal Government, Shelby County government, State Government | 0
It is inarguable that Republican state legislators are engaged in an unprecedented and racist...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | May 7, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Criminal Justice | 0
THROUGH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2025 (JANUARY-MARCH) An 8.8% decline compared to 2024 for the same time period A 15.5% decline compared to 2023 for the same time period *** THROUGH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2025 (JANUARY-JUNE) A 17.4%...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Apr 30, 2026 | City of Memphis Government | 4
Note: numbers have been updated. Memphis Mayor Paul Young has now released his $897 million budget proposal. When compared quickly to some comparable cities, it suggests that Memphis spends significantly less per capita than...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Apr 20, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Leadership, Shelby County government | 4
Reading the platforms for candidates for Shelby County mayor often feels like entering a time...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Apr 13, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Civil Rights, Leadership, Poverty | 0
Last week, in the wake of a few NBA players’ angst about hotel rooms, this blog’s attention...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Apr 9, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development, Health | 0
Later this year, in December, Protect Our Aquifer will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Mar 12, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Shelby County government | 0
Note: A candidate for county office recently advanced consolidation as an issue that deserves more...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Mar 2, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Parks and Greening | 0
Note: Following the publication of this post, I’ve received varying versions of what led to...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Feb 2, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Downtown Revitalization, Sports, State Government | 0
Although City Hall officials said State of Tennessee’s $74 million funding for Beale Street was...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Jan 29, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Civil Rights, Federal Government, Federal Policy | 1
10 Bullets: A cartoon by award-winning cartoonist Bill Day. The National Guard members who appear...
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by Bill Day. Memphian Bill Day is two-time winner of the RFK Journalism Award in Cartooning. His cartoons are syndicated internationally by Cagle Cartoons. Cartoons Archive →
Since 2005, this has been Smart City Consulting’s blog with the aim of connecting the dots and providing perspective on issues and policies shaping Memphis. Editor and primary author is Tom Jones, City Journal columnist at Memphis magazine, author of two books and a museum exhibition, and consultant on public policy and strategic planning. He has written articles for MLK50, The Commercial Appeal, and USA Today. The blog was called one of the most intriguing blogs in the U.S. by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal said it “provides some of the most well-thought-out thinking about Memphis’ past, present, and future you’ll find anywhere,” and the Memphis Flyer said: “This incredibly well-written blog sets out to solve the city’s ills – from the mayor to MATA – with out-of-the-box thinking, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ideas.” If you have questions, submissions, or ideas for posts, please email Tom Jones, at tjones@smartcityconsulting.com.