Memphis & Shelby County Budget Explorer
Many of us have wished for a long time that our community had a website that allows us to test how...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Sep 5, 2025 | City of Memphis Government, Shelby County government, Taxation
Many of us have wished for a long time that our community had a website that allows us to test how...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Sep 2, 2025 | Education
By Scott Newstok When Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence toured the nation on a “Freedom Train” in 1947-1948, Boss Crump’s Memphis was one of only two cities whose scheduled visits were bypassed....
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 28, 2025 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development, Shelby County government, Taxation
Nothing is certain but death and taxes, so says the proverb. Here in Memphis, it is just as...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 25, 2025 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development, Memphis History, Taxation
The “breaking news” headline on TV news said: “Proposal would reinvest xAI tax revenue into...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 21, 2025 | City of Memphis Government, Criminal Justice
by John Branston Crime is down in Memphis and across America, and anyone who says they know why...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 18, 2025 | Criminal Justice, Shelby County government
Few things provoke more suspicions than a project that arrives almost fully formed on a public...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 16, 2025 | Arts and Culture
At 6:30 pm on Sunday, August 24 at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 S. Main, Memphians of all ages are...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 14, 2025 | City of Memphis Government, Politics and Government, Taxation
The following is my City Journal column in Memphis magazine that was published in February: It’s...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 11, 2025 | City of Memphis Government, Downtown Revitalization, Memphis History, Transportation
Those of us of a very certain age can still remember the colorful floating boat houses located at...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 10, 2025 | Uncategorized
Cartoonist Bill Day never fails to prove the point that a picture – in his case, a cartoon – is...
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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 →
Smart City Memphis has been called the oldest, continuously operating in its original form, independent blog in the U.S. Its aim since 2005 has been to connect the dots and provide perspective on issues and policies shaping Memphis. 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 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.