Recent editorials from Tennessee newspapers:
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Jan. 6
The Crossville Chronicle on participating in the 2020 Census:
It’s 2020. Like all years ending in 0, it’s a big year.
Every 10 years, the U.S. Constitution requires a count of the people living in the country. This number is used to determine how many representatives each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. This helps ensure states are represented appropriately at the federal level as people move. This can change how many representatives a state has, as the number of representatives stays set at 435 seats.
At the state and local level, the Census helps leaders redraw our maps for Congressional districts, state House and Senate districts, and our local civil districts, ensuring more or less equal representation for the residents in each district.
The apportionment and districting processes are a key component of the “one person, one vote” ideal, which says that when it comes to the voting booth, every person is just as important as everyone else.
The Census also helps growing communities access more federal and state funding. Much of these funds are divvied out based on population. The federal government distributed $675 billion to local communities for health, education, housing and infrastructure needs in 2015.
The Census also helps local communities plan ahead. Are we seeing a spike in our population? What will that mean for our local services? It can help the community begin planning for increased law enforcement, education and health care services.
Cumberland County wants to ensure every person is counted in the upcoming Census. County Mayor Allen Foster has formed a Complete Count Committee that will be working to get the word out over the next few months on how you can stand up and be counted.
Every home should receive their 2020 Census invitation by April. Once you have yours, you can answer the questions online, by phone or by mail.
The Census will ask how many people are living or staying in the home on April 1, the age, sex and race of each person, the relationship of each person and if the home is rented or owned.
The Census does not ask for your Social Security number, bank or credit card account numbers, or for any payment or donation. It also does not ask anything on behalf of a political party.
By law, your answers to the Census are anonymous and must be kept confidential. Answers cannot be used against you by other agencies or courts. Your private information remains private.
The Census is also hiring enumerators and other positions. These part-time jobs help ensure every resident is part of the final tally. These temporary positions offer flexible hours and competitive wages.
Learn more at 2020census.gov and keep an eye out for your Census 2020 invitation.
Online: https://www.crossville-chronicle.com/
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Jan. 5
The Johnson City Press on the upcoming congressional election:
If the 2020 election wasn’t bitter enough, now we have a local congressional race on our hands to add to the heat.
We can hear those incessant, underhanded television ads now.
If history is any indication, the real fight to succeed six-term U.S. Rep. Phil Roe Phil Roe in Washington will be settled in the Republican primary in August. The 1st Congressional District hasn’t elected a Democrat since Robert Love Taylor held the seat from 1879-81.
You can count on a fun ride between now and August, as the list of would-be successors was building well before Roe made his announcement on Friday (Jan. 3). Some will dip their toes in the water only to find it too deep to cross. Others will jump in head first and swim to the end.
One could be optimistic that the district primary won’t descend into the madness Tennessee voters endured in the Republican contest for governor in 2018, when leading candidates trampled one another with as much fury as “Games of Thrones.” Don’t hold your breath.
This is the 21st century in Northeast Tennessee, where one must run hard right lest he or she be labeled a RINO - a Republican in name only. That’s true in many places around the country, but the 1st District might just be the epicenter. The Trump loyalist test will be front and center.
You can bet that many Democratic and Independent voters will invade the Republican primary, since Tennessee has an open primary system that does not require party affiliation to vote. Roe was the beneficiary of that crossover when unseated single-term holder David Davis in 2008. Ironically, Roe proved to be as much as - if not more than - a party loyalist as Davis.
Could the crossover vote have an impact in 2020? Perhaps, but the landscape has changed tremendously in 12 years, as national partisanship is at its highest since the Civil Rights Era. If true moderates exist, they won’t risk the label. The base will be out in full force, given the divisiveness in Washington.
Along with staying true to party such platforms as health care and immigration, Roe zeroed in on making a difference for veterans. He made progress with what seemed to be bipartisan support in many cases, even as homelessness and suicide continues among veterans. Roe’s experience in these issues should make him a valuable advocate after he leaves office.
Regardless of whom the 1st District chooses to succeed him, we hope that person will focus directly on the needs of Northeast Tennessee, particularly in health care, workforce development and infrastructure. Our next representative should stay true to the values of the electorate, which should mean trying to build bipartisan support for progress in this district.
Online: https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/
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