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A Moral Budget for Memphis & Shelby County

As we watched the current budget cycle, there was a growing sense that we are caught in an ill-fated loop that never leads to progress and prosperity for our community. The Moral Budget Coalition felt the need to come together and propose a set of budget amendments that would be a bold statement for where we wanted Memphis and Shelby County to head in the future.

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We are requesting the Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission:

  • Maintain the current tax rate by recertifying the tax rate to the state-mandated level and adjusting it back to the current rate generating an estimated $40M in additional revenue for the City of Memphis and $100M in additional revenue for Shelby County.
  • Use the revenue generated from the increased value and wealth in our community to make the investments for people and communities.

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Supporting People

  • Youth mental health
  • Adult mental health
  • Opportunity youth workforce fund
  • Rental debt relief

Read the full Memphis-Shelby County FY22 Moral Budget Proposal

Supporting Community

  • Affordable housing fund
  • Homelessness wraparound services
  • TGNC community land trust
  • Upscale weatherization initiatives
  • Broadband expansion

Supporting Workers

  • Relief for nonessential workers
  • Teacher healthcare
  • Workers rights commission
  • City workers pay increase

Building Culture & Engagement

  • Dedicated arts awareness & education funding
  • Shelby County youth engagement fund
  • County coordinator for community budget participation
  • County coordinator of civic engagement

In The News

  • New coalition calls for city, county budgets to support the most vulnerable | MLK50 | Read Article
  • Group calls on Memphis, Shelby County to keep property tax rates, fund ‘moral budgets’ | Memphis Commercial Appeal | Read Article
  • Clergy and community leaders want Memphis and Shelby County budgets to “battle for the people” | ABC24 | Read Article
  • ‘Moral Budget’ plan would keep city and county property tax rates the same | Daily Memphian | Read Article
  • Group demands ‘moral’ budgets from city, county leaders | WREG Memphis | Read Article
  • Behind the Headlines: City of Memphis and Shelby County Budget Priorities | WKNO | Watch Interview
  • Memphis-Shelby County FY2022 Moral Budget: American Rescue Plan Act, Proposal 2022 | Read Proposal

Coalition Members

Will you join us in calling for a moral budget?

If your organization would like to add their name to our growing Coalition For A Moral Budget, please press 'Add your Organization' and complete the form.

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Garner, Lead Outreach Coordinator, Stand For Children-TN, pgarner@stand.org

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