why now?

If there was ever a time when doing nothing is not an option, it is now. That is doubly true for our economy. Jobs are in a downward spiral, we are not competing with major rivals like Nashville, Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Louisville that have modernized their governments, and we are losing the young professionals who attract jobs in the first place. We must act to change course and accept the fact that we are all in this together.

Why Now?

The facts could not be clearer. In a ranking of jobs growth for the nation's largest regions, ours is in the bottom ten - #90. We have lost 17,000 jobs in the most recent 12-month period, and even more disturbing, we have lost an average of ten jobs a day for the past decade. In addition, in that same decade, our county lost 48,000 individuals and $1.9 billion in income.

Personal income in our MSA has steeply fallen to below 2007 levels. Per capita income for 2009 is $37,495, compared to $38,050 in 2007. Total personal income since 2007 is now at $48.9 billion, $200 million less than 2007.

If we are to turn around our economy, we need government to be as streamlined, entrepreneurial and innovative as the economy in which we are trying to compete. That's exactly what this new charter does.

Job Loss

Job Loss

U.S. Bureau of Labor

Without good paying jobs people will continue to move away from our community. And they are not just moving to other local counties…they are moving away and taking their tax dollars with them…leaving us to handle the tax burden.

Out-Migration

IRS In/Out Migration

Out-Migration

“Stephen Goldsmith, now deputy mayor of New York City and an expert on successful government, pointed out that Shelby County must attack troubling trends like the average daily loss of three middle-class families and five young professionals. Referring to Memphis and Shelby County's current governmental structure, Mr. Goldsmith said, "different governments are still focused on borders and boundaries, often creating a culture of confusion."

The new charter solves this problem, creating a new government that is more efficient and that ends the duplication, waste and bureaucratic red tape that exist now with our two-headed system. That's why we say what the majority of people in our county know: “Doing nothing is not an option!”

Expert Adviser/Endorser

Information taken from the cities’ official websites.

Information taken from the cities’ official websites.

Noah's Ark Government

Streamlined, Efficient Government