Name: Top GOP leaders won't rule out using state money for RNC as Nashville mayor says no city funds available
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Top GOP leaders won't rule out using state money for RNC as Nashville mayor says no city funds available

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Nashville TennesseanView CommentsWhile Mayor John Cooper says Nashville has no money to spend on bringing&nbsp;the , some GOP lawmakers won't rule out using state funds to do so."There is certainly no money available from us for hosting this event," Cooper told reporters Thursday.&nbsp;The Republican Party is eyeing Nashville as a possible location to host this summer's convention and party officials were expected to tour the city Thursday, Gov. Bill Lee said this week. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that North Carolina would no longer be hosting the RNC.&nbsp;Related:Related:Senate leadership on Thursday, however, would not discount using state funds for the event, despite currently making $340 million in budget&nbsp;cuts due to revenue shortfalls.The House earlier that morning passed a resolution in support of the convention being held in Nashville."It would be like any other economic development project," said Speaker Pro Tem Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin. "Is there a return on investment? How much benefit would it be to the state? How much would it be to Nashville? We have none of that in front of us at this point in time."Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson and chairman of the Senate finance committee, said the legislature would look at "past practices" in weighing a potential funding opportunity. He compared it to the state already spending money on partisan primaries."Obviously, the state helps fund the parties'&nbsp;primaries by helping fund elections and such, and this is&nbsp;part of the electoral process," Watson said."If the argument is or the question is should the state invest in something that’s Republican-based, we already do&nbsp;that with primaries. We do that with Democrat&nbsp;and Republican primaries."Gov. Bill Lee's office didn't immediately respond to a question about whether he supported using state funds on the convention.Cooper also said the city's current health protocols would not allow an indoor gathering of that size.&nbsp;"Of course, we are not surprised that anybody would want to be here, any national convention" said Cooper, a Democrat.&nbsp;"We look forward to the day when conventions routinely are back in Nashville."Instead, Cooper said he is looking forward to another major political event that has the city's financial support: The at Belmont University.As of Wednesday, Cooper's office had not yet been contacted by&nbsp;the RNC about the visit and had no plans to meet with GOP officials, a spokesperson for the mayor said. A council member also is expected to file a resolution to&nbsp;formally withdraw Nashville from consideration.While Senate leadership has barred the public from attending floor session and committee meetings, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, said he thinks the state "could pull it off" if implementing measures like temperature checks and working with the Tennessee Department of Health.Watson noted that precautions being taken around coronavirus in two months will likely be different from the current reality."To speculate on what type of limitations might be necessary in August or September or October is a bit premature," Watson said. "We're having the same discussions around the return to the University of Tennessee football games, about high school football being restarted."Presidential debate:The city, like the state, is facing a major budget hit due to the coronavirus pandemic. The city was expected to lose $470 million over a 16-month period. Cooper has proposed a 32% property tax increase and major cuts in order to balance the city's budget and replenish its depleted reserves.&nbsp;Lee and other Republicans are supportive of trying to bring the convention to Nashville and argue it could provide a major economic boost for a city taking an economic hit.&nbsp;“Nashville is the best place in America to have a convention,” Lee said Tuesday, adding that his office has “just begun those conversations” with the RNC.Republicans had originally planned for their convention in Charlotte. But after the coronavirus pandemic slammed the nation, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, wanted Republicans to demonstrate they can safely hold the convention in Charlotte.View Comments

Nashville TennesseanView CommentsWhile Mayor John Cooper says Nashville has no money to spend on bringing&nbsp;the , some GOP lawmakers won't rule out using state funds to do so."There is certainly no money available from us for hosting this event," Cooper told reporters Thursday.&nbsp;The Republican Party is eyeing Nashville as a possible location to host this summer's convention and party officials were expected to tour the city Thursday, Gov. Bill Lee said this week. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that North Carolina would no longer be hosting the RNC.&nbsp;Related:Related:Senate...

Top GOP leaders won't rule out using state money for RNC as Nashville mayor says no city funds available

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