New Candidate Questionnaires

As a first-time candidate, I didn't expect to receive so many questionnaires and surveys. One of them led to me discovering what I am posting about.

I got a questionnaire from the Tennessee Equality Project and Tennessee Equality Project Foundation. Most of the questions in the surveys are complicated and are about a subject I do not claim to fully understand, so I started researching them. One question asked something to the effect of "would I support government paid gender reassignment coverage?"

While looking to see if other cities were offering this benefit and what Metro offered already, I discovered the Metro Benefits Board has it on the agenda for this Tuesday at 9:30am.

It would have been easier for me to let it happen without shedding light on it, but the irony is, a poorly promoted rezoning meeting is the reason I decided to run in the first place.

To be clear, this isn't about whether someone should be able to have a procedure or have the right to do what they want or be who they want. This is this is about the taxpayers right to know it is on the list of items for discussion, consideration and maybe a vote. I am only a citizen that is running for office. I don't know how the board works, but the information about the board, its members and the meeting's agenda is available for everyone to see at Nashville.gov. The board meets on the first Tuesday of each month and it's agenda is listed ahead of time. I just happened to see it while researching the question.

I couldn't find any concrete answers to what the coverage includes or how much would be paid by the taxpayers, but Metro's insurance is funded by our taxes so we would most likely be paying for some of it. It is my opinion that taxpayers should know about the vote at a minimum and having more information about it would be even better.

Researching it, I couldn't find an insurance company that explained what the coverage included or what the qualifications to receive the treatment were. I'm sure the Metro Benefits Board has more information on it, and it would be nice for the taxpayers have a better understanding if we are going to be on the hook for funding it.

Again, it isn't my goal to show disrespect to anyone or their wishes, but as a taxpayer, I don't think a 10-person board, where possibly half are appointed by the outgoing Mayor, make this decision for all of us.