Mayor Lee Harris Breaks Down Barriers in Shelby County
10/05/23 • 31 min
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Mayor Lee Harris from Shelby County, TN. Harris was first elected Mayor in 2018 and previously served his community on the Memphis City Council and as a state senator. Debbie and Harris talk about the impact of Tennessee’s dramatic and nationally watched state legislative session, as well as the state's debates on gun safety, including the statewide adoption of Shelby County's safe-gun-storage program. They also discuss some of the Mayor’s innovative initiatives, like his "Work to Break the Cycle" program, which provides job opportunities to formerly incarcerated individuals, and the county's mission to reduce barriers to quality healthcare for all residents. Harris also explains how federal funds have catalyzed significant improvements in Shelby County programs and how those funding streams have improved under the Biden administration. Tune in to learn how Harris brings together his career in advocacy and his love for his community to lead Shelby County and create models for good government that are relevant across the country.
1:03] A warm welcome to long-time NewDEAL leader and Shelby County, TN Mayor, Lee Harris.
[2:43] Mayor Lee explains the current state of politics in Tennessee, especially about gun violence.
[6:02] Fixing the mismatch between the desires of elected officials and the will of the people.
[7:55] Safe gun storage, criminal justice reforms, and other Shelby County initiatives.
[13:17] Why Mayor Lee and his team are focused on expanding access and breaking down barriers.
[18:39] His plans for improving healthcare in his county and state.
[23:25] The role of the Federal Government in funding Shelby County’s various initiatives.
[26:57] Going back through Mayor Lee’s professional journey and how he landed in his current role.
[28:41] What drove him to politics: the need to make a difference.
[30:43] His advice for those who want to be an advocate for better living conditions in their area.
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Mayor Lee Harris from Shelby County, TN. Harris was first elected Mayor in 2018 and previously served his community on the Memphis City Council and as a state senator. Debbie and Harris talk about the impact of Tennessee’s dramatic and nationally watched state legislative session, as well as the state's debates on gun safety, including the statewide adoption of Shelby County's safe-gun-storage program. They also discuss some of the Mayor’s innovative initiatives, like his "Work to Break the Cycle" program, which provides job opportunities to formerly incarcerated individuals, and the county's mission to reduce barriers to quality healthcare for all residents. Harris also explains how federal funds have catalyzed significant improvements in Shelby County programs and how those funding streams have improved under the Biden administration. Tune in to learn how Harris brings together his career in advocacy and his love for his community to lead Shelby County and create models for good government that are relevant across the country.
1:03] A warm welcome to long-time NewDEAL leader and Shelby County, TN Mayor, Lee Harris.
[2:43] Mayor Lee explains the current state of politics in Tennessee, especially about gun violence.
[6:02] Fixing the mismatch between the desires of elected officials and the will of the people.
[7:55] Safe gun storage, criminal justice reforms, and other Shelby County initiatives.
[13:17] Why Mayor Lee and his team are focused on expanding access and breaking down barriers.
[18:39] His plans for improving healthcare in his county and state.
[23:25] The role of the Federal Government in funding Shelby County’s various initiatives.
[26:57] Going back through Mayor Lee’s professional journey and how he landed in his current role.
[28:41] What drove him to politics: the need to make a difference.
[30:43] His advice for those who want to be an advocate for better living conditions in their area.
Previous Episode
Delegate Irene Shin on the Power of Public Policy
In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Virginia State Delegate Irene Shin. They discuss her path to public office, the split partisan composition of the state, and how she aims to bring a fresh perspective and energy into her work to create a more inclusive democracy. Shin comments on the challenges of serving in a part-time legislature and the issues unique to governing in Virginia, as well as her decision to take on an incumbent in a primary. The conversation also touches on Shin's efforts outside the legislature, including as Executive Director of the Virginia Civic Engagement Table, and her time working for Vice-President Kamala Harris, underscoring the Delegate's lifelong passion for public policy and creating a more equitable society. Tune in to learn what motivates Delegate Shin and hear more about her mission to make Virginia a top state for business.
(0:02:49) Irene talks about legislating in a divided state.
(0:04:55)Thoughts on the prospects of winning back the house for the Democrats.
(0:07:37) A look back at Irene's path to working in public policy and office, and the important early steps on this journey.
(0:11:19)How Irene got elected and her reflections on the process.
(0:15:12) The biggest challenges of working within a part-time legislature.
(0:17:28) Rethinking the legislature and who it serves; Irene shares why Virginia needs to move forward.
(0:24:18) Irene's experiences of her identity in the context of Virginia and its history.
(0:30:28) 'Divisive' subjects in US history and some of the hurdles that these have posed for Irene.
(0:33:53) Economic initiatives in Virginia that have supported working families and businesses.
Next Episode
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval on Taking Big Policy Swings
In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty is joined by Cincinnati's first Asian American Mayor, Aftab Pureval, who talks about his vision to make Cincinnati the city of the future by taking "big policy swings." They delve into Pureval's major victories so far, such as his efforts to eliminate $1.4 million in medical debt for 30,000 residents, establish a baby bonds program, and start a pilot for universal basic income. In addition, Pureval describes his political journey, including how he leveraged his diverse background to lead a successful mayoral campaign. Tune in to hear Mayor Pureval reflect on the challenges of leading a blue city in an increasingly red state, as well as the lessons he took from the nationally-watched constitutional amendment vote in Ohio this summer.
IN THIS EPISODE
- [1:05] Get to know today’s guest, Cincinnati Mayor, Aftab Pureval.
- [2:12] How a successful sports franchise can boost morale.
- [4:27] Why Mayor Pureval is so excited about Cincinnati’s potential.
- [4:27] An overview of the plans for the Brent Spence Bridge, the poster child for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- [6:13] The work being done to address racial and historic inequities in Cincinnati.
- [6:53] A rundown of the factors driving uncertainty in American cities.
- [7:37] Cincinnati's climate resilience and how they are preparing for expected population growth.
- [9:05] Working in the private sector and what this taught Mayor Pureval about innovation, risk, and failure.
- [9:51] How he is convincing people to get behind his big swings for the city.
- [12:27]The big swings, policy initiatives, and changes that the mayor is most excited about.
- [13:53] Steps being taken to address historic segregation and redesign the city.
- [18:46] The Pureval family’s journey from Tibetan refugees to elected official within one generation.
- [21:27] How Mayor Pureval approached his campaigns as someone who is part of a minority group.
- [23:56] Leading a blue city in an increasingly red state and how this impacts governance.
- [28:30] How to spend 24 hours in Cincinnati: sporting, entertainment, and restaurant opportunities!
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