SMC celebrates $1M Varsity Spending Plan

By Logan Langlois& NASHVILLE, TN — The Southern Movement Committee (SMC) celebrates encouraging news, as Metro Budget Chair Delishia Porterfield allocated $1 million to SMC’s proposed Varsity Spending Plan in her substitute budget that went into effect July 1. Arts and Culture Director Mike Floss said the Varsity Plan is designed to reinvest Nashville’s tax dollars into community centers and public schools along North and East Nashville. He said the plan also includes the establishment of an Office of Youth Safety to be staffed by Nashville city employees. This office would be focused on at-risk youth outreach that works toward gun violence reduction.& Group photo of students and organizers leading the advocacy for the Varsity Spending Plan. Courtesy of Southern Movement Committee “We’re really grateful to see the work of our young people recognized,” Floss said, speaking about the students and SMC interns who have been volunteering to promote or deliver public testimonies advocating for the Varsity Plan. “Also, [to] see the changes that’s going to happen in Nashville due to this budget allocation, and we’re excited to get to work on making a really impactful contribution to youth safety here in the city.”& Southern Movement Committee organizer and Attorney...