Jerri Green's pitch for governor: Tap welfare funds, roll back corporate tax breaks, vouchers

NASHVILLE — In November, Tennesseans will vote for their next governor. But without a gubernatorial debate this year, voters will not have a chance to hear candidates introduce and defend their policy platforms. That's why Six Rivers Media extended invites to all the major candidates for governor — U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Democrat Jerri Green and independent candidate David Hatley — in an effort to dig into these candidates' policies, ideas and campaigns. Who is Jerri Green? Green is a Memphis city councilmember and the city's former Chief Public Defender. She believes the state's Republican supermajority is out of touch with voters' biggest priorities, such as the price of gas, groceries and other living expenses. "Tennessee is the testing ground for what America will tolerate," Green said. "[Republicans are] carving up our [congressional] maps, taking over our school boards. They are running roughshod over our Constitution by putting National Guard troops in our streets — what ICE has been doing in some of these cities feels like Nazi Germany to them." Green's Republican opponent, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, has referred to Green as a socialist, using the term to excuse herself from publicly debating Green. When asked directly if she was a socialist or a communist, Green laughed and said she was neither. "I'm a Democrat," Green said. "I am also a mom, and while I'm progressive, I am very pragmatic… I'm just holding true to what I believe is the best for Tennessee. So it's not really left or right, it's forward." Democratic nominee for governor Jerri Green CONTRIBUTED/Jerri Green for Governor Campaign Green said she won't raise taxes to fund any of the programs on her platform. "I've never voted for a tax increase," said Green of her two years on the Memphis city council. "I've always just found better budgeting solutions, and that's what my whole plan is about now." Green didn't pass up the opportunity to fling some mud at her Republican opponent. "I do think I'm going against an extremist, a racist, and a coward on the other side," Green said. "I'll make no bones about it, and I think she represents the worst of her party." 'Budget as a moral document' Three programs stand out from Green's platform. She wants to dedicate $10 million to buy up Tennesseans' medical debt, and she would spend the same amount waiving security deposits for Tennesseans in need of affordable housing. In addition, she looks to put another $50 million toward clearing childcare waitlists. Green plans to fund these programs exclusively using the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund, a $305 million fund intended for low-income families. Green said the state legislature is currently "hoarding" those funds, which she believes should otherwise go to families that need them. TANF, also known as welfare, is a federal program intended to help families pay for food, housing, electricity bills and childcare. Tennessee receives $191 million for this program every year from the federal government. The program has the added benefit of being largely under the purview of the governor's office — an important note for a Democrat who, if elected, would be likely to face significant roadblocks from Tennessee three-quarters Republican legislature. Green looks to shuffle some money around to implement other projects. She proposes rolling back the state's corporate tax rebates, an annual $405 million tax cut for businesses the state implemented in 2024. The move also allowed companies to apply for tax rebates for the previous three years' worth of franchise taxes, worth an additional $1.6 billion. With that money, Green said the state could end its 4% grocery tax twice over. Green said she would also attempt to halt Tennessee's private school voucher program, estimated to cost the state more than $1.1 billion over five years. She would rather put the money saved toward K-12 public education. "I just plan to use my budget as a moral document," Green said. "You know, if you show me your budget, you show me what you care about. I care about families, not billionaires, and it doesn't matter whether you have a 'D' or an 'R' in your name." Working with and against the other side When asked how she would handle the governorship alongside a supermajority Republican state legislature, Green outlined a few tactics for administering her agenda. "[The general assembly] is going to pass some things that I don't agree with. If we're working on jobs, roads, things like that, look, I'm here to work with you," Green said. "But if they're going to pass some hate bill, anti-immigrant, anti-woman, anti-LGBTQ, anti-Muslim, whatever piece of legislation, I'll do exactly as Andy Beshear does in Kentucky, and veto it." Green said she would be strategic in her appointments to leadership positions in state departments, specifically the Department of Education and Department of Health. She would also place Democrats at the head of legislative committees. Green also noted the governor's power to call a special session, a convening of the state legislature outside its normal lawmaking period. This year, Gov. Bill Lee called a special session in an effort to gerrymander the state's congressional map to favor Republicans. Green indicated she would use that power as a battering ram to push lawmakers to reexamine the districts they drew in May. "So I can call a session and require a fair look. And they, again, can vote it down. But you know what I can do after that? Call another one, and another, and another one. And what Tennessee representatives and the senators can't do while they're in session is fundraise. So we're going to hold them accountable for making maps that are not representative of our communities, and then we're going to send them back to their elections with lighter pocketbooks."