EDITORIAL: Nashville - The Tennessee Senate approved SB 694 by a vote of 22 (for) and 4 (against) last Thursday (3/7/2025).

Smyrna State Representative Mike Sparks (TN-R) said, “Here's a bad bill that preys on the poor? How much money do these groups donate?”

In his Op-Ed piece, Sparks continued, “The predatory lobbying groups are one the most powerful in the state legislature. My hope is that President Trump and Elon Musk with DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) will see what our state is doing by raising interest rates.

President Trump has wanted to cut interest rates to help Americans--not raise them to profit off the middle class.

The silence today from our church pulpits, Non-profits, NAACP, our universities and others is deafening. Our country has lost its way when we advocate to raise interest rates to allow predatory lenders to profit off the least of these even more.

A few years ago, the legislature raised them from 24% to 30% and sadly there was silence then as well. Now they want to go to 36%. It makes me want to vomit!

Folks who give a damn need to call their lawmakers and ask them to vote 'No' and if they vote 'Yes' explain it to them and how bad legislation helps the next generation.

The general assembly's number is 615-741-1100 and say your representative's name in the phone prompt.”