National Issues,
Memphis Impact

INTEREST RATES • COMMENTARY

Memphis needs growth and relief from borrowing costs

Memphis families need purchasing power, and small businesses need room to expand. The Fed’s Sept. 16 rate increase to 3.75%–4%, citing elevated inflation, underscores why price stability matters. A city cannot build prosperity on expensive credit and promises of more public spending.

DRUG PRICES • COMMENTARY

Give Trump’s drug-price initiative a fair hearing

Trump launched TrumpRx and expanded its cash-price comparisons to include generic medicines. That deserves attention from Memphis patients looking for a better price. Judge the initiative by usable savings at the pharmacy counter, rather than a reflexive dismissal of its name.

TRADE & JOBS • COMMENTARY

Memphis should compete for American manufacturing

Trump’s metals tariff policy is explicitly aimed at strengthening American production. Memphis should be asking how to compete for factories, suppliers and technical jobs. A freight city has a stake in what America makes as well as what it imports.

INFRASTRUCTURE • COMMENTARY

Build the bridge—and show taxpayers the results

The I-55 replacement is the kind of public investment Memphis should expect to deliver safer travel and stronger freight connections. A large funding announcement is the beginning of the story. Taxpayers deserve a clear schedule, competitive procurement and an honest accounting of costs.

PUBLIC SAFETY • COMMENTARY

Credit Trump for bringing federal help to Memphis

Trump established the Memphis Safe Task Force in September 2025 to coordinate federal resources with state and local law enforcement. That is a concrete action deserving credit. Memphis residents deserve leaders who welcome lawful help against violent crime and put public safety ahead of partisan reflexes.

FRAUD & ACCOUNTABILITY • COMMENTARY

Go after the scammers stealing families’ savings

Trump’s March 6 executive order directs a coordinated federal response to cybercrime and foreign scam networks. That is the right priority. The FBI recorded $269.2 million in reported Tennessee internet-crime losses for 2025—money taken from people whose work and savings deserve protection.

AI & ENERGY • COMMENTARY

Memphis should help lead the national AI boom

The national AI boom gives Memphis an opportunity to attract major investment, strengthen its tax base and build technical skills. Memphis should pursue that opportunity with enforceable operating standards and infrastructure agreements that protect residents.

Trump’s July 23, 2025 executive order directed faster federal permitting for qualifying data-center infrastructure. Read Trump’s data-center permitting order.

EDUCATION & WORK • COMMENTARY

Trump’s Workforce Pell reform puts job skills on the agenda

The law Trump signed July 4, 2025 created Workforce Pell for eligible short-term training programs. That is a welcome recognition that a useful education can lead directly to skilled work. Memphis should pursue approved programs that connect students to real employer demand.