Tennessee communities hit pause as data center questions reach local government open.substack.com/pub/theredem...
Tennessee communities hit pause as data center questions reach local government
By The Redemption Project Newsroom
open.substack.com
@brandonburley.bsky.social
This round is about more than just patriotic shirts.Redemption Stories.Tennessee Good Work.Redeemed.TRP originals. Faith, civic clarity and apparel with an actual message behind it. the-redemption-project-shop.fourthwall.com
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At 13, Jay Martinez was stealing groceries to help feed his family. Years later, he was involved in gangs, drugs, prison and cartel-connected crime. Today he's a preacher, husband and living proof that your worst chapter doesn't have to be your final chapter. "I'll fail you. But Jesus won't."
The Redemption Project merch store is live. First up: the Freedom 250 Collection for America’s 250th anniversary. Vintage Americana. Eagles. Racing. Marines. Fireworks. Red, white & 250. Built for 1776–2026. Shop here: the-redemption-project-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/...
Tennessee GOP Board Lets Knox County Sheriff Primary Stand The Tennessee Republican Party’s State Primary Board voted Wednesday to let the 2026 Knox County sheriff primary stand, leaving Brent Gibson as the Republican nominee after a challenge tied to later developments in the race.
Occasionally , as campaigns provide me press releases — I will continue to share them with you all.
TN education budget is not one debate. It includes public school funding, teacher pay, school choice scholarships and other education priorities. So when someone says education funding went up, the better question is: Funding for what? More on Substack: substack.com/@theredempti...
Tennessee’s budget is not one pile of money. That may sound obvious, but it is one of the easiest things to miss when people talk about state spending. Most budget conversations start with a big number: How many billions did Tennessee spend? How much went to education? How much went to roads?
As campaigns send me press releases, I will share them with you all. This is from the Monty Fritts for TN Governor campaign.
Some Tennessee counties had turnout near 30%. New article: “How empty ballots train voters not to participate” Read here: open.substack.com/pub/theredem... What does your county’s ballot teach voters?
I asked TN GOV Candidates the same question on the 2A. It was interesting how differently they define the role of government. Some draw hard constitutional lines. Others focus on outcomes and consequences. That gap matters more than people realize. www.facebook.com/share/p/1HVn... #Tennessee
New Overton Insights poll: If President Trump implemented a military draft, would you support or oppose it? Overall: Support = 25% Oppose = 66% Republicans: Support = 43% Oppose = 41% Democrats: Support = 10% Oppose = 86% Independents: Support = 16% Oppose = 80%
A DCS watchdog sent me a warning. The numbers raised a better question. Tennessee’s Department of Children’s Services budget was about $817M in FY 2018-19 — roughly $1.08B in today’s dollars. For FY 2026-27, the recommended DCS budget is about $1.58B. That does not automatically prove failure.
A new Tennessee law limits when doctors can prescribe medication to themselves or immediate family members. Because medicine is not just about access. It is also about oversight, records and medical judgment. The law is aimed at keeping treatment decisions inside a proper doctor-patient relationship
New Overton Insights poll: Attempts on President Trump’s life: genuine or staged? Overall: Genuine = 51% Staged = 36% Not sure = 13% Republicans: Genuine = 81% Staged = 12% Democrats: Genuine = 29% Staged = 54% Independents: Genuine = 37% Staged = 45%
New Overton Insights poll: Planned primary participation Overall: Republican primary = 39% Democratic primary = 48% Neither = 13% Men: Republican primary = 54% Democratic primary = 34% Women: Republican primary = 24% Democratic primary = 62% Ages 18-29:
Good news with your coffee. This week’s Tennessee Good Work of the Week spotlight goes to United Way of Greater Knoxville and its East Tennessee Collaborative.
What old books still teach my government and economics students: “We are only at the beginning...” That line from Hermann Rauschning’s The Redemption of Democracy is a good reminder that democracy is not a finished product.
New Overton Insights poll: Candace Owens Favorable = 17% Unfavorable = 40% Ben Shapiro Favorable = 17% Unfavorable = 44% Erika Kirk Favorable = 28% Unfavorable = 54% Hasan Piker Favorable = 10% Unfavorable = 19% Never heard of him = 56%
This week we covered Tennessee voting habits, public opinion, budgets, applicant comparisons and redemption stories. One thing I've learned: Most people agree on more problems than social media would have you believe. The disagreement usually starts when we discuss solutions.
New Overton Insights poll: AI and automation as net positive or negative for society Net positive = 17% Net negative = 46% Positives/negatives roughly equal = 34% Independents: Net positive = 10% Net negative = 62% The AI debate is not really about machines. It is about trust.
He was arrested more than 50 times.Today, Alan Roberts is a licensed counselor helping others rebuild after addiction and incarceration. His story is not clean or easy. Redemption rarely is. But one line says it all: “We do recover.” New Redemption Story is live. open.spotify.com/episode/6YFF...
I wrote a new article for *Governing* on recidivism and what actually helps reduce repeat offending long-term. The piece looks at: • accountability • mentorship • education • employment • community stability • scalable public policy solutions
New Overton Insights poll: New data center in your community Support = 16% Oppose = 67% Strongly oppose = 55% That is not mild hesitation. That is broad resistance. A data center is not just a tech facility. It is a local trust test. Land. Water. Electricity. Infrastructure. Tax incentives.
I asked several TN GOV candidates the same question about AI & infrastructure. What stood out wasn’t just the answers it was how differently people approach the problem. Some plan ahead. Some respond after the fact. Learn more: www.facebook.com/BrandonBurle...
Tennessee’s final budget is about $58.3 billion. But the number alone does not tell the story. The better question is: where does the money come from, and where does it go? Most state tax money comes from sales tax. Most state spending goes toward education, health and social services . . .
New Overton Insights poll: Tax dollars for public university athletic departments Support = 19% Oppose = 56% Not sure/no opinion = 25% Republicans: Support = 13% Oppose = 64% Democrats: Support = 23% Oppose = 53% Independents: Support = 23% Oppose = 46% College sports can be beloved.
People keep saying Tennessee is a “non-voting state.” New article: “Tennessee may not be a non-voting state.” Read here: open.substack.com/pub/theredem... What are you seeing in your county?
I started *The Redemption Project* because I believe people deserve deeper conversations than algorithms usually reward. The podcast covers: • Tennessee politics • civic education • criminal justice • leadership • public safety • redemption and second chances
The Redemption Project
Podcast · Brandon Burley · The Redemption Project tells real stories of change, accountability, and second chances. Hosted by Brandon Burley—a retired law enforcement detective, criminal justice…
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