NASHVILLE, TN (WGNS) — When the second session of Tennessee’s 114th General Assembly gavels in at high noon on January 13, 2026, Rutherford County’s seven‑member delegation will walk into a Capitol buzzing with statewide debates — but also carrying a very specific set of local concerns. While no single document spells out a unified “Rutherford delegation agenda,” the issues piling up at home paint a clear picture of what your senators and representatives are expected to tackle.
One of the biggest pressures continues to be growth. Rutherford County is still one of the fastest‑growing counties in the state, with population projections brushing up against the 400,000 mark this year. That kind of expansion brings real‑world strain, and local leaders haven’t been shy about sounding the alarm. Roads are clogged, schools are bursting at the seams, a working solid waste system and public recycling, improved public safety infrastructure, and a mandated new $400-million jail must be finished and moved into over the next 5-years. Lawmakers will almost certainly be asked to secure funding and flexibility to help the county keep up with the demand.
Education is right behind it. County officials have already identified the need for a new middle school, along with expansions to several existing campuses. With enrollment climbing year after year, the delegation is expected to push for better capital‑funding tools, adjustments to state education formulas, and broader support for fast‑growing districts like Rutherford.
Another issue simmering in the background is property appraisal oversight. After the state accused the Rutherford County Property Assessor’s Office of incompetent work — an accusation the Assessor disputes — county leaders launched an independent review. Legislators may find themselves pulled into clarifying oversight authority, ensuring appraisal accuracy, and restoring public confidence. This conversation also ties into a statewide push to prohibit state‑level property taxes, a constitutional amendment already set for the 2026 ballot.
Crime and public safety will also be front‑and‑center. Statewide, lawmakers are preparing to debate major criminal‑justice amendments, including proposals to remove the right to bail for certain offenses and expand victims’ rights under Marsy’s Law. With Rutherford County already dealing with growth‑related crime concerns and a crowded jail system, these debates will hit close to home.
And then there’s the long view. County leaders are championing “Plan Rutherford,” a 10‑year roadmap aimed at guiding development while protecting rural areas from being swallowed by rapid growth. State lawmakers may be asked to support infrastructure funding, zoning‑related legislation, and incentives that help preserve the county’s rural character.
As always, residents will have a chance to hear directly from their lawmakers. The Rutherford County Delegation will return to WGNS on the last Friday morning of each month from 8:15 to 9:00 AM, taking text questions and talking through the issues that matter most to local families. It’s shaping up to be a busy year — and the conversation is just getting started.
