'English only' denied by Tennessee Supreme Court

Justices opt not to listen to arguments and stop Metro Councilman's case in state courts

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled and "English Only" has been denied.

Metro Councilman Eric Crafton has been trying to place a referendum on the November ballot that would ask Davidson County voters to make English the "only" language in which Metro officials can communicate. There are serious doubts that, even if approved, such a charter amendment would be enforceable due to federal laws.

He was denied because the Metro Charter limits when and how many additions to the document can be made over a multiyear period. Crafton had worked to place it on the ballot in November 2006.

Thinking that he had crossed the mulityear threshold, he reintroduced the referendum proposal this year only to be denied by the Davidson County Election Commission. The commission ruled, based on advice of the Metro Legal Department, that still not enough time had passed.

Not content with the ruling, Crafton then appealed to the judicial system to overturn that decision.

Today, the Tennessee Supreme Court handed down its decision. They have denied Crafton's motion to have even a hearing, thus letting earlier decisions stand and ensuring that an English Only referendum once again will not be placed on the ballot.