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BTH: Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland on 2020 Budget, Police, More

  

This week, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland joins WKNO-TV's Behind the Headlines, with Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries and host Eric Barnes.

Asked if he thinks anything is missing from the 2020 budget, Strickland says that he believes it covers all priorities. However, he wishes that there were more funding available for the police force and affordable housing.

Strickland says the city's population is not increasing as fast as yearly budget increases, which could affect the budget in years to come.

Also, Strickland talks about the Memphis Police Department and his efforts to increase the number of officers. The City now has more than 2,000 officers and by 2020 the mayor hopes that number will be up to 2,300 officers. Strickland says the officer shortage is a problem many major cities. 

In addition, the mayor discusses the $10 million state funding of Tom Lee Park, minority contracting and the plan for a local Hospitality Hub. 

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Reporting from the gates of Graceland to the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, Christopher has covered Memphis news, arts, culture and politics for more than 20 years in print and on the radio. He is currently WKNO's News Director and Senior Producer at the University of Memphis' Institute for Public Service Reporting. Join his conversations about the Memphis arts scene on the WKNO Culture Desk Facebook page.