- FAST FACTS:
- Vote to cut funding passes budget committee
- Vote was close, 6-to-5
- Motion still needs to pass several hurdles
tom.powell@wreg.com
(MEMPHIS June 3, 2009 10:15 PM) -- A Memphis City Council Budget Committee voted 6-to-5 Wednesday to cut funding to the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center.
Councilman Jim Strickland presented the motion, which called for the council to cut all funding to the center, and encouraged Shelby County to run the center instead.
Councilman Bill Boyd added a provision to the motion, calling for the funding to be cut, only if the county or a third party agreed to take over the center.
Councilwoman Barbara Swearengen Ware voted against the motion, saying there are too many unanswered questions, and it was too early to take such a big step.
Councilman Shea Flinn argued the county should take over the center because it's a regional service.
The motion is only a first step. It still needs to pass several more votes before the council, county commissioners still need to weigh in with a vote, and if all that were to happen, the mayor could still exercise veto power.
Stay with WREG News Channel 3 for the latest on this developing story.
