The Sycamore Institute

05/27/2026

What are your go-to places to get local, state and national news? How much do you trust the information you read? We want to know where you stand!

Take the survey we've put out with Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Press Forward for the 40 counties in Middle Tennessee. https://www.pressforwardmidtn.news/

05/26/2026

As of April 30, 2026, Tennessee had collected about 76% of the $21.9 billion in total budgeted revenue for FY 2026. https://buff.ly/xUCtP9F

05/22/2026

The number of kids who struggle with their mental health continues to grow in Tennessee, and knowing where to find nearby resources is an important step in getting them support.

https://sycamoretn.org/child-mental-health-services/

05/21/2026

Algorithms that know us better than we know ourselves. Hundreds of influencers and journalists to choose from. We all have different worlds of information at our fingertips that can make our realities look nothing alike. So, how do we find common ground? Last week we discussed these ideas at our Annual Forum, where we talked all things Feeds, Filters and the Future: How Information Shapes Public Life in Tennessee.

In case you missed it, learn more about why we do what we do. https://sycamoretn.org/history/

A special thank you to our Brilliant Sponsor, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
for supporting this event.

05/14/2026

04/28/2026

As of March 31, 2026, Tennessee had collected about 63% of the $21.9 billion in total budgeted revenue for FY 2026.

https://sycamoretn.org/2026-tax-revenue-tracker/

04/23/2026

Every month, Sycamore publishes a newsletter for subscribers that offers a monthly roundup of interesting news, analysis, and opinions. Email subscribers see it first, but you can read April's edition here:

It’s April, and after an East Tennessee woman turned 105, her community showered her with more than 200 birthday cards. How many cards does a 10th birthday get?

04/21/2026

According to data compiled by the Tennessee county and municipal technical assistance offices, 48 counties and 276 municipalities—or 51% and 80%, respectively—had adopted zoning ordinances as of 2025.

When local governments do rely on zoning, the framework includes formal planning bodies, zoning ordinances, building codes, and enforcement tools such as permits and inspections.

https://sycamoretn.org/zoning-in-tn/

04/20/2026

Adjourn sine die.👨‍⚖️ You might hear a legislator say this phrase when the Tennessee legislature adjourns for the year. What does that mean? Policy Director Robin Yeh explains.

04/16/2026

🌳 We’re hiring!

The Sycamore Institute is seeking a Policy Research Analyst or Senior Policy Research Analyst to join our bipartisan research team in downtown Nashville.

This full‑time, in‑person role is a great fit for someone who enjoys working with data, is energized by engaging across a wide range of policy issues, cares deeply about Tennessee and its communities, and excels at translating complex policy issues into clear, impartial insights that help Tennesseans understand the challenges affecting our state.

Applications are due by May 8. Learn more about the position and how to apply here: SycamoreTN.org/jobs