MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two state lawmakers from the Memphis area have proposed a sales tax hike to fund the construction of a new Shelby County jail.

The bill, introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly by Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D) and Rep. John Gillespie (R), would allow Shelby County to increase local sales tax from the current maximum of 2.75% to 3.75%.

The move is projected to raise well over $1 billion over the next 10 years to replace the aging and crowded facility at 201 Poplar.

Revenue will be earmarked for the construction of a new county jail and expenses of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, a summary of the bill states.

Currently, the sheriff’s office says there are 2,547 inmates in 201 Poplar, in a jail built to house 2,400. Seven hundred have mental or behavioral health meds for management.

Escalators have not worked for years, so inmates and employees walk the escalators up all six floors. This includes medical emergencies. 

Only one of two elevators is working, and 686 doors are set to be replaced in the next two years 

The bill has been introduced in both the state House and Senate.