Judge Rules City of Nashville Can Proceed With Transit Plan

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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

Nashville’s transit plan will proceed as planned after a judge sided with the city in the legal challenge brought against it.

After hearing arguments from both the city and attorneys representing plaintiffs, including former Metro Nashville Council member Emily Evans and her group Committee to Stop an UnFair Tax, Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin decided in the city’s favor. 

Evans had hoped to stop the plan, along with the half-cent tax increase that will go into effect on February 1. Her team argued that voters were misled about the cost of the project.

They also argued that state law did not allow some of the projects that were included in the plan, which will provide a number of improvements to the transit system, such as update sidewalks, new traffic lights, and improved bussing.

Martin, however, found that the plan was in compliance with state laws.

“The Court therefore finds that the Ordinance is VALID and LEGAL, and that Metro is entitled to proceed pursuant to its terms, including the imposition of the surcharge pursuant to the IMPROVE Act,” Martin said in her ruling.

According to Metro Law Director Wally Dietz, the Department of Law worked closely with the city to ensure that the laws were followed.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said, “The court’s ruling, today, stands with the will of Nashvillians and confirms the referendum complied with all elements of state law. I’m excited for all of us to be able to move past legal distractions and get to doing the work that people expect of us and asked us to do.”

Evans says the judge’s decision as “not at all unexpected.” She stated that the group was prepared to appeal to the Tennessee Court of Appeals.