Image Credit: Freddie O’Connell / Facebook & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
The Tennessee Supreme Court has officially rejected a final appeal to reverse the Nashville transit plan referendum that was approved by Nashville voters in November.
Approximately 66% of voters cast votes in favor of the $3.1 billion “Choose How You Move” transit plan.
As a result, the Davidson County sales tax was increased by half a cent starting on February 1st of this year, making the county sales tax equal to Williamson and Rutherford Counties at 9.75%.
Soon after the “Choose How You Move” plan was approved, the Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax filed suit against Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, the Metro Nashville Government and the Davidson County Election Commission.
The lawsuit aimed to overturn the results of the transit referendum, arguing that Nashville voters were actually manipulated into voting in the plan’s favor.
A temporary injunction as requested at the time, but Chancellor Anne Martin denied that request citing a failure to comply with court procedures.
The committee, lead by former Metro Council Member Emily Evans, has claimed that the wording used on ballots misled voters by noting the cost that would be funded by the new tax increase instead of clearly stating the full amount that would be spent on the transit plan.
However, city officials argued that their plan was fully permissible under the IMPROVE Act.
In January, Chancellor Martin ruled in favor of the city and allowed the “Choose How You Move” plan to proceed.
When the ruling advanced to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, part of the transit plan that called for the acquisition of land for affordable housing and parks using funds from the tax increase was questioned and done away with.
The decision of the appeals court still stands even though the Tennessee Supreme Court has now, months later, found the Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax’s final appeal unsubstantial by a unanimous vote.
According to The Tennessean, Mayor O’Connell is celebrating the supreme court’s recent ruling.
“Nashvillians overwhelmingly told us – ‘We want a better transportation future,’” he told the outlet on Monday. “Today, I’m pleased with the court’s decision and am excited about the progress we’re already making to bring better sidewalks, signals, service and safety to communities across the county.”
The chief program officer in charge of overseeing the “Choose How You Move” plan, Sabrina Sussman, has stated that Nashville residents should expect to see work on the plan continue through this fall with the addition of 86 miles of new and upgraded sidewalks and around 600 smart traffic signals.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Never ending, tax more, spend more.