TN Supreme Court Denies Appeal for Nashville Taxpayer Protection Referendum For 2nd Time

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

The Tennessee Supreme Court has rejected the Davidson County Election Commission’s referendum appeal for a second time.

The group 4 Good Government proposed the referendum to change several different topics within the Metro Charter, specifically those regarding property taxes. The Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act would provide a form of safety for residents against increased property taxes.

In July 2021, the State Supreme Court decided that it would not be taking up the commission’s referendum appeal, stating, “The Court concludes that this case does not warrant the extraordinary action of the exercise of the Court’s authority to assume jurisdiction. As a result, the motion to assume jurisdiction is DENIED.”

Just before the initial appeal rejection, a judge ruled to strike down the referendum.

Chancellor Russell Perkins stated in his ruling, “Given that the six Proposed Amendments are not severable, none of 4 Good Government’s proposed amendments to the Metropolitan Government’s Charter are permitted to be considered for referendum election on July 27, 2021.”

At that point, the Davidson County Election Commission voted to appeal that decision.

In 2021, property taxes in the city were a hot topic after the city approved a budget that included a 34% property tax increase.

Mayor Cooper has repeatedly spoken out against the referendum and called it a wasted of taxpayer money to continue to tie the matter up in the courts.

In a statement, Cooper said, “Instead of addressing Chancellor Perkins’ concerns, the Davidson County Election Commission made a hardline, partisan decision in a Republican-dominated environment. Now, even more taxpayer dollars will be spent on prolonging litigation, even though two judges have already conclusively ruled: what this invalid petition seeks to do is unconstitutional.”

While the case may not be making it to the Supreme Court, it could still end up in the Tennessee Court of Appeals.

About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative  ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career.  Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others.  He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History.  Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com

One thought on “TN Supreme Court Denies Appeal for Nashville Taxpayer Protection Referendum For 2nd Time

  • September 30, 2022 at 4:37 pm
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    Sure they don’t want any road blocks to increasing property taxes so they can increase them at will to waste the money or take your property.

    Reply

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