Group speaks out against upcoming Nashville transportation referendum

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — You might be hearing more from a group opposing Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s upcoming transportation referendum.

A group calling itself the “Committee to Stop Unfair Taxes” began posting ads on social media.

In November, voters will decide whether to approve a sales tax increase that would allow for more bus routes, more sidewalks and upgrades to hundreds of traffic lights in Nashville.

The mayor’s office says the average household would have to pay about $70 more in sales tax per year to fund the project.

Opponents of the plan say the tax unfairly impacts Nashville’s poorest residents.

“If you’re on a lower income, you’re spending most of your paycheck on rent, gas, etc., so a lot of what goes into your paycheck goes to taxes,” said former Metro Councilwoman Emily Evans, who is a leader in the anti-referendum movement. “If you’re on a higher income, you’re paying for those things, but you’re also doing other things that don’t pay sales tax, like saving money or investing.”

Mayor Freddie O’Connell said Monday the referendum would deliver benefits that would particularly affect lower-income people.

“Ultimately, the program will offer free or discounted tickets in a way that we’ve never been able to do as a system, and we believe this is a high-impact, low-cost program that will benefit tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of Nashville residents, and that will be one of our key affordability tools,” O’Connell said.

Nashville voters will decide on a referendum on public transportation the same day they elect a president – ​​Tuesday, November 5.