Nashville Mayor Considers Sales Tax Hike for Salient Transportation Plan
Nashville’s Mass Transit Problem Calls for Action
The burgeoning growth in the Metro area of Nashville has unveiled increasing transit and traffic issues to its residents. To cope with the slowing and lengthening commutes, Mayor Freddie O’Connell has proposed an innovative plan to tackle the transportation problems that are persisting. The mayor is focusing on introducing a half cent sales tax increase aimed at funding a revamped transit system.
A Fresh Take on a Failing System
Jessica Dauphin, a prominent voice from the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee, has long envisaged a thriving public transit system that is able to handle the increasing population influx. Nashville’s last transportation plan failed markedly, but Mayor Freddie O’Connell emphasizes that this new approach is different from its predecessors.
The mayor stated, “The new plan we are proposing is high on impact and low on cost compared to the 2018 plans.” Sharing the same ambition, Dauphin expresses her vision for Nashville’s transportation, “I want to see a Nashville where if I walk up to a bus stop and see it pulling away, I don’t start sweating. I know another bus is coming in 10 minutes, and I’m okay.”
Impending Changes to Nashville’s Transportation System
Striving to improve Nashville’s traffic situation, Mayor O’Connell aspires to introduce more buses, expand sidewalks, and upgrade traffic signal systems. Powered by practical data and study results from two committees he commissioned, the mayor is hopeful that the proposed changes will significantly improve transit issues.
Sales Tax Hike: The Funding Mechanism
The new transportation campaign, aptly named “Choose How You Move”, is to be funded by the proposed half cent sales tax increase. This makes Nashville unique in that 60% of the proposed sales surcharge would be funded by nonresidents, namely tourists and daily commuters entering Davidson County, explained Amanda Vandegrift, a representative from InfraStrategies.
Public Reception
Sales tax increases often receive varying degrees of public pushback, and the proposed tax hike has already started sparking debate amongst the populace. Dauphin reassured skeptics by mentioning the astronomical annual cost of owning a car, which stands between $9,000 and $12,000. “Yes, it’s a slight increase on our grocery bill and shopping receipt, but we’re also gaining something significant for today and the future,” she elaborated.
Looking Forward
Nashville has conducted more than 70 plans and studies, informed by the shared experiences of countless residents. The mayor’s office has reported that three in four Nashvillians strongly agree (or agree) that investing in city-wide public transportation is critical for Nashville’s future. If the proposed referendum succeeds, it could position Nashville to receive federal dollars to fund the transit upgrades. Furthermore, the sales tax increase would place Davidson County on par with nearly all of its surrounding counties.
Conclusion
As the vote draws near, the eyes of Nashville and its neighboring counties are on this potential game-changer. With the Mayor’s fresh take on funding strategies and passionate drive for improvement, there is a sense of rising optimism that these innovative changes could revolutionize Nashville’s transportation landscape.
