 Transit Improvement
Program Referendum
“Passage of this measure allows the Metropolitan Government to improve and expand transit services
to include: expanded bus service countywide; new transit lines; new light rail and/or rapid bus service along
Nashville’s major corridors, including the Northwest Corridor, and a tunnel connection through downtown
Nashville; new neighborhood transit centers; improvements to existing train service; safety improvements, including
sidewalks and pedestrian connections; and system modernization.
This transit program’s capital cost is estimated to have a present day value of $5,354,000,000 and the
program is estimated to require $8,951,062,000 in revenue through 2032. Once construction is complete, the
estimated present day value of recurring annual operating and maintenance costs is approximately $99,500,000.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Department of Public Works will undertake implementation of the
program.
This transit program will be funded by tax surcharges, debt, federal grants, farebox revenues and convention
center and airport authority participation. The tax surcharges consist of: 1) a sales tax surcharge of 0.5%
for the first five years, increasing to 1% in 2023; 2) a hotel/motel tax surcharge of 0.25% for the first five years,
increasing to 0.375% in 2023; 3) a 20% surcharge on the business tax; and 4) a 20% surcharge on the rental car
tax. These tax surcharges will end once all debt issued for the program has been paid and the Metropolitan
Council determines by resolution that the revenues from the tax surcharges are no longer needed for operation
of the program.”
The above is the actual referendum language you will be voting FOR or AGAINST.
You can read details of the Transit Improvement Program at this link.
One of the frequently asked question is, why not use property tax for transit program.
Under the State of Tennessee Improve Act, local governments are allowed to collect six categories of tax surcharge for transit proposals.
(1) Local option sales and use tax, pursuant to chapter 6, part 7 of this title;
(2) Business tax, pursuant to the Business Tax Act, compiled in part 7 of this chapter;
(3) Motor vehicle tax, pursuant to title 5, chapter 8, part 1 or an applicable private act;
(4) Local rental car tax, pursuant to part 19 of this chapter;
(5) Tourist accommodation tax, pursuant to title 7, chapter 4, or hotel
occupancy tax pursuant to part 14 of this chapter or an applicable
private act; and
(6) Residential development tax, pursuant to the County Powers Relief Act, compiled in part 29 of this chapter.
You can watch the latest Debate between Transit for Nashville and NoTax4Tracks at this link cutesy of the Tennessean.
Either you are FOR or AGAINST the transit program, however, the most important thing you can do is to vote!
In order for you to vote for these positions, you will need to ask to vote in the Democratic primary.
Chancery Court Judge, Part 2 Candidates: Anne Martin, Joy Sims, Scott Tift
Criminal Court Judge, Division 2 Candidates: Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton, Joy Smith Kimbrough
General Sessions Judge, Division 3 Candidates: Ana Escobar, Sheryl Guinn, Newton S. Holiday III, Judge Nick Leonardo
General Sessions Judge, Division 10 Candidates: Judge Sam Coleman, Frank Mondelli Sr., Tillman Payne, Joyce Grimes Safley
Criminal Court Clerk Candidates: Howard Gentry, Steven Murff
Juvenile Court Clerk Candidates: Jeff Crum, Lonnell Matthews Jr., Michael Joyner, Rep. Sherry Jones, Metro school board member Tyese Hunter
Register of Deeds Candidates: Richard Exton, Councilwoman Karen Johnson, Pam Murray,
Sheriff Candidates: Sheriff Daron Hall, Kenny Hardy
Public Defender Candidates: Martesha Johnson
Circuit Court Clerk Candidates: Richard Rooker
County Clerk Candidates: Brenda Wynn
Trustee Candidates: Charlie Cardwell
Mayoral Special Election will be set between May 21 and May 25
- Qualifying Deadline – April 12, 2018 at Noon
- Withdrawal Deadline – April 19, 2018 at Noon
Register to Vote or Update Your Address Online
Need to register to vote or update your address? It’s easy at GoVoteTN.com. Any U.S. citizen with a driver license or photo ID issued by the TN Department of Safety & Homeland Security is eligible. Registering to vote or updating your address is fast and secure. And you’ll be ready to vote in the next election!
Can’t remember if you already updated your address? No problem. You can check your voter registration information here: Tennessee Secretary of State – Division of Elections Voter Lookup
As always, I welcome your input. Please feel free to call me or e-mail me with any suggestions or questions. |
