Political group has formed to oppose transportation plan

The big picture: Unlike the 2018 opposition effort, which raised millions of dollars, the new committee is focusing on a more grassroots approach of talking to neighborhood and civic groups.

• Former Metro Councilmember Emily Evans, Davidson County Republican Party leader Beth Campbell and attorney Dianne Ferrell Neal are among the group's organizers.

Between the lines: The group especially takes issue with the proposed half-cent sales tax increase to fund the plan, Evans says.

• "People have already sustained a pretty significant increase in property taxes in 2020 (when the city passed a 34% increase)," Evans tells Axios. "That was a price shock that has yet to be absorbed. Then you're talking about a 22% increase in the local option sales tax, and there's already talk about another property tax increase next year."
• "All of that on top of inflation that people are dealing with. It's quite a lot to go on a taxing spree like this."

What she's saying: Evans says the group believes the city is pitching its transportation plan at a time when a large segment of Nashville is losing faith in the city government. She pointed to neighborhood opposition to a plan to overhaul the zoning code to allow for more residential development.

• She also mentioned fights on the Metro Council over police funding.
• "The objections, first and foremost, are the unfairness of it. Raising sales tax puts the burden disproportionately on the poor. It's widely accepted as a regressive tax, and the absolute worst way to fund new initiatives."

Zoom in: She said the group believes the improvement plan's key items, like new sidewalks and traffic signal upgrades, should come out of the regular annual capital budget.

• The group has concerns about safety following a string of crimes on the WeGo system, she says.

The other side: "We believe that asking Nashville for a one-half of one percent sales tax increase is a relatively small investment for the future of our city," Jeff Morris, executive director of the pro-transportation group Nashville Moves, tells Axios. "That amount averages to $6 a month or just over $70 annually per household."

• "Also, it's important to note that 60% of our sales tax is actually paid by people who don't live in Davidson County. They're out-of-towners, tourists and bachelorettes, or commuters from nearby cities, and they're helping us pay for infrastructure improvements we desperately need."

• "What we're really talking about is whether or not Nashville wants to move forward, or continue to be stuck, quite literally, in traffic. This plan is about making our commutes faster, making our streets safer, and unlocking over $1 billion in federal matched funds we currently don't have access to receive."

Reality check: The opposition group enters the campaign as the clear underdog. It will be up against Nashville's Democratic political machine. Attorney Charles Robert Bone is spearheading an ambitious effort to raise between $3.5 million and $5 million to back O'Connell's plan.

• Progressive activists and business leaders have signed on in support.
• Metro Council unanimously voted to put the measure on the ballot, and prominent opponents of the failed 2018 proposal support the new plan.

Go deeper: Follow along with all of Axios Nashville's coverage of the 2024 transit referendum here.