02/26/2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 26, 2018
NASHVILLE SMART: “ICITIZEN POLL SHOWS UPHILL CLIMB FOR
TRANSIT PLAN AMONG NASHVILLE VOTERS”
Nashville, TN - An online icitizen poll conducted by NashvilleSmart, Inc. shows that a significant number of Nashville voters admit that they are already “very familiar” or “somewhat familiar” with the transit plan slated for a referendum vote on May 1, 2018. Perhaps more significantly, however, a solid majority currently oppose the plan.
The icitizen online poll, conducted February 10 - 16, 2018, and promoted in various media outlets in the Nashville area, asked: “How familiar are you with Nashville’s proposed transit plan and the upcoming referendum to raise taxes to primarily fund light-rail construction?” 72% were either “very familiar” or “somewhat familiar” with the plan.
The poll also asked: “The mayor's transit plan involves a combination of projects that include 26 miles of light rail, expanded bus routes, and a 1.8-mile tunnel to divert downtown traffic. These projects will cost $8.95 billion, funded by tax increases in Davidson County. Most notably, the sales tax would rise from 9.25% to 9.75% in July and to 10.25% in 2023, and business and excise tax would increase by 20% In general, do you support or oppose the mayor's transit plan?”
50% of respondents “strongly oppose” the plan, while another 10% “somewhat oppose” the transit plan. Conversely, 23% “strongly support” the transit plan and 9% “somewhat support” it. Another 9% were either unsure or had no opinion.
Lonnie Spivak, Chairman of NashvilleSmart, says the poll results indicate that Nashville voters are “at best skeptical” of the plan and most likely will vote against it in May when they become more aware of the costs and the serious questions regarding whether the plan will actually improve traffic conditions in Nashville. “The price tag is high,” Spivak noted, “and voters are not buying the idea that the promised light-rail system will be effective or efficient as a means of alternative transportation, particularly when the existing light rail Music City Star option between Lebanon-Mt. Juliet-Nashville is not attracting a significant number of users.”
“Based upon the experiences of other cities, voters understand that the plan will actually cost more than were are being told and produce a lot less than we are being promised,” Spivak added.
The full top line results of the poll are available at www.NashvilleSmart.org/poll. NashvilleSmart, Inc. is a 501c4 education organization that promotes a vision of better choices, planning, development and positive economic development for Davidson County, Tennessee and which advocates for fiscal responsibility in the use of taxpayer funds.
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For more information contact: Lonnie Spivak - [email protected] 615-429-5902
