VOUCHER DEFEAT
DIANE NASH PLAZA
APRIL 25, 2024 | VOLUME 36 | NUMBER 16
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O’Connell unveils new details on $3.1B transit plan
Initial cost would fund future transit centers, bus service improvements, traffic signal upgrades BY COLE VILLENA
Gov. Bill Lee giving the 2024 State of the State address
PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS
Legislators pass state budget
Democrats voice concern regarding unknown franchise tax, school voucher legislation BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO
State legislators passed the approximately $52 billion budget in both the House and the Senate on Thursday. The House and Senate adopted Gov. Bill Lee’s amended budget first and then adopted their own amendment before discussing the changes in full. The House took up the budget first, with Democrats proposing amendments that would reallocate the funds for Lee’s franchise tax and the education scholarships (school vouchers) in several other ways. None of the amendments were considered timely filed. As such, sponsors had less time than otherwise to present the amendments. However, the outcome would likely not have been much different with all amendments voted down from consideration along party lines. After
Democrats further expressed their discontent with the budget, the House voted to pass the legislation 78-18. Not long after the budget legislation passed, some citizens shouting from the gallery were ordered to be removed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville). Some reports have said a woman was taken away by law enforcement and driven off the Capitol grounds in a patrol car. The Senate took up the House bill and Democrats proposed many similar amendments as their representative counterparts. Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) said it is not unusual for the budget to be passed while other legislation that could impact funds is still being worked out. He added if the budget passes with
more funds that end up not supported by legislation, those funds will rollover into future years to be appropriated. Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) pointed out that the funds in the budget do not cover the projected growth of either piece of legislation for the education scholarship fund. If none of that legislation passes, he said leaving that money on the table seems irresponsible since legislators have stressed constrained spending because of a decrease in the overall budget. Johnson highlighted that the budget takes on no new debt for the state. Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixon), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said the legislature has proposed spending 36 percent less in its amendment than fiscal year >> PAGE 2
Nashville voters have more details about the city’s much-anticipated transit referendum, which could bring new transit centers, 24/7 transit service, sidewalk improvements and modern traffic signals to the city. The plan, which — pending approval by the comptroller and the Metro Council — will cost $3.1 billion and be on ballots for the Nov. 5 election, would create a dedicated funding source for transit drawn from a 0.5 percent bump in Davidson County sales taxes. Proposed improvements will have an initial cost of $3.1 billion, with $111 million in recurring costs, according to plan documents provided after the event. Mayor Freddie O’Connell and representatives of Nashville State Community College, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and other community groups unveiled the plan at Antioch’s Southeast Community Center Friday morning. O’Connell, a longtime transit advocate, won the mayoral race in 2023 on a platform that included bringing a transit referendum to voters. The announcement follows several meetings by O’Connell’s Technical Advisory Committee and Community Advisory Committee. “It’s not a new conversation, but it is a new opportunity,” O’Connell said. “It’s an opportunity to move after being >> PAGE 2
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