Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell described his “Choose How You Move” transportation referendum as “very progressive” in a Wednesday interview, highlighting the endeavor as one of the most progressive acts of his administration.
O’Connell was asked by The Guardian, which describes itself as “the world’s leading liberal voice,” to what level he views himself “as a progressive leader in a state that is not politically progressive” following the 2022 redistricting process that split Nashville between multiple congressional districts.
“I would argue that it is very progressive to pursue ambitious transportation and transit,” O’Connell told the outlet, highlighting his transportation referendum as evidence of his progressive leadership.
O’Connell’s transportation referendum will cost $3.1 billion, be partially financed by a half-cent sales tax increase, and offer miles of new sidewalks, street lights, hundreds of new, technologically advanced traffic signals and a number of increased bus services and routes for the metropolitan area.
Nashville Tea Party founder Ben Cunningham has claimed O’Connell’s plans are illegal under the 2017 IMPROVE Act, which permits local governments to hold sales tax referendums to fund mass transit systems, including bus routes.
While Metro Government told The Tennessee Star that O’Connell’s referendum “complies in every way with state law,” Cunningham argues that sidewalks and traffic signals were not covered in the 2017 legislation.
Cunningham has additionally warned that O’Connell’s referendum depends on finite federal funds and suggested Nashville will ultimately be compelled to raise property taxes as the money dwindles.
Despite highlighting the transportation referendum to the The Guardian, O’Connell acknowledged “people in our progressive ecosystem here in Nashville” would prefer the mayor offer more “blue meat” to gain support from Democrats.
The mayor nonetheless stressed to the outlet that Nashville’s local government is nonpartisan and his administration is mostly focused on “the kinds of progress” that lowers cost of living and improves city services.
This focus apparently led to a less hostile relationship between Nashville and the State of Tennessee, with O’Connell explaining, “I would say our administration and I personally have a sense of relief that the hostility toward the city has maybe subsided somewhat.”
Of his decision to pursue detente with Republicans in the General Assembly, O’Connell told the outlet, “We know there will be values and policy disagreements,” and “[t]here’s just no reason to then add to that a permanent posture of war and hostility”
Still, O’Connell suggested Republicans will continue to run political campaigns that oppose the policies enacted by Metro Nashville City Council.
“I do think it has come into vogue to run against Nashville, almost as if we were Tennessee’s San Francisco,” O’Connell acknowledged.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Freddie O’Connell” by Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County. Background Photo “Nashville Traffic” by Cheryl A. Austin. CC BY-SA 4.0.
