The Transportation and Mass Transit Megathread

[nashwatcher]

Her approval rating is still remarkably high for any politician. I hope she sticks in there and gets her agenda passed because I think it would be good for Nashville.

 

What some guy at the Tennessean believes doesn't impact what I believe is best.

[nashvylle]

Her approval rating was I believe done before the nude photos report was made public. 

[BnaBreaker]

16 minutes ago, nashvylle said:

Her approval rating was I believe done before the nude photos report was made public. 

I mean, you're probably right that there are people out there who would be swayed by that for whatever reason, but if people already know she was having an affair I'm not sure why they'd be surprised that her and her lover also saw each other naked... shouldn't that kind of be assumed?  haha

[nashvylle]

20 minutes ago, BnaBreaker said:

I mean, you're probably right that there are people out there who would be swayed by that for whatever reason, but if people already know she was having an affair I'm not sure why they'd be surprised that her and her lover also saw each other naked... shouldn't that kind of be assumed?  haha

It was the fact that the head of security logged in for OT at 330pm and the pictures were taken at 337pm. 

[Pdt2f]

2 hours ago, Dale said:

Haven't seen any polls recently, but bad as it looks for Barry -- and it's looking worse and worse -- nevertheless her approval rating is quite robust. So, seems to me that if the transit vote is a referendum on Barry, this thing should pass handily. On the other hand, the Barry faithful might say, "We love you, but not so much your cause celebre." Thoughts ?

Her approval rating is still good but the transit referendum was always going to be close and losing 10-15% of her support could be a difference maker, even with a 60% approval rating. And like @nashvylle says, the rating was taken before the most recent photo controversy. I’m kind of in an unusual grouping because I’ve never been a fan of Barry but I’m pro her transit plan. I’m in favor of whatever action makes the plan passing more likely, and I think that action would be the mayor resigning. This isn’t partisan either - I know whoever steps up afterwards is basically going to have her politics but without the stain of the affair controversy. I don’t have any delusions of some conservative swooping in and winning a special election or something - that ain’t going to happen and I know it. I just want strong, uncompromised leadership for what is going to be a crucial few years for our city. 

[Dale]

In other words, in her stubbornness, she may take Nashville's future down with her ?

[Pdt2f]

10 minutes ago, Dale said:

In other words, in her stubbornness, she may take Nashville's future down with her ?

That may be a little strong, but I think it could set us back 5-10 years, or whenever another large-scale transit plan gets put forward (which could take more than a decade if the political enthusiasm for transit is set back because of demoralization). I don’t think we’ll be Youngstown, Ohio if she doesn’t resign and if the plan doesn’t pass, but I think we’ll tread water for years. 

[samsonh]

4 hours ago, Dale said:

In other words, in her stubbornness, she may take Nashville's future down with her ?

 Her poor personal choices should not impact one’s view of this project. I realize many do not understand the funding mechanisms( Park Ave) but the effects of this project even if started today wouldn’t really be felt for many years. 

[Nash_12South]

9 hours ago, samsonh said:

 Her poor personal choices should not impact one’s view of this project. I realize many do not understand the funding mechanisms( Park Ave) but the effects of this project even if started today wouldn’t really be felt for many years. 

Her poor choices don't affect my views of the project, but unfortunately it will hurt the chances of this passing.  I'd like her to stay as mayor, but I think she is passing the point of no return.

I support the project, but I know a lot who don't and a lot on the fence. For many, all you have to do is say "raises taxes" and that's it. The people coming to this site are a lot better informed than the average Nashvillian and not everyone here is in favor.

Is there a way to do a poll on this site? 

[Pdt2f]

12 hours ago, samsonh said:

 Her poor personal choices should not impact one’s view of this project. I realize many do not understand the funding mechanisms( Park Ave) but the effects of this project even if started today wouldn’t really be felt for many years. 

This is actually something I’m in complete agreement with you, @samsonh. I don’t think her choices should affect the transit vote, but I also think it will. And this plan gives remarkable value for such a low cost to your average taxpayer. 

[markhollin]

See how Nashville's tax burden compares to other cities:

https://www.nashvillechamber.com/blog/2017/even-with-new-transit-surcharge-nashvilles-total-tax-burden-among-the-lowest

Even with the slight increase to our local sales tax to help pay for transit, we will still be below the median. Once fully implemented, our tax burden would raise only to 7%, still below the national median and cities like Memphis, New Orleans, D.C., and Minneapolis. 

Opponents of Let’s Move Nashville will continue to say we will be one of the highest taxed cities in the country, but it’s simply not true.

Another more condensed graphic:

[Guest]

^ I have not heard anyone state a 'Yes' vote on the transit referendum will make Nashville one of the highest taxed cities in the country. I have heard and read  many statements that a 'Yes' vote will give Nashville the Highest SALES Tax in the country. I think this is demonstrably accurate.

Example - From NoTax4Tracks splash page -
"A $9 Billion price tag and the highest sales tax in the nation for a traffic plan that won’t work."

[Pdt2f]

15 minutes ago, nashville_bound said:

^ I have not heard anyone state a 'Yes' vote on the transit referendum will make Nashville one of the highest taxed cities in the country. I have heard and read  many statements that a 'Yes' vote will give Nashville the Highest SALES Tax in the country. I think this is demonstrably accurate.

Example - From NoTax4Tracks splash page -
"A $9 Billion price tag and the highest sales tax in the nation for a traffic plan that won’t work."

That’s a good point, but I think even the sales tax is overblown. People (not saying you, but just people in general) forget that our sales tax is high in lieu of having a state or city income tax, which would take far more money out of the hands of taxpayers. I’m perfectly willing to pay a 10-12% sales tax on goods and services, rather than be extorted by the state with an income tax.  

[Guest]

^ I do not disagree that a state or city income tax would prove ruinous ... that is a given. I was responding to Mark's post above. The complaint regarding the 'highest in nation sales tax ' is accurate and your adding the fact we have no state income tax (somewhat) and no city income tax is also contextually relevant.

[fishsticks176]

It's true that the transit plan would tie us with Chicago for the highest sales tax in the country. I have had to correct dozens of people on other forums, though, that A) property taxes will not increase and serve as a funding source for the plan, B) It will not make us the highest-taxed city in the country, and C) It is not an infrastructure for tourists that will be paid for by residents--actually, the reverse is far closer to the truth. There is so much misinformation surrounding the transit plan, and a good amount of those opposed are repeating it without doing any research and without knowing the facts. I suppose that shouldn't really surprise me, but I guess I'm perpetually naive when it comes to the competency of the general population. 

While there may be some legitimate arguments in opposition, I've found that most of it is fueled by misinformation and, as Isaac Asimov put it, "the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge'".

 

That said, most people I've talked to in person have been proponents of the plan. I drive for Lyft on the weekends and the light rail comes up in conversation pretty often. Almost everybody has been in support of it. I think that the opposition is just much louder, as is the case with most things. As far as the vote goes, though--and this is not to dismiss the need for vigilance and involvement--I think we're safe. 

[markhollin]

Voters are currently weighing whether to support the city's proposed mass-transit expansion on May 1, and while the plan will cost billions of dollars to implement, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce argues it will only cost residents an additional 17 cents per day, or $5 per month.

How did the chamber get that number?

Davidson County residents spent $8.8 billion in retail spending in 2016, which means they spent $814 million in sales tax, according to the chamber's research team. This assumes each resident spends an average of $12,680 annually.

A half-cent sales tax increase — which would be the first bump under the city's plan — would generate $44 million in additional sales tax revenue. That number divided by 697,945 — the county's current population figure — gives you $63.04, or the average amount each resident will spend per year in additional sales tax. Divide that by 365 days a year for an average of 17 cents per day.

Another way to look at the costs of the plan is by calculating the cost per household in Davidson County. To do that, you take the additional $44 million in sales tax revenue and divide it by 286,098 — the number of households in Davidson County — to get $154, or the average amount each household will spend annually in additional sales tax. That equates to 42 cents per day.

The projection of 17 cents per day covers the first five years of the proposed tax increase, since the funding plan calls for Davidson County's cumulative sales tax to increase to 10.25 percent in 2023.  When that bump goes into effect, residents will spend, on average, an additional 35 cents daily, or $126 annually. Households will spend, on average, an additional 84 cents daily, or $307 annually.

Full article here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2018/03/01/chamber-transit-will-cost-you-17-cents-per-day.html

[Guest]

A major blow to Transit Prospects - No other way to look at the Front Page Story from the Tennessean. The power brokers of downtown entertainment and development seem to be lining-up again the Transit Plan.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2018/03/02/nashville-transit-downtown-broadway-traffic-sales-tax/374515002/



 

[markhollin]

^ ^ ^ A handful are against it---and mostly for uneducated reasons.  Most are in favor.  

[Guest]

^ To allude to Mark Bloom's concerns as 'uneducated' is the height of conceit. You of course may disagree with him/them, but you should allow him/them the same courtesy without negative attribution. This referendum is not assured by a long-shot and as we saw last-night in the Q and A Mayor Berry's scandal is not helping.

[PaulChinetti]

Uneducated reasons. I doubt he meant uneducated people.

I wonder if these are the same business owners on lower broad that were also against getting rid of the street parking and widening the sidewalks. 

Barrett Hobbs a owners of a few bars was on the AMP board back in the day. He seems on board now, just has his worries, which are fair. 

 

The BNA CEO the other day saying how they are already setting aside money for a rail line from the airport to downtown should absolutely thrill downtown business's and hotels. I can't find the article now but I know I read it.

[BnaBreaker]

1 hour ago, nashville_bound said:

A major blow to Transit Prospects - No other way to look at the Front Page Story from the Tennessean. The power brokers of downtown entertainment and development seem to be lining-up again the Transit Plan.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2018/03/02/nashville-transit-downtown-broadway-traffic-sales-tax/374515002/



 

Sounds to me like they are pro transit but mostly just concerned that the construction of the tunnel portion might negatively affect business, which is an understandable concern.  Not quite sure how it could be seen as a "major blow" though.

[samsonh]

 

 

Just now, BnaBreaker said:

Sounds to me like they are pro transit but mostly just concerned that the construction of the tunnel portion might negatively affect business, which is an understandable concern.  Not quite sure how it could be seen as a "major blow" though.

I was about to post this very same thing. A major blow is an interesting take.

[nashwatcher]

1 hour ago, nashville_bound said:

^ To allude to Mark Bloom's concerns as 'uneducated' is the height of conceit. You of course may disagree with him/them, but you should allow him/them the same courtesy without negative attribution. This referendum is not assured by a long-shot and as we saw last-night in the Q and A Mayor Berry's scandal is not helping.

Major blow? I'm guessing you didn't read the article. If you did you're spinning it in an inaccurate way.

[Guest]

^  Indeed, I did read it, as I would never post an article I had not read...what would be the point. It is a major blow because the Lower Broad contingent is one of the major power players in the city... as any long time observer of city politics would already know.

Since the tunnel is part and parcel the Transit Plan I would posit that opposition to one is opposition to all.

[samsonh]

2 minutes ago, nashville_bound said:

^  Indeed, I did read it, as I would never post an article I had not read...what would be the point. It is a major blow because the Lower Broad contingent is one of the major power players in the city... as any long time observer of city politics would already know.

Since the tunnel is part and parcel the Transit Plan I would posit that opposition to one is opposition to all.

Yes and reading the article shows you these people are afraid it will be loud. Well, no joke! It will be loud. Bloom thinks it will damage tourism and then provides no evidence for that claim.  You are trying to take a few people's opinions and make it something it is not.