Chancellor Russell T. Perkins, a Nashville judge, struck down the provisions of a referendum on the city’s taxes that was scheduled for July 27.
The ruling invalidates the referendum and cancels the special election that was to be held, which would have allowed voters to determine the fate of the dramatic tax hike.
The referendum aimed to rescind Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s controversial 34 to 37 percent tax increase, which Cooper argued was to stabilize the city’s finances. If enacted by voters, the measure would have dramatically altered the budget of the city — immediately slashing $40 million.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper praised the decision by the judge, which allows his recently-passed budget to remain the same. He claimed, “We’re building a great city, and we’re grateful for a ruling that prevents a small group from hijacking Nashville’s future with an unconstitutional California-style referendum.”
Over 27,000 residents had signed the petition — a number objectively far from Cooper’s claim of a “small group.”
However, his efforts to raise taxes have been heavily challenged — specifically by attorney Jim Roberts and his organization, 4 Good Government. Roberts called the decision “shameful.” He also pledged to continue to fight.
“It seems like at every turn of this process, the default is to go with what Metro says and suppress voters’ rights. We are going to keep coming back,” Roberts said.
Earlier last year, a different judge, Ellen Hobbs Lyle, invalidated the petition based on her concerns over the legality of the move.
After a new petition and more signatures, the Davidson County Election Commission voted to approve the measure after seeking legal counsel from two outside attorneys. “The Election Commission’s duty is to place the proposed amendments on the ballot for approval or disapproval by the voters of Metro,” the counsel recommended.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Boycott, Divest, Sanction , Metro Council!
That’s the Democrats machine. Dam the people, you will pay for their overspending.
Property tax forgiveness!
Once again, the system prevails and the citizens are ignored. This is criminal.
A little back-door handshake maybe.
A Judge in Mayor Cooper’s hip pocket.
Imagine that, a Corupt-O-Crat thwarting the will of the people. So with all of the Conservative pundits flocking to Nashville, will there be any shift in power? #VotetheBumsOut!
So, WHY did Chancellor Perkins strike it down? I would like to understand the reasoning.
From the article, as it stands, it seems he just slammed his gavel and squashed it, like he was ordered by Mayor Cooper or something.
I presume that attorney for the citizens group which wants the referendum on the city’s taxes intends to appeal? A court ‘striking down’ at this late date a referendum that was scheduled for July 27 is not seemly.
Please stop supporting the Nashville Chamber of Commerce! They are part of Mayor Chicken Coop’s partners to suppress the Citizens right to vote on property tax increases! Inflation is hurting everyone and Metro council increase taxes and then uses tax payers money to disallow us a vote to roll back high property taxes…. Shameful
So, one man gets to tell the citizens of Nashville that they are too stupid to decide whether they want to continue funding an out of control government or not. We don’t even have a democracy anymore, let alone a republic. Whatever the Politburo wants, the Politburo gets!
Friends, we are seeing the epitome of corruption! We MAY have one more opportunity to use the ballot box to right this Country. After that the whole lock, stock and barrel will be on the line!
The corrupt politicians in Davidson county strike again! The people will get a vote and this attempt to keep voters from having a vote on the property taxes will unify all peoples against this bogus ruling by this partisan judge! The people will win this battle for control of their pocket books! Please file an appeal immediately Davidson county election commission and 4Good Government. Davidson GOP please file a friend of the court brief to support allowing the people a vote! Democrats please stop this voter suppression attempt by the partisan judge and The Coppers, Councilman Bob Mendez and Burkley Allen! Let the people vote!
Davidson County GOP are you going to field candidates for all the judges next year? The democrats always run as partisan, please field candidates! Please join the certain appeal of this partisan ruling by a democratic elected chancellor/judge! This will be overturned on the appellant level…..
ironic he calls it ‘california style’ – a state completely run by democrats.
he has no shame and no logic
Cooper and his commie cronies suck! POS!