Nashville Mayor John Cooper says voter control over property tax rollbacks and increases is unconstitutional – and that voters are uninformed for supporting it. The mayor made this assertion during a Wednesday press conference explaining Metro’s new budget.
The mayor responded to reporter questions about what potential consequences would occur if the taxpayer referendum – the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act led by 4 Good Government – were to pass, and what the city would do about the potential financial blow. Cooper said that government officials have the ultimate control and final say on that matter. He noted that the 34 to 37 percent property tax increase last year “never really was that high.” Cooper said that community upset over the increase was no longer relevant because “that is so last year – that is so 2020.”
“I don’t think that the alleged choice that’s being made in the referendum is, in fact, a constitutional choice for people in Tennessee. Property tax rates are set by county legislative bodies and not by referendums. You can’t really go backwards in time and restate property tax rates,” said Cooper. “Also, if you feel strongly that whatever was the perceived need for a referendum on property tax rate was also quite outdated. Our current property tax rate is the third-lowest in our history. I mean, it never really was that high. I mean, it was always below our median, it was always the lowest in the state of Tennessee. It was below our median for Nashville, even when we had to make the adjustment last year in a crisis environment to deal with problems.”
Cooper also called the referendum supporters a “small group effort.” Signatures gathered for the referendum nearly doubled the amount of signatures gathered to create Nashville’s Community Oversight Board.
Cooper characterized the tax increase as a “moment of courage” displayed by himself and Metro Nashville City Council. He also claimed that those in support of the referendum were uninformed.
“I think the people signing the petition were probably under-informed, right, about what they were signing,” said Cooper. “And as the country gets beyond a kind of a moment of divisiveness in the last year that we in Nashville can take pride that we’re able to work together to solve our problems and produce better outcomes with historically low tax rate[s]. So, let’s go do that and keep our eye on the future and not on the past.”
Cooper said that none of the amendments in the referendum were really “fair,” and that’s why they should be considered unconstitutional. The foremost concern he expressed had to do with the financial incentives for government employees.
“Can you really walk back the benefits that you’ve offered elected public officials? You know?” asked Cooper. “Can you all of a sudden say that you’re going to have a referendum on the pension of our county court clerk after they’ve taken the job and been serving? You couldn’t do that to private citizens. Just because you’re in the public space does that allow you to be uniquely targeted?”
As the vote draws closer, Cooper has increasingly vocalized his opposition to the taxpayer referendum efforts. Earlier this month, Cooper gave a speech to a church about the dangers of the referendum.
“You are creating a path for anarchy in Nashville, Tennessee that will not end well, all because there is this path of super-small, weaponized kind of Trump-oriented divisiveness that enters into Nashville,” said Cooper.
The mayor alluded that the referendum, if passed, would cause the kind of difficulty currently facing California. Cooper blamed California’s financial woes and subsequent mass exodus on citizen-based referendums.
“This is how California got into its current trouble. Everything [there] is done by referendum,” claimed Cooper. “Everybody is counting on people using their worst judgment, their smallest moments, to go to the ballot box and vote that way. What has been the result?”
Earlier this month, 4 Good Government released a series of short videos explaining each of the amendments within the referendum.
The vote on the referendum will occur on July 27.
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Nashville’s budget on average has gone UP $100,000,000 a year for TEN years!! We have a spending problem!!
What an absolute, self centered, elitist ass!
4 Good Government probably should get in front the Dark Money running the TV ads. But, in typical Republican fashion, they will snatch victory from the Jaws of defeat. #VotetheBumsOut!
Mayor Cooper is doing the heavy lifting to keep Nashville on track as a truly diverse and progressive community. Fair housing, a guaranteed wage and reduced health care costs will all come from his tireless work. The rest of Tennessee will wake up and be proud when all the dust settles.
Cooper is doing his best to keep his pork pie for him and all his “progressive” cronies. Tax and spend, tax and spend is all the socialist dems know how to do. They are spoiled brats who demand more and more, while doing less and less.
You can’t really go backwards in time and restate property tax rates,” said Cooper
Au contraire, Bredesen had his retroactive tax increases. Cooper has precedent. He can. just keep raising your previous years’ taxes if he wants to.
Cooper the Incorrigible.
So its Trump again
What the heck do you mean, “you couldn’t do that (walk back benefits) to private citizens? Maybe you should talk to some retired Teamsters who, in 2014, had their pensions cut to stay solvent. I’ve had family members who had their company match funds to their 401K suddenly stop. Some quite offering 401K’s all together.
In the real world, an employer can change benefits and wages whenever needed to make the companies ends meet. You are free to quit and go to work somewhere else.The taxpayers are YOUR EMPLOYERS. We’ve allowed you Gov’t leeches to vote for your own wages and bennies for far too long. Not to mention that the members of the city Council have been some of the biggest grifters in town.
Mayor Chicken Coop, Do you not have any compassion for Nashvillians? We have been through the pandemic, loss of jobs, extremely high property taxes that you supported, and now high inflation? This referendum will pass and you have not done any fiscal management! You have only raised taxes! You will be defeated if you choose to run again and I predict you will see candidates that are focused on fiscal management not always seek to raise taxes as a solution! The Cooper dynasty is out of touch with Nashvillians! Please resign immediately!!
Mayor Chicken Coop and his partners in Higher Property Taxes Councilman Bob Mendez and Burkley Allen should be recalled immediately after the referendum passes! Cooper, Allen and Mendez have voted for their pay raises on council, lifetime health benefits and every property tax increase since they have been on the council. Their collective adverse actions regarding pay and lifetime benefits, higher property taxes have hurt senior and young people starting their adult life with higher rents and mortgage payments. The dishonest campaign to suppress voter turnout to vote down the outrageous property tax hike will be defeated! Did you notice the former mayor candidate, Charles Bone is the treasure! Nashvillians will retake control of our city with honest elected officials not seeking higher pay and lifetime health benefits! Please go and vote for the referendum to repeal the high property tax hike and cap future property tax hikes.
Whose Constitution is he referring to: it certainly is not the Constitution of the United States of America. The Republic is for the people, of the people, by the people.
We have no say in taxation was the raison D’etre for the Boston tea party and led to the Revolution, and now our Republic. Now this Communist say we the people have no say over their edicts!
I agree, Casca. Well said!
Watch Mini Cooper’s body language when the video starts, he’s flustered! He knows that the citizens are on to his deceit and that the Taxpayer Protection Act referendum is rapidly gaining support!
But boy does he have a set of big ones, saying “You are creating a path for anarchy in Nashville, Tennessee …” He was the guy who let the BLM/Antifa crowd torch our city!
And then he issues a direct threat when he continues saying, “…that will not end well!” He’s basically saying that if citizens vote to control their government, HE will bring back the BLM/Antifa thugs to burn down the city!
This is the exact tactic that the Left has successfully used in Portland, Seattle, and Minneapolis. The difference, is that WE are on to him, and we won’t let him get away with it!
Boy, he’s a real piece of work! Wasn’t really that high, huh? So what would you call that extra $400 I had to pay in property taxes…..just a myth? Unconstitutional you say? Are you aware the you work for us, not the other way around? Are you talking about *that* Constitution…the of, by and for the people Constitution? Have you actually read the Constitution?
God forbid voters have control over their lives, eh Comrade Coop?
he is a joke.
Cooper is UNCONSTITUTIONAL, the commie prick.
What an ignorant embarrassment of a mayor. This loser needs to go. Grasping for straws and looking like the true crooked democrat moron that he is. The voters are getting ready to tell you what they think of your whole administration and your dictatorial leadership you little jerk. Cooper is a POS.