68% of Nashvillians back paying higher taxes for improved public transit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new poll found that two-thirds of Nashville citizens say they would be willing to pay more in sales tax to support improving public transit if given a vote in a public referendum, The Tennesean reports.

Those numbers, outlined in a new Vanderbilt University poll, could help boost the cause of Middle Tennessee transit advocates who are seeking action from the state legislature to allow local governments to hold referendums on funding transit projects.

The poll found that 63% of Nashvillians would be willing to pay 25 cents more on sales tax for every $100 if the extra money went toward improving public transportation. An even higher percentage of respondents, 68%, said they would be willing to pay 50 cents in additional sales tax for every $100 they spent, compared with 30% who said they would not be willing. For the full story, click here.