The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance has taken a firm stance, ordering the group behind Nashville's pro-transit campaign to register as a referendum committee and disclose its donors. This move sheds light on the complex web of funding sources fueling the high-stakes battle over the city's transportation future.

Uncovering the Funding Flows: A Closer Look at the Transit Campaign's Finances

Watchdog Demands Transparency from Nashville Moves Action Fund

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance has sent a clear message to the Nashville Moves Action Fund, the group spearheading the pro-transit campaign. The registry has ordered the organization to register as a referendum committee by Election Day and submit financial disclosure reports as soon as possible. This move aims to shed light on the sources of the substantial $2.1 million that the fund has poured into the campaign for Mayor Freddie O'Connell's "Choose How You Move" transportation plan.

Navigating the Nonprofit Maze: Skirting Disclosure Laws

The pro-transit campaign's website directs donors to give to the Nashville Moves Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit. These types of nonprofits typically do not have to identify their donors, allowing groups to circumvent campaign finance disclosure laws. However, the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance has determined that the group's activities, including taking in money from PACs and soliciting donations directly from the pro-transit website, meet the definition of a political campaign committee, also known as a referendum committee.

Partial Transparency: Revealed PAC Donations

While the source of most of the pro-transit money remains unknown, the financial disclosures have shed light on some of the funding sources. PACs, which are required to disclose their donations, have contributed $190,900 to the campaign. The architecture and engineering industry, law firms, labor unions, and consulting firms have all made significant contributions, with firms like Gresham Smith and HDR, Inc. donating $50,000 each. Even UPS has shown its support, with its PAC contributing $5,000 to the pro-transit push.

The Funding Disparity: Transit Proponents Outpacing Opponents

The new financial disclosures reveal a stark contrast in the funding levels between the pro-transit and anti-transit campaigns. The "for" campaign, led by Green Lights for Nashville, has raised over $2 million more than the "against" campaign, represented by the Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax. While the anti-transit group has ramped up its efforts, spending $38,155.16 in October, the pro-transit campaign has continued to dominate the financial landscape, with Green Lights for Nashville reporting $1.4 million in October alone.

The Referendum's High Stakes: Nashvillians to Decide the City's Transportation Future

The upcoming referendum on November 5th will be a pivotal moment for Nashville's transportation future. Residents will decide whether to establish a dedicated source of funding for transit improvements, including expanded bus routes, traffic signal updates, and new sidewalks. The plan is estimated to cost $3.1 billion and would be funded through a new half-cent-per-dollar sales tax increase, bond proceeds, and other sources.As the battle for transparency and funding continues, the stakes for Nashville's residents could not be higher. The outcome of this referendum will shape the city's transportation landscape for years to come, and the ongoing tug-of-war over the campaign's financing only adds to the high-stakes drama unfolding in the heart of Music City.