Who represents Davidson County Taxpayers?

The Mayor and Metro Council will spend endless hours asking department heads if they need more money but not one minute will be spent asking taxpayers about their family budgets and their willingness and ability to pay more in taxes. Oh sure, there will be “town hall meetings” but they will typically be stacked with people who are beholden to Metro for a continuing flow of the taxpayer’s money. Taxpayers simply don’t attend these meetings in large numbers.

Ok then, who does represent Davidson County Taxpayers?

Does the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce represent Davidson County Taxpayers? Nope, they use loads of money and lots of high priced expertise to represent businesses in the entire Metropolitan area. Their recent 2005 Government Legislative Agenda mentions the word "funding" 30 times. Translation for taxpayers: "funding" means "we would like to raise your taxes so Metro Government can subsidize private businesses." They just love it when taxpayers in Madison, North Nashville, and East Nashville pay more in taxes to subsidize rich fat cat developers, downtown hotel owners, and sports franchise owners who don't even live in Nashville. To no one’s surprise they have whole heartedly endorsed the Mayor’s tax increase.

Ok then, if the Chamber doesn't represent taxpayers maybe the teachers union, the MNEA, represents taxpayers. Nope, the MNEA represents Metro teachers and they do a superb job. Many political observers believe the MNEA along with the State Union, the TEA, is the most politically powerful and effective lobbying force in the state. The MNEA is very determined to see a property tax increase approved.

Ok then, if the MNEA doesn't represent taxpayers, maybe the Service Employees International Union 205 represents Davidson County Taxpayers? Nope, they represent support personnel in the Metro schools. Their President is acknowledged by most observers to be one of the most effective lobbyists at the Metro Council. He is very determined to see a property tax increase approved.

Ok then, maybe the Fraternal Order of Police Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 5, or the Nashville Firefighters Local Union 140 or the United Steel Workers Union, Local 9426 represent taxpayers? Nope, none of these groups represent taxpayers. They represent police, firefighters, and school bus drivers and they do a great job. These are all great people who do important jobs and they deserve to be represented. They all support a property tax increase and are working hard to see that it happens.

Ok then, if none of these groups represent taxpayers, where are our representatives and what are they doing to present our side of the story? The Mayor and Metro Council know all about the Metro Budget but they are absolutely clueless about the family budgets of taxpayers. Does the Metro Council know how much your car payment is or your house note? Of course they don’t and, rest assured, most council members won’t make a serious effort to find out if you are willing to pay more in property taxes.

So, what is a taxpayer to do? How about this? Go to a place where taxpayers are appreciated and respected and represented.

According to Census figures and a recent study by MTSU, between 1995 and 2003, there was a net OUT migration from Davidson County of more than 23,000 people. This is more than any other county in the State except Shelby County. Many of these people moved to adjoining counties, all of which had lower property tax rates than Davidson County.

Why would so many taxpayers want to move out of Davidson County? Don't they feel like they have a voice in Davidson County Government?