THE TENNESSEE LOCAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING ACT OF 1982

This Tennessee legislature enacted the Local Transportation funding Act of 1982 with backing of the state's transit operating agencies to add, at local option, a cent to the fuel tax by any county, metropolitan government or incorporated municipality for maintaining or extending transit service. Neither of two attempts--in Nashville and Chattanooga--to gain voter approval was successful. The local referendum has inexorably linked successful implementation of the legislation to the local political process. Until local labor issues are resolved there, Memphis City Council will prevent the issue from going to ballot. Transit managers in other communities have been discouraged from attempting local referendum. Learning to operate effectively in the political environment is a prelude to any successful effort by transit to secure a stable, dedicated source of funding. The Act is evidence that transit interests had become effective political players at the state level, but the agencies have yet to become effective at the local level. The legislation does respond to a recognized problem but, as written, is not sufficient to meet transit's needs and can be regarded only as a start. An appendix analyzes transit funding and institutional arrangements in Wisconsin where a long history of support for public transit highlights some elements missing from the Tennessee environment.