Sen. Todd GardenhireNASHVILLE — A controversial legislative bill restricting Tennessee cities and counties’ use of gas taxes for parks, greenways, bike lanes and similar infrastructure is dead for the year.
Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, confirmed he took the bill off notice today after it became clear the Senate Finance Committee wouldn’t proceed with the companion measure sponsored by Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga.
The bill drew opposition from biking enthusiasts as well as concerns from at least some cities.
“It got pulled in the Senate so there’s no reason to run it,” Carter said.
“It’s not a ‘bike trail bill.’ You’ve been here long enough to know. What it does is it says here’s what we’re going to spend your gas tax money on. So the next year when the gas tax bill runs, people can decide ‘I want to raise my money for this purpose or for this purpose.’ And they can decide.