Tennessee Republicans are toying with the possibility of a special legislative session to address skyrocketing property taxes in downtown Nashville.
A spokesperson with House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s office tells Scene sister publication the Nashville Post there have been conversations with Gov. Bill Lee’s office about "all possible options including special session.” This comes months after concerns raised by owners of Broadway honky-tonk businesses regarding what they feel are excessively high property taxes and worries of being priced out of downtown due to last year’s property tax increase for some areas of Davidson County.
Newly formed Nashville Property Tax Coalition says businesses will close without some form of intervention
Approximately 95 locally owned businesses have formed an alliance advocating for solutions to address what members feel is an “unprecedented commercial reassessment” increase in property taxes. A record number of property owners appealed their appraisals, according to Axios.
Axios Nashville reports that Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson told The Matt Murphy Show this week that he is "deeply, deeply concerned about the impact of these property taxes on some of these businesses." Johnson confirmed to Axios that he has spoken to the governor’s office about the issue.
Country musician John Rich, who owns Redneck Riviera on Lower Broadway, posted a video on social media on Aug. 5 criticizing Mayor Freddie O’Connell and claiming it is becoming “impossible” and “unsustainable” for Broadway honky-tonks to stay open. Axios reports that Rich and other downtown honky-tonk owners met with Sexton to discuss the issue.
The outlet also notes that studies have found Nashville has one of the lowest effective property tax rates in the U.S., with Davidson County having raised tax rates only three times since 2005.
If a special session is called before the end of the year, it would be the second specially called legislative session of 2026. Lee ordered lawmakers back to the Capitol for a session in May to redistrict Tennessee’s congressional maps.
This article was first published by our sister publication the Nashville Post. Nicolle S. Praino contributed reporting.
