Not to be outdone by the chamber of commerce, the city's real estate brokers' trade association backs the tax increase:

The Greater Nashville Association of Realtors today announced its support for the tax increase proposed by Mayor Dean in his State of Metro address recently, according to Kendra Cooke, President of GNAR.
 
Clearly, the decision to support this tax increase is something we take very seriously. We met, at length, with Mayor Dean and other key leaders and believe that what would be funded by the tax increase is needed to keep our city and region both improving and competitive.
 
Mayor Dean and his administration have consistently managed the budget of the city appropriately through both the difficult days brought on Nashville through the flood, and through very challenging economic times.
 
GNAR leadership is convinced that, in order for our city – and region – to remain competitive in attracting individuals, families, businesses and job growth, Nashville must continue to build on its positive momentum in public education and public safety. Based on Mayor Dean’s explanation of his plan and vision communicated in his “State of Metro” address and his comments to GNAR leaders, the funds from the tax increase focus on doing just that. The tax increase truly would be an investment in our future.
 
Our hope and expectation is that, consistent with their present approach, the administration will continue to look for every possible efficiency in government. The Metro Council will review the budget and tax proposal between now and the end of June.
 
We are pleased to know that the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and others are also supporting this measure. Apparently they, too, realize that this tax increase is correctly seen as an investment in the future.