Lobbyist reports optimism for sports wagering, real-estate transfer tax and lottery funds

Rutherford County lobbyist Will Dunamie told commissioners he was optimistic about progress on several multi-year initiatives, including directing sports wagering dollars, increasing the countys share of real-estate transfer taxes and capturing lottery excess revenue for local priorities.

Dunamie said the current proposal includes sports wagering dollars in a plan that would support vouchers and other local uses. He told the commission there has been talk of a special legislative session but the form of action is not yet known: "There's talk about a special session. We're not sure, you know, I'm not sure what's gonna happen if it's regular session, special session, but we'll know soon enough. We're optimistic that there is gonna be some movement as well on the lottery excess funds and also the real estate transfer tax," he said.

County officials asked about how a proposed change to the real-estate transfer tax would work. Dunamie explained the proposal would not raise the tax rate paid by homebuyers but would increase the share that remains in the county from 26% to 50% so "half of it would stay here," he said. He added that this would mean more of the real-estate transfer tax revenue would be invested in the community where the home is purchased.

The lobbyist said year-over-year state revenues are growing even if estimates vary, and that the proposals have a better chance this year than in recent sessions. Commissioners asked staff to prepare a resolution supporting the real-estate transfer tax change for a future meeting.

The commission did not take formal action on these legislative priorities at the meeting; Dunamie presented information and took questions.