Legislative Drop-In 2026
- jessicadauphin
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
It was a classic Nashville late-winter morning: windy, 40 degrees, and overcast. Halfway up the hill to the Capitol, I was questioning my choice to walk there. Six blocks. Uphill and freezing.
Even so, that walk felt appropriate.
Building support for transit in Tennessee isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about showing up consistently, thoughtfully, and with a clear connection to the issues people care about most, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable.
Armed with a one-pager, our most recent annual report, and a simple message about the value of supporting the future of mobility in Middle Tennessee, I spent the morning meeting with the legislative aides and staff of Middle Tennessee legislators.
What stood out most wasn’t just the interest in transit, but how naturally it connects to the priorities already shaping decisions at the state level.
It took a bit of homework on the Tennessee General Assembly website https://capitol.tn.gov/, but I was prepared.
Of course, transportation committees are an obvious place to start. However, more surprising conversations happened with leaders on committees like population health, energy and natural resources, and commerce.
Because transit isn’t a standalone issue.
It’s not common to hear transit connected to many of the challenges and opportunities our state is already working to address.
Health
For instance, active transportation options, like public transit, walking, and biking, can positively impact personal and community health outcomes. More active modes can help reduce asthma rates and support more active lifestyles that lead to healthier individuals and healthier communities. Because when people can safely walk, bike, or access reliable transit, we see measurable impacts on health outcomes.
Natural Resources
By focusing development on high-capacity transit corridors, we can preserve more of our precious forests and green spaces. Investing in transit and high-capacity corridors helps guide growth in a way that preserves green space and protects the landscapes that define Tennessee. How we move people shapes how we use land.
Commerce
Surprisingly, transit isn’t just infrastructure. It’s an economic tool. One that consistently delivers returns, often cited at $5 for every $1 invested. By connecting people to jobs and supporting business growth, cities and regions can lower the overall cost of living while elevating the quality of life.
What was encouraging, though, was how many had personal stories of transit use and were curious to learn more. Several staff shared that they already rely on transit for commuting. Many shared their hopes for more options in the future. Some talked about wanting expanded bus service to access major events downtown. Others mentioned the potential for commuter rail across Middle Tennessee.
Transportation isn’t a niche issue. It’s lived experience. It’s a kitchen table issue that impacts households across our region (and state).
This marks only the second year the Transit Alliance has spent time on the Hill in this way. But it’s already clear that these conversations matter.
Because progress doesn’t always happen in big moments or bold headlines.
Sometimes it looks like walking uphill in the cold, knocking on doors, and having one good conversation after another. And over time, those conversations start to add up.
Middle Tennessee is growing. We believe transit should be part of that story, not as an afterthought, but as a tool for expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and supporting long-term economic success.
And we’ll keep showing up to make that case because our future is riding on transit.
View the one-pager:
Annual Report:
