Introduction: The Promise of Equity—But for Whom?
Knoxville’s proposed half-cent sales tax increase has been promoted as a triumph for “equity,” promising to generate roughly $10 million annually for the next five years to fund affordable housing, infrastructure, and neighborhood revitalization. The resolution and first reading at City Council passed 8-1 on October 14, 2025. Citizens will vote on the measure during early voting and on November 4, 2025.
On the surface, this appears to be a step toward fairness. Yet a deeper look into the City’s own Five-Year Neighborhood Investment Plan reveals troubling disparities…