It's not that people wouldn't approve a tax increase to support it. The issue is that every politician in the state would attack a light rail project for the city.

The city managed to complete a street car after ten years, but it faced opposition from the mayor, the governor, and federal congressman. The congressman in question even pushed a law that would prohibit any federal funding from going to the operation of the project. How fucked up is that? A congressman who prevents federal funding from flowing into their district.