This article was written by Henry Queen and originally published in the Tampa Bay Business Journal on July 14, 2022.
Judge Rex Barbas has made his final decision regarding the 2018 All for Transportation tax, ruling that the funds must be spent on transportation within Hillsborough County.
The over $500 million collected from the invalidated sales tax will be spent on a list of projects to be determined by state legislators no later than Sept. 1, according to Barbas’ written judgment.
That means the percentages laid out by the 2018 tax won’t be used for the disbursement of the money.
Florida’s Legislative Budget Commission will recommend the list of projects to the Florida Department of Revenue, which will submit the official budget amendment. The commission comprises seven House members and seven senators — the majority of whom are Republican.
Democrat Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman said she hopes the county can submit a desired list of projects the state legislators could use. A local Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson said it doesn’t currently have any details to share.
Attorney Tyler Hudson, who helped lead the charge for the AFT referendum in 2018, said the revamped surtax to be put in front of voters in November still needs to pass.
“While we are pleased that money already collected will go to badly needed transportation projects that voters supported in 2018, Hillsborough’s transportation problem has worsened since then,” Hudson said in a statement. “With a project backlog now topping $13 billion, voters will have a chance to approve a much-needed, long-term transportation investment in November.”
Bemetra Simmons, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, endorsed the new 1% surtax and reiterated her support on Wednesday.
“We are thrilled that…” [Continue to read the full article.]