Will pennies keep falling for Pinellas?

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Post a comment | E-mail this story | Print

A familiar sign around Pinellas County construction. (Slideshow)

Pinellas County residents are familiar with the signs saying a Penny for Pinellas funded various projects.

The future of the Penny for Pinellas program is back in voters hands. But just how many voters is the question.

Critics said political leaders are trying to extend the tax another 10 years by sneaking it onto a low profile election cycle.

"It's a shame," professor Darryl Paulson said. "It's a travesty and it's an injustice and the county commission ought to be ashamed to hold the election at this time."

Paulson plans to vote against the added tax. But he said most voters won't have a say because they won't go to the polls. At least 15 municipalities are holding elections in Pinellas County. The problem is there's no big race drawing attention.

A Penny Saved

Penny for Pinellas has funded many county projects the past decade.

"If they really want to know what voters feel about this issue they should hold the election at a time to maximize, not minimize turnout," Paulson said.

County commissioner Bob Stewart felt just the opposite.

"The reason we decided to do it in March is so it would have its stand alone focus and attention throughout all the voters throughout Pinellas County," Stewart said.

Stewart said the commission debated before putting the referendum on the March ballot.

"If we wanted to slide it by, we would put it during in the presidential election where it wouldn't get the kind of attention that we think it deserves at the local level," Stewart said.

Paulson says the timing won't help the vote on Penny for Pinellas.

This isn't the first time the Penny for Pinellas projects appeared on a March ballot. It was the same way 10 years ago when voter turnout was reportedly about 23 percent and the projects received overwhelming support.

This year, three early voting sites are urging people to make their choice on the issue. History shows, however, most voters won't turn out to cast a ballot until the general election March 13.

Stewart said there has been concern about the Penny for Pinellas program. Especially now, when voters are complaining about high property taxes and home insurance rates. Some are concerned about taking an extra penny in taxes out of their pockets.

But Stewart said voters should realize a lot of the projects around the county would not have been funded without the program.