Mayor Iorio pushing for tax for light rail system

Sunday, November 23, 2008

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Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio supports the penny sales tax to raise funds for the light rail mass transit system.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Light rail mass transit could be on its way to the Bay area and Hillsborough County could be its first stop.

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio is pushing for a penny sales tax to build and operate that train system.

"Every other major city in the country has a form of rail other than Tampa and Detroit," Iorio said. "So we are about 20 years behind on this year, and I think it's critical for economic future and for our quality of life and for our environment."

The pennies would amount to about $200 million for the transit system.

But before the project goes any further the Hillsborough County Commission has to weigh in. In the past the commission hasn't been in favor of the penny sales tax. Although, Commissioner Rose Ferlita believes there is now enough support to put a referendum on the 2010 ballot.

"We need it," she said. "We should support it."

But even if most commissioners agree on a referendum, Hillsborough County voters will ultimately decide whether to tax themselves.

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And with today's slow economy, the math for light rail just doesn't add up for some voters.

"If the tax was going to go to the schools, to the police, fire department, then I'd say yes, but otherwise, I don't see it as a necessity at this point," said Hillsborough County resident Carrol Dawson.

Commissioners are expected to take up the penny tax issue next year. If it's approved the referendum would go on the ballot in 2010.

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