HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — In November, Hillsborough County residents will vote on a one-cent sales tax to help with transportation issues. 

  • Hillsborough residents to vote on transportation sales tax
  • Referendum to improve transporation issues within the county
  • Tax estimated to generate $280 million a year

"I think people have felt powerless so long about transportation and now they have a chance to do something about it and we think we're going to be successful in November," Tyler Hudson, Chairman for the grassroots group 'All for Transportation' said. 

Hudson successfully canvassed the county seeking signatures to get a penny sales tax transportation measure on the ballot. 

"What our plan will do is reduce congestion. It's going to make roads safer, filling potholes, adding turn lanes, make traffic light, smart, and computerize them," Hudson said. 

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says he supports the sales tax and is particularly keen on the public transportation enhancements and rail projects being discussed. 

"It's an investment in our future. If we don't deal with these transportation issues, it's going to strangle us, the growth with strangle us," Buckhorn said. 

The group 'All for Transportation' estimates the tax would generate about $280 million a year, and some of the projects on the list could get started within 30 days. 

However, not everyone is on board with the proposed plan. 

Coalitions Director for Americans for Prosperity Demetrius Minor said, "You have many families in Hillsborough who are already stretching their finances trying to make ends meet. Who will this hurt the most and those who are least fortunate." 

Hudson said the money would be specifically earmarked for only transportation issues and an oversight committee will ensure it's being spent wisely. 

"It's about 13 people appointed from all parts of the county. They're going to make sure this money is audited on an annual basis," Hudson said. 

If approved, the tax will run for about 30 years, and the revenue granted would go into a fund strictly for transportation issues.