TAMPA, Fla. — State lawmakers are poised to decide what should become of hundreds of millions worth of transportation dollars collected in Hillsborough County as part of a voter-approved sales tax that was found to be unconstitutional.
The proposal would help fund key projects, but more than half would also pay for attorneys' fees and tax rebates that have nothing to do with transportation.
That doesn’t sit well with Jay Hopkins, a Tampa driver and lifelong taxpayer, who says anything that might pave the way for repaving Hillsborough's rocky roads would be helpful.
Over the years the Tampa native says he’s seen the pavement in some neighborhoods deteriorate into a mosaic of patches and potholes.
“Yes, we need the roadwork, but that's not their interest overall,” Hopkins said. “I don't think that's what their interest are.”
Hopkins’ cynicism may be expected, as he and other taxpayers were not happy to hear more than half of the $589 million collected under a 2018 voter-approved sales surtax later found unconstitutional — probably won't go toward road projects at all.
Instead, under a proposal likely to pass in the state legislature this week, around $171 million will go to attorneys’ fees stemming from the years-long legal battle. Another $162 million is to offset tax holiday costs and other expenses.
“I would like to see all of it put to use,” Hopkins said. “But that's not gonna happen.”
County leaders, who will ultimately direct the remaining $256 million also shared their thoughts.
Under the original plan, nearly half of the tax was earmarked for public transportation. But the dollars being returned to Hillsborough have to be spent on pavement projects, not public transit. The use of the remaining money leaves many wondering how to fund Hillsborough’s underfunded public transit system.
“Forty-five percent of it was set aside for public transit. And it was so needed on a continuing basis. So, I think this is really disappointing, but it was never going to be up to us,” Commissioner Pat Kemp said. “I'm very grateful to get this back if we can move it through, but it's going to be substantially less than half of it for resurfacing of roads.”
“Some of us are disappointed that it isn't more, and that some of the money is going to be diverted away for administrative and legal fees and things like that,” Commissioner Harry Cohen said. “But the bottom line of the matter is that every dollar helps. And whatever money we get toward road resurfacing will be put to very good use.”
At one point, some wondered if the state would ultimately spend the disputed dollars outside Hillsborough County - for many, something is better than nothing.
The plan is part of the state budget, which is expected to pass Friday without changes.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is also said to support the plan.