Charlotte, N.C.'s mayor politely suggested Monday that the Tampa Bay area was behind its competition when it comes to the transportation networks necessary for job recruitment. ...more

November 3, 2009

An economic development task force has recommended that Hillsborough County "aggressively" push for a 1-cent sales tax in 2010 to fund mass transit. ...more

June 18, 2009

Hillsborough County commissioners will get updates on finances, transportation and water conservation when they meet today at 9 a.m. ...more

April 1, 2009

Facing steep budget cuts and rising enrollment, many of Florida's community colleges are rallying behind an amendment on Tuesday's ballot that would allow counties to propose a sales tax increase to help the colleges raise funds. ...more

October 31, 2008

The region's transportation authority finally has a permanent executive director, but his tenure will depend on whether the governmental agency can get funding. ...more

October 25, 2008

Facing steep budget cuts and rising enrollment, many of Florida's community colleges are rallying behind an amendment on the Nov. 4 ballot that would allow counties to propose a sales tax increase to help the colleges raise funds. ...more

October 17, 2008

With shrinking property tax revenue and tighter city budgets projected, a redevelopment group this week opted to recommend delaying a $590,000 redesign of a major community corridor. ...more

February 9, 2008

In a replay of the controversy generated by the Penny for Pasco sales tax referendum in 2004, school officials once again are being accused of violating election law, this time in relation to the property tax amendment on Tuesday's ballot. ...more

January 28, 2008

Mayor Pam Iorio doesn't support the statewide property tax referendum but predicts it will pass Tuesday. ...more

January 23, 2008

Early voting for the Florida primary starts today. This election has important issues not just for registered Democrats and Republicans but also Independents. For partisan voters, from today until Jan. 29, is the opportunity to decide the party nominee for president. While registered Independents in Florida bypass that option, this year, they will have the chance –– like other voters –– to cast their ballot on whether the state should adopt property tax changes to address runaway ad valorem taxes. The property tax referendum seeks to double existing $25,000 homestead exemption for homes valued at more than $50,000 but only for non-school taxes. It also would let homeowners take their Save Our Homes benefits along with they move. Other provisions would give businesses a break on taxes they pay on equipment and other personal property, and put a 10 percent cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead properties. The ballot provision is more far-reaching than just the doubling of the homestead exemption for some voters. If passed, homeowners will be able to use their existing 3 percent cap on the appraised value of their home, on a new house they might buy. There are also benefits for businesses along with a 10 percent cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead properties, although average increases in taxable value of such homes have been less than 10 percent. ...more

January 14, 2008