The Tampa Bay Chamber’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the 1% Transportation Sales Surtax.
The proposed 1% Transportation Sales Surtax Referendum would go about half towards investing in roads and safety and the other half in expanding transit options. Improvements focused on investing in roads and safety include reducing congestion with computerized traffic lights, improving intersections and roads, fixing potholes and resurfacing streets, and providing new walking and biking options. The expanded transit options would create express routes to connect commuters, have a more efficient neighborhood bus service, and provide service to over 100,000 seniors and disabled citizens.
“The Tampa Bay Chamber is passionate about supporting this referendum because transportation systems that are adequately funded provide economic and social opportunities and benefits that result in positive multiplier effects such as better accessibility to markets, employment, and additional investments,” said Dr. Bob Rohrlack, President and CEO at the Tampa Bay Chamber.
Business leaders in the community see this transportation tax referendum as the first step in the right direction towards finding transportation solutions in a county that has had its fair share of growing pains when it comes to finding public transit options.
“The South Tampa Chamber supports the referendum because we believe that the business community benefits greatly from the productivity gained from access to the County’s broader labor market,” said Kelly Flannery, President, and CEO of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
“Reduced traffic leads to cost savings associated with worker wages and reliability,” said Lee Bell, President, and CEO of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce.
Community partners such as the Tampa Downtown Partnership, Westshore Alliance, and Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber also support the referendum.
“As a diligent steward of Downtown Tampa and its stakeholders, our organization believes that increased investment in transportation initiatives will improve the quality of life in our community and encourage physical as well as economic development,” said Lynda Remund, President, and CEO of the Tampa Downtown Partnership.
“This referendum will provide Hillsborough County families and businesses the transportation options they need to be successful and supports the betterment of our entire community,” said Michael Maurino, Executive Director of the Westshore Alliance. Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber President & CEO, Justice Gennari, echoed “our members benefit directly from enhanced transportation planning. Greater pedestrian and cycling activity increases hospitality and retail sector performance.”
The referendum provides the framework and funding for the community to build and develop a robust transportation system that would relieve rush hour bottlenecks, enhance bus services, and expand public transit options while providing a significantly improved transportation network in the cities of Plant City, Tampa, Temple Terrace, and throughout all of Hillsborough County.
